Duck callers a reality hit
Forget the Kardashians — the hottest reality TV family these days is the Robertsons, the bearded brood at the heart of A&E’s popular hunt ’n’ holler series Duck Dynasty. The Robertsons, who run the duck calling business Duck Commander, are downto-earth Louisiana folk at the forefront of rural-themed reality shows, such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Swamp People and Only in America With Larry the Cable Guy.
Where the Kardashians mince around in haute couture, the Robertsons wear camouflage — whether it’s in fashion or not. And viewers can’t get enough of them. The Season 3 finale in April drew 9.6 million U.S. viewers — that’s about as many as those who watch America’s Got Talent regularly. And last week, ABC announced that patriarch Si Robertson and his nephew Willie Robertson will appear on the Sept. 20 season première of the testosterone-fuelled comedy Last Man Standing. Not the type of family to let an opportunity slip by, the Robertsons used their popularity as leverage with A&E during the show’s hiatus — they reportedly asked for $200,000 per episode to return for Season 4. After some back-and-forth, A&E announced that string of episodes will debut on Aug. 14. Fair or fowl — you decide. (A&E — beginning at 5 p.m.) CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock airs, featuring highlights of the titular four-day event. Little Big Town hosts as top country acts perform. (ABC — 9 p.m.) In Burger Wars, comedian Cris Nannarone hosts a quest to discover the best in North America, scouring five-star restaurants, diners, food trucks and everything in between. (CMT — 5 & 9 p.m.) Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls keeps on truckin’, so to speak, as the teams face the coldest night yet. (NBC, Global — 10 p.m.)