Earlier today in Virginia, reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were murdered during a live WDBJ-TV broadcast by a former WDBJ reporter, Vester Flanagan, a.k.a. Bryce Williams. Flanagan was pursued by state police before he committed suicide.
Because of these events, USA Network has abruptly pulled the season finale of Mr. Robot, which apparently features a sequence that is very similar to what happened in Virginia. The season finale would have been broadcast tonight, but last week’s penultimate episode will now run in its place. The new airdate for the Mr. Robot season finale is next Wednesday, September 2.
In a statement, a USA spokesperson said “The previously filmed season finale of Mr. Robot contains a graphic scene similar in nature to today’s tragic events in Virginia. 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.”
This isn’t the first time that fiction has mirrored reality. In 1998, two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer were delayed because of some uncomfortable parallels with the Columbine High School massacre.
There was a third victim in today’s shooting. Vicki Gardner was shot in the back by Flanagan, but she is expected to survive. CraveOnline extends its condolences to Gardner, and the families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward.
