IFC Delays ‘Documentary Now!’ Episode in Wake of WDBJ Shooting
Episode featuring journalists being killed was originally scheduled to air Thursday
Reid Nakamura | August 27, 2015 @ 1:24 PM
Last Updated: August 27, 2015 @ 2:29 PM
IFC is delaying Thursday’s episode of “Documentary Now!” because of similarities to Wednesday’s TV news shooting.
“In light of yesterday’s tragic events, IFC decided to air ‘Kunuk’ as tonight’s episode of Documentary Now! in place of ‘Dronez'” the network said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims.”
The episode parodies Vice-style documentaries and follows Fred Armisen and Bill Hader as two journalists who track the infamous El Chingon drug kingpin, despite repeated cautions against the mission due to safety concerns.
The plan is to air the episode a week later, on Thursday, Sept. 3.
On Wednesday morning, WDBJ7 reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, were doing a standard live shot with a woman at Bridgewater Plaza near Moneta, Virginia, at 6:45 a.m. ET when a gunman opened fire on them. The two died in the attack, and the shooter later died of a self-inflicted wound.
IFC’s move to postpone an episode after Wednesday’s events comes after USA delayed the airing of the season finale of “Mr. Robot,” which the network said contained a scene “similar in nature” to the killings.
“The previously filmed season finale of ‘Mr. Robot’ contains a graphic scene similar in nature to today’s tragic events in Virginia,” USA said in a statement Wednesday. “Out of respect to the victims, their families and colleagues, and our viewers, we are postponing tonight’s episode. Our thoughts go out to all those affected during this difficult time.”
The episode of “Mr. Robot” will air next Wednesday.
Paris Terror Attack: The Horrifying Shooting Scene at Charlie Hebdo (Photos)
Security footage of the gunmen as they arrive at the Charlie Hedbo newspaper headquarters in a black car.
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The heavily armed gunmen open fire on the first police responders on the scene.
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Police and paramedics crowd the street the outside Charlie Hedbo office.
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A bullet hole in a window of the Charlie Hebdo office.
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French President Francois Hollande surveys the carnage in Paris.
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A damaged police car is hauled away after gunmen attacked the newspaper's office on Jan. 7, 2015.
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The defiant slogan in support of the paper lights up the side of a building during a rally.
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People line the streets for a rally in support of Charlie Hebdo, which was attacked by gunmen for printing cartoons making fun of the prophet Muhammad.
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People raise their pens in support of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo following the attack which killed 12 people.
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Police cross the street in preparation for a stand off with possible terrorist suspects
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Special Forces soldiers and police gather after storming a building where suspects linked to the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Dammartin en Goele, France.
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Police gather around compact European vehicles in France.
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Special Forces and police gather after storming a building where suspects linked to the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Dammartin en Goele, France.
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A French police helicopter
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Hostages and police walk the streets of France after a standoff with Charlie Hebdo terror suspects
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Hostages and police walk the streets of France after a standoff with Charlie Hebdo terror suspects
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French President François Hollande confers with his colleagues in the wake of the police standoff with Charlie Hebdo terror suspects
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Armed gunmen attack the satirical newspaper’s office in Paris on Jan. 7, leaving 12 people dead and 11 wounded
Security footage of the gunmen as they arrive at the Charlie Hedbo newspaper headquarters in a black car.