Duck Dynasty: A Clean-Living, Record-Breaking Hit!

By Rod Anderson, CP Cartoonist Monday, August 19, 2013

America loves family, rednecks and ducks, apparently.

A staggering 11.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the premiere of the fourth season of the backwoods reality series "Duck Dynasty" on A&E this Wednesday to make the series the most watched reality show ever on cable television.

Among the total number of viewers were 6.3 million "in the advertiser-preferred demographic of 25- to 54-year-olds," according to a New York Times report.

"Duck Dynasty," which chronicles the lives of members of the Robertson family of West Monroe, La., and their duck call making company, Duck Commander, improved on the high ratings it garnered at the end of season three in April. The audience peaked at 9.6 million, then.

The men of the family, brothers Phil and Si, and Phil's sons Jase, Willie, and Jep, have become popular for their signature beards. Phil Robertson started the business in a family shed and spent 25 years making duck calls from Louisiana cedar trees.

"The Robertsons represent a lot things we as Americans cherish," David McKillop, the general manager and executive vice president of the A&E network told The New York Times: "self-made wealth, independence, three generations living together."