In essence, the network was asking Phil – a man of legendary individuality, who once passed up an opportunity to sign with the NFL because it might interfere with his hunting – to be somewhat less Phil-like. But that is the kind of wobbly bargain that reality TV producers have been forced to make. If they bought the show, they were getting a volatile personality in the mix. A&E could of course have walked away – but that would have meant passing over a potential TV phenomenon, which is what the Robertsons became.

For some time, Phil Robertson held up his end of the speak-no-evil bargain. But that’s over now, obviously.

Neither of two A&E spokespersons responded to three emails requesting comment Friday. In a statement earlier this week, A&E said it was “extremely disappointed” to read the GQ interview. Note, however, that the statement did not say “extremely surprised.” The network knew all along about Robertson’s views, because he’s not shy about sharing them. Executives just hoped he wouldn’t say them again when a tape recorder was turned on.