Gay-Themed Show 'The New Normal' Dropped by Station Over Family-Friendly Concerns
An affiliate of NBC in Utah has refused to air "The New Normal," a new television show about a single mother's life as a surrogate for a gay couple, finding the program "inappropriate" for family viewing.
"After viewing the pilot episode of 'The New Normal,' we have made the decision to keep it off our fall schedule," said Jeff Simpson, CEO of KSL-TV parent company Bonneville International. "For our brand, this program simply feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time."
Simpson has stated that the show has crude dialogue, explicit content and offensive characterizations, which does not fit with the station's family-friendly approach, Deseret News reported.
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Still, the CEO refused to criticize NBC for airing the gay-friendly show, which premiers on ABC on Sept. 11, and has expressed hopes that KSL's relationship with the network will not be damaged.
"NBC is a valued partner – and as the Summer Olympic Games prove, they are committed to great news, sports and entertainment programming. KSL is confident that with the proliferation of digital media, those who wish to view the program can easily do so," Simpson said.
This is not the first time KSL has decided to pass on a sexually provocative show. Last season, the Utah station turned down the chance to air another NBC show, "The Playboy Club," which was about the first-ever Playboy Club in Chicago in 1961.
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has blasted the station's decision, accusing KSL of being "out of touch" with America and the acceptance homosexuals receive in the wider society.
"Same-sex families are a beloved part of American television thanks to shows like 'Modern Family,' 'Glee' and 'Grey's Anatomy.' While audiences, critics and advertisers have all supported LGBT stories, KSL is demonstrating how deeply out of touch it is with the rest of the country," said Herndon Graddick, GLAAD's President.
"We invite Jeff Simpson to sit down with GLAAD and local LGBT families. We know that if he would, he would see that not only are our families normal, but by citing 'crude and rude' content and refusing to affirm LGBT families, KSL and Mr. Simpson are sending a dangerous message to Utah. They should make that right," Graddick added.
Last month, pro-family group "One Million Mons" encouraged a boycott against "The New Normal."
"Millions of Americans strongly believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. NBC's 'The New Normal' is attempting to desensitize America and our children. It is the opposite of how families are designed and created. You cannot recreate the biological wheel," the group said last month.
