Lowe's VP of corporate communications Chris Ahearn told ABC News that the hardware retailer pulled ads from a TLC's "All-American Muslim" reality show because the program is "controversial," drawing a satirical rebuke from the "Daily Show."
The TLC show, centered on five American Muslim families in Dearborn, Mich., has been targeted by an anti-Islamic group based in Florida, the Florida Family Association, which says the show is "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
Amy Davidson blogged for The New Yorker that Lowe's reaction was "at a minimum, weak," adding: "What is shameful about the company’s decision is that it bent to the suggestion that, simply by depicting Muslims as 'nice' Americans, a show became too controversial for it to engage with."
Another advertiser which ended support of the show, Kayak.com, has apologized for how it handled the flap but defended its move.
Chief marketing officer Robert Birge said today that the decision had more to do with the fact that "the show sucked" and accused TLC of misleading the company about its subject. Birge also noted "regrettable hatred" on the website of the FFA in saying Kayak has decided to "put our money elsewhere."
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