How's this for timing! The same day Phil Robertson was put on an "indefinite hiatus" in light of the controversial comments he made in the January 2014 issue of GQ, the men of Duck Dynasty were named among The Hollywood Reporter's favorite Rule Breakers of 2013. In fact, series star Willie Robertson even landed the cover of the trade magazine's Dec. 27—Jan. 3 double issue.
Willie, 41, isn't all that surprised that Duck Dynasty has become the No. 1 unscripted show on television. "It's a combination of the faith, the positive and the family aspect...and it's funny," he offers. Jase Robertson, 44, adds, "We're just kind of doing what we do, and people identify with that."
Jep Robertson, 35, jokes that "it doesn't hurt that our wives are, like, super, super pretty."
All jokes aside, the Robertsons are proud to share their lives—and their strong Christian values—with an average of 9 million viewers per week. While knockoffs are inevitable, the family isn't worried.
"If they try to emulate [the positive nature and the faith base], I think that's good," says Willie, with Jase echoing, "If everyone wants to do good, clean television, I think that's what we need."
In a behind-the-scenes video from the cast's photo shoot, Willie explains why Duck Dynasty is unlike any other reality show on television. "I thought when you became a celebrity there were no rules. I think we've broke about every rule in television. This is not the way you would normally look and dress, for sure. I break a lot of dress rules," the duck hunter admits. "Shockingly enough, I was the only guy with a bandana at the White House Correspondent's Dinner."
Other rule breakers profiled in the issue include actors Matthew McConaughey, Shailene Woodley, Bryan Cranston, Lupita Nyong'o and Miles Teller; movie directors Alfonso Cuarón, Ryan Coogler and Lee Daniels; and TV producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, among others.