ABC Cancels 'Anti-Christian' 'Good Christian Belles' Television Show

It was a television show that came with a fair amount of controversy. Even before it aired, faith groups were decrying its name and its purported anti-Christian message. And now, just months after the show premiered, ABC's "Good Christian Belles" (originally entitled "Good Christian Bitches," based on Kim Gatlin’s book by the same name) has been cancelled.

Now, if you're not familiar with the show, its plot will give you a decent idea surrounding its contents:

Twenty years ago, Amanda Vaughn was the queen bee of Hillside Park, Texas, but now she's got to pay for her sins.

An original mean girl, Amanda (Leslie Bibb) used to terrorize the less attractive and less popular. After her husband gets busted for a Ponzi scheme and then dies in sensationalized circumstances, Amanda has to return to Dallas in disgrace and start her life again. Will the good Christian belles of her hometown welcome her with open arms ... or stab her in the back? No one in Hillside Park is a saint, but that doesn't mean they can't have a heart. As Amanda and her teenage kids try to adjust to their new circumstances, the ladies of Highland Park alternate between sympathy and scheming.

Here's the show's trailer:

Back in March, Newt Gingrich slammed the show, which went by the acronym GCB, claiming that it showcased anti-Christian bias. Of course, the former Republican presidential candidate wasn't alone. New York City Councilman and Catholic church member Peter Vallone joined in the chorus claiming that the show was slamming the Christian faith and conservative groups, too, spoke out.

The American Family Association, for one, filed a petition against GCB, according to The Christian Post.

"With a title like Good Christian Bitches, you can imagine what kind of show it will be," the AFA said. "Even if they change the title, the content will still mock people of faith."

One Million Moms called the show "blasphemy at its worst!"

But one of GCB's stars, Kristin Chenoweth, has, in the past, defended the show as well as her part in it. Chenoweth, a practicing Christian, saw no problem with the program's handling of faith.

"The Bible tells us that we're not supposed to judge, and people shouldn't judge before seeing the show," she told ABC News back in March. "I'm a Christian, I think that's pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line."

TV.com reported over the weekend that the "over-the-top soap...never took off," and the L.A. Times provided more information on the cancellation and some of the stars' reaction prior to the initial news breaking:

It seemed destined to take over the void that was to be left when "Desperate Housewives" ended its run. But the coyly titled soap was a middle-of-the road performer, averaging less than 6 million viewers and a 1.93 in the 18-49 demo in its Sunday slot -- and must now pack its bags. Though the network hasn't officially said it has axed the series, tweets from its stars suggest it has.

"To all u #GCB fans & Amanda lovers, thx 4 the <3," said Leslie Bibb, who plays Amanda. "Appreciate it & just wait, we'll get 2 go on a new fun ride somewhere else! #lifeisperfect"

Costar Kristin Chenoweth apparently got wind of the cancellation pre-concert: "Onstage. Sound check. Bad timing abc. San Fran will get a great show tho!"

The network has since officially issued its ruling that the show will not be returning next fall.