In light of the Newtown tragedy, AMC took the unusual step of cancelling its New Year’s Eve “The Walking Dead” marathon at the last minute with “Mad Max.” The Mel Gibson movie featured numerous killings in the star’s attempt to avenge the deaths of his wife and son.
AMC decided to include content warnings during its New Year’s Eve programming. They also mentioned Newtown in a couple subsequent episodes after the shootings had taken place. The irony of replacing the marathon showing with an equally violent program begs the question: “What was AMC thinking?”
Other media outlets paid their respects in a more sensitive manner. David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres spent time on their shows empathizing and helping people feel good.
“I want you to know that you can watch with your family,” DeGeneres said. “The Voice” featured a candlelight tribute in the final performance of the year.
If the AMC network was truly sincere in its attempt to honor Newtown, was this the best they could do? The irony of replacing one violent program with another, does little for AMC’s credibility or motives.
In the USA Today article linked above, David Reiss, a psychiatrist and trauma expert who was in Newtown, questioned the motives of certain media outlets. He indicated that some of their actions are driven as much ” by marketing people and attorneys” as they are by a need for sensitivity.
“They are not entirely insincere,” Reiss said. “But I bet the marketing people have a lot of input.”
There is a lesson here for AMC. Their actions with the “The Walking Dead” marathon did little to truly pay homage and respect after the Newtown incident. They would be better off by treating their audience as adults and letting the show go on.
It’s doubtful the showing of “Max Mad” did little if anything to make anyone ” feel better,” despite the warnings.
John Zielonka is an avid fan of “The Walking Dead” series and comic book.
