‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’ Will Bore You to Tears: TV Review

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As Willie Robertson cruises through Louisiana, he shares some insights about his role within his family: “They’re pretty much like a flock of chickens, and they need a leader,” he muses, starting to lose steam. Despite appearing to bore himself, the cameras are rolling, necessitating him to avoid awkward silence. “A chicken leader. I don’t know if you can lead chickens, but if you can…

It could be assumed that a man prosperous from selling duck-hunting gear on TV would effortlessly incorporate bird-related imagery into his persona. However, in the revival of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” Willie Robertson, despite having extensive reality TV experience and a past successful run (from 2012 to 2017), appears reserved and guarded. On this peculiar, tense, and ultimately unengaging series, it seems that Willie is hiding something. This secret might shock some viewers. But it could be more intriguing than listening to him discuss how he resembles the head chicken in his family, who themselves are like a flock of chickens.

Currently, Willie is no longer just the head of his family clan, but also the central figure in the series. His father, Phil Robertson, passed away on May 25 after battling Alzheimer’s and is no longer seen on screen, except for occasional flashbacks to the early days of the show. Living with his family, Willie resides in a Louisiana compound that serves as a unique museum, celebrating the Robertsons’ achievements in both the duck call manufacturing and entertainment industries. In the initial episode, there’s a storyline about Willie feeling irritated because his grown daughter rearranged parts of his office. In response, he moves to a replica office within the museum, which is designed more for display than practical use. For instance, the chair in this office cannot be moved as visitors can get a sense of what Willie’s workspace might look like.

Willie carries out his tasks with a subtle, simmering irritation often evident in his interactions with family members, who may feel he’s not being understood. To express his displeasure about someone entering his office, he bursts into his daughter’s podcast session, glares at her, then departs abruptly. Yet, he sees hope in the younger generation as they can be molded easily! When babysitting his grandchildren, Willie states, “If you need to use the restroom, hold it. If you do go, you’ll just have to sit in it because I’m not changing diapers.” Even a child daring to cry earns a stern rebuke from him: “If you maintain that attitude throughout life, it will cause problems for you. Change it immediately. Sort it out, get past it, let’s move on.

In other places, Korie, Willie’s spouse, manages various aspects of the family’s media conglomerate. They are currently producing movies centered around their own family history, with Willie’s uncle, Si, often pitching ideas where he stars as the protagonist. The Robertson family seems to find no other subject more fascinating for entertainment than themselves, living in a self-designed miniature EPCOT center. The show mirrors the family it portrays, being fixated on reminiscing about the past; flashbacks to the original series have become as frequent and random as cutaways in “Family Guy.” Although the initial show had some charm, today, the Robertsons lack the energy and humor that makes celebrities worth following. In a somber tournament scene featuring members of Willie’s children’s generation playing pickleball, the young men awkwardly exchange insults. One misses the ball into the net, to which another replies hesitantly, “Great shot, right into the net.

Initially, “Duck Dynasty” stood out as a unique and influential TV show, belonging to the genre of reality shows that mimicked family sitcoms, which also encompassed series like “The Osbournes,” “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica,” “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” and “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” These shows were characterized by a warm, homey setting where gentle jokes and endearing, low-key antics took place. The problems presented were usually minor and easily resolved by the end of each episode – think pickleball tournaments or Willie’s Bigfoot hunting adventures. What made the Robertson family exceptional was their ordinary celebrity status; from their unkempt beards to their traditional way of life, they evoked a nostalgic image of a “Waltons”-style American rural idyll, marked by deep affection, respect, and faith. In essence, “Duck Dynasty” embodied a family sitcom reminiscent of the era when families appeared to be more like this one.

The essence of “Duck Dynasty” appeared non-political, but in reality, it was deeply so. This is demonstrated by the 2014 incident where Phil Robertson, the show’s patriarch, was temporarily removed from the series following his homophobic remarks in an interview with GQ magazine. In today’s open and expressive American culture, this event seems almost quaint. The controversy hinged on the idea that viewers could immerse themselves in a show heavily influenced by its star’s viewpoint and remain oblivious to his contemporary social views. It was revealed that Phil Robertson harbored outdated beliefs about society, one criticism leveled against “Duck Dynasty”; another criticism was that the show portrayed his family life in such a way that his unique worldview was presented as simple, unquestionable love.

Introducing more depth to the series could surprise viewers, but at least it would be something new. For example, “Paul American,” a show focusing on brothers Logan and Jake Paul, known for their controversial, pro-MAGA leanings, recently caused a stir on HBO Max (formerly known as Home Box Office). This puts Tony Soprano and Carrie Bradshaw in rather unexpected company. While I didn’t find it particularly good television, it did provide the element of reality that some viewers seem to enjoy.

It’s not necessary for everything to revolve around politics; Willie himself acknowledges this fact! (He opted out of the 2024 race, even though he had previously endorsed Donald Trump in 2016, choosing instead to focus on a book he penned about the Bible. He expressed this stance during an interview with Tucker Carlson.) However, a household led by someone who sternly reprimands young children might be described as following a specific set of values, and perhaps a reality TV show isn’t the ideal forum for scrutinizing such beliefs.

The Robertsons appear uninterested in revealing much about themselves or their motivations for being cultural icons. They seem to view fame as something they were destined to have, using their new show primarily to display their success rather than offering insights into their personalities or beliefs.

“Duck Dynasty: The Revival” will premiere on Sunday, June 1 on A&E at 9 p.m. ET/PT. 

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2025-06-01 17:47