DUCK DYNASTY PATRIARCH SUSPENDED OVER ANTI-GAY REMARKS

A+E Networks has suspended its biggest star indefinitely. The cable network said it would no longer feature Phil Robertson, patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan, following his comments about homosexuality in an interview for GQ magazine. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community,” A+E said in a statement. But his suspension immediately drew fire from some conservatives, including former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who tweeted, “Free speech is endangered species; those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ & taking on Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing personal opinion take on us all.” The New York Times observed today (Thursday) that the suspension has no immediate effect. The series, it noted, is not currently in production, and next season’s episodes have already been film. It quoted a network spokesman as saying that Robertson would appear in many of those.