Home » Film & TV » American Television » SCHOOL SHOOTINGS FORCE POSTPONEMENT OF GRADUATION ON BUFFY

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS FORCE POSTPONEMENT OF GRADUATION ON BUFFY

© F. Colin Kingston

Editors Note: Last week I promised you a look at some of the new fall programming recently unveiled by the major networks. That article has been postponed a week due to the one of the many consequences of the recent school shootings in Colorado and Georgia.

This particular consequence is a positive one and I believe it deserves to be brought to your attention. My column this week also includes THIS WEEK IN TV HISTORY and a special section dedicated to programs relating to the MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

WB Network Does the Right Thing:
Due to the violent content of the season finale of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, the WB announced last week that it was postponing airing the episode. The series is one of the most popular shows on the WB and I believe they are to be commended for taking this action as the move cost them ratings, viewers and money.

As you know, graduation season is upon us. Because of the recent shootings, school authorities on many campuses throughout the country are understandably tense. Most of the violence depicted in the season finale of BUFFY happens to take place during a high school graduation ceremony.

Much of the recent criticism heaped upon the television media is justified. However, this proves that the powers that be can be responsible as well.

WB CEO Jamie Kellner released the following statement: "It is out of sympathy and compassion for the families and communities that have been devastated by the recent senseless acts of violence perpetrated on high school campuses that we have decided to delay this broadcast. Our decision is also borne out of a deep sense of responsibility to The WB's loyal young audience.

At issue for us was a short part of the climactic scene of this powerful two-part season finale. During a solar eclipse that occurs during his commencement speech at Sunnydale High's graduation ceremony, the mayor morphs into a 60-foot serpent and attacks the students. In turn, Buffy and her classmates are forced to defend themselves. Given the current climate, depicting acts of violence at a high school graduation ceremony, even fantasy acts against 60-foot serpents and vampires, we believe, is inappropriate to broadcast around the actual dates of these time-honored ceremonies.

We apologize to the millions of loyal BUFFY viewers who are eagerly anticipating this episode. We sincerely hope that you understand that the last thing we want to do is preempt our season finale. However, at this time, we feel

The copyright of the article SCHOOL SHOOTINGS FORCE POSTPONEMENT OF GRADUATION ON BUFFY in American Television is owned by F. Colin Kingston. Permission to republish SCHOOL SHOOTINGS FORCE POSTPONEMENT OF GRADUATION ON BUFFY in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.