Over the last several weeks our
home has enjoyed a new television reality show, Duck Dynasty. The program offers an inside look at the
Robertson clan. The family made its
fortune in the outdoors sporting goods industry, specifically, inventing and
manufacturing high quality duck calls.
The premise of the show is all about giving an inside look at a family
that became wealthy, yet holds on to their “redneck roots”. Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the family
is said to have turned down an NFL quarterback contract as it interfered with
duck hunting season. His college backup
was none other than Terry Bradshaw. All
in all, the storyline supposes,” if a redneck could dream big and have all the
resources they need, what would they do.”
It is that premise, out of
curiosity, my attention was drawn to watch the first time. What I found has me watching every episode,
and for good reason. In a day of outrageous television, this show is quite the
opposite. You would expect outrageous
behavior, and there is some: blowing up duck blinds, scaring a daughter’s
boyfriend with intimidation, frog hunting at midnight on the country club golf
course, and more. However, the antics
of the family, though a bit rough on the edges for most, are quite refreshing. Whereas other “reality” shows are outrageous
in their self-absorption, vulgarity, and over reaction to deadlines that do not
matter at all, the Robertsons emphasize sticking to what is right, without
compromise. The underlying beauty of the
show is that despite their differences they truly are in the habit of looking
out for one another.
The family has an interesting
dynamic. Everyone has a ZZ Top style beard that is, except for the ladies and
the grand kids. Their rags to riches story starts with Phil inventing the
calls, and his strong marriage to Miss Kay.
Often they espouse simple marriage advice. All of it is positive. All of it is practical. Willie works as the CEO and thus in business
matters has to be the boss of his own family.
I do not envy what he has to do. Because this is a family business the stakes
are high. His brother Jase and he often
trade roles of being the protagonist in different episodes. Though competitive brothers, they often
portray of maturity amongst differences in the end. There are many more family members, we find
uncle Si as most endearing. He is a
little out of the loop with technology and laws of the land, such as stating
that its fine to do 55 in a 35 zone. “35
is just a suggestion.” Every family
should have a Si among them. For all his
proverbial attempts at philosophy, you find a rare humility.
Thus, it’s the people, who seem
very down to earth (Though it is television) that have brought me to look
forward to Wednesday nights after church.
Our family joins the Robertsons by way of technology for a look at principals
not often found from television. Not
once have we heard anything offensive or any cursing. Not once have we heard someone legitimately
attempt to tear someone down. The entire
family shows honor and respect. Homer
Simpson, Al Bundy, and others take note.
Television needs more families like the Robertsons. Each episode ends with a prayer,
yes a prayer, with the family gathered together around a table for a meal. Our family would love to dine with them, but
please, no frogs. Or squirrel. Or opossum. The parting words are usually
narrated by Phil or Willie. They sum up
a family value that is illustrated by the previous 23 minute experience, often
missing from not only television, but homes in America. My family has been blessed by the Robertsons,
because after every episode we find ourselves bonding, not through
entertainment, but in discussing what we found right with the way they live.
Stay tuned: I am working on another article, My Thoughts
on 19 Kids and Counting.
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