NBC Pulls Hannibal Out Of Sensitivity To Recent Tragedies

NBC has decided to pull an episode of it's new murder drama "Hannibal" out of respect for the recent tragedy in Boston and the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary school.

The pulled episode of "Hannibal" was scheduled to air next week and guest star Molly Shannon as a woman who brainwashes children to murder other children.

According to the Washington Post, "'Hannibal' executive producer Bryan Fuller asked NBC to pull the episode, citing the Newtown, Conn., school shooting in December and this week's Boston Marathon attack, NBC spokesman Stuart Levine said."

Bryan Fuller had been thinking about pulling the episode of "Hannibal" for a few weeks. His decision was reinforced after Monday's violent attacks in Boston. Although the episode is not based on actual events Fuller decided to pull that particular "Hannibal" feeling that it was too soon to show such violence involving children.

The pulled episode of "Hannibal" was supposed to be the fourth of the season. The episode will be replaced with another new "Hannibal" reports say fans will not see a continuity issue as a result of the pulled episode.

According to the Washington Post a few other television shows will be pulling episodes out of respect for those who have just suffered through the traumatic events of the Boston bombings or the Newtown shooting.

An episode of the ABC drama "Castle" was scheduled to air on Monday in which the main character steps on a "pressure-sensitive bomb." ABC has delayed airing the episode but the Washington Post has not said when or if the episode will air.

In December just after the Newtown shooting the Syfy show "Haven" pulled an episode depicting violence at a college campus.

The Fox show "Glee" has been receiving some criticism for not sensing the tone of the nation and pulling an episode where a gun is shot in the school's hallway.

In the episode students where seen running, screaming and hiding in order to protect themselves from the shooter.

Executives for "Glee" defended their decision to air the show by saying the episode was filmed before the Sandy Hook shooting.