Slated to debut on NBC next month, THE NEW NORMAL is the brainchild of GLEE creator RYAN MURPHY and follows the exploits of a committed gay couple who hire a surrogate to bring a child into their lives. It’s all played for laughs despite the hot-button issue at its core and, as would be expected, the show has become the target of some special-interest “family” groups and has even been taken off the schedule by KSL-TV, the NBC affiliate network in Utah.

ELLEN BARKIN, one of the stars of the series, has been very vocal in her response to the protests and has received plenty of attention because of statements she’s posted on her Twitter account. During a lengthy phone interview yesterday, BARKIN talked about the fracas. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

THE NEW NORMAL debuts on NBC 9/11