I love that it's 2012 and people are still blaming television for the decay of family values. There is an endless array of watchdog organizations out there who make it their business to tell us what we should be watching and warn us of the many dangers to our souls found in primetime. This time, it’s One Million Moms, and they are after NBC’s new fall comedy The New Normal.
The comedy tells the story of a single mother who becomes a surrogate for a gay couple. One Million Moms (who have nothing better to do), the same organization that attempted to boycott JC Penney for hiring Ellen Degeneres as a spokesperson, is now asking people to boycott the show. They have released a statement in which they declare their intentions of contacting sponsors to pull out on the show, saying:
“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”
The organization claims the efforts of morality watchdogs like their group are responsible for The Playboy Club’s cancellation due to lack of sponsors, which is some interesting and flawed logic. Low ratings and not angry mothers are more likely the reason that series met its end.
Television in 2012 represents an incredible range of people living very different lives, and The New Normal is following that trend. Perhaps these moms should be focusing a little more on their own families and a little less on what fictional television families are up to. Of course, they’ve got their right to protest, but if they really think they’re going to get NBC to pull the show, they’re wasting their time. Just like The Playboy Club, it will be ratings that determine the fate of The New Normal, and NBC might even be able to thank One Million Moms for their efforts in raising the show’s profile.
