Stations Drop NBC's 'Book of Daniel'

Citing viewer complaints, eight 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. The stations are in Tex., Miss., Ind., Ark., and Kan.

The show stars Aidan Quinn as the priest who speaks to a physical Jesus Christ. Quinn's character, the Rev. Daniel Webster, abuses painkillers and has a gay son, a promiscuous straight son, a daughter who deals marijuana, and a wife who drinks too much.

Conservative Christian groups have condemned the depiction of Jesus as blasphemous, accusing the writers of portraying Christ as tolerant of sin in talks with the priest.

In a statement NBC said, "We're confident that once audiences view this quality drama themselves, they'll appreciate this thought-provoking examination of one American family."