A member of the “Duck Dynasty” family is scheduled to be in Atlanta on Saturday.
Jep Robertson, the youngest son of Kay and Phil Robertson, is scheduled to appear at the "Duck Dash Atlanta" 5K, which steps off at 9 a.m. Saturday from Turner Field. (On-site registration will be available from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.; for information, see www.duck-dash.com.)
News that A&E was suspending Phil Robertson following comments he made to GQ magazine has kept the Twittersphere busy this week, and the family has issued a statement hinting they may seek to part ways with the network.
“While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible,” it read. “Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.”
A&E’s action came after various advocacy groups issued statements condemning Robertson’s comments in the magazine.
“Don’t be deceived,” he told GQ, paraphrasing Scripture. “Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
A GLAAD spokesman issued a statement that said “Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” and the network swiftly announced the suspension. Meanwhile, a new “Stand With Phil Robertson” Facebook page had 1.3 million followers as of Friday morning, and organizers have launched a petition demanding A&E bring him back.
“Anchorman 2” star returns for New Year’s Eve
"Anchorman 2" star David Koechner will emcee this year's Peach Drop festivities at Underground Atlanta.
“I’m actually coming back to Atlanta for New Year’s,” he told us during a recent interview to discuss the movie, which was mostly filmed in Atlanta. “I’m doing an event with M&M’s.”
M&Ms the candy or Eminem the rapper? we asked at the time.
“M&Ms the candy,” he said. “Although they come in a wrapper.”
Rim shot, please!
Koechner will team up with R&B singer Janelle Monáe for the event, officially titled "The 25th Annual Peach Drop Powered by M&M'S Peanut." Things get cranking at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 and end with the giant peach dropping to signal 2014.
For details including the full lineup of entertainers, see www.peachdrop.com.
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