'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Says Business Turned Him From an Idiot to a Genius
Phil Robertson, patriarch of the hit A&E reality show "Duck Dynasty," said in a recent interview that when he first began what is now a successful, multimillion-dollar duck call business known as "Duck Commander" in the 1970s, his friends remained skeptical of him, first dubbing him an "idiot" and years later calling him a "genius."
After receiving an alumni award from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Robertson told the Shreveport Times that when he first hatched the idea to begin a duck call business in 1972, his friends from college and even his wife, Miss Kay, were skeptical of his plans. Robertson took up fishing on the Ouachita River to make extra money while he launched his business, and started making duck calls in a dilapidated shed, using wood for the calls from cedar trees.
Robertson told the local paper of one memory he has from the 1970s was when he was out fishing and some of his friends came to visit him, telling him they found it strange he was out fishing and making duck calls when he had a degree in education. "[My friends] later confessed that as they drove off they said, 'Robertson's an idiot,'" Phil told the local paper. "[Forty] years later they're calling me a genius."
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From its humble beginnings, the Duck Commander brand has become a household name in quality duck calls and has also branched off to make an array of other products, from Duck Commander shotguns to Cajun-style marinade.
The Robertson family, most of whom reside in West Monroe, La., have also had a successful venture into the entertainment industry through their hit reality show "Duck Dynasty," which has proven to be a major ratings booster for the network A&E. The show has been dubbed a rare reality show due to its wholesome nature as it follows the different lives of Robertson family members, including Phil, Miss Kay, their four children and their families.
Phil Robertson was involved in a short-lived controversy in late 2013 when he told GQ Magazine about his evangelical Christian views regarding homosexuality. His comments drew ire from some activist groups, and Robertson was temporarily suspended from appearing on his show only to be reinstated nine days later following public backlash.
The "Duck Dynasty" and "Duck Commander" merchandise lines lost little to no business from the controversy, and no advertisers seemed to pull out of their coveted spot on the network's reality show, which in the past has gained viewership over the 11 million mark.
Still, the show is off to a more modest start in its season 5 compared to its past seasons, garnering 8.5 million viewers for its season premiere and 6.7 million viewers for its second episode last Wednesday. The show is still considered to be a major success for a Wednesday night cable telecast.
