ABC Family show grateful for negative attention

(AP) ABC Family show grateful for negative attention
PASADENA, Calif.
The people behind the ABC Family show “The Fosters” say that criticism from a conservative group contributed to it getting off to a strong start.

The show, which premiered last summer, features a biracial lesbian couple with a household of foster children. The Nielsen company said Friday that the show’s first episode since last summer was seen by 1.9 million people on Monday and was cable’s top show among females aged 12 to 34, its target audience.

Peter Paige, who is an executive producer along with Jennifer Lopez, said Friday that a protest by the group One Million Moms about the show was equivalent to an endorsement. The group had complained that the show was trying to “redefine marriage.” Attempts to contact the group were unsuccessful.

Paige said he was grateful for the attention.