'Duck Dynasty' Crew Battles with Animal Rights Activist Morrissey

The ever-popular gents from Duck Dynasty have found their way into the limelight once again.

Normally, it's because of the Robertson's hilariously entertaining, family-based TV show on A&E, which set records last season with nearly 5 million viewers. The Robertsons made headlines this week, however, because of a stunt by British animal rights activist Morrissey, who cancelled his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at the last minute and issued this statement on his Facebook page:

"Morrissey is thankful for being invited to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow, February 26. However, he cannot morally be on a television program where the cast members of Duck Dynasty will also be guests. Morrissey would be honored to play the show, if Duck Dynasty were removed. As far as my reputation is concerned, I can't take the risk of being on a show alongside people who, in effect, amount to animal serial killers. If Jimmy cannot dump Duck Dynasty then we must step away."

Never one to back down from controversy, Kimmel roasted Morrissey in an opening skit, saying the vegan musician "keeps finding new ways to depress us." He also said he sided with the Robertsons because they have guns and Morrissey doesn't. Kimmel then paired up with Jase, Willie, Si and Phil Robertson on short notice for a video spoof of the vegan version of a duck call — the carrot call. Well played, we say.

On Wednesday, Morrissey returned fire with a statement about the video and Kimmel's roasting:

"I was disappointed with last night's Jimmy Kimmel Show wherein our smiling host managed to ridicule depression... He then found time to ridicule healthy eating... and he also ridiculed the notion that animals should be entitled to the possession of their own lives. Furthermore, he found time to jokingly promote gun-ownership — hugely amusing for the parents at Sandy Hook, no doubt. He also promoted his special guests Duck Dynasty — who kill beings for fun. None of the above issues are, of course, as important as Jimmy Kimmel himself, who has finally revealed his show to have an overwhelming loss of meaning. Tune in and relive the intellectual fog of the 1950s."

With the first episode of the new season of Duck Dynasty's airing this week on A&E, I think the Robertsons — and their 5 million viewers — have better things to do than listen to a two-bit whack-job like Morrissey. The Robertsons are back in action for another hilarious season of antics, and that makes us — in the words of Phil — happy, happy, happy.