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May 26, 2012

Fox pulls Bones episode because of Virginia Tech massacre

by Anna Johns, posted Apr 17th 2007 6:31PM
bonesIt never fails. Some major news event rattles this country, or the world, and an entertainment program coincidentally has a storyline that is just a little too close to the actual news. Case in point: this week, Fox is replacing a new episode of Bones with a repeat. The new episode was about human remains found on a college campus. Not much more is known about the plot of the episode, but it was apparently enough to make execs think of yesterday's Virginia Tech shooting rampage that left 33 people dead.

Sometimes it seems like entertainment divisions are being too sensitive to the American psyche, but I think it's better to err on the side of caution. Sadly, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Law & Order took a stab at the university shooting storyline next season as one of their "ripped from the headlines" episodes.

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Karen

Wow. I'm really glad they pulled it, personally. Granted, most of the people most closely affected by the horrible events at VT probably weren't watching TV last night, but "erring on the side of caution" really is the most thoughtful thing to do.

Again, speaking only for myself, I tend to be uncomfortable even with these "ripped from the headlines" shows--not for myself, but for those affected by the original event. I remember when "Law & Order" did an episode based on the massacre at a Harlem Wendy's, just a few months after the actual crime, all I could think of was how the families of the dead must have felt, both to have seen the crime played out again in front of their eyes and to think of the deaths of their loved ones being exploited for entertainment. I actually think that's far worse than an episode merely corresponding accidentally to an event of the day.

But erring on the side of caution is a good thing, so while I don't salute Fox often, lord knows, I think they made the right call.

April 18 2007 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
erroneous_nick

I think Tammy is right with the sentiment of probably not making a connection between the particular episode of Bones and the VT shootings. That being said, pulling the episode and reporting the reason why actually causes a connection to be made. This move will place more focus and publicity on the Bones episode than if they had simply aired it without saying a word.

Sounds more like a publicity stunt disguised as a sympathetic move to me.

April 18 2007 at 8:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mandy

I don't mind that Fox pulled it, but I don't think it was necessary. Tonight's episode was about a college basketball player found with multiple fractures, not a campus shooting. But I respect their decision, and hope they decide to air the episode at some future time.

April 18 2007 at 8:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
christina

"We have showed rescpect do you know any of those killed?" - David

So just because I didn't know anyone who died I shouldn't be upset? Are you kidding me? What's wrong with some of you people? Innocent people are dead, parents are suffering, and you're telling me that I shouldn't have compassion for these people? This is a tragedy - where's your heart? Do you have any compassion for anyone except yourself? Wow. You really need to get over yourself if you find it a big deal that ONE episode is not going to air as planned. It's a television show for goodness sake. It will eventually air, just not tomorrow.

April 18 2007 at 2:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rintintin4162

Kudos to Fox for pulling the episode and for having the brass and heart to do so!! What happened @ VA Tech was horrendous. The students, faculty and their families effected by it will have to relive it for the rest of their lives. And this includes Cho's family!! To those of you who expressed your anger about the episode change, have a heart! Sorry your life is being affected. Maybe you should think about how these people's lives are being affected right now! The episode is just a TV show that can be shown at another time. These people's lives, deaths and sorrows can't be put on hold! It's close-minded, egotistical people that don't reach out to someone in need that can sometimes "push over the edge" the sick (emotionally and mentally) people that end up doing this type of violent acts. They try to reach out for help in their own way and no one listens.............so they make us listen!! In closing.........again, I'm glad Fox pulled the episode. It shows someone working there has heart and I hope other networks follow suit if need be.

April 18 2007 at 1:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dorv

I don't mind this. I don't think that its necessary, but, as someone said, there's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. I grew up in Virginia, and while I didn't go to VT, I definitely spent time on the campus, and had many, many friends that went there.

If you want to talk irony, go back and look at last week's the Unit. Much closer to what happened than what it sounds like this Bones episode is.

This happens. It is terrible and it is awful and it is tragic

April 18 2007 at 12:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sharon Garren

It is a sad day for this country when we cannot safely educate our young. Play this for what it is, a community of educators who saw a very sick mind and a lot of people who ignored their warnings. Now it is a tragedy. My heart goes out to all of you. I am a grandmother of ten and the oldest will start high school. I am afraid for all of them and 3 will be home schooled next year. What can we do. There is at least one adult out here who is willing to listen to what you have to say.

April 18 2007 at 12:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tammy

Well I'm a VT alum and I'm proud to say I'm a Hokie. To be honest, I'm rather overwhelmed by the national outpouring over what seems to be a very personal event for me. Virginia Tech is my family, it's my friends, it's my home. My father went there, my brother, my sister, myself, my nephew, my niece, and my husband went there.

But there is one thing that we have to remember, this is the biggest mass shooting in the United States. As much as I would rather not share this with the world, the world wants to share this with us. I'm sorry if this interrupts your tv watching. I am a fan of Bones myself. They will show the episode eventually and you will get to see it. I don't think I would have even made a connection. But I respect their decision and appreciate their concern.

Friday is National Orange and Maroon Day, please show your respect and support for my fellow Hokies by wearing orange and/or maroon on Friday.

BTW.... I am a Buffy fan and I remember when that episode was pulled too.

April 17 2007 at 11:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bgdc

**"maybe they should replace it with an educational program on how to spot the signs of a distressed teenager"**

He was an adult. There are no "signs". Millions of morose and depressed people go through each day without going batsh!t and taking out people. Life is unpredictable. One portion of the nation suffered a loss; that doesn't mean the rest of the viewing public is in mourning. Life goes on.

April 17 2007 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

We have showed rescpect do you know any of those killed? Most of us don't and want to watch TV to get our minds off crap like this. It's not like the episode was going to deal with a crazy guy going around killing 32 people at a college. they found a body at a college, them not showing it doesn't show rescect at all.

April 17 2007 at 10:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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