In the wake of the Boston bombing, the executive producer of
NBC's grim drama Hannibal
decided to shelve an upcoming episode. Bryan Fuller said of his decision,
"I didn't want to have anyone come to the show and have a negative
experience...With this episode, it wasn't about the
graphic imagery or violence. It was the associations that came with the subject
matter that I felt would inhibit the enjoyment of the overall episode. … It was
my own sensitivity."
It's not unusual for the entertainment industry to pull shows or delay films that, if released immediately after a national tragedy might come across as insensitive. But some wonder whether the example of Hannibal's newfound circumspection raises even more questions … about what kind of programming is ever appropriate:
"The example of Hannibal is worth further reflection because it reveals some interesting things about this business of being 'sensitive,' or rather, not being 'insensitive,'" writes Jeff Jensen for Entertainment Weekly..."Couldn't we all use a little breather from dreadful drama about man's inhumanity toward man? And while we're going down this wormhole: What's the expiration date on 'sensitivity'? When is it okay to go back to being 'insensitive'?" [variety.com, 4/19/13; ew.com, 4/25/13]
It's not unusual for the entertainment industry to pull shows or delay films that, if released immediately after a national tragedy might come across as insensitive. But some wonder whether the example of Hannibal's newfound circumspection raises even more questions … about what kind of programming is ever appropriate:
"The example of Hannibal is worth further reflection because it reveals some interesting things about this business of being 'sensitive,' or rather, not being 'insensitive,'" writes Jeff Jensen for Entertainment Weekly..."Couldn't we all use a little breather from dreadful drama about man's inhumanity toward man? And while we're going down this wormhole: What's the expiration date on 'sensitivity'? When is it okay to go back to being 'insensitive'?" [variety.com, 4/19/13; ew.com, 4/25/13]
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excerpt from Focus on the Family's Plugged In Online
