Cops TV show cancelled after 32 seasons following George Floyd protests
After 31 years and more than 1,000 episodes, Paramount Network has axed reality TV show Cops.
The decision comes in the wake of worldwide protests following the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck in Minnesota last month.
A network spokesperson announced in a statement: "Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don't have any current or future plans for it to return."
Related: Law & Order: SVU boss says cop shows are "miscontributing" to society
Cops' 33rd season was due to begin on Monday, but no episode has aired since June 1.
The show has proved controversial during its time on TV, with critics taking issue with how it depicts suspects and the tactics used by police officers.
It even inspired a podcast hosted by Dan Taberski – Running from Cops – which placed a number of episodes under the microscope and questioned its cultural impact on policing in America.
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Meanwhile, actor Terry Crews revealed earlier this month that the next season of police comedy show Brooklyn Nine-Nine will be influenced by the Black Lives Matter protests.
"We actually all got on a Zoom call just the other day, because of what's happening in this country and we were witnessing so many abuses of power," he said on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
"We had some sombre talks and some really, really eye-opening conversation about how to handle this new season."
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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