After the past week’s horrific gun violence, USA is postponing the premiere of its new Ryan Phillippe–fronted sniper series Shooter until July 26. In a statement, the network explained: “In light of recent tragic events and out of respect for the victims, their families and our viewers, we have decided to postpone the premiere date.” While any property titled Shooter might give an audience pause in light of ongoing current events, this program is particularly on the nose. Based on the 2007 Mark Wahlberg movie, the show follows the story of a military sniper who must clear his name after a mission goes wrong — a plot many viewers might find disturbing in the wake of the deaths of five Dallas police officers at the hand of a veteran military sniper last Thursday. USA’s decision comes only a month after TNT delayed the release of The Last Ship, because of a scene similar to that of the Pulse gay-club mass-shooting in Orlando, Florida.
