A top A & E executive revealed that the network’s management carefully considered whether to suspend Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty reality show over his anti-gay comments.
According to the executive, Nancy Dubuc, the CEO of A&E Networks, ultimately reached the suspension decision because Phil Robertson’s remarks were in conflict with “the fundamental values of the company.” Nancy Dubuc was responding in part to the concern of employees within the company, the executive said.
“She gathered all the information, assessed it, thought seriously about this,” the executive told TheWrap.
“It’s a dilemma.”
Nancy Dubuc is one of the most powerful TV executives in Hollywood, overseeing A & E, Lifetime and History channels. Her dynasty is powered largely by Duck Dynasty, the highest-rated reality show on the air.
The executive also said that arguments that A & E had somehow taken Phil Robertson’s free speech away were ridiculous, as a suspension from a television show did not curtail his ability to speak out freely.
The source said that any notion that A & E had a conflict with Christianity was also absurd, considering A & E’s History just aired the hit miniseries, The Bible.
Phil Robertson has been suspended Wednesday night, hours after an early-morning phone call between A & E executives and GLAAD, the civil rights group told TheWrap.
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