Advertisers for NBC's controversial "The Book of Daniel" has been targeted by conservative activist org American Family Association (AFA), which condemned it as anti-Christian. The show itself ran only about 24 national spots during the two-hour back-to-back episodes that composed the premiere of "The Book of Daniel" from 9 to 11 p.m. last Friday. NBC reportedly offered lower prices for the spots, as well.

This, in addition to general complaints to the media from the AFA about the contents of the program. The complaints led 5 of NBC's 232 affiliates to pre-empt the series.

In the series, which will still return on Friday in its 10 p.m. slot and run through 2/3, Aidan Quinn portrays Daniel Webster, an Episcopal priest who lives in suburban NYC with his dysfunctional family, which includes a daughter who sells pot, a gay son and another son who is a teen Romeo. To compensate for the lack of demand from advertisers last Friday, NBC ran some 38 tune-in spots to promote its other primetime shows and the Olympics.

---

AFA has circulated the following e-flyer for folks to complain to the show's advertisers.

New NBC Drama Show Mocks Christianity

Email NBC Chairman Bob Wright over NBC's latest show, "The Book of Daniel."

Contact these advertisers of the January 6 premiere episode of The Book of Daniel

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation

Monroe G. Milstein - Chairman, President, and CEO

1830 Rte. 130

Burlington, NJ 08016

Phone: 609-387-7800

Fax: 609-387-7071

[email protected]

Vice-President, Andrew Milstein [email protected]

Mazda North American Operations

President Jim O'Sullivan

P.O. Box 19734

Irvine, CA 92623-9734

Phone: (949) 727-1990

Fax: (949) 752-2130

Email: [email protected]

On January 6, NBC began a new series entitled The Book of Daniel.

NBC is promoting "The Book of Daniel" as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.

Webster regularly sees and talks with a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus. The Webster family is rounded out by a 23-year-old homosexual Republican son, a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop's daughter. At the office, his lesbian secretary is sleeping with his sister-in-law.

NBC and the mainstream media call it "edgy," "challenging" and "courageous." The series is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being "in Catholic recovery," and 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.

NBC considers The Book of Daniel a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians.

Please take action now! Here is what you can do:

1. Call your local NBC affiliate and ask them not to air the program. You can find their contact information in your local phone book or by Clicking Here.

2. Print out a copy of AFA's pass along sheet, fill in the affiliate call letters and phone number, make copies and pass out at your church. Ask your pastor to announcement it and put information in the bulletin and newsletter. [doc version] [pdf version]3. If you haven't already done so, send an email to NBC by Clicking Here.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Please help get the word out by forwarding this to your family and friends. They probably aren't aware of it!