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Contact: Cindy Roberts (662) 844-5036 ext. 227
For Immediate Release:  2/3/2006 4:20:00 PM

NBC Removes Offensive Segment From “Will and Grace”

(Tupelo, MS) - Responding to pressure, NBC has decided to cancel an offensive segment from the April 13 episode of “Will and Grace.” American Family Association (AFA) said that NBC cancelled the segment after pressure from NBC affiliates and AFA. The network had previously announced that the segment would feature Britney Spears in the role of a conservative Christian hosting a cooking show called “Cruci-fixins” and would air the night before Good Friday.

NBC now says their own description of the episode was a mistake. In a memo to affiliates, the network said “the information was mistakenly included in a press release describing an upcoming episode of ‘Will and Grace’ which, in fact, has yet to be written. The reference to ‘Cruci-fixins’ will not be in the show and the story line will not contain a Christian characterization at all.”

“NBC wanting us to believe they were mistaken in describing the segment, that they didn't know what was in their own press release, just doesn't hold water,” said AFA Chairman Donald E. Wildmon. “Plainly put, NBC heard from their affiliates that they did not want to go through another ‘Book of Daniel’ situation while losing millions in advertising avenue.”

AFA's effort caused NBC to cancel “The Book of Daniel” after three episodes because of loss of sponsors and viewers.

American Family Association is a pro-family advocacy organization with over two million online supporters.

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