Series on polygamy elicits worry in Utah

"That's the danger. We worry about it reinforcing stereotypes," he said. "Whether it will have a difference, it's impossible to tell. Only time will tell that. This whole thing may flop."

HBO has placed a disclaimer on the first episode of "Big Love," stating the LDS Church's position. The show's creators say they have taken pains to separate Latter-day Saints from polygamists.

"People do have this misconception. There is a blurring of Mormons and polygamy in the same breath," producer Mark V. Olsen told the Deseret Morning News in January. "I want (viewers) to get it. That is important to us."

Otterson said the disclaimer does not go far enough.

"It's actually rather inadequate, and we've told HBO that we think it's inadequate, because it's only going to be after the first episode," he said.

Church officials said HBO told them there was no need to repeat the disclaimer after every episode, because they felt the characters in "Big Love" were developed enough that viewers could make a distinction. The LDS Church recently sent out an informational letter to stake leaders and mission presidents in the United States and Canada about a proper response if asked about "Big Love." Some local ward leaders read the letter aloud across the pulpit last Sunday.

Otterson said they are not anxious to help the program's success by talking about it, either.

"When you get a program like this which blurs the distinction by mentioning Mormons and polygamists and Salt Lake City and mixes all that up in the same script," he said. "It can tend to reinforce the old stereotypes and tend to undo the progress that's being made."

Anti-polygamy activists have big concerns about "Big Love." Tapestry Against Polygamy director Vicky Prunty said she has seen advance scripts for the series. While there is some element of truth to the portrayal, the former polygamous wife said it was not the polygamy she deals with while helping people flee abuse and violence.

"I think Hollywood — their job is not to be socially responsible," Prunty said. "They're catering to 18-to-35-year-olds. They're wanting sex, sex, sex and this is going to cater to that Y chromosome."

Von der Esch hopes the show does not gloss over the serious problems facing Utah with polygamy.

"It may be entertaining for some. Others, it's not," she said, adding that she has helped Tapestry Against Polygamy get its message about the abuses in polygamy out to the world.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com