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“Heathers” Reboot Officially Canceled by Paramount Network, Seeking New Home

The decision comes in response to increased gun violence in high schools.

Well, fuck us gently with a chainsaw.

Paramount Network has scrapped Heathers, its satirical television reboot of the 1998 cult film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Executives at the Viacom-owned cable network say they “didn’t feel comfortable” airing the pitch-black comedy anthology series, which is set in the present day, given the current climate of increased gun violence in high schools.

Initially set to premiere March 7, the 10-episode first season was postponed following the Parkland shooting. “While we stand firmly behind the show, in light of the recent tragic events in Florida and out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones, we feel the right thing to do is delay the premiere until later this year,” Paramount said in a statement. A new premiere date was later rescheduled as July 10.

Paramount Network

All Viacom networks, including Logo, went dark March 14 for 17 minutes in tandem with the National School Walkout to honor the 17 lives lost in the Parkland shooting and other young victims of gun violence. Partnering with NAACP Youth and College Division and local youth organizations, Viacom's MTV also provided 17 buses to transport young people to the March For Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C. from communities affected by gun violence.

Like the movie, which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater as nihilistic teens squaring off against the most popular girls in school, the Heathers series tackles teenage suicide and violence.

"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," Keith Cox, Paramount Network president of development and production, tells THR. "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."

Paramount Network

"This was a very difficult decision," Cox continues. "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."

"To be clear, I love this series and I believe in the franchise. The goal is not to scrap it but sell it."

Along with Grace Victoria Cox as Veronica and James Scully as J.D, the show stars Jasmine Mathews as black lesbian Heather McNamara, Brendan Scannell as genderqueer Heather Duke, and Melanie Field as plus-sized Heather Chandler. Drew Droege also appears as a drama teacher.

Paramount Network

"Today, all different types of people are more aspirational,” showrunner Jason Micallef told EW. “People that wouldn’t have necessarily been considered the most popular kids in school in 1988 could very well be—and probably most likely are—the more popular kids today.”

Production on the first season of Heathers has long been completed. A second season of the anthology, linked to the first but set in a new location with different characters, is almost completely written.

Producers are currently shopping Heathers to other non-Viacom networks.

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