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?
I was sorry to see this cancelled. I did enjoy the show. I am a Christian and I do believe people can’t handle the truth about the Bible. How sad
I would consider myself to be a bible believer, however I enjoyed the first two episodes of the show. I really appreciated the realism and the possibilities that the show portrayed. It definitely pushed the envelope but it presented the flawed side of the characters humanity. I can respect that and it helps to remind me that if God could have loved and showed favor to those people, he could do the same for us. Besides there are so many shows out there that are directed to our children that promotes fornication and homosexuality, (teen wolf comes to mind) but… Read more »
I loved the first two episodes. What a shame it was cancelled. My husband grew up in the church and said that he thought the series was too close to the real bible and conservative christians didn’t want to see the truth of it. So ABC gave in to the pressure. Who knows? I know a lot of people liked it. Will look forward to finding the remaining 8 episodes.
I can not wait to find the remaining episodes. I hope HBO will pick up this wonderful series. I do not watch anything else on ABC and I will not support ABC for not standing up to the bullies. This was a great show.
I already watched 5 episodes
Where?
From “down under” here in Australia I wish to vent my disappointment with the cancellation of the excellent episode 1 and 2 “of Kings and Prophets”. What happened to free speech? whilst those that wanted it cancelled and or did like what they saw (bet they did not watch much of the series before making up their mind) they are entitled in their opinion BUT so are we…….those who did enjoy what we were allowed to see I am sure have no issue with staying up late one night a week to watch the series after 9.00 or 10.00pm when… Read more »
It was an excellent series of Bible information and if any group thought it was too graphic for children, then make sure you petition parents to get their children to bed early and we can watch our Adult Show. Shame on ABC for arousing our interest and intrigue and pulling the rug out from under us.
I hope they will eventually air the other 8 episodes like they did when “Zero Hour” was suddenly cancelled within the first few eps. I hate that one group seems to have had such a huge say in what we can enjoy vs what we cannot. Is it possible to transfer “OKAP” to a sister cable station or one who is willing to pick up the story? I would definitely watch and am very disappointed I can’t see the rest of the season. It was very enjoyable.
Show was very interesting. It could of been televised at a later time strictly under adult supervision. Some of the scenes definitely not for children in agreement. It was televised at 8:00 pm our time and could of been later and taped for a peronl viewing
I thought of kings and prophets was as good if not better than game thrones it was exciting educational and spiritually uplifting
It was better than Game of Thrones’ (first two episodes) and I love GOT. It took a few episodes for me to get into GOT, but I enjoyed the first and second episodes more Of Kings and Prophets. What an idiotic decision to cancel what would have been their best show. I hope a competitor is willing to air it.
How do the ABC executive continue to air America’s Funniest Home Videos with 1% viewership of adults 18-49 (tied for overall rank of 79) and think its a brilliant idea to cancel this show?
To cancel after 2 episodes is simply ridiculous…It was the only show I watched on the channel. They won’t see me again till college football starts back up. Maybe NBA finals…lol
This was a great series, I’m shocked that it was cancelled. I was actually excited about the episodes to come. I believe it was cancelled due to its Biblical content and is just ridiculous. It’s hard to find good television series these days.
I agree, I do not buy the “low ratings” excuse or fib. I’ve talked to a lot of people that enjoyed this show.
I suspect it was cancelled due to its biblical context. The violence was PG and the sexual situations were vanilla at best. I see just another example of liberal censorship here against anything related to God or Christianity.
Amen!
Gerald, this has not reached the Christian era yet. Saul and David were Jewish/Hebrew not Christian. I agree that it could be censorship against Biblical shows, I see no other reason. With hundreds of shows (TV series) currently airing or aired in the past–how many are biblical in nature? NONE. That is awful and the one chance was cancelled…shame on ABC and PTC.
I wish they did not cancel enjoyed the two that I saw Was looking for the third and finally realized it was cancelled bad move!
I am sorry to see it cancelled . Really enjoyed the 2 episodes
The series was good, definitely not kid friendly but in truth David’s real life is not kid friendly. The reality of David’s life Was brought to life by showing his humanity and struggles iinto view. Isn’t this what God shows us what our sin and choices can do. I’m so disapointed that it was canceled. I was waiting for the next episode. Also I really don’t think it was well advertised many of my friends didn’t know of it and we’re excited to watch it after hearing of it. Also it was competing in this world against Lucifer aired on… Read more »