Posted on 01/25/2006 9:38:05 AM PST by FerdieMurphy
The last chapter of the controversial religious drama 'The Book of Daniel' has been written at NBC. Although the network stopped short of saying the low-rated show was canceled, a spokeswoman said Tuesday it has been dropped from the schedule.
The series, which starred Aidan Quinn as an Episcopalian priest with a pill habit who holds regular conversations with Jesus, has a promiscuous son and a daughter who deals marijuana, proved better at drawing criticism than viewers.
Conservative Christian groups condemned the depiction of Jesus as blasphemous, accusing the writers of portraying Christ as tolerant of sin in talks with the priest. Seven NBC affiliates refused to air it.
'The Book of Daniel' drew an audience of 6.9 million on its first night. By its fourth airing, the number had dipped to 5.8 million viewers.
NBC's move was lauded by the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association, which had condemned the show as a sign of what it called the broadcaster's 'anti-Christian bigotry.'
The group, along with James Dobson's Focus on the Family, asked supporters to lobby their local NBC affiliates to refuse to carry it. In an article posted on its Web site, the AFA credited viewer complaints for forcing the network's hand.
'This shows the average American that he doesn't have to simply sit back and take the trash being offered on TV, but he can get involved and fight back with his pocketbook,' 'AFA founder and chairman Donald E. Wildmon said in the posting.
The network had no comment on the statement.
The show's creator and executive producer, Jack Kenny, has said his goal was to depict how 'humor and grace' help a flawed man struggle with his faith and family. He said the writers never meant to mock religion or Jesus.
"He said the writers never meant to mock religion or Jesus."
uh huh.
Never watched the show but I heard it was not all that good.
For most conservative folks, its good news. OTOH. Its just a tv show. Use you channel changer for the results you desire.
I really don't see what's wrong with the concept. Priests and ministers don't ever have problems? Priests and ministers don't ever have troubled families?
This shows the average American is too dumb to simply change the channel.
I thought CBS was the station running the no holds barred assault on Christianity. Every week they run another drama where the antagonist is a crazed fundamental Christian or so it would seem.
Done. Twenty one years ago. I'm a fast learner.
Muleteam1
Let's see them do a series about a Minster who realizes that standing on the Rock of Christ, a sure foundation, gets him through life despite daily problems. Nah, they don't get that.
>>Now, let's drop NBC
USA Today posts ratings in its Wed. edition, I believe,
and I saw a copy at work last week. Overall I think
NBC, one of the original "big 3" networks, was #_4_!
So people are dropping them. We'll see if they get
below UPN/WB/"CW" next
"This shows the average American is too dumb to simply change the channel."
Wasn't that the reason the show failed....lack of viewers..?
Seems they did change the channel and it worked in dumping the show.
Better yet: Let's drop something(s) on NBC.
Sorry NBC, you've shown your true colors. It's just too competitive for me to dedicate the few hours a week I watch T.V. to a morally bankrupt corporation like yourselves... (although I'll continue to make a quiet exception for The Office).
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Yeah, right. Just like SNL doesn't mean to make fun of Bush or other political leaders.
Oxymoron?
...and a homosexual son, and a lesbian church secretary that we are not going to mention in any way in this article, lest people start to think that stuff is part of why a huge part of our viewership wanted this off the air, because we sure as heck aren't going to admit that the big, huge, pink and rainbow colored elephant in you family's livingroom flapping its life-choice in your face is offense in any way to most of America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.