By Joseph Ostapiuk
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — “Cops,” which initially began running on the air in 1989 on Fox, has been officially canceled by Paramount Network days after the popular show was pulled from the air, reports said.
Variety exclusively reported last week that the show’s 33rd season was delayed, as A&E decided to also not run new episodes of “Live PD,” which follows officers in real time across the country.
The decision comes after widespread protests against police brutality continue across the nation following the May 25 death of George Floyd, when ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd said repeatedly that he could not breathe. Chauvin, and three other officers who did not intervene, have been charged in relation to Floyd’s death.
“Cops” has faced scrutiny in recent years for contentious behind-the-scenes practices, Variety reported, and has drawn ire for how it depicts law enforcement.
“Cops” is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” a Paramount Network spokesperson said in a statement to multiple outlets.
©2020 Staten Island Advance, N.Y.