Following Wednesday’s attack on congressional Republicans the episode, which dealt with the aftermath of a mass shooting incident, has been replaced

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

NBC has decided to postpone an episode of The Carmichael Show, which dealt with a mass shooting, after congressional Republicans were targeted by a gunman on Wednesday in Virginia.

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The episode, called Shoot-Up-Able, which was due to air on Wednesday night, was replaced by one called Lesbian Wedding, which was slated for 28 June.

According to promotional material for the episode, it would have focused on lead character Jerrod Carmichael’s “fights against being labeled a victim after surviving a shooting”.

Carmichael didn’t agree with the decision. Appearing on Chelsea Handler’s talk show, he said: “What it says is you don’t think that America is smart enough to handle real dialogue.”

It is not the first time a television episode has been postponed in the wake of a shooting. Following the murder of two journalists in Virginia in 2015, USA Network postponed the season one finale of Mr Robot.

At the time, the network released a statement explaining that the episode “contains a graphic scene similar in nature to today’s tragic events in Virginia”. It was postponed until the following week “out of respect to the victims, their families and colleagues and our viewers”.

The same network also delayed the launch of its sniper-themed show Shooter after a gunman killed five police officers in Dallas in 2016.

The Carmichael Show has become known for its tackling of controversial issues, and earlier this year turned heads when creators announced an episode where “nigger” would be used six times in an attempt to critique the taboo surrounding the word.

Wednesday’s shooting in Alexandria, Virginia – which preceded a second attack at a UPS facility in San Francisco – was carried out by 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, a home inspector from Illinois who was killed in a subsequent shootout with police.

House majority whip Steve Scalise, along with a lobbyist, congressional aide and two Capitol police officers, sustained injuries in the attack. On Thursday morning, Scalise was reported to be in critical condition before undergoing a third operation at MedStar Washington hospital center.

NBC was not available for comment but it is believed no decision on when the episode will air has been made yet.