Angry fans demand ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ return to television
Change.org petition draws 40,000 signatures in hours, actors blast cancellation
By Brian Maloney July 2nd, 2015, 11:47 EDT

*** 1:30pm UPDATE: ‘Dukes’ fans completely take over TVLand’s Facebook page, posting thousands of comments in support of show’s return ***

Upset over its abrupt cancellation, “Dukes of Hazzard” fans are demanding the corporate parent of TVLand immediately restore the iconic program to its daily schedule.

Supporters of the show have been flocking to the “Stop Banning Dukes of Hazzard” Change.org petition, with signatures increasing at a rate of thousands per hour. In just an hour of monitoring its progress, the Media Equalizer watched its total number rise from 25,000 to 33,000, already close to reaching its stated goal of 35,000. (3pm update: total over 44,000)

It was initiated by Donald Covell of Coldwater, Michigan, who said in the description that “‘The Dukes’ was about family values, fighting corruption, helping friends, neighbors and even strangers, no matter what color they were. There were multiple episodes where they helped people of colors other than ‘white’, and it even had a black sheriff that appeared often, who was respected and feared more then the sheriff of Hazzard.”

he sudden ban on Dukes-related merchandise and programming was one of the more extreme effects of a crackdown on Confederate-related imagery after the Charleston church massacre in June that left nine dead. The only clear connection is a flag painted on top of the car used in the show, the General Lee.

Also boosting the petition is an outcry from the actors that appeared on the show, including John Schneider and former Democratic Congressman Ben Jones, who played Cooter and now runs a museum dedicated to it. He appeared on this morning’s Fox and Friends to denounce the move by Viacom, owner of TVLand

Warner Brothers, Walmart and Ebay are also named in the petition, given their respective roles in banning distribution and merchandise sales.

http://mediaequalizer.com/brian-maloney/...n-to-television