Last week, ABC cancelled Of Kings and Prophets after just two airings. Viewers who were enjoying the biblical drama are understandably upset that the network won’t be airing the remaining episodes. However, not everyone is sorry to see the TV series go.
Parents Television Council (PTC), a “non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment”, had been pushing for the series to be cancelled even before it premiered. The group criticized the show for its sexual and violent content. In a statement, PTC president Tim Winter said the series “demonstrates a disconnect” between the entertainment industry and family audiences:
The real question here is, why wouldn’t ABC and the show’s producers want to reach the largest audience possible by making a series based on the Bible able to be viewed by families? Instead it appears that their primary objective was to be edgy and explicit, rather than to entertain with a biblical story. And in so doing, they’re carving away a large percentage of their potential market. This further demonstrates a disconnect between what the entertainment industry wants to produce and what family audiences want to consume.
Now that the series has been cancelled, due to low ratings, the PTC is claiming victory. From the organization’s website:
“The only reason networks cancel a show without burning off the remaining episodes is that there is no advertiser support. The dollars simply aren’t there, and it is more economical for them to air something else entirely – despite the fact that they’ve paid for those unaired episodes. And based on the conversations we’ve had over the past few days with several of the most premiere sponsors in the country – during which we questioned their underwriting such over-the-top graphic violence in Of Kings and Prophets, it was clear that advertiser support for the show was quickly evaporating. While we applaud ABC’s cancellation of the show, we can’t help but wonder why they would choose to air it in the first place,” said Parents Television Council President Tim Winter
What do you think? Do you think that Of Kings and Prophets should have been cancelled? Do you think PTC’s actions had any effect or was this just another case of a show being cancelled becasue not enough people watched?
This is extremely offensive. They put a biblical show on television and pulled it for being a true story. It’s an anti-Christian act. I now know that ABC is aligned with the anti Christian actions of terrorist organizations and would not be surprised to see their icon next to an ISIS flag.
Scandal aired an episode where the main character gets an abortion to the music of Silent Night but somehow that is okay? You’re sick
My bad,,,,,where is the PTC organization
Where is PTL when Scandal and other graphic shows are being aired. Besides, the bible speaks of how the man knew the woman. …Unbelievable ABC.
Kings and Prophets is a real story about King David who was one of the world most famous man ever born and favor by God . What parent would not want their kids to know more about him!
Because reality versus imagination doesn’t help. The bible is violent you can’t ignore or try to sugar coat it. He did a lot of wrong things.
Children should be in bed at 10pm on a school night. Network TV finally got one right. This series was exceptional.
Parents don’t know how to put kids to bed early anymore, including my 3 daughters with their kids. KINGS AND PROPHETS should be something parents watch they might get it right.
A victory for a bunch of liberals ********, what about all the filthy half hour sitcom? They enjoy that crap.
So true!
Hey, I’m a liberal. I don’t watch “filthy” half hour sitcoms. I enjoyed this show. You shouldn’t label people; that’s just ignorant.
Sam here Kenytuckywoman2 I enjoyed the show and well I am a liberal also! I always wonder how people make stuff political. So ridiculous.
It’s definitely not the liberals that have a problem with this show.
Liberals want to control what we watch, how to think, what we eat etc.
Really don’t understand your thinking here Chuck. The PTC that fought against the show is a conservative organization (not liberal). Furthermore, I am what you would probably consider a left wing liberal, and I loved the show. And there were several people at my church that liked it too. We all had been watching. My conservative husband didn’t like it so much. Why would a liberal ******** not like this show? Truly confused by your reasoning. (Oh and also, I hate sitcoms filthy or not).
If the PTC don’t like what’s in the Bible then they should pick up the Bible and go to church and maybe they will learn something about God there was nothing wrong with that show it only told what was in the Bible but God will judge them on their day and it’s only because the PTC is a bunch of hypocrites
If certain “groups” of people don’t like the program,CHANGE THE CHANNEL!I,for one,was enjoying this “semifictional” series. What will these “certain groups” be demanding be taken off next?! I don’t think ABC should’ve “caved in”to their complaints.
Fictional.
Get rid of shades of blue or criminal minds. These shows are extremely violent and sexual.
not only that…..they’ve been on tv long enough
Excellent post! !
I certainly agree with you. Especially Criminal Minds.
I can’t believe they cancelled such a good show…
This was such a good show. For the past two weeks my husband and I made sure we were home by 8 pm to watch the show. We are very disappointed it was cancelled. If PTC didn’t like the show, all they have to do is not watch it.
Great show I feel if you have a problem with something on tv TURN the channel. Why ruin it for everyone else. Sorry ABC I think u should follow through on remaining shows
Wow. That’s too bad. I really liked the show. They should offer the remaining shows on Hulu Netflix or amazon. As far as it being too explicit –come on!!! Of all the violent shows out there sure pick on the biblical one!! Stop blaming shows for bad parenting. Children under 13 should be in bed by the time the show comes on–Tuesday, school night.
Right on – This show is geared to adults, not children. If parents don’t like that’s what the off button and the number key pad are for on the remote.
I don’t care for all the sugar-coating that usually occurs with biblically-based movies. I prefer that these special productions be biblically- and historically-truthful. Saul and his ancestors were not nice people as they carried out God’s wrath on His enemies. PTC needs to switch channels or turn the set off if they don’t care for the production. Works for me.
Truthful?? It’s a storybook, written by men.
I cant believe this!! Seriously?! This is the ONLY DECENT SHOW ON !! I am very upset about this and the PTC is a joke!!! They don’t like it because its Biblical not sexual! PTC is s laughing stock! And I do not believe it got low ratings!
That’s the perfect way to say it!!!Thanks for your post!
Kings and Prophets tells a true story about King David a famous great man that had God’s hand of favor apon him .what parent would not want their kids to know more about him !
Melony give vikings on the history channel a watch! If you enjoyed of kings and prophets then I guarantee you’ll very much enjoy vikings!
Parents must make the judgement for what shows their children should watch. And PTC should leave adults shows out of their business. ABC family shows some teen shows that to many adults are a bit too explicit for younger audience. There are some cartoons and video games more violent than Of Kings and Prophets. Sorry if I offend anybody.
Well said. I on the other hand am not afraid to offend the religious !
Addendum: I meant to say I’m not afraid to offend any cult that is religion.
I won’t go so far as to offend,but all religion is for “sheep”! I’m not a sheep,and behind the word “religion”,more catastrophic wars and countless deaths have been caused in the name of “religion”!Just go back to the beginning of “religion”,and look at what it’s causing in the world today! Example: KILL in the name of Islam,distorted,perverted,and sick!!!
I totally agree with you in your observation, Tani, very well said! I enjoyed the series and like you, I believe there were no low ratings. What a shame!
AMEN!!!!