GlossLip » Dog The Bounty Hunter

02/19/2008 (1:43 pm)

Duane “Dog The Bounty Hunter” Chapman Back On Track, A&E Continues With Hit Show

According to reports, A&E has wisely decided to bring back Duane “Dog The Bounty Hunter” Chapman to the network.

Last fall, Chapman was involved in a scandal surrounding a surreptitiously recorded conversation he had with his son Tucker about his current girlfriend, an African American woman. In the tape, Chapman hurls many invectives at his son and makes racial slurs about the girlfriend. Tucker then sold those conversations to a tabloid, creating controversy about whether the Dog was a closet racist.

The ensuing flap caused A&E to suspend the show indefinitely, but since that time, Chapman has made grand efforts within the African American community to apologize and heal any wounds caused by his poor judgment. Many fans, both black and white, came forward defending Chapman and stated ultimately this was a private matter between father and son, and should never have been made public.

From TMZ:

A network official confirms to TMZ that the show is going back into production, but they’ve not yet set a premiere date. As of now, they’re gearing up — big time — in Hawaii and production will begin ASAP. Makeup artists and camera crews have been hired, and houses and cars have been rented, all for the return of the show.

A&E had suspended production on “Dog the Bounty Hunter” indefinitely after a recording surfaced featuring Chapman making racial slurs. Chapman immediately began a tour of forgiveness, working with CORE and other groups to promote racial equality. We’re told network execs were “very pleased” with Dog’s attempt to make amends and his reaching out to members of the African American community.

A&E isn’t just making this decision out of the goodness of their hearts either. The show was insanely popular for the network, here and internationally — airing in over 20 countries.

I for one am glad to see the Dog back in action. We at Glosslip defended him immediately after the incident, while denouncing the use of racial stereotypes and hurtful slurs. Our perspective was that Dog was a man of the streets and using these terms were part of his makeup, but that his actions were not that of a man with deep-seated racial biases. Unlike say Imus, whose a bigoted idiot and meant what he said.

Glad to see A&E came to their senses. Dog, may I suggest you use this opportunity to show some decorum and allow your true nature to shine through. Just my humble opinion.

Comments (1)

11/02/2007 (4:19 pm)

Does Dog’s Son Want Him Muzzled?

It would seem that Duane “Dog” Chapman’s son Tucker has a bit of a chip on his shoulder about his famous bounty hunter dad…because this isn’t the first time he’s sold information about his dad to the tabloids:

Meanwhile, a source tells TMZ that the revelation that Dog’s son Tucker was the one who sold his father’s rant to the National Enquirer isn’t so shocking — given that he’s done it before. We’re told that just a few months back, Tucker was paid by the tabloid for a story about his dad disappearing.

Tucker seems to be upset with his father because Dog disapproves of his girlfriend, who happens to be black:

Attorney Brook Hart told The Associated Press that Chapman’s son, Tucker, sent the recording to the tabloid for “a lot of money.”

“I guess because of whatever level of anger he had of his father, he felt the need to express it in that manner,” Hart said. […]

In the conversation, Chapman urges Tucker to break up with his girlfriend. He also expresses concern about the girlfriend trying to tape and go public about the TV star’s use of the N-word.

In a statement, the 54-year-old Chapman said he has “utmost respect and aloha for black people who have suffered so much due to racial discrimination and acts of hatred.

“I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world,” he said. “I am ashamed of myself and I pledge to do whatever I can to repair this damage I have caused.”

Hart said his client is not a racist and vowed never to use the word again.

“I have never seen anything that suggests he judges people by the color of their skin or racial background or anything but on their character,” he said. “Duane lost his composure and made very, very inappropriate remarks, for which he truly regrets.”

Chapman said he was “disappointed in his choice of a friend, not due to her race, but her character. However, I should have never used that term.”

From what I’ve read about the incident, and heard on the recording, it isn’t the fact that the girl is black that upset Dog…it was her questionable character. He seemed to be under the impression that Tucker could have chosen more wisely in his choice of companion, considering the family profession. And you know what? He’s right. When you’re in that sort of job, you do need to be very careful about the company you keep.

It also seems that Tucker, 23, has just been released from prison after serving time on a 20-year drug charge. Perhaps he needs to take a closer look at his choice of friends.

But wait, there’s more…