Lisa King
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WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 —Pop quiz: what reality show increased its viewers 132% from season two to season three? It’s not “American Idol,” a show that continues to lose viewers. It’s not “Survivor” or “The Bachelor” or “Shark Tank.” Hint: It’s the number one non-fiction show on cable, and the wardrobe involves camouflage and facial hair.
If you guessed “Duck Dynasty,” you are correct. If you don’t understand why, here’s a little internet exercise to clear up your confusion. Google “Duck Dynasty” fan reviews and start reading. The typical review starts with, “I’m not a fan of redneck reality shows but a friend, (or family member or co-worker) insisted I watch the show. I’m so glad I listened to them, because it is one of the most entertaining shows on TV.”
Even more telling are the people writing these reviews. “Yuppie from New York” or “Shocked from L.A.” are some of the typical names attached to the surprising reviews. As it turns out, no matter where people are from, they’re potential fans if you can just get them to watch the show.
Not only is it setting TV ratings records, “Duck Dynasty” is the most social show on television on Wednesday nights. According to Trendrr.TV, Blufin Labs and Social Guide, the series premiere had more total activity across all major social media platforms than any other telecast on television for the night, with both episodes ranking #1 and #2 ahead of “American Idol.”
AETV.com also witnessed the best day ever for page views and video views as fans gathered online to check out additional “Duck Dynasty” content.
What makes “Duck Dynasty” so different from other “redneck reality shows” like “Buckwild” or “Moonshiners?” For one thing, the cast manages their newfound popularity a lot better.
SEE RELATED: Duck Dynasty cast on Jimmy Kimmel to promote premiere of season 3
Recently Salwa Amin of “Buckwild” was arrested on serious drug charges, while Tickle on “Moonshiners” was arrested just this week for being drunk in public. Meanwhile, the most notorious thing the duck family has been up to involves a comedic dig at Morrissey on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Apparently when the youngsters on “Duck Dynasty” are respectful and well behaved on the show, it isn’t an act. Forgotten phrases like “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” are commonly used, and they actually mean it when they say it. Amidst the underlying suspicion that the joke is on the audience and not the family, it becomes apparent those duck dynasts are some very real people that are good and decent.
What lesson can be taken from the “Duck Dynasty” phenomenon? Regardless of the color of the state a person lives in, deep down we all want the same things. We all want a decent way of life that includes respect for each other and the golden rule, and a good sense of humor about life in general.
Watching the family as they gather together for the evening meal that always starts with a prayer may be the thing that appeals to us the most, even if we are reluctant to admit it.
It may sound a bit cheesy, but so was “The Waltons” when it aired, and it lasted nine successful seasons, and won 13 Emmys in the process.
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST:
8 p.m.
ABC: The Middle: (Repeat) Frankie invites a couple of Marines to share Thanksgiving with her family; Axl gets good news; Sue tries to find the person who stole the chicken head from her uniform; Brick is mesmerized by a book.
CBS: Survivor: Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorities (New) Brandon suffers a meltdown and begins sabotaging the Favorites camp.
FOX: American Idol: (New) The top 10 finalists perform music of past American Idols.
NBC: Whitney: (New) Whitney and Alex venture to Alex’s family cabin for the weekend, but Alex’s dad had the same idea. Dean Norris guest stars.
CW: Arrow: (Repeat) Thea is arrested when she is caught with a drug called Vertigo and could face time in prison. Oliver tries to help by searching for the dealer; and Laurel agrees to defend Thea in court. Meanwhile, Felicity tells Oliver some disturbing news about Moira.
8:30 p.m.
ABC: The Neighbors: (New) After the Bird-Kersees go see a Broadway show, Larry decides to create a musical of his own; an emergency phone call could expose the Bird-Kersees’ true identities.
NBC: Whitney: (Repeat) Alex speaks at his alma mater but accidentally falls off the stage, eliciting a less-than-sympathetic response from Whitney. Elsewhere, R.J. teaches Mark how to impress a lady.
9 p.m.
ABC: Modern Family: (Repeat) Gloria and Jay try to make Manny’s 14th birthday extra special by planning a surprise party; Haley starts hanging out with a much older guy.
CBS: Criminal Minds: (Repeat) The unit investigates when four men go missing in rural Oregon and tries to determine what the common link is between them. Meanwhile, J.J. gets upset when her son doesn’t want to celebrate Halloween.
NBC: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: (Repeat) A young boy’s abduction reminds the squad of a similar case from 13 years ago, which was never solved. As the detectives race to locate the boy, Benson resolves to make amends for past errors.
CW: Supernatural: (Repeat) Castiel tells Sam and Dean that he wants to become a hunter, and he helps them investigate a case in which a man’s heart literally burst through his chest. The probe reveals that other strange murders have occurred in town, all of which resemble deaths from cartoons.
9:30 p.m.
ABC: Suburgatory: (Repeat) When Yakult feels depressed, Dallas asks Yoni (Wilmer Valderrama) for help; the Shays ask Tessa to set Lisa up on a date.
10 p.m.
ABC: Nashville: (Repeat) Rayna is comforted by an old friend after telling Maddie and Daphne about her plans to divorce; Juliette reinvents herself; Avery considers an attractive offer.
CBS: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: (Repeat) Russell’s son becomes a murder suspect when his college basketball coach is killed.
NBC: Chicago Fire: (Repeat) Jose Vargas is injured in a fire and forced to go on disability leave; Chief Boden counsels a suspected teenage arsonist; Severide gets a tempting invitation from a woman he once rescued from a car crash; Cruz tries to save his younger brother from gang involvement.
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
Under Siege: America’s Northern Border at 8 p.m. on DSC
Restaurant Impossible at 9 p.m. on Food Channel
Property Brothers at 9 p.m. on HGTV
Auction Hunters at 9 p.m. on SPIKE
Haunted Collector at 9 p.m. on Syfy
Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC
Boston’s Finest at 9 p.m. on TNT
Duck Dynasty at 10 and 10:30 p.m. on A&E
Weed Country at 10 p.m. on DSC
Restaurant Stakeout at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
The Americans at 10 p.m. on FX
Lords of War at 10 and 10:30 p.m. on NGC
My Strange Addiction at 10 p.m. on TLC
Southland at 10 p.m. on TNT
Food Paradise at 10 p.m. on Travel Channel
Psych at 10 p.m. on USA
House Hunters International at 10:30 p.m. on HGTV
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on ABCFAM
Underworld on AMC
Straight Talk on FLIX
The Faculty on IFC
The Help on SHO
Waking Life on SUND
On the Bowery on TCM
Drones on TMC
9 p.m.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on ION
Species on BBC
The Hangover Part II on CINEMAX
Cowboys & Aliens on HBO
The Descendants on HBO
Later tonight:
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 at 9:40 p.m. on ENC
What’s Your Number at 9:50 p.m. on MOMAX
Hollywood Homicide at 10 p.m. on FMC
Real Steel at 10:30 p.m. on SHO
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