Declaring he has never seen 7th Heaven or Joan of Arcadia (a drama that had God revealing himself to a high school girl in a variety of human visions), The Book of Daniel creator Jack Kenny insists his show isn't about religion."This is about a family," he told the Associated Press."The fact that Daniel is a (Episcopalian) priest is secondary. The church is the backdrop. This is no more about religion than Six Feet Under was about mortuaries."
However, burdening Daniel with a Vicodin habit, a gay son, a wife who drinks to hide her feelings about her dead son, another son who is bedding every girl he sees and a daughter who sells pot to make extra money is putting off some NBC affiliates."Daniel faces the same relatable problems that every father has to deal with," says Kenny. "And if the problems seem heightened because of what he does for a living, then that just raises the stakes. And that makes better drama."
So, once again, there are people on the Right are passing judgment on something they’ve yet to see. There is a man named Rev. Donald Wildmon, who is the chairman of the American Family Association who have been “attacking shows” that he disagrees with since the 1970s. He is using his web site to send e-mails to NBC Universal chairman Bob Wright complaining about The Book of Daniel. Wildmon is assailing NBC, also, for its very unconventional inclusion of Jesus himself, who is depicted in Daniel as having regular conversations with the priest.
Someone wrote that most Christian critic are quick to condemn a film or TV show because they object to certain “lifestyles” of its characters. But they also seem quick to judge anything that does not show a pious existence of Christianity. And to further show that people can be misguided, two NBC affiliates will pre-empt the Jan. 6 premiere of Daniel. KARK-TV of Little Rock, Ark., told TV Guide Online that it ordered the pre-emption after "careful consideration" of viewer feedback. But WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., said the decision has little to do with the series itself, according to The Hollywood Reporter. WTWO-TV said it would pre-empt Daniel to protest what the station views as the network's strong-arm approach to affiliates, as well inconsistent federal oversight of indecent content, the trade paper reported. Also, like the silly lambs they are, people have been calling and sending e-mails, at the AFA’s urging mind you, to NBC objecting to the series. But NBC stands by the show.
Again, beyond a few critics, no one has seen this show. So talk about judging a book by its cover.
"I think it's a pretty down-the-middle, wholesome show," says Aidan Quinn, in the AP article. ”I honestly don't think it's going to be nearly as controversial as some people may now be afraid of. It just has the courage to deal with some of the real issues that go in on people's lives."
"He is caught up in the modern malady of extreme busyness and stress," Quinn says. "But he can have moments of great lucidity and humor, and he cherishes his moments of quiet in the church, and in prayer.” Quinn adds that “ he’s a good man who wants to do right by his family and flock, keep up necessary appearances, and cleanse his soul." Communing with his inner self takes the form of those tete-a-tetes with Jesus -- a loving, good-humored comrade whose robes-and-beard style stands apart in the starchy, posh suburb just outside New York City.
The Book of Daniel is created by Jack Kenny, who was the executive producer of the sketch-comedy series Wanda at Large the creator of Titus, producer of Caroline in the City, and a staff writer on Dave's World. He wrote the pilot on spec, and according to him, “it took on a life of its own."
A gay man raised in the Catholic Church, Kenny says he drew on the WASP-y, emotionally guarded family of his life partner. "Michael," he says of his mate, "came from a world that is all about what is not said -- the hidden meaning in the words and sentences."
Meanwhile, WTWO's web site says it's pulling the show "due to e-mails and calls from viewers." In a statement, station general manager Duane Lammers says, "Our relationship with NBC always provided for the right to reject programming. I am reaffirming that right to let them know I will not allow them to make unilateral decisions affecting our viewers." He also takes a shot at the current regulatory climate in television: "I want to draw attention to the worst offenders of indecency on television -- the cable industry, which faces no decency regulations, nor a license renewal."
The affiliates' pulling of Daniel and the AFA's campaign against the show has not surprisingly drawn the fire of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "It doesn't surprise me that the American Family Association would be afraid of this series -- it shows a family that's both deeply religious and loving and accepting of their gay son," says Damon Romine, entertainment media director for GLAAD.
It’s all about drama folks. 7th Heaven was more fantasy than anything, with all its problems wrapped up neat and tight. But it’s stories could never get really complex, if only because you could easily see the holes in their metaphors. Joan of Arcadia was great, because it did attempt to show a more realistic teenager with family problems. And even though the show had that same problem of neatly wrapping up everything in a so unrealistic way, it had it charms. The show did try to go in a different direction in season 2, only to find people wanted the same.
That was sad to see.
The Book of Daniel will use religion as a jumping board for other dramas in a family. While all might not be realistic, but no family is perfect including the family of Episcopalian priests.
However, burdening Daniel with a Vicodin habit, a gay son, a wife who drinks to hide her feelings about her dead son, another son who is bedding every girl he sees and a daughter who sells pot to make extra money is putting off some NBC affiliates."Daniel faces the same relatable problems that every father has to deal with," says Kenny. "And if the problems seem heightened because of what he does for a living, then that just raises the stakes. And that makes better drama."
So, once again, there are people on the Right are passing judgment on something they’ve yet to see. There is a man named Rev. Donald Wildmon, who is the chairman of the American Family Association who have been “attacking shows” that he disagrees with since the 1970s. He is using his web site to send e-mails to NBC Universal chairman Bob Wright complaining about The Book of Daniel. Wildmon is assailing NBC, also, for its very unconventional inclusion of Jesus himself, who is depicted in Daniel as having regular conversations with the priest.
Someone wrote that most Christian critic are quick to condemn a film or TV show because they object to certain “lifestyles” of its characters. But they also seem quick to judge anything that does not show a pious existence of Christianity. And to further show that people can be misguided, two NBC affiliates will pre-empt the Jan. 6 premiere of Daniel. KARK-TV of Little Rock, Ark., told TV Guide Online that it ordered the pre-emption after "careful consideration" of viewer feedback. But WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, Ind., said the decision has little to do with the series itself, according to The Hollywood Reporter. WTWO-TV said it would pre-empt Daniel to protest what the station views as the network's strong-arm approach to affiliates, as well inconsistent federal oversight of indecent content, the trade paper reported. Also, like the silly lambs they are, people have been calling and sending e-mails, at the AFA’s urging mind you, to NBC objecting to the series. But NBC stands by the show.
Again, beyond a few critics, no one has seen this show. So talk about judging a book by its cover.
"I think it's a pretty down-the-middle, wholesome show," says Aidan Quinn, in the AP article. ”I honestly don't think it's going to be nearly as controversial as some people may now be afraid of. It just has the courage to deal with some of the real issues that go in on people's lives."
"He is caught up in the modern malady of extreme busyness and stress," Quinn says. "But he can have moments of great lucidity and humor, and he cherishes his moments of quiet in the church, and in prayer.” Quinn adds that “ he’s a good man who wants to do right by his family and flock, keep up necessary appearances, and cleanse his soul." Communing with his inner self takes the form of those tete-a-tetes with Jesus -- a loving, good-humored comrade whose robes-and-beard style stands apart in the starchy, posh suburb just outside New York City.
The Book of Daniel is created by Jack Kenny, who was the executive producer of the sketch-comedy series Wanda at Large the creator of Titus, producer of Caroline in the City, and a staff writer on Dave's World. He wrote the pilot on spec, and according to him, “it took on a life of its own."
A gay man raised in the Catholic Church, Kenny says he drew on the WASP-y, emotionally guarded family of his life partner. "Michael," he says of his mate, "came from a world that is all about what is not said -- the hidden meaning in the words and sentences."
Meanwhile, WTWO's web site says it's pulling the show "due to e-mails and calls from viewers." In a statement, station general manager Duane Lammers says, "Our relationship with NBC always provided for the right to reject programming. I am reaffirming that right to let them know I will not allow them to make unilateral decisions affecting our viewers." He also takes a shot at the current regulatory climate in television: "I want to draw attention to the worst offenders of indecency on television -- the cable industry, which faces no decency regulations, nor a license renewal."
The affiliates' pulling of Daniel and the AFA's campaign against the show has not surprisingly drawn the fire of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "It doesn't surprise me that the American Family Association would be afraid of this series -- it shows a family that's both deeply religious and loving and accepting of their gay son," says Damon Romine, entertainment media director for GLAAD.
It’s all about drama folks. 7th Heaven was more fantasy than anything, with all its problems wrapped up neat and tight. But it’s stories could never get really complex, if only because you could easily see the holes in their metaphors. Joan of Arcadia was great, because it did attempt to show a more realistic teenager with family problems. And even though the show had that same problem of neatly wrapping up everything in a so unrealistic way, it had it charms. The show did try to go in a different direction in season 2, only to find people wanted the same.
That was sad to see.
The Book of Daniel will use religion as a jumping board for other dramas in a family. While all might not be realistic, but no family is perfect including the family of Episcopalian priests.
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