‘Heathers’ Premiere Delayed Due to Parkland Shooting

Paramount Network has announced that they have delayed the premiere of their new series Heathers.

The show is based on the 1988 cult classic of the same name, until later in the year. According to Variety, the decision comes in the wake of the Parkland school shooting on February 14. Paramount said that the delay comes “out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones.”

The plot of Heathers includes themes of bullying, gun violence, murder, suicide, and an attempt to blow up a high school. While Paramount says they “stand firmly behind the show,” one would think that if the subject matter were handled appropriately that now would be exactly the right time to premiere the episode.

Why else bother rebooting Heathers into a TV show in the first place if you don’t have something new to say about it?

Based on the pilot Paramount posted on their website — which has also been taken down following their announcement – the writer’s adaptation of the source material plays as flippant and tone-deaf.

We actually reviewed that pilot episode while it was still up and live on the Paramount site, and you can check out that review here on Show Snob.

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Perhaps Paramount knows the criticism it will face if the series is released now. However, considering the frequency of mass shootings in the United States, it seems there may never be a right time for Heathers to premiere.

There’s no news yet on when exactly Paramount plans to release Heathers except that it will be later this year. Do you agree with Paramount pulling the series from the air?  Keep the conversation going in the comments section below and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for more on your favorite shows!