Back in January, we shared the trailer for Paramount’s series adaptation of Michael Lehmann’s 1988 cult classic Heathers. Today, EW is reporting that series has been axed by the Paramount Network, formally known as Spike TV, following its premiere delay.
The reason, Paramount felt that the show was insensitive following the Parkland, Florida mass shooting.
This is a high school show, we’re blowing up the school, there are guns in the school, it’s a satire and there are moments of teachers having guns. It’s hitting on so many hot topics. This company can’t be speaking out of both sides of its mouth, saying the youth movement is important for us and we’ve done all these wonderful things to support that and at the same time, we’re putting on a show that we’re not comfortable with,” said Keith Cox, Paramount Network president of development and production.
““It’s a satire but it’s very bold,” Cox stated. “We knew that and then this [gun control] movement happened [after Parkland] and we as a company applauded that movement. This was a very difficult decision. We had multiple meetings, and in the end, we didn’t feel comfortable right now airing the series and I’m not sure when there might be a time that we as a youthful brand at Viacom would feel comfortable. That said, we are very diligently trying to sell this because we believe in the show.”
Selma Blair, Adwin Brown, Romel De Silva, Annalisa Cochrane, and Jeremy Culhane starred, with Shannen Doherty having a role. It followed a group of outcast students who plot to kill the cool kids.
You have to respect Paramount’s decision. In my opinion, new isn’t always better anyway. Right now, between TV and Films, we are being flooded with remakes, reboots, and reimaginings. It won’t take long for viewers to be fed up and begging for more new content.
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