'The New Normal' Utah Ban Creates Debate Over Family Values on Television
"The New Normal" a television show about a gay couple and their surrogate mother, has been taken off the air by a local NBC station in Utah creating a debate over the show's content.
KSL-TV, a Utah television station and NBC affiliate, has prompted criticism from some by banning "The New Normal" suggesting that it contains inappropriate content, particularly for families with young kids.
"After viewing the pilot episode of The New Normal, we have made the decision to keep it off our fall schedule. For our brand, this program simply feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time," the station prompted in a statement to the Dessert News.
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According to Jeff Simpson, CEO of Bonneville International, the parent company of the station, the show's "crude dialogue, explicit content and offensive characterizations," were the main reasons for banning the show.
One gay rights group has criticized the ban, stating that the studio's actions could have a detrimental affect on the citizens of Utah, and affirming that the family values represented are "normal."
"Same-sex families are a beloved part of American television thanks to shows like Modern Family, Glee and Grey's Anatomy," wroteGLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "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."
Ellen Barkin, who appears on the show, also criticized the station on Twitter.
"Shame on u @kslcom not airing @NBCTheNewNormal So L&O SVU (rape & child murder) is ok? But loving gay couple having a baby is inappropriate?," Barkin tweeted Friday.
Others however, have shared different opinions and also suggested that they would not be watching the show.
"Will NOT be watching. Hate to break it to her, but this shows premise is not 'the new normal,'" KR wrote on the E! News blog.
"Personally, I will never watch "The New Normal" or any other show that tries to normalize or glorify the gay lifestyle and/or gay issues," Change the Channel added. "Honestly, it seems like Hollywood in general and television broadcasters in particular seem h--- bent on propagandizing American citizens with gay shows and subject matter in hopes that they will all roll over and give up their traditional Judeo-Christian values."
