It's hard to imagine that there's anything ABC wouldn't allow on ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ?????critical darling Black-ishafter several successful seasons, but a new story in Varietyreports that a February episode was shelved due to "creative differences" between the network and show runner Kenya Barris.
SEE ALSO: Where are the mainstream TV shows about American Indians?The episode was reportedly shot in November and scheduled to air at the end of February, with a story that follows Dre (Anthony Anderson) as he improvises a bedtime story for his infant son DeVonte while a thunderstorm keeps the whole house awake. At one point, an argument breaks out between Dre and his son (Marcus Scribner) about athletes kneeling during the national anthem.
Variety's report doesn't make it clear why the episode was shelved, noting only that it "covers multiple political and social issues."
“Given our creative differences, neither ABC nor I were happy with the direction of the episode and mutually agreed not to air it,” Barris said in a statement.“Black-ishis a show that has spoken to all different types of people and brought them closer as a community and I’m so proud of the series.”
Instead of airing “Please, Baby, Please," ABC aired a rerun of Black-ish on Feb. 27. The episode may resurface at some future date, or it may be shelved for good.
In the past, Black-ish has done episodes about the n-word, police brutality, and the 2016 election, all of which carried powerful social and political messaging that worked to foster national conversations. It's unclear if the kneeling athletes scene -- the only specific plot point mentioned -- was what created problems for ABC or if it was something else.
Black-ishairs Wednesday as 9:30 p.m. on ABC.
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