Duck Dynasty, A&E’s ratings giant for years, has continued to watch it’s ratings drop drastically from the show’s former astronomical success. While the show is still cable’s reality show giant, the viewers have been draining away.

The shrinkage could have something to do with last year’s controversy surrounding patriarch Phil Robertson’s remarks about homosexuality. Phil made such colorful remarks like, “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

This remark and others that followed caused a national outcry from gay and lesbian communities, national media, and people wishing to ride the outcry for no other reason than to make a political statement.

Phil Robertson was unapologetic, however, and contended that his faith comes first. Even before the prosperity of his family. When A&E threatened to suspend Phil Robertson from the show, the family’s colors showed as they stood together and declared A&E could have all or none of the Robertsons.

Yes, the ratings are low, and yes, sales of merchandise are dropping off, but are the Robertsons concerned? I would think not.

During last year’s scandal, the family banded together in support of Phil. They said they will be ok if the show gets booted entirely. Even the youngest star, Sadie Robertson said, “If we start to think of ourselves too highly, we remember that we were happy before the show and we will be happy after the show.”

Clearly fame and fortune are not the focus of this family. What do you think? Will the Robertsons survive, should they have to, without A&E? More importantly, can A&E survive without Duck Dynasty?

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