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‘Duck Dynasty’ Canceled: When Is The Final Episode? Find Out Why The Robertson Family Isn’t Going Away When The Show Ends

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 16:39 PST, Nov 16, 2016

Duck Dynasty is canceled after this season, but though their reality show is going off the air after five very eventful seasons, the Robertson family doesn’t have plans to go away anytime soon.

The show announced in its season premiere on Wednesday that this will be its final season, meaning the last-ever episode will air in April of next year, TVLine reported.

“After five years, we’ve decided as a family for this to be the final chapter of the Duck Dynasty series,” Jase Robertson said in the video clip.

The reality show debuted somewhat quietly in March 2012 on A&E, showcasing the Robertson family and their empire of duck calls. As Deadline noted, the show quickly turned into a stalwart for A&E and became one of the most popular reality shows in television history.

“Duck Dynasty, which premiered in March 2012, hit its peak with the Season 4 premiere in August 2013, which became the most-watched non-fiction series telecast in cable TV history with 11.8 million Live+same day viewers. In December of that year, the show was embroiled in a controversy over anti-gay remarks made by star and Robertson family patriarch Phil.”

Though Duck Dynasty may now be canceled, fans will still see plenty of the Robertson family in the future. TVLine noted that A&E is still planning to bring the family back for a series of holiday specials, and there is already a spin-off show for the popular Uncle Si, Us Weekly noted.

“Fans will still be able to get their fix of wacky uncle Si Robertson, who will appear with Willie Robertson on A&E’s new series Going Si-Ral. The show, which launched on November 16, features the pair weighing in on viral videos and other online trends. Jep, Jessica and Miss Kay Robertson all appear in the premiere.”

Over the past few seasons, A&E has spun off Duck Dynasty into something of a mini television empire. In October 2013, the family released an album of Christmas songs. It was well received by critics and was a commercial success as well, selling 69,000 copies in its first week and landing at the No. 4 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. A&E has also done some heavy merchandising, selling everything from lunch boxes to calendars of the Robertson family.

Many fans of the show shared their thoughts on social media after the news that Duck Dynasty was canceled, with some bemoaning the loss of the show and others noting that the timing seemed appropriate.

The news also revived the controversy that rocked the show in 2014, when patriarch Phil Robertson made what many perceived to be anti-gay and racist comments in an interview with GQ magazine. He received a temporary suspension and there were rumors that the show might be canceled as a result.

Phil Robertson issued an apology but stirred up controversy months later when he said in an Easter Sunday sermon that he stood by the belief that homosexuality is a sin. As Entertainment Weekly noted, his sermon was met with applause from the congregants.

“Neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolators, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God,” Robertson said.

The show returned for the following season, but endured sinking ratings for the following seasons and struggled to return to its peak of nearly 12 million viewers. The controversy also led to A&E airing public service announcements “promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty.”

Though Duck Dynasty is now canceled, viewers will still have a few more months to get their fix of the Robertson family. The show will run through January 18 before going on a small break and picking up again in March, with the final episode airing April 17.

[Featured Image by A&E]

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