"Heathers" Has Been Canceled Before Its Premiere In Response To Recent School Shootings

Viacom, which felt uncomfortable airing the controversial program in the wake of multiple school shootings this year, is looking to shop the show elsewhere.

A representative for the Paramount Network confirmed to BuzzFeed News Friday that the TV reimagining of the 1989 cult classic film Heathers has been canceled.

Paramount Network

The show initially was meant to air in March, but its premiere was delayed indefinitely after the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

While Viacom, the parent company of Paramount Network, is trying to find a new home for the show, it felt uncomfortable airing a show that tackles guns, suicide, and violence in high school so close to the Parkland and Santa Fe shootings.

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"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," Keith Cox, Paramount Network's president of development and production, told the Hollywood Reporter. "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."