Organization Calls ABC’s ‘Scandal’ Out for Torturing Huck, Says Its Insensitive to Sandy Hook Victims

Looks like we weren’t the only ones that had a tough time watching the torture scene (we actually closed our eyes) with ‘Huck’. On last week’s Scandal episode, Huck (played by Guillermo Diaz) was brutally tortured and questioned for his potential involvement in the president’s shooting. While some of found this as simple entertainment relevant to the story-line, the Parents Television Council (PTC) found it inappropriate. In a released statement, the group says that ABC broke the content-rating system: 

“The brutal nature of that scene, which was rated as appropriate for a 14-year-old child, refutes statements made by an industry claiming to be responsible and concerned about societal violence.”

The creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes had a content advisory at the beginning of the broadcast, but this was not satisfactory to PTC. In fact, they question the timing of the show, suggesting that it may have been insensitive to those affected by the Newton school shooting tragedy. Tim Winter (PTC’s president) explained: 

“It is sickening just how quickly the entertainment industry was able to move past the tragedy of Newtown and get back to business as usual.”

The PTC says it wants the Obama administration to get behind an effort for:

“real responsibility from those who produce and distribute violent media content as well as real reform of the failed TV ratings system.”

What do you think? Was the torture scene too graphic for TV? And should that particular episode been altered or delayed, because of the Newton school shooting? P.S. Click here to watch the episode. 

[Deadline]