Newt Gingrich thinks ABC’s new comedy-drama series “GCB"--about housewives in the Bible Belt - is an unholy mess.
The Catholic, Republican presidential candidate ripped the show , which stems from Kim Gatlin‘s book titled “Good Christian Bi------", on Friday during a campaign stop in Gulfport, Miss.
The former House Speaker said the series, which stars Kristin Chenoweth, exemplified the “bias of elite media” and added no network would run a show if the word “Muslim” were used in place of “Christian.”
“Look at the new show that’s on that has the word ‘Christian’ in it, and I want you to take the exact name, drop out Christian and put in ‘Muslim.’ And ask yourself is there any network that would have dared to run a show like that and you know the answer is not a one,” said Gingrich.
“Anti-Christian bigotry is just fine in the entertainment industry but they have to be very protective of Islam,” he said.
Gingrich is not the only critic.
Christian and conservative groups have bashed the show. So has New York City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., who told the Daily News earlier this weekhe was outraged over the program’s name. He demanded a title change and public apology from the network.
Network reps did not immediately return requests for comment.
“GCB,” which debuted Sunday, received mediocre ratings. Only 7.6 million viewers tuned in, according to Nielsen. The show came in second to CBS’ CSI: Miami, which received 10 million.
ABC describes the southern soap on its website as a “funny, sassy and heartwarming drama.”
Chenoweth defended the show earlier this week and pointed to her religious roots.
“The Bible tells us that we’re not supposed to judge, and people shouldn’t judge before seeing the show,” she told ABCNews.com. “I’m a Christian, I think that’s pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line.”
Network reps did not immediately return requests for comment.