ABC's TV sitcom "The Real O'Neals" has courted controversy over humor that some perceive is mocking Christianity, and the show's ratings appear to have been affected, according to a report in
The Christian Post.
Ratings data compiled by the Nielsen Company showed that the most recent episode had 2.9 million viewers, a sharp decline from the show's premiere episode in March, which had 6.3 million people watching.
"The Real O'Neals" is a comedy about a fictional Irish-Catholic family. One son is gay, the parents are divorcing, and the daughter is leaving the Catholic faith.
"'The Real O'Neals' mocks Christianity and insults Catholicism," Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, said.
The Parents Television Council reported that the show had "sexual dialogue or bleeped profanities on an average of once every 43 seconds."
"Nothing is sacred on this show," TV critic Dylan Gwinn said on
Newsbusters.
The show's ratings are "performing well enough" and are "probably good enough to get a second season," the website
TV by the Numbers reported.