Kissing cops irk U.K. TV audience

ShowBizData.com notes that British television network ITV received an unprecedented number of complaints following the broadcast of a police drama that showed two gay police officers kissing passionately. The August 22 episode of The Bill was aired at 8 p.m., one hour earlier than the 9 p.m. "watershed" period for more-adult programming. An ITV spokeswoman said in an interview with the BBC that "people were disgusted they had seen something like that on The Bill. It might be because the people were in uniform. What The Bill is doing is reflecting real life."

Lesbian and Gay Policing Association spokesman Stephen Warwick said, "It's a big step for British television.... I see it as a very positive move."