January 1, 2014
"Duck" Son Robertson Makes Nice in Fox Interview
Bobby McGuire READ TIME: 2 MIN.
NEW YORK -- "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson chose not to quack back.
In one of his first chances to comment on the dust-up surrounding his outspoken father and co-star Phil Robertson, the younger Robertson had only kind words for the A&E network and New Year's wishes for the nation in an appearance Tuesday night on Fox News's "All-American New Year" special.
"We're just glad to be back to work, and A&E and us are fine," Willie Robertson said in a live appearance with wife Korie from Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Fox hosts Bill Hemmer and Elizabeth Hasselbeck gave him several chances to address the firestorm surrounding the suspension of his father over anti-gay comments, but without quite ducking the question, Willie Robertson chose not to take the bait either.
"We're looking forward to getting back to making some funny shows. It's a New Year so we're ready to break in a New Year and start it all over again," Robertson said. "We're ready to move on, you know. I think we all learned a lot and we're just ready to move on, and the family's happy, and we're ready to go. I've got to make sure my guys are back there building duck calls."
Asked her thoughts on the suspension by Hasselbeck, Korie Robertson took the same conciliatory tone.
"Hey, I'm just glad the family's all together, the best thing about the show is we get to do it as a family," she said. "We're all happy, happy, happy."
The cable channel reinstated Phil Robertson on Friday, nine days after suspending him over the anti-gay comments made to GQ magazine.
The suspension sparked brought out legions of defenders who felt he was being censored by the network.