HBO Cuts 'Game of Thrones' Episode With Bush's Head

[Amerigo Vespucci]

HBO Cuts 'Game of Thrones' Episode With Bush's Head

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/hbo-cuts-game-of-thrones-episode-with-bushs-head-20120615



By Rolling Stone
June 15, 2012 3:15 PM ET

HBO has cut the Game of Thrones episode featuring an image of George W. Bush's severed head from all digital platforms and is holding off shipments of the Season 1 DVD box set that revealed the decapitated cranium, reports Deadline.com.

"We were deeply dismayed to see this and find it unacceptable, disrespectful and in very bad taste," said HBO. "We made this clear to the executive producers of the series who apologized immediately for this careless mistake. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms and have halted all future shipments of the DVDs, removed it from our digital platforms and will edit the scene for all future airings on any distribution domestic or international."

Earlier this week, DVD commentary form show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss exposed the beheading prop. Though it had already existed in plain view, the DVD commentary brought the prop to greater attention. In the commentary the creators claimed, "It's not a choice, it’s not a political statement. We just had to use whatever heads we had lying around."

[TheWraith]

1. Talk about a spectacular overreaction to a non-issue. nt

[razorman]

3. I can't exactly agree that it is a "non-issue", although it is certainly not enough

to send someone to jail for, or anything. But, regardless how one feels about GWB, it is disrespectful of the presidency. Imagine how we might feel in a few years if something similar happens regarding President Obama (Keep in mind, it will probably happen). I recall seeing a fellow several years ago, at a shooting range, bring out a paper target with President Clinton's picture. The rest of us on the scene, most of whom were not Clinton supporters, immediately made him remove it. The guy seemed to think it was funny, and said he was just trying to express his opinion. But, such things should not be taken lightly, regardless of who the president is.

[Blue Owl]

2. Some heads must be rolling at HBO

n/t

[Initech]

4. Literally in this case!

[exboyfil]

5. Michael Myers's mask was a William Shatner mask

I wonder if Shatner should be upset.

Bush's head was mounted with those of loyal Northmen and Eddard Stark - a man with integrity but no political sense. Well at least Bush shares one quality with Ned.

If anyone should be upset, it should be the Northmen whose heads were displayed along with a failed leader.

[Solly Mack]

6. Oh bother.

[bluedigger]

7. It's the right thing to do.

I don't believe any intentional insult was intended - it was just a production gaffe. If they can edit it out before further distribution, they should. We can't get all outraged about disrespecting the Office of the Presidency and condone this, whether or not it was intentional. It's just common decency.

[ananda]

8. Too late..

.. I've already seen it.

Anyhow, why don't they just cut the head out of the scene?

Sheesh.

[WilliamPitt]

9. All their editors must have their heads on spikes, too.

Seems a bit of an overreaction to me.

[HangOnKids]

10. FUCK HBO They Cancelled LUCK

Best fucking show on in YEARS!

[WilliamPitt]

11. ...and Lucky Louie

[1-Old-Man]

12. My wife bought me the Blue Ray set last Xmas, so I'm a proud owner of the Bush's Head version

WhooHoo!