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New Amsterdam pulls pandemic episode

Art imitates life just a little too much for NBC.

Sometimes art imitates life just a little too much…

NBC has pulled an episode of its medical drama New Amsterdam that deals with a fictional flu pandemic.

Originally titled simply “Pandemic” but later changed to “Our Doors Are Always Open,” it was scheduled to air in the US on April 7th.

Instead, then network will air reruns on March 31 and April 7 before a season finale on April 14 — the show’s last produced episode before it shut down production.

New Amsterdam has an episode that was written some time ago that focuses on a flu epidemic in New York City,” NBC said in a statement. “Being sensitive to the current climate, the producers, network and studio have decided that the episode will not air on NBC on April 7 as previously scheduled.”

Actor Daniel Dae Kim was to be introduced in the pandemic episode, but has tested positive for the coronavirus while one of the show’s writers is also ill.

“I am a writer of fiction. But if I may say, the world needs a lot less fiction right now, and a lot more facts,” series creator David Schulner stated.

“We shot a fictional pandemic episode right before a real pandemic hit. People are dying in real life. Do we really want to watch fake people die too?”

“Some would say yes. It’s not for nothing Contagion and Outbreak are at the top of the iTunes chart. The reason we engage with fiction is to watch our heroes battle the monsters we can’t and to learn from their struggle. There’s hope in that. Hope is the reason fiction exists.”

Schulner added “… it will air. Just not now.”

In Australia Nine is still 9 episodes behind the US playout.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

13 Responses

      1. or Kate W… I think either Contagion or 28 Days Later should be played in prime time on fta to scare the crap out of folk so they don’t breach the physical contact and other rules in place….it sends out the message…do as you are told …or else!!!

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