Utah network under fire over Ryan Murphy's gay sitcom

Bosses at a Utah TV station have come under fire after they refused to broadcast Ryan Murphy's upcoming gay-focused sitcom The New Normal.

Executives at Utah-based NBC affiliate KSL-TV have ruled out adding the show, which stars Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells as a gay couple who have a child via surrogate, to their autumn schedule.

The station's CEO Jeff Simpson says, "After viewing the pilot episode of The New Normal, we have made the decision to keep it off our fall schedule.

"For our brand, this program simply feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time."

Ellen Barkin, who also stars in the series, is fuming over the move, taking to Twitter.com to accuse network chiefs of homophobia.

She writes, "Shame on u ‪kslcom‬ not airing ‪NBCTheNewNormal‬ So L&O SVU (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) (rape & child murder) is ok? But loving gay couple having a baby is inappropriate?

"Anyone in Utah interested in NBCTheNewNormal please clog up ksl5tv feed 4 (for) their blatantly homophobic decision 2 (to) not air the show."