In the beginning...it was edgy and controversial. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of an an unconventional Episcopalian minister who not only believes in Jesus -- he actually sees him and discusses life with him -- the show pushed a lot of buttons in the name of telling the story. Recurring themes included prescription drug abuse, homosexuality, blackmail and a host of other topics most shows view as taboo.

The way in which these topics were presented drew the ire of many conservative groups, which pressured both advertisers and NBC affiliates to withdraw from the show, in hopes of getting it off the air.

Last week, NBC decided to take the show off the tv airwaves after only three aired episodes, and it is officially cancelled.

In his personal blog, series creator Jack Kenny reacted to the news by posting the following: "I cry because you, the audience — the people I wanted most to tell this story to — have been stripped of the opportunity to get to know this family, the Websters. And no amount of Nielsen data, or overnight ratings, or bottom lines — no gloating letters from people like Donald Wildmon or strident postings from bigots who've never seen the show — will ever convince me that it was the right decision to take it off the air."

But in a surprise move, the network has decided to give the show's fans a chance to see the remaining unaired episodes in a new format. NBC is offering a new episode each week on its website.

That's right, each week, until the show finishes its run of already shot episodes, you can catch a new one online in a free streaming broadcast at www.nbc.com/The_Book_of_Daniel. Episode #4 is currently showing and each subsequent episode will debut the following Friday.

Kenny also opines about next week's episode, #5, in his blog, stating, "The acting is superb, the direction and design stunning. It is obvious to me that by this episode we had truly found our rhythm and groove."

So, if you never got a chance to see what all the fuss was about, or you want to see where the show's storylines were heading before it was prematurely yanked off the airwaves, simply head online and decide for yourself if the show was indeed too hot for TV.

For more information on the show, please visit: www.nbc.com.

To read more from Jack Kenny's blog, visit tvguide.com.

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