Terre Haute, USA - Citing viewer complaints, two NBC affiliate stations won't air a new series by the network about an Episcopalian priest with a troubled family in which Jesus Christ is one of the characters.
One of the stations that's refusing to run "The Book of Daniel," premiering Friday, is WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, Ind. The other is KARK-TV in Little Rock, Ark.
The show stars Aidan Quinn as the priest who speaks to a physical Jesus Christ.
"After careful consideration, watching the program and most importantly listening to our viewers and engaging them in dialogue, we have decided not to air the NBC program 'The Book of Daniel' this Friday night," KARK-TV says on its Web site. "We appreciate hearing from so many of our viewers who expressed their heartfelt opinions on both sides of the issue."
Duane Lammers, WTWO-TV's general manager, said he was exercising the station's right to reject network programming.
"If my action causes people in our community to pay more attention to what they watch on television, I have accomplished my mission," he said in a statement posted on the station's Web site.
"The Book of Daniel" has drawn fire from conservative Christians, including the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association.
"We expect other affiliates to turn down the show," said the AFA's chairman, Donald E. Wildmon, in a statement.
It was not immediately clear whether any other stations planned to do so.
NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly told The New York Times last month that the series was intended to be thought-provoking.
"Some of the best shows on TV start with the perception of controversy, which is usually not an issue if it's backed by quality," Reilly said.
Last week, Quinn told The Associated Press that the show was "down-the-middle" and "wholesome," in spite of the fact that his character's children are dealing with issues ranging from homosexuality to drug problems.
"I honestly don't think it's going to be nearly as controversial as some people may now be afraid of," the actor said. "It just has the courage to deal with some of the real issues that go in on people's lives."