Atlanta-based Cartoon Network almost aired the first lip-locked kiss on a child-oriented cartoon series between two men but instead, it was changed to a quick peck on the cheek.
According to E! Online, the new animated show "Clarence" was supposed to feature two animated characters kissing on the lips. Writer Spencer Rothbell on Twitter confirmed that it was reduced to a more innocuous cheek kiss. (His tweets were later made private.)
"It's such a minor throwaway moment but I guess it's better than nothing," he later posted on his Tumblr, noting that the cheek kiss did make the cut.
Even the cheek kiss shows how far tolerance of gay public displays of affection are now on TV. Same-sex kisses are now common on prime-time dramas, which wasn't the case even a decade ago.
And earlier this year, a Disney Channel show "Good Luck Charlie" featured a lesbian couple, a first for that network.
"Clarence," which debuted in the spring, featured a boy named Clarence who is optimistic about everything, and his two best friends Jeff and Sumo.
A Cartoon Network spokesman declined to comment.
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