NBC's "The New Normal" Draws Ire of One Million Moms Group
7/20/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


NBC's "The New Normal" is following in the footsteps of "The Playboy Club".

The upcoming freshman comedy from openly gay writer/executive producers Ryan Murphy and Ali Alder ("Glee") has drawn the ire of One Million Moms, the conservative anti-gay group that blasted retailer JC Penney for featuring a same-sex couple in a catalog and the ouster of Ellen DeGeneres as its spokesperson.





In a posting on its website, OMM blasts the show and calls for advertisers to boycott the series, which revolves around a gay couple (Andrew Rannels and Justin Bartha) who attempt to start a family via surrogate (Georgia King).

"NBC is using public airwaves to continue to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and the sanctity of marriage in attempting to redefine marriage. These things are harmful to our society, and this program is damaging to our culture.

OMM is prepared to contact any and all sponsors of this program if it is aired. It is proven this strategy works! It was not too long ago that NBC announced 'The Playboy Club' was canceled after only three episodes because of lack of advertisers!

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 cited a similar boycott -- from the Parents Television Council -- last season targeting then-freshman drama "The Playboy Club", for what that group claimed was a "mainstreaming" of the pornography industry.

NBC canceled the drama after its first three airings aired to dismal ratings.





Meanwhile, watchdog group the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) commended "New Normal" for its portrayal of gay families and blasted OMM for its calls for a boycott.

"Yet again, One Million Moms, a project of the American Family Association -- whose membership we already know is far less substantial than their name -- is doing its best to stir controversy where there clearly is none," GLAAD president Herndon Graddick said in a statement.

"From hit shows like 'Glee' to 'Modern Family', it's clear that Americans today don't care whether their favorite TV characters are straight or gay. We now live in a culture where gay people are not only a common part of our society but where gay characters are also applauded by both TV critics and audiences alike."





NBC has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

"The New Normal" premieres Sept. 11 on NBC.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-new-normal-boycott-one-million-moms-352676

TCA 2012: Ryan Murphy Has Already Written One Million Moms into "The New Normal"
7/24/2012
by Michael O'Connell


NBC's "The New Normal" is getting self-referential far ahead of its Sept. 11 series premiere.

Co-creator Ryan Murphy told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that One Million Moms, the conservative activist group that's called for a boycott of the series over its depiction of a gay couple having a child, has already been written into the series.

"I think it's interesting for people to take that position before they've seen it," said Murphy. "I think if they would have watched the show, they would love it, because they're represented. Ellen Barkin's character is one of them."



Barkin, who plays the caustic grandmother who reacts poorly to her granddaughter's decision to surrogate the child of a gay couple, is not identified as a member of the group in the pilot -- but it will apparently come up eventually.

"She will protest people and events, but I wouldn't say that's the thing I would lead with [about her character," he continued. "I think the show is about tolerance and a discussion of tolerance. Their points of view are delivered with sensitiveness and a certain amount of veracity."



As far as the Moms' call for action against the show, Murphy seemed nonplussed.

"I have obviously been through this before," said Murphy. "I wasn't surprised when i read about the boycott. Every person or group has that right."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tca-ryan-murphy-boycott-one-million-moms-new-normal-353685