Cops is back in production after three months being canceled at Paramount Network but is not set to air in the United States.
Cops was canceled in June due to nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
Plans to air it in the US
The reality TV series about American cops that was dropped in June has resumed its production creation in Spokane County, Washington. However, new episodes won’t air in the United States.
The crew has quietly regained working in the county, where the show has been filmed many times before, The Hollywood Reporter stated.
'Cops' quietly resumes production https://t.co/Sd8FXWNfUx pic.twitter.com/rUSxlsJpkR
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 1, 2020
A spokesperson for Langley Productions, which produces Cops, told the publication that the episodes were being filmed to fulfill international territories’ commitments where the show has continued to air.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that they have a longstanding relationship with Cops and Langley Productions, and they are pleased that they have decided to return, highlighting the outstanding work the deputies provided to all of their fans.
The show, a reality crime program, follows the cops and sheriffs agents as they patrol the streets and perform other police duties. The show debuted on Fox in 1989 and was one of the longest-running television shows in the country.
Spike TV in 2013 owned the TV show and remained with the organization until it was being rebranded to Paramount Network in 2018.
George Floyd death influence over TV shows
Though Cops had successful ratings throughout its 33-seasons, the show was canceled shortly after the demise of George Floyd, who was killed by a white police officer in late May.
This incident of police killing Floyd has sparked protests against police brutality and systemic racism nationwide and significantly impacted the entertainment industry in other ways beyond one cancellation.
Spokane County Sheriff, Ozzie Knezovich, quoted in the press statement that “Shows like Cops highlight the work of law enforcement. Even for a few minutes, they show what people, who are out protecting our communities, deal with day in and day out. People need to see how quickly things can turn, the decisions that need to be made promptly, and how well deputies and officers adjust and respond appropriately.”
Meanwhile, A&E Network dropped its “Live PD” series at the beginning of June, while an assortment of TV programs that used blackface was altered or taken out from real-time features other television distribution platforms.
In late June, Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews said the producers scrapped four episodes of the upcoming season after serious talks about it and profound discussions.
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