It's a TV show, but is it just some poorly thought out show meant to help sell their merchandise? I see it [merchandise] on front display everywhere now, from our small local grocery store to Barnes and Noble to Walmart.
Did the massive amount of brand items come before or after the shows success?

After. The success came originally just from a Duck Call the Dad/Granddad designed quite a while before the show started. They later got a reality show due to the novelty factor of hillbillies that got rich from selling duck calls, the show got insanely popular, and then the merchandising machine kicked into gear to capitolise on said popularity.

I actually tried to hate the show, my dad loves it, but the more I was forced to watch when visiting him the more I liked it. At first it annoyed me that it was clearly staged and etc etc, but now I just view it as a comedy and a good one. Certainly way better than american sitcoms.

It's a horrible show that rots the brain, yes, but it's not horribly thought-out, IMO. If its purpose was to make money then it's a success. People love to watch silly people do silly things, apparently.

Well I've never seen it, but my friends love to hate on it (Even though they haven't seen it either). I think a lot of people really hate the show because you know, the hunting rednecks and all that stuff, but I think for the most part they just haven't given it a chance.

I know it has a huge Christian following, but I'm hoping we can avoid that since I don't want this to get locked.

I don't like the Southern Redneck stereotype is perpetuates. Watched it once and that was enough. Have more respect for my brain cells.