'DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER' PRODUCTION SUSPENDED DUE TO RACIAL SLUR

Thursday, November 01, 2007

A&E Network has temporarily halted taping of Duane “Dog” Chapman's show Dog the Bounty Hunter in the wake of the surfacing of a taped phone conversation in which Dog repeatedly uses the N-word.

The conversation was between Dog and Tucker Chapman, Dog's son from his third marriage. Tucker has been dating a woman named Monique Shinnery. Monique is black, and that was apparently the impetus for the conversation.

During the conversation, Dog uses some pretty twisted logic to attempt to strong arm his son into dumping Monique. He claims he would ask any of his children to dump any black partner, but then states it's not because they're black, it's because Dog and his bounty hunters use the N-word in conversation.

Dog says he's afraid that the black girlfriend would tape them saying this. (He claims she's threatened to do this, while Tucker protests that is untrue.) Dog is afraid that she would then sell the tape to “The Enquirer” and his words would then be – in his eyes – misinterpreted in the public. Because, he asserts to his son, when they say the N-word, they don't mean “scum without a soul.” What, however, they do exactly mean is unclear.

Dog states he's afraid they could lose everything he's worked to build through his business and the show Dog the Bounty Hunter if such a thing happened, and attempts to lay on a little guilt to Tucker for putting his family in such a position for a relatively young relationship – only seven months long so far.

The unanswered question is, of course, if Dog is so concerned about such words possibly costing him “everything,” why not just stop using them? One would think that would be a little bit of an easier – and kinder – solution than bullying his son into dumping a girlfriend he sounds like he cares for a great deal.

Well, apparently it wasn't the girlfriend Dog needed to worry about, as The Associated Press is reporting that it was his own son that sold the tape – and yes, to the very publication Dog feared, The National Enquirer.

The A&E network acted quickly, suspending production, and a spokesman for the network said, "When the inquiry is concluded, we will take appropriate action.”

Dog has already begun issuing public apologies, although he has not yet checked into the Jerk Rehab that Isaiah Washington headed to after his own brush with nasty words.

Dog has said that the sentiment he was trying to express was that 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."

He also said, "My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended for my regrettable use of very inappropriate language.” His lawyer said Dog is not a racist and promises to never use that word again.

One can't help but feel that this rings incredibly hollow considering the fact that the tape makes it clear he was already aware of the risk involved in using such inflammatory language and was apparently unwilling to stop before he was caught.

Whether or not Dog the Bounty Hunter will survive the controversy or if it will ultimately be canceled remains to be seen. We will keep you updated.