A&E Puts 'Dog' to Sleep
Bounty Hunter Series Is Shelved After Racial Remark
By Steve Donohue -- Multichannel News, 11/4/2007 7:00:00 PM
Two days after a tape surfaced with network star Duane “Dog” Chapman repeatedly using the n-word, A&E said Friday afternoon that it was pulling all episodes of Dog The Bounty Hunter from the air.
“In evaluating the circumstances of the last few days, A&E has decided to take Dog The Bounty Hunter off the network's schedule for the foreseeable future,” A&E said in prepared statement. “We hope that Mr. Chapman continues the healing process that he has begun.”
A&E suspended Chapman last Wednesday, after the National Enquirer posted an audio clip of Chapman using the n-word on its Web site. Dog, which had debuted on A&E in 2004, was one of the first reality shows A&E added to its schedule.
On the audiotape, Chapman is heard using the n-word several times in a telephone conversation with his son Tucker. Chapman expresses his displeasure that Tucker is dating an African-American woman, warning that she could jeopardize the show if she overhears Chapman and his team using the n-word.
“I don't care if she's a Mexican, a whore, whatever. It's not because she's black. It's because we use the word n----- sometimes here,” Chapman tells his son. “I'm not going to take a chance ever in life of losing everything I've worked for 30 years because some fu---ing n---- heard us saying n-----.”
The Associated Press reported on Friday that Tucker Chapman taped the phone call with his father, and sold it to the Enquirer.
“I guess because of whatever level of anger he had of his father, he felt the need to express it in that manner,” Brook Hart, an attorney for Duane Chapman, told AP.
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This is nuts. I support a free country not a country of cowards. Everytime a white person says the so called terrible word that offends blacks so much everyone calls for their head. Ask a black sometime what he truly thinks of whites deep down its the same. Noone has the guts to defend Dog well I will. He did nothing wrong. I'm tired of this reverse standard. If a black says things against a white or blacks jump and beat up a white kid the Jacksons and the Sharptons still defend the blacks no matter how wrong they are. But let a bunch of white kids do the same and they might as well put a gun to their heads because their life is ruined by the do gooders of this losers society. I hope Dog comes back on a differant network he has a great fan base. As far as A & E is concerned the hell with them I wouldnt watch anything on that network again and I call for a total boycott of sponsers that show their products on A & E. Am I racist hell no. Am I a realist yeah this is the world live with it and get on with it. What a pathetic country we live in that lets a word determine our freedom. Those that think they are right by taking Dog off the air have never been more wrong. When will we sensor Chris Rock for saying what he says about his race and ours. Never , why because hes black and its OK. Thats such a reverse standard it makes me sick
Scott Williams - 11/6/2007 6:01:00 PM EST -
I think it is redicuilous that A&E canceled "DOG." I think if I am correct in my statement we DO have the right to "FREE SPEECH" in this country. Although it sure doesn't seem like it with this situation. I am outraged at the fact that this has happened. AS said many times it was a PRIVATE conversation. So how PRIVATE is it if they are making it so PUBLIC. It would be a different situation if he said it in the public eye but that was NOT the case. AND just to make another point, HOW is it that blacks have the right to call whites whatever they feel like it and get away with it but once you say the wrong thing about the blacks they scream RACISM. The biggest BIGGET I know is Oprah but you don't hear anyting about her racial comments against the whites do you. Come on this country is never going to move forward if we don't get along BLACK OR WHITE. Anyway Good Luck to Dog and his family and I hope they make it through this and HOPEFULLY another network will pick up the show and we will get to see "DOG" do his work again.
Christine - 11/6/2007 8:59:00 AM EST -
I was a big fan of the show until now. I am very disappointed in this. That is a word that has always bothered me and I don't allow it said in my house. It is a word that is used by alot of people and most don't even know the meaning of the word. I wish that this word would go away and never be used again. I know everyone has a right to their own opinion and this is mine, I also know that in America you have the right to freedom of speech but this was taken too far.
Helene Ward - 11/5/2007 9:47:00 PM EST -
Come on now, Because The Dog did something in his personal life, we are suppose to judge that. I know for a fact that there are many so called followers of chirst that do some pretty shady things. We are not to judge someone for the actions taken, that is up to GOD!!!! I am sure that A&E has employees that do things out side of work that may shock us all, for that matter any company has people that do things out side of work that would shock us all. I dont think that he should taken off of the air. Please, there are many movie stars and singers that are at the other end of the playing field...But yet people still support them by watching a moive they are in or buy CD's, what is the difference. You cannot say that we are going to singling out one person for something that was said. I think that people have things wrong, saying something about another race is wrong..But think about it, if someone says anything about anyone that is African American, then it becomes this big blown out thing. But when someone of the African American say something about any other race, that it is ok for that to happen.... Im here to say thats wrong and BULL!!!! Everyone needs to stop living in the past and move on and live by Dr. Kings dream, for all to get along. His dream has been taken way out of content..... NO ONE, is better then the other because of the skin color. Are we going to say things that are wrong..sure we will....but that does not mean we act like infront of our boss... The Dog loves what he is doing, and he has never once treated someone wrong or made them feel like crap. What one does outside of work is your business.......There are more important things going on in the world then to worry about someting like this....Really now...
B Bishop - 11/5/2007 2:00:00 PM EST -
A&E is crazy for suspending Dog''s show, he is there number one show, he isn''t a Racist he is A Hero, he has made A&E a ton of money I will not tune into A&E until the air his show, they should be standing behind him he was in the Privacy of his home, this was a private conversation, there was no camera''s on him, he never did this in public and never would, He is a kind caring man who has help so many people turn there lifes around, He is a Hero
Nancy Wright - 11/5/2007 1:08:00 PM EST
Chapman Out Of A&E’s Dog House
02/20/2008A&E Cancels ‘Dog The Bounty Hunter’
11/02/2007Dog Barks Up Ratings
07/17/2008A&E Network Lets 'Dog’ Out
02/24/2008'Hammertime' For A&E
02/18/2009

























