August 30, 2012 | Arts / Entertainment

Supporting 'The New Normal'

The New Normal is NBC's much talked about gay-centered sitcom, starring Andrew Rannells and Ellen Barkin. The show premieres this fall, but it already has its haters.

The inappropriately named One Million Moms, of course, is calling for a boycott. The show will make gay seem normal, and that simply won't do.

"The silly part is that no one has seen it," said openly gay Rannells, who plays lead character Bryan Buckley, one half of a same-sex couple using a surrogate to have a child. "So what that boycott is based on is a two-line description of what they read this show was about and, just based on that alone, they're upset. That's disappointing because, ultimately, what the show is about is how much love it takes to start a family - and not just our family."

Well, at least one NBC network affiliate seems to be siding with OMM. KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah, is refusing to air the program, arguing the program's language and subject matter is inappropriate and "the scenes may be too explicit or the characterizations might seem offensive."

Barkin, who plays the surrogate's less than tolerant mother in the show, took to Twitter to respond.

"Shame on u @kslcom not airing @NBCTheNewNormal So L&O SVU (rape & child murder) is ok? But loving gay couple having a baby is inappropriate?" she tweeted. She later added: "L&O SUV...anal tearing not "explicit" content, child slavery not "explicit" content? But @NBCTheNewNormal laughing & loving is? #KSLBigots."

For those who want to make up their own minds, NBC has already posted the pilot episode online. You can check it out for yourself here. (Sadly, only American residents can watch the video at this time.)