Grousing about 'Book of Daniel' ebbs locally (maybe because people have actually SEEN the show now?)

Grousing about 'Book of Daniel' ebbs locally @ Shreveport Times, LA 

Once the "Book of Daniel" actually aired, local complaints about the TV show dramatically dropped.

The NBC show, which premiered Jan. 6, centers on a nontraditional Episcopal priest who sees and talks with Jesus as he tries to sort out his difficult family and church life.

"The controversy was based on what some other people said," said Scott Thomas, vice president and general manager of KTAL-TV. "Now that the show's out there, either people are watching it or they're not."

Thomas now gets a couple of e-mails a day from as many people who support the show as oppose it.

Those in favor say it represents struggles many families face.

Churches and others opponents had complained about the portrayal of Jesus as well as the main character's family, which includes a daughter who sells marijuana, a gay son, and a wife who is pictured on the show's Web site with a martini.

Several TV stations throughout the country have pre-empted the show. Among them is one in Monroe that pulled the program last week after having trouble selling advertising. Thomas said that has not been an issue here.