HBO's failure to broadcast the Reverend Gene Robinson's invocation at the pre-inaugural celebration for President Obama at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was due to a miscommunication within the Presidential Inaugural Committee, according to the cable network.
The participation of Robinson -- the openly gay Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire -- was seen as a counter to the inclusion of homophobic reverend Rick Warren in the inauguration ceremonies. But HBO's televised presentation of the event omitted Robinson's prayer, which was already dogged by audio problems.
On Monday, HBO released a statement saying: "Rev. Robinson's invocation was not included in the live presentation due to a miscommunication within the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Says Presidential Inaugural Committee communications director Josh Earnest: 'We had always intended and planned for Rt. Rev. Robinson's invocation to be included in the televised portion of yesterday's program. We regret the error in executing the plan -- but are gratified that hundreds of thousands of people who gathered on the mall heard his eloquent prayer for our nation that was a fitting start to our event."
An updated version of the event -- titled We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial -- will air on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific, Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific, and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific and will feature Robinson's invocation and all of the original performances.
Previously, HBO had blamed the blackout on a decision made by Obama's transition team. (Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)
