Perhaps it could be called inevitable: The Book of Daniel, starring Aidan Quinn as a troubled priest who carries on casual conversations with Jesus, was a sore spot for many viewers before the show even aired. NBC attributes the cancellation to low ratings. Of course, with the show banned by so many cable carriers, The Book of Daniel hardly seemed to stand a chance.

Conservative rights groups are claiming the cancellation as a personal victory:

BC’s move was lauded by the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association, which had condemned the show as a sign of what it called the broadcaster’s “anti-Christian bigotry.”

The group, along with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, asked supporters to lobby their local NBC affiliates to refuse to carry it. In an article posted on its Web site, the AFA credited viewer complaints for forcing the network’s hand.

“This shows the average American that he doesn’t have to simply sit back and take the trash being offered on TV, but he can get involved and fight back with his pocketbook,” “AFA founder and chairman Donald E. Wildmon said in the posting.

The network had no comment on the statement.

The show’s creator and executive producer, Jack Kenny, has said his goal was to depict how “humor and grace” help a flawed man struggle with his faith and family. He said the writers never meant to mock religion or Jesus.

What do you think? Do television affiliates have the right to refuse to air a show, or should they let viewers decide? Will there ever be a time when all themes, no matter how controversial, will be accepted on television?

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