Duck Dynasty stars Willie Robertson and Korie Robertson will be opening up about the controversy surrounding family patriarch Phil Robertson on New Year's Eve.
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The television event will mark the first time any of the A&E reality show's stars have made a TV appearance since the suspension and will air from 9PM ET/PT to 12:30AM the following morning. It reportedly remains unclear as to when exactly the interview will take place during the ball-drop special.
Willie is one of Phil's sons and Korie is Willie's wife. Willie also serves as the chief executive of the Robertson family's duck-call business dubbed "Duck Commander."
A&E had suspended Phil, a 67-year-old Duck Dynasty star and devout Christian, indefinitely from the A&E series -- although the network lifted the suspension after only about one week -- for making offensive anti-gay comments during a recent interview with GQ magazine.
Robertson had told GQ he feels what's right and wrong has become blurred in society and homosexuality is on the same level as terrorism, alcoholism and bestiality. He said he "never, ever" passes judgement on such people but God will eventually sort out the "homosexuals, drunks and terrorists."
The unpopular suspension had initially prompted the entire Robertson clan to suggest they may quit the show.
"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," Phil's family said in a statement shortly before A&E consulted with "numerous advocacy groups" and revoked its decision.
"While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. 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."
Duck Dynasty, a huge ratings success for A&E, will return with new episodes in January.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
