Star Angry As TV Land Yanks ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Re-Runs Because of Confederate Flag
Confederate flag merchandising and support has been rapidly diminishing since the shootings in Charleston, South Carolina. The latest move came from TV Land, which pulled ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ from its lineup.’Dukes’ featured a car named “General Lee,” a Dodge Charger that defied gravity. The car featured the Confederate flag painted on the hood. The show, which used to air twice per day on the network, was removed last week.
“We have removed it from the schedule and have no further comment,” A TV Land representative told Deadline.
Yet more than just old ‘Dukes’ fans are angry with TV Land’s decision. John Schneider, who starred as Bo Duke in the original series, was furious with the decision.
“If the flag was a symbol of racism, then Bo and Luke and Daisy and Uncle Jesse were a pack of wild racists, and that could not be further from the truth,” Schneider told the Hollywood Reporter. “The Dukes of Hazzard was and is no more a show seated in racism than Breaking Bad was a show seated in reality.”
Schneider also questioned the implications for the fans who still enjoyed the show. “Are people who grew up watching the show now suddenly racists? Will they have to go through a detox and a 12-step program to kick their Dukes habit? ‘Hi… My name is John. I’m a Dukesoholic.’”
To further illustrate his point, Schneider took to Twitter. He posted a photo of Dylann Roof, the Charleston shooter, burning an American flag while wearing a shirt advertising Gold’s Gym. “I am grossly offended by flag burning. But… is the Golds Gym logo to be considered a symbol of racism as well now?” Schneider tweeted, with the image.
I am grossly offended by flag burning. But… is the Golds Gym logo to be considered a symbol of racism as well now?http://t.co/fJTFKqPjpB
— John Schneider (@John_Schneider) July 1, 2015
Schneider said that TV Land was acting “reactionary and overly PC,” saying, “Can’t we all just watch TV?”
