ABC is in a jam and they know it. “The Real O’Neals” is not only stupid and offensive, it is in deep trouble trying to find an audience. The numbers don’t lie: its ratings always trail the competition on CBS and NBC.
A story posted by E! Online in mid-March said that the jury is out on whether “The Real O’Neals” will be renewed next season: no decision has been made. But things don’t look good. The other family shows on ABC, “The Goldbergs,” “Modern Family,” “Black-ish,” and “Fresh Off the Boat” have already been renewed; the latter made its debut this year. More important, “The Voice” on NBC is killing “The Real O’Neals,” and CBS has announced that “NCIS” has been renewed for two more seasons.
The biggest problem facing ABC is the hit that Disney-ABC is taking to its reputation for airing a show based on the life of a bigot, Dan Savage. The man is an unrepentant anti-Catholic, which is why the Catholic League blasted Disney-ABC in the New York Times for embracing him (to see the ad that was printed, click here, and for the original one that was rejected, click here).
It is obvious that Savage has been told by the corporate boys that when it comes to the Catholic League’s criticisms, he had better shut his mouth. We say this because it is not as though he is keeping quiet about all matters.
For example, he recently lashed out at Hillary Clinton for citing Nancy Reagan’s effort to bring the AIDS crisis to the attention of the American people. As usual, he resorted to an obscenity. But when it comes to the Catholic League, he goes mute. This takes on greater currency when we consider that Savage and Bill Donohue have no use for each other.
Savage is not the only person associated with the show who has a troubled past. Martha Plimpton, who plays the mother, is now touting her two real-life abortions. Indeed, she is bragging how her abortions “made it possible for me to live out my dream and do what I really wanted to do with my life.” Too bad her babies weren’t given the same chance.
If ABC has any brains, they will can this show. One thing is for sure: we aren’t going away—we will hound them until they ax it. It should never have been made in the first place.
We encourage all members to write to the top official who oversees this show. Write to Ben Sherwood, President, Disney-ABC TV, 47 W. 66th St., NY NY 10023. Ask him how Disney-ABC can justify basing a show on an anti-Catholic bigot. You might want to tell him that the time has come to dump it.
