Phil Robertson, the patriarch ofDuck Dynasty, diedon July 07, 2025,at 79,just one week before the premiere ofDuck Dynasty: The Revival.His absence from the highly anticipated reboot,however, might not just be a simple result of his declining health,and the reason why the network didn’t push the family too hard for it might be a bit more multifaceted.
The late patriarch was the kind of manwho built his family business from nothing to amultimillion-dollar empire, and then gave them some more through TV.He was exactly that — a traditional patriarch — and with that came a series of firmly held political, religious, and personal beliefs.While that’s respected by a huge number of people, at the time the original show was airing,his views landed him in trouble more than once.
Phil Robertson Was Reportedly Taken Off-Air for His Views
In December 2013,A&E suspended Phil Robertson fromDuck Dynastyfollowing remarks made in aGQ interview.Robertson had equatedhomosexual behaviorwith bestiality and adultery, citing biblical passages to support his views. He explicitly stated that “homosexual offenders” and “the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers”would not “inherit the kingdom of God.”He further suggested that Black Americans were happier during the Jim Crow era, referencing his own experiences without acknowledgment of systemic racism. All these remarks quickly led to widespread media coverage and public criticism.
Phil Robertson’s Tragic Death Casts a Strong Shadow Over His “Happy, Happy, Happy” Legacy on ‘Duck Dynasty’ Revival
Phil Robertson will forever be remembered by this quote.
In 2014, Robertson doubled down on his positions. During a church appearance, he claimed thathis critics attacked him for merely speaking biblical truth, as perEW.The following year, at a prayer breakfast, as perEW,he shareda graphic hypothetical about an atheist family being raped and murdered,concluding that without a belief in God, there was no moral accountability. These statements, made publicly and unapologetically, cemented his reputation as an unfiltered and controversial figure and while a lot of people hold similar views to this date, at the time, the media inclination was shifting and views and opinions that weren’t exactly filtered through a specific lens, were deemed insensitive.
He Was Later Reinstated After a Nine-Day Suspension
Following theGQinterview,A&Esuspended Robertson fromDuck Dynastyfornine days in December 2013. The suspension, however, faced significant pushback from fans and conservative groups, who rallied behind Robertson, arguing that his comments were an expression of religious freedom. The network, facing mounting public pressure and potential financial fallout,reinstated him to the show with few changes to its production structure.
Although reinstated, Robertson’s media interactions were noticeably curtailed. A&E reportedlylimited his public appearances and interviews,likely as a risk management measure. WhileDuck Dynastycontinued until 2017, his on-screen role became less central. The networkbalanced his connection to the brand with the potential for further controversy, and kept him involved but somewhat distanced in a risk-free manner, just to satisfy people sitting on both ends of the spectrum. Though not publicly confirmed, fan speculation suggests this strategy — and the shift in his presence over time seems to support it.
Phil Robertson Won’t Be Appearing Posthumously in ‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’
Phil Robertson’sabsence fromDuck Dynasty: The Revival, therefore, might not be just because of his health issues, though they played a significant role. In December 2024, his family revealed on theirUnashamedpodcast thatPhil had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, accompanied by a rare blood disorder that complicated his health further.Jase Robertsonthen later also shared in April 2025 that Phil’s condition had worsened, saying bluntly,“It hasn’t been good.”
However, even without these health challenges, it’s likely that A&E preferred to avoid reigniting the controversies that once surrounded him. Thenetwork has not commented publicly on his absence, but the decision likely reflects both respect for his family anda strategic move to distance the reboot from past public relations challenges.The Revivalwill focus on other family members, includingWillie, Korie, Miss Kay, Uncle Si,and the next generation of Robertsons, while likely paying tribute to Phil’s role as the family’s foundational figure. Those interested inRobertson family patriarchlife story can also watchThe Blind, a 2023 film that circles his life story and how he set up his empire.
Duck Dynasty: The Revivalwill premiere July 16, 2025, on A&E and focuses onWillieandKorie Robertsonpassing down the torch. The original show is also available to stream on the same platform.
Duck Dynasty: The Revival
