'Mr. Robot' Finale Postponed Because of Scene 'Similar in Nature' to Live TV Shooting
The season finale of hacker drama Mr. Robot has been delayed for a week because it contains a scene described as similar to the fatal on-air shooting of a Virginia news team Wednesday morning.
"The previously filmed season finale of Mr. Robot contains a graphic scene similar in nature to today's tragic events in Virginia," USA Network explained in a statement. "Out of respect to the victims, their families and colleagues, and our viewers, we are postponing tonight's episode. Our thoughts go out to all those affected during this difficult time."
The delay follows the murder of two WDBJ7 journalists, who were shot and killed when suspect Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, reportedly opened fire during a morning broadcast. Flanagan filmed the attack and later committed suicide.
It's not the first high-profile television episode to be pushed back in light of a real-life tragedy. As The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum pointed out on Twitter, a 1999 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode was delayed after the Columbine shootings.
Wow. This delay is fascinating. Reminds me of when the (great) Buffy episode "Earshot" got bumped due to Columbine.
— Emily Nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) August 26, 2015
And a child-centered episode of S1 Hannibal was bumped, too, after Sandy Hook.
— Emily Nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) August 26, 2015
The finale will now air on Wednesday, September 2, while last week's episode will air as a rerun in tonight's time slot.
