New Zealand to air animated series lampooning papacy, Vatican

Published: 2005-06-02

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (CNS) -- An animated series that the British Broadcasting Corp. canceled after protests by Catholics because it lampooned the papacy will make its world premiere on New Zealand television June 8. "Popetown," described by its creators as "'Father Ted' meets 'South Park,'" will air on C4, a youth-oriented music television station, which last year purchased the rights to air the show in New Zealand before the BBC pulled the show from its schedule. The BBC was inundated with complaints about "Popetown." The show was said to feature the pope, who travels around on a pogo stick, as a childish retiree whose every fickle whim must be indulged. "When we purchased 'Popetown,' there was no controversy," said Andrew Szusterman, station and program manager for C4, a CanWest network. "There was no word of ever pulling the show."

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