"Ejector" a No-Go on LOGO
The United Church of Christ's pro-gay "Ejector" ad has been rejected by several other television networks ... including LOGO. Supposedly The Viacom-owned network refused the 30-second spot because of its "political nature." The top Spanish language 'nets—Telmundo, Univision, Galavision—also rejected the ad.
The irony is delicious: The UCC is the largest mainline Christian church to allow same-sex marriage and its gay-friendly message is rejected by many broadcasters. LOGO is the nation's largest gay-themed television network but will not accept the ad. "I guess the idea of gay TV doesn't really mean it's your community's network," says Ron Buford, the (gay black) man who produced the spot. "It's just something that's targeted at you to sell product."
Just as an fyi, all this week we've seen "Ejector" air during CNN's afternoon and prime-time programming.
Church's Pro-'Gay' Ad Ejected by LOGO (CNSNews)
Top Spanish-Language Networks Reject Ad (Christian Post)
Accessible Airwaves (UCC)
God is Still Speaking (UCC)
Previously:
- UCC Debuts "Ejector" (Rod 2.0)
- UCC Will Resume Commercials (Rod 2.0)
- UCC Approves Same Sex Marriage (Rod 2.0)
- 30 More Seconds of Controversy (Good As You)
- "Troubled" for the Holidays (Rod 2.0)
The producer of these ads has been a gay black man? I don't think you have ever mentioned that. Wow.
Logo is no very safe gay programming, Noah's Arc was as steamy as it got. And that show ... let's not even start.
Posted by: greg | 07 April 2006 at 21:13
It may be hard out here for a pimp,but apparently harder for a church ad.
Posted by: Brian | 08 April 2006 at 00:11
LOGO is boring anyway, who really watch that network with all that popcorn white programs? I only turn on that station to watch the new episodes of Noah's Arc and then I quickly turn off of the station when it goes off. UCC should reaslly be glad anyway, why would they want to be on that dry ass station beats the hell out of me!
Posted by: Sharif | 08 April 2006 at 08:47
What is unclear is how, BET, a Viacom owned entity is able-and has chosen-to air the UCC ad but LOGO, BET's sister station cannot? Sounds as though Logo chose not to air it, but is hiding behind the Viacom label so as not to piss off its core audience. LOGO should experience a major backlash from gays for such conservatism. Hold your friends close...
Posted by: L. Michael Gipson | 08 April 2006 at 21:04
This is ridiculous. Thanks for the update. I didn't know that the producer was black. You're all over this one. PS, this site really is fierce.
Posted by: Michael | 08 April 2006 at 22:26
Simply put, ya gotta be fuggin kiddin.
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 10 April 2006 at 03:09
Meanwhile the other gay network here!, which doesn't have commercials (or censor its programming), has decided to show the UCC ad for free.
I saw the previews of Noah's Arc and it was a much better program before LOGO made them take out the sex scenes. The sexy scenes were also some of the funniest.
I understand that as a basic cable station, especially in the current political climate, they have to be careful what they show. However, they could have different standards after 10PM. Look at what FX shows, or SpikeTV or MTV itself, for that matter. Moreover, they could make uncensored versions of their shows and movies available on the internet, whether via their own site, iTunes, Google Video, the Akimbo Video-on-Demand player, movielink, YouTube, etc. There are plenty of options out there now.
I've never accepted the false dichotomy of movement versus market. The fact is, we are both. We can use our market power to advance the movement. In this case we should say to Viacom, if you want gay viewers (and gay money) you need to be responsive to the community. It may be time to discuss a boycott.
Posted by: Claude Wynne | 11 April 2006 at 16:39
If you still haven't seen it, check it out at
http://heretv.dom/newsletter/focus/ucc/index.php
Posted by: Daddy Bear | 14 April 2006 at 19:21