I have never been a big fan of reality
shows. Most of the ones that I have seen have been little more then
silly made up drama caused by situations that most people, in their
right minds anyhow, wouldn't be in in the first place. There have
been a couple of exceptions of a paranormal nature but for the most
part I have ignored most of them until now because they are about as
realistic as soap operas used to be. Then came Duck Dynasty. I have
admittedly come into this particular show late. After getting cable
TV installed, for the first time in years, this summer, I became
curious enough to watch an episode and then another and another. By
the time A&E had aired the 4th season opener last week
I think my family and I had come close to seeing every episode that
was available and all of us, from my wife and I to my teenage
children, love it. Apparently we are not alone. It has been said that
somewhere close to 12 million viewers watched the 4th
season opener making it the all time highest opener for a reality
show.
The most obvious question is why. What
has made this show so popular that so many people would watch it?
Several thought come to mind, the first
being is that it's Mayberry, redneck style. They represent a way of
life that most believe has gone by the way side and yet many wish
would return. They are exactly what you see on the screen. They are
not reading from a script and they are not pretending to be anything
else other than what they are and that kind of reality appeals to
people. They are a God fearing, Christian family that makes no
apologies for who they are and what they believe and they pray. They
are genuinely loving and they are funny to boot.
It could be that in this day and age of
violence and corruption along with the overall attempts to destroy
family values and morals that perhaps, in their hearts anyhow, people
are looking for something that truly reflects them and their beliefs.
I'm not talking about the beards and the guns, though both appeal to
me, I am talking about the core values of family and God. The last 50
years or so we have seen a decline in both because we have let the
Hollywood elite and the government dictate to us how and where we are
to do both. Can't have prayer in school. Have to keep God out of the
public sector and what have we got in return? Sex, drugs and violence
on an unparallelled level. Core family values gone by the way side. I
think maybe, just maybe, if the stats are true as to how many watched
the show, folks are starting to wake up and realize that things can
be that way again.
I guess for me though it comes down to
their love of God and each other that really appeals. They can
disagree with each other, usually in a humorous sort of way, but in
the end they are family and you can see it as they all eat and pray
together. Even from a distance and time removed I say Amen when they
are done praying.
Here is a short passage that I think
sums my thoughts up well.
Come
let us turn back to the Lord:He attacked and He can heal us;He
wounded and He can bind us up. In two days He will make us whole
again;On the third day He will raise us up, And we shall be whole by
His favor. Let us pursue obedience to the Lord, And we shall become
obedient. His appearance is as sure as daybreak, And He will come to
us like rain, Like latter rain that refreshes the earth. Hosea 6:1-3
JPS
Peace and Ducks