‘Mr. Robot’ season 1 finale will not be new tonight, delayed by USA due to WDBJ7 shooting

Many of you out there have probably read the news already regarding the terrible and tragic shooting that took place live on Virginia television station WDBJ7 this morning; two reporters for the network died as a result of the shooting, while the gunman (a former employee of the station) took his own life not long after posting a video of the incident onto social media.

As a result of these events, this is a time for more sensitivity in the TV industry at large. This is why today USA decided that they are going to delay the airing of the “Mr. Robot” season 1 finale for a week. Here is what they had to say on the subject in a statement:

“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.”

The finale will now air on USA on Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time. There is a precedent for many other networks choosing to delay touchy programming after tragic events. “Castle” chose to switch episodes around following the Boston Marathon bombing, while the tragedy at Sandy Hook caused NBC to simply not air a season 1 episode of “Hannibal” that was made available instead online. While there is a line between fiction and reality, sometimes you do need to take consideration after horrific events.

As the statement says, our thoughts also go out to those at WDBJ7, who have to be coping with something terrible at this time. Respect to all other media outlets out there who are refusing to post details about the shooter, whose motives appeared to be in part to have his name and his voice heard. (Photo: USA.)