This 'Book of Daniel' not exactly scripture

A report today that a few TV affiliates are beginning to bail on NBC's new series, "Book of Daniel," fails to mention some of the reasons why viewers might not wish to expose themselves to the show.

The series depicts an Episcopalian minister, played by Aidan Quinn, struggling with an addiction to Vicodin, among other problems in his diocese. Jesus is actually a character on the series, depicted in imagined conversations with the minister.

Last month, the conservative American Family Assn. began calling on affiliates and advertisers to bail out of "Daniel." Many stations have been flooded with e-mails and calls from viewers objecting to the series.

Here's what they left out: This minister, Daniel (Quinn), has a lesbian secretary who is having an affair with his sister-in-law. But wait, there's more. Daniel and his wife have an adopted son who is having sex with the daughter of his bishop. There's a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer. And the mom is depicted as a "can't wait to get to my first martini" at 12 noon type. Plus there's a "gay Republican" son of 23.

And NBC calls it a portrayal of a typical Christian home.

Jack Kenny, executive producer of "Daniel," dismissed claims that the series is anti-Christian. "We are not in any way satirizing Christianity or Jesus," he said. "It's done with love, honoring those things."

Kenny, who is also the chief writer for the series, is a practicing homosexual who calls himself a "recovering" Catholic. He says he is not sure he believes the "myths" about Jesus Christ but certainly thinks Jesus was a great philosopher.

Might there be an agenda here?

For more details on the new show, read THIS.

While there are pressure campaigns to get NBC or local affiliates to drop the show, we suggest stronger action: Just don't watch it. Lack of audience equals loss of ad revenue, which is the unkindest cut of all for network execs.

Pressure campaigns just bring extra, free publicity, and affiliate dropping doesn't work in any market that has an eager, amoral WB channel chomping at the bit to pick up the feed.

Personally we gave up on network TV about six years ago. Colors are brighter, the air smells sweeter. Even food has improved.

It's a leap of faith, and that's scary, but try cutting network TV out of your life. Once you've gone through withdrawal you'll be glad you did.