The Hollywood Reporter: The Duke Boys are being put on the bench. TV Land has pulled reruns of Dukes of Hazzard in light of the recent uproar over the Confederate flag, which is emblazoned on the roof of the show’s iconic General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The show has faced criticism over the depiction of the controversial flag in the wake of the June 17 shooting in Charleston that left nine dead, and what many viewed as South Carolina’s delayed decision to take the flag down. (Because the tv show had everything to do with a crazed lunatic.)
Confederate merchandise has since been dropped by Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon and other businesses after the shooting, which took place at a historic black church.
Shortly after the attack, photos surfaced showing alleged shooter Dylann Roof burning one American flag and stepping on another, while waving and posing provocatively with Confederate banners.
Warner Bros.’ consumer division announced on June 24 that it will stop licensing toy cars and models featuring the General Lee with the flag.
In a recent interview with THR, Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider defended the series’ use of the flag. “Labeling anyone who has the flag a ‘racist’ seems unfair to those who are clearly ‘never meanin’ no harm,’ “ he said. His co-star Ben Jones has also come out in defense of the flag, saying it represents the “indomitable spirit of independence.”
Dukes of Hazzard ran on CBS from 1979 to 1985.
DCG
