FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 28, 2004

WRAZ-TV/FOX 50 to Pre-empt "Who's Your Daddy?"

Raleigh-Durham, NC – WRAZ-TV/FOX 50 has announced it will pre-empt the January 3rd broadcast of the FOX Network reality show "Who's Your Daddy?"

WRAZ-TV/FOX 50 expressed concerns with the premise of "Who's Your Daddy?" when the show's concept was first announced.  Eight men claim to be the biological father of the contestant on the program.  The contestant then guesses which man is telling the truth.  If she picks her biological father (whom she has never met) from the eight, she wins $100,000.  If she guesses wrong, then an imposter wins the prize money.

At FOX 50's request, the FOX Network did provide station management with an advance copy of the program.  "We are proud to be affiliated with the FOX Network, and we really appreciate that they worked with us on this.  While I obviously cannot comment on the show's outcome, it is well produced and does progress to a seemingly positive and emotional conclusion.  We are also aware that all of the people on the show willingly consented to participate.  However, the basic premise of finding a birth parent on a TV game show, with money at stake, does not in my opinion reflect prevailing standards of good taste for our local community,” said FOX 50 VP and General Manager Tommy Schenck.  “Since the show was first announced, we have heard from numerous viewers, and we also sought the opinion of local adoption professionals.  The primary concern, regardless of the show's ultimate outcome, is the program's premise, cash prize component, and title.  Adoption is a complicated, serious and very private matter, and our local community clearly doesn't view it as a game. “

One of the region's most respected adoption agencies, Methodist Home for Children, released an official statement: “We are concerned that the show takes a voyeuristic approach to a very private matter,” said Michael Safley, Methodist Home for Children president and CEO.  “We find the premise of the program to be problematic on several levels, and for many potential viewers, including children watching the show who are in foster care or in the process of being adopted who may well be confused by the implication that their biological parent(s) are somewhere out there looking for them. . .if the price is right.  Adults who were adopted as children may also be insulted that adoption is being treated in this manner, [and] adults considering adoption may well be sufficiently turned off to becoming a foster or adoptive parent because of the light and mocking tone which [the title] ‘Who's Your Daddy?' takes.  We think the premise of ‘Who's Your Daddy?' sends the wrong message about a difficult and very serious topic.”

Suzanne Gibson Wise, president of Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas added, “Adoption, both the decision to make an adoption plan for your birth child and the decision to adopt, is one of the most profound and life-changing decisions any person will ever make.  Anything or anyone who makes light of this process clearly doesn't understand the emotional risks and commitments that are involved.”

FOX 50 programming executives are currently pursuing a replacement program dealing with adoption.

For more information, call WRAZ-TV/FOX 50 VP and General Manager Tommy Schenck or WRAZ-TV/FOX 50 Program Director Joanne Stanley, at (919) 595-5050.