Two NBC affiliates throw book at 'Daniel' (will pre-empt series)

Netscape ^ | January 5, 2005

[NYer]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Two NBC affiliates in Arkansas and Indiana are turning the page on upcoming series "The Book of Daniel," which has been drawing criticism for its portrayal of Christianity.

The series depicts an Episcopalian minister, played by Aidan Quinn, struggling with an addiction to Vicodin, among other problems in his diocese. Jesus is actually a character on the series, depicted in imagined conversations with the minister.

Last month, the conservative American Family Assn. began calling on affiliates and advertisers to bail out of "Daniel." Many stations have been flooded with e-mails and calls from viewers objecting to the series.

KARK-TV in Little Rock, Ark., and WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., announced Wednesday they would pre-empt "Daniel," when it premieres Friday at 9 p.m. Both are owned by Nexstar Broadcasting Group,

KARK-TV declined to air "Daniel" citing "careful consideration" of viewer feedback. Little Rock's WB affiliate, KWBF-TV, will air "Daniel" instead.

However, WTWO general manager Duane Lammers said he is not pre-empting "Daniel" due to its content but rather to protest what he views as the networks' strong-arm approach to affiliates, as well inconsistent federal oversight of indecent content.

"This has nothing to do with the program and has nothing to do with the AFA," Lammers said. "I think the system is screwed up. I think the network thinks we are going to do whatever they tell us to do. I think the regulatory environment is flawed."

The network stands by the series, according to Vivi Zigler, executive vp current programming at NBC Entertainment, who cautioned not to judge the series on the basis of promotions for the show.

"People are reacting based on not having seen it," she said. "They're seeing the advertising, not seeing what the core of the show is."

Jack Kenny, executive producer of "Daniel," dismissed claims that the series is anti-Christian. "We are not in any way satirizing Christianity or Jesus," he said. "It's done with love, honoring those things."

But Lammers isn't taking exception with "Daniel." Rather, he is using the pre-emption to air multiple grievances with industry practice -- especially network-affiliate relations.

"In the last few years, the networks have responded in a unilateral manner in their treatment of affiliates, whether it's about compensation, exclusivity or other issues," he said. "I am now reaffirming my right to treat them unilaterally."

Lammers also decried what he sees as a double standard in the lack of content regulation regarding cable. "I'm saying the regulatory atmosphere is unfair," he said. "If this gives me a chance to talk about it, that's fair."

WTWO is alone so far in its pre-emption of "Daniel," but other affiliates wrestled with the decision.

"There's been an enormous amount of discussion about the show," said Steve Poulsen, vp marketing at KSL-TV, NBC's affiliate in Salt Lake City. "This one happens to have religious overtones to it and is causing a little stir. We determined on this one to let the viewers determine the success or failure of this show."

KSL, which caters to a heavily Mormon viewership, has not been shy about joining the small group of stations that have pre-empted NBC programming in the recent past. Among the NBC series that have been yanked in recent years, include "Coupling," "God, the Devil and Bob," and "Stressed Eric."

Lammers, who also serves as executive vp and chief operating officer of WTWO parent company Nexstar Broadcasting Group, is known for taking aggressive stands on behalf of his company. He pulled multiple Nexstar-owned stations off Cox Communications and Cable One cable systems for most of 2005 in order to negotiate cash for carriage -- an unprecedented arrangement. Both operators settled with Nexstar late last year.

WTVO, which is the 150th-largest television market in the U.S., will air theatrical "Simon Birch" instead of back-to-back episodes of "Daniel."

[NYer]

Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[NYer]

Ping!

[AnAmericanMother]

I wonder what these folks would make of Giovanni Guareschi's Little World of Don Camillo, in which the parish priest regularly converses with the crucified Christ on the high altar . . .

Of course, that's a respectful series of books (and charming movies as well) in which Don Camillo, for all his hot temper and weakness for good cigars, is a decent man and faithful priest trying his best to shepherd his unruly flock.

[ken5050]

Why didn't they make the priest's bishop gay?

[silverleaf]

I read that South Park's "Bloody Mary" episode also disappeared off the re-run schedule.

Now, stand by for whining about how Christians lack a sense of humor and dire warnings about right wing religious zealot fundie censorship.

Personally, I think letting the show go on air and fail, costing sponsors megabucks for backing schlocky poor taste, would be more effective.

[FormerLib]

From another article about this TV show:

According to media reports, the show is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being "in Catholic recovery," is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation and isn't sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. "I don't necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true," he said.

Could you imagine a show like this featuring a drug-addicated Muhammedan with a homosexual son getting visited by a "hip" prophet Muhammed?

[FormerLib]

Why didn't they make the priest's bishop gay?

Because then everything in the priest's life would be just fabulous! Or some such rot...

[traderrob6]

Related.....

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2006/01/indiana-nbc-affiliate-rejects-book-of.html

[WV Mountain Mama]

In the muslim tradition, they would also have to include an honor killing for the lesbian sister in law whose husband recently died.

I do think they should have let the show bomb on its own.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

"KSL, which caters to a heavily Mormon viewership"

So? Why reference the near-moonbat-fringe of American religiosity?

Can't stick around...my home planet is calling me.

[FormerLib]

I do think they should have let the show bomb on its own.

I was just going to ignore the darned thing myself, but if some folks want to write letters to the sponsors, I think they have a right to do so.

[Sybeck1]

I have emailed WMC-TV Channel 5 in Memphis, and contacted conservative talk Mike Fleming at AM 600 here in town also.

[NYer]

Why didn't they make the priest's bishop gay?

It would be too close to real life.

Bishop Vicki Gene Robinson
Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire

[gridlock]

Jack Kenny, executive producer of "Daniel," dismissed claims that the series is anti-Christian. "We are not in any way satirizing Christianity or Jesus," he said. "It's done with love, honoring those things."

If it weren't a television executive saying this, I would almost say we should be patient to see if they are going to do a hack job on Christianity. But, I gotta say, they don't have a good record in this regard. Given the promos, it doesn't look good, and their past conduct is not making me see things any differently.

[Mr. Blonde]

That SP episode didn't appear when they re-ran the entire season last week. However, to say it has permanently disappeared is a little premature. And I'm sure those who collect the DVDs can rest easy that it will be on the DVD when it comes out.

As for this show, I haven't seen the previews but it certainly sounds like people have more of a case for villifying it than they did the SP episode.

[Taxman]

Thank you for posting this article. Please ping your list to this post and the link below.

I have been participating in the American Family Association effort to keep this piece of anti-Christian filth off of the airwaves.

If you'd like to help, click here.

Two local stations have already agreed not to air the show, and I am informed that NBC is having considerable difficulty selling advertising for the program.

We are having an effect, and must continue to pressure NBC nationally and locally not to air!

So, take a moment and help us shut this one down.

Thank you.

[Xenalyte]

Two NBC affiliates throw book at 'Daniel'

I thought "throwing the book" at someone was prosecuting them. How are the affiliates planning to prosecute a TV show?

[FormerLib]

Is his first name really Vicki?

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

To preempt the libs, if they wouldn't do a similar show centered around a Rabbi or an Imam, they've got no business doing one about a Christian minister.