Sideshow: Duck Done-asty?

Sources connected to the Robertson clan tell E! News the family is "very serious" about leaving the hugely popular A&E reality series Duck Dynasty after the network suspended patriarch Phil Robertson for his GQ interview in the magazine's January issue in which he grouped homosexuality with bestiality as deviant behavior.

Says one source, "They're an extremely tight-knit family and they're not going to let this get in the way."

Meanwhile, the TMZ website says Cracker Barrel execs reversed a ban on Robertson's merchandise after only one day, saying they had no choice because Duck Dynasty fans blasted them via e-mail, phone, and social media.

On Saturday - as actor Charlie Sheen launched a tweet deluge on Robertson, calling him a "shower dodger" - Cracker Barrel said it was pulling the products, citing concerns about "equal treatment of all people" and "mutual respect." But Sunday's statement said, "You told us we made a mistake and you weren't shy about it . . .. We apologize for offending you."

And Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne said the show was so important to state tourism he would help connect the Robertsons with new producers if they could not reach an agreement with A&E. The show is on hiatus until Jan. 15; A&E says nine of next season's 10 episodes have already been taped, meaning Robertson probably wouldn't be needed on camera before March.

Anna Paquin's only scene in the forthcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past ended up on the cutting-room floor. Director Bryan Singer cited "an embarrassment of riches" and told Entertainment Weekly the Oscar-winner's performance was terrific - there just wasn't room for it.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug collected $31.5 million for Time Warner Inc. and MGM Holdings Inc. to lead U.S. and Canadian ticket sales for a second straight weekend.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, the TV newscaster spoof starring Will Ferrell, opened second with $26.8 million, Rentrak Corp. said. Two widely publicized films, Sony's American Hustle and Walt Disney's Saving Mr. Banks, expanded to more theaters and finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

With a little more than a week left in 2013, Hollywood studios and North American cinemas could beat the annual record of $10.77 billion in domestic ticket sales set last year, with sales running about 0.4 percent higher heading into the weekend, Rentrak said.