One of the most popular shows in the cable television space, Live PD, is officially cancelled just one day after host Dan Abrams vowed that the show would return after its hiatus.
[See updates below, including additional comments from Dan Abrams]
Live PD ends its run at 298 episodes. A&E had recently renewed the show for 160 more,
Calls to defund or disband the police resulted in the ancillary defunding and disbanding of Live PD by panicky TV executives as part of the ongoing cancel culture and the emotionalism of the moment.
With typically about 30 to 40-plus cameras, Live PD producers and videographers embedded in real time with officers and deputies on night patrol from U.S. police departments and sheriff’s offices across the country. Live PD was credited with improving police-community relations and enhancing recruitment for law enforcement careers.
The A&# network released the following statement to Deadline Hollywood:
“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD. Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.
“Ultimately, both the network and the production company on Wednesday came to the conclusion that there was currently no path forward for the show in its current form as protesters and politicians are calling for a police reform following the death of [George] Floyd while restrained by a cop during arrest,” Deadline added.
On Twitter, Dan Abrams, who is ironically a big liberal as shown, among other things, by his work as ABC television’s chief legal analyst and his website Mediaite, expressed shock at this outcome:
More background from Deadline:
“The decision was made jointly by A&E and MGM’s Big Fish Entertainment, which produces the series…Live PD was ad-supported cable’s #1 show on Fridays and Saturdays in 2019 and has helped A&E become a leading cable network. The series had risen to the top spots in all cable during the pandemic when live sports were suspended, drawing a total of about 3 million viewers per weekend.,,When it launched in 2016, Live P.D. marked a logistical breakthrough by being able to pull off a complex live broadcast from multiple locations at a reasonable cost,”
A petition at Change.org is calling on A&E to reverse its decision.
On social media, fans of the show, as well as cops who regularly appeared on it, expressed displeasure with A&E’s apparent capitulation to pressure from the far-left outrage/woke mob:
Disappointed they caved under pressure. If anything you would think America would want more of this. God for bid if good cops are seen doing good things.
— Craig Sroka (@CraigSroka12) June 11, 2020
Very sad…even if we weren’t a part of it anymore, they are missing opportunities for transparency in law enforcement, the show has humanized the cops, and started conversations across all boundaries…and just like that a great tool is cut off… @LTDansCrew #livepd https://t.co/8V25PEuT0C
— Danny Brown (@thundacat830) June 11, 2020
The reason Live PD was put together was because the world wanted transparency with LEO & improve the relationship with the community & educate. The show & Departments did that for 4 yrs! But we got shows that show nothing but nonsense.
— Sr. Deputy Addy Perez (@addy_pez) June 11, 2020
This is beyond disappointing @AETV This show shows so much of the great police work that happens out there and adds transparency needed at this time. #WhatareyouThinking #LivePDNation
— MK (@MK_Alberta) June 11, 2020
Absolutely terrible. Time to boycott @AETV for not supporting our brave LEOs! #LivePDNation #LivePD
— #LivePDNation (@LivePDNation) June 11, 2020
You know why the show had to be cancelled? Political pressure. It does too much damage to the police are bad narrative that the left wants to push. It showed what a hard job Police have and how hard they work doing it. They can’t have that when dismantling police is their goal.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 11, 2020
🗣Speak on it bro!👍✌👌💯 Sorry @danabrams the liberal mob won and the fans lost so,I will no longer be watching anything on @AETV since,politically correctness,democrats & $ rules.Shame & disgrace #LivePd the MOST WATCHED SHOW ON TV IS CANCELLED & the FANS are PISSED!😡👊😬
— #MR.TELL.IT.LIKE.IT.IS (@counselorp) June 11, 2020
I am EXTREMELY pissed off about this. How utterly ridiculous this is. The highest rated show on cable TV, with so many WONDERFUL officers, doing good things. This INSANE. I’m done with you @AETV – good luck keeping viewers after this
— Jennifer (@WickidJenn) June 11, 2020
OMG!! I can’t believe they are canceling live PD!! What is wrong with everybody ?! why are they caving in to this insanity??!!! By canceling this show, MGM entertainment and A&E are telling the police officers all over our country that they don’t support them!!! So WRONG!!
— Laurie Casillo (@lovemygolden15) June 11, 2020
This is beyond disappointing @AETV This show demonstrates much of the great police work that happens out there on a day to day basis and adds transparency needed at this time. I’m done with @AETV. I thought you were better than this. Extremely disappointing. See ya #LivePDNation
— Craig Reid (@ccmreid) June 11, 2020
The ONLY reason I subscribe to A&E is for @OfficiaILivePD . Canceling right after this tweet. @TomMorrisJr1 @Sean_C_Larkin #LivePDNation #LivePD @notsam
— Ed Phelan (@EdPhelan3) June 11, 2020
Wow… So A&E gave in to the less than one percent of people that want it off the air. So sick of this cancel culture. What happened to America? I fought for this once great nation, and now I’m becoming ashamed of it. I will never watch A&E again. #BackTheBlue
— Michael (@Snookums1379) June 11, 2020
Not surprised but very disappointed. LivePD shows what the police go through on a daily basis and the good that they do. I agree with the show taking a break, but not canceling it. When are we going to stop giving in to bullies who want to get rid of everything they don’t like
— Glenn Parry (@ghparry) June 11, 2020
So shameful. So disappointed in @AETV you should be ashamed of yourselves. I will never watch this network again. #boycottAandE #boycottAETV
— Marla Machado-Arce (@marla_arce) June 11, 2020
This is just ridiculous! Now is the time when the public needs transparent real shows like this to show that there are good cops out there doing the day to day hard work & keeping us safe. If A&E won’t bring #LivePD back, then I hope another network picks it up. They are fools!
— Jen Wise (@JenWise111) June 11, 2020
What about all the missing children that have been located and all of the Wanted people that have been captured? All this good is just supposed to be overlooked? #BoycottAETV#BoycottAandE
— Susan (@Twizzlerbear) June 11, 2020
Caving to cancel culture is the most un-American thing. #LivePD did so much to promote transparency in law enforcement. We helped catch criminals, and find missing youths. Also, it was one of the few places where libs and conservatives could go TOGETHER and leave politics behind!
— Sam Spade Jr. (@MattLawmlb) June 11, 2020
Reaction from Live PD “Nation” is still coming in. Check back for updates.
Anyone that actually watched the show knew what #LivePD was about! You guys showed every side of law enforcement why we enjoyed it so much @AETV has failed it’s viewers they are famous for not listening to the true view #BringBackLivePD
— Heather Buechler (@BrattyMe92) June 11, 2020
Thank you @danabrams Will miss #LivePD and I sincerely hope the time will come when Freedom applies to all of us and not just the bullies. 💙💙💙
— lizzie newman (@JoBu_N) June 11, 2020
Please please PLEASE find another network to pick up #LivePD. @AETV has made a HUGE mistake. I know that I personally will never watch another show on this network again. There is always 2 sides to a story, and #livepd always tried to show both sides. This is so disappointing.
— GSCHULTZ (@schultzgr31) June 11, 2020
You failed to address several questions.
— james (@jantotrailers) June 11, 2020
1. Did big fish cancel or solely a&e choice?
2. Were advertisers pulling out? If so which ones?
3. Is big fish currently looking for another network?
4. Are the studio and production workers getting severance pay?
I just can’t believe this is happening at a time where we need MORE eyes on the police- not less. I fail to see how LivePD is at fault when body cam footage of the incident is readily available. Should they have retained the video? Yes. But were they responsible for Javier’s
— XKidd92 🌐 (@XKidd92) June 11, 2020
We’ve succumbed to the Mob mentality that is merica today. I thought trump was the fascist. The Media really is the enemy. I was on the brink about another 4 yrs of Trump now I’m convinced he should get 4 more. The far left is worse than the far right.
— Bgrflckr (@bgrflckr) June 11, 2020
Best wishes to you, Sticks and Tom Morris! Friday and Saturday nights just won’t be the same without Live PD! We really looked forward to seeing all of you and all the amazing police officers that were showcased every week!
— Laurie Casillo (@lovemygolden15) June 11, 2020
God bless you all! God help us all!
One can only hope another network sees and agrees with your vision about #LivePD THE #LivePDNation is waiting……We want to see our awesome officers doing their job!!
— Caleigha Lynne (@CaleighaS) June 11, 2020
Dan this is what the vocal minority does, they bully and intimidate people into changing their way of life. They’re like terrorists and our country’s future is at stake. #Trump2020NowMoreThanEver looking to get to 25k followers, will follow back. Gotta do my part #MAGA
— javy (@791c3516a188413) June 11, 2020
What I liked about live PD was the transparency, good and bad. Wasn’t always police coming out ahead. Felt real. But not airing this in any manner and destroying the video takes away from that feeling of transparency. Diminishes the show for me which is too bad.
— Luis Bueno (@RunnerLuis) June 11, 2020
Well said. I am disappointed & saddened that @AETV cancelled #LivePD. The policing transparency & sense of community that this show provided continues to be needed. Not to mention its advocacy for missing children. I’m at a loss here. #LivePDNation will be missed.
— Dee v60.3 (@DeeHutchinson15) June 11, 2020
I love LIVEPD! Every Friday and Saturday night it was on my tv… start to finish! I’m sad that you are gone and wish you all the best. And if any other network was smart they would scoop y’all up quickly!! Goodbye @AETV due to this I can’t watch your channel anymore!
— Brandie C Hayden (@haydenpartyof5) June 11, 2020
I am gonna miss Live PD. Great show! It gave me a better understanding of how to communicate with the police. Number 1 rule is to be honest and respectful. Officers have a tough job. Don’t let a few bad apples change your mind about them.Peace
— Don Davis (@DonDavi11586749) June 11, 2020
Update: In an interview on the Law & Crime website (which he also founded), Dan Abrams revealed his feelings about the abrupt ending to Live PD:
I am frustrated and sad because I truly believed in the mission of the show to provide transparency in policing. I completely agree with advocates calling for more body cams on officers and more uniform rules for their use. It seems to me that the antidote to bad policing and officers is transparency and that means more body cams and more shows like Live PD. It’s important to distinguish Live PD from a show like Cops that just presented a highlight reel of crazy moments. Live PD was totally different — following the officers in real time, in their real environments showing the nerves, the adrenaline, the bad, the good, and often the mundane and boring. I will miss it all.:
He also addressed the Javier Ambler controversy which may have played a role in the show’s cancellation. Ambler died in police custody after he was tased by Williamson County, Tex., deputies.
With regret, Abrams recalled that the Live PD footage was destroyed per standard practice, but deputies’ body-cam video has been released into the public and incorporated into the investigation.
“In this particular case, the Williamson County Sheriff apparently requested that Live PD retain the video pending an investigation. Live PD did just that for three months until June, 2019 when the Williamson County Sheriff informed Live PD attorneys that their investigation was complete using the body cam footage that they had. The Live PD attorneys informed me that’s because [Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore] never asked. Nor did anyone else in law enforcement or any other attorney make a request to them for the footage before this week, over one year later. Given what happened, I wish the tape had been preserved and the policy should have had an exception for this sort of situation. Many of us were advocating for a change in the policy before the show was canceled.”
In the video below, Dan Abrams told Fox News that the elimination of the program “was obviously due to pressure to cancel the show based on the current environment that we are in…I had thought the show would survive. I had thought that we can both support the important protests and calls for change that had were going on around this country, and say that Live PD and transparency amongst police officers and police departments can and should be a part of that, but in the end, the decision was made to end the show…I don’t exactly why [the cancellation] happened, I wasn’t part of it, but I’m disappointed.”
Dan Abrams on Good Morning America (interview starts at about 3:30):
Despite his liberal credentials, Dan Abrams had a tough time on CNN:
LOL! Absurd as it is to cancel Live PD…do we need to announce it again and again day after day after day? We get it!
Cowards!
A NEW CHANNEL AND PRODUCTION CO.
Can someone else pick this show up? I loved it!! We are doomed in the country.