The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is urging members to voice their complaints to Roanoke and Lynchburg-based station WSET-TV, after the affiliate yanked Monday night's episode. Titled "The Gay-Straight Alliance," the installment featured Jessie Sammler (played by Evan Rachel Wood) confronting feelings toward her friend Katie. The two eventually pucker up.
For its part, WSET wasn't saying why it preempted the show. Instead, the station aired an hour's worth of infomercials, and viewers who emailed in to complain were told the episode would not be airing.
GLAAD says it's a simple matter of discrimination, and it's asking the station to run the episode.
"It's clear to us it's simply fear and homophobia in the minds and hearts of the programmers," GLAAD spokesman Scott Seomin tells the Associated Press.
ABC said WSET was the only station to pull Monday night's episode, adding that affiliates have the right to air what they want. (For another example, witness the aversion to Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect displayed by ABC's Washington, D.C., affiliate WJLA.)
Unlike Politically Incorrect, this has been the first major controversy to surround an episode of Once and Again--and frankly, the show could use the publicity. Once again, the romantic drama, starring Sela Ward and Billy Campbell, is the subject of more rabid "Save Our Show" campaigns. And despite three years of critical acclaim and endless hype about "the best show you're not watching," lackluster ratings may put Once and Again down for good.
Interestingly enough, the show just got a boost by its recent move to Monday nights. This week, it actually won its time period. And if the series continues to fare well in its new home, Once and Again may avoid death. Again.