Morrissey Cancels 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Performance: It's Me or 'Duck Dynasty'

4:53 PM PST 2/25/2013 by Shirley Halperin

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Getty Images; ABC

Says the singer in a statement released 24 hours ahead of his TV booking: "I can't take the risk of being on a show alongside people who, in effect, amount to animal serial killers."

Morrissey's arrival in Los Angeles has been headline-heavy and he has yet to sing a single note.

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The former Smiths frontman and cult indie solo artist was due to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, Feb. 26, but has canceled his appearance entirely in protest of another guest booked that night: the stars of A&E's Duck Dynasty. The reality show follows the lives of the Robertson family, whose successful company makes duck hunting products.

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Morrissey, a staunch animal rights activist, issued a statement announcing the cancelation, which read:

"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."

The singer added: "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."

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It seems Morrissey has been on a bit of a statement kick in recent weeks. On Feb. 18, the rocker announced that, for the first time, Los Angeles' Staples Center, where he's scheduled to perform on March 1, has agreed to go all-vegetarian, a claim later denied by the venue's owners, AEG.

According to THR sources, after numerous attempts to find a compromise (including an option to tape his performance), Jimmy Kimmel producers were finally alerted to the cancelation on Monday afternoon.

In Morrissey's place, the show has booked Denver band Churchill.

Twitter: @THRMusic