What did A&E Expect?

What did A&E expect when they hired a redneck family?  This question keeps popping into my head the more I hear about the Robertson's latest controversy.  Family patriarch Phil was initially in trouble for remarks made to GQ regarding homosexuality, and was suspended by the network because of those views. 

Now his latest comments are about marriage; Robertson married wife Kay when he was 19, and she 15.  He thinks other men should do the same.  In comments uncovered in a Youtube video Robertson says: "You wait til they're 20 years old, and the only picking that's going to take place is in your pocket.  You got to marry these girls when they are about 15 or 16. They'll pick your ducks. You need to check with mom and dad about that, of course." The remarks were part of a 2009 speech to a Sportsmen's Ministry event in Georgia. I disagree with his comments; in the first case they're homophobic, intolerant and crude.  In the second, they degrade and insult women by implying most of us are gold-diggers once we reach 20. 

This says more about reality television.  It's all manipulated to fit into storylines. Clips can be made to say anything; make people look however they need to in the name of ratings.  On the show Willie Robertson (CEO) looks like an idiot, and Silas looks like a crazy old fool.  These characters are maybe 30-40% true.

That brings me back to Phil.  A&E must be going crazy as they realize that Phil won't be controlled or molded into a character for the sake of the show.  He hasn't denounced any of his comments, and why would he? Like them or not, they're his beliefs and they come from his background, and knowledge. Having the courage to speak them out loud makes him probably the most honest person on reality television.

A&E should quit worrying about what Phil Robertson does, and focus more on network content.  This way the next time a Robertson does something they don't like, they can just pull the show.