MTV Cancels 'Buckwild' After Star's Death
MTV has canceled its reality series Buckwild after one of the show's stars, Shain Gandee, was killed in an accident last week.
"After careful consideration, MTV will not be moving forward with season two of Buckwild in West Virginia," the network said in a statement. "We love the cast and the show and this was not an easy decision, but given Shain's tragic passing and essential presence on the show, we felt it was not appropriate to continue without him."
MTV said it will run on Sunday a special called Buckwild: WV to the NYC -- which had been shot before production began on season two. The tribute will air following a day of programming dedicated to Shain in which MTV will air the entire first season of the show.
Gandee, 21, was found dead April 1 in his vehicle -- along with his uncle and another man -- and the deaths were ruled accidental due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Gandee's mother Loretta also issued a statement on her son's death. "Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time for our family. We have truly felt all the love and know that Shain is resting peacefully. Shain was an incredible, outgoing, and positive person who was loved by whoever he met. We are honored that we were able to let the world see what a wonderful son we had. He was the best son anyone could ask for. As we look to honor him in our lives every day moving forward, we are happy to share some of his last moments doing what he loved best: having fun and making people laugh."
The cancellation of Buckwild was criticized by the show's producer J.P. Williams, who manages most of the cast members on the show. "This is the network that has shows about teen pregnancy. They'll stick by a show that allows you to abandon a child, but a kid dies by accident doing what he does for a living [mudding] and they cancel the show?" Williams told The Hollywood Reporter. "There's something that smells of s--- here on every level," he added.
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Williams told THR that he plans to keep working on his own with the cast members to possibly continue shooting the series or produce a Buckwild film. "My job is to protect these kids. This will get ugly," he said.