Update: HBO's "Luck" Canceled

[JamesG]

HBO's "Luck" Suspends Using Horses After Third Death
3/14/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


HBO has temporarily suspended the use of horses during production on Season 2 of its drama "Luck" after a third horse was injured on the set and euthanized.

The incident occurred early Tuesday when one of the horses in the stable for the Dustin Hoffman/Nick Nolte horse racing drama suffered an accident while returning to the stall.



Dr. Gary Beck, a veterinarian from the California Horse Racing Board, was on hand and noted the horse was on her way back to the stall when she "reared, flipped over backwards, and struck her head on the ground."

Attending vet Heidi Agnic administered immediate aid and it was determined that humane euthanasia was appropriate, Beck noted.









Tuesday's incident marked the third time a horse has been put down as part of the horse racing drama from David Milch and Michael Mann; two horses were injured and euthanized during production of Season 1.

HBO is working with the American Humane Association and the CHRB to investigate the incident, with a certified safety representative on the premises of the Santa Anita stable in Arcadia, Calif., and noted that all safety precautions were in place.

"We will not be filming horses until AHA completes its inquiry. Production will continue with other scenes," HBO said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "Everyone associated with Luck cares deeply about the well-being of the horses who are so much a part of the heart and soul of the production."



HBO noted it works with the AHA and racing industry experts to implement safety protocols that go "above and beyond" typical film TV industry standards and practices, with pre-race exams performed by a CHRB-certified vet with radiographs taken of the legs of all horses being considered for use in simulated racing sequences.

"As with all fatalities within CHRB racing enclosures a necropsy will be conducted," CHRB Equine Medical Director Dr. Rick Arthur said a statement. "Unfortunately, we see several of these injuries in the stable area every year. They are more common than people realize."







Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called for production on the series to be shut down and blasted the production for its use of what they claim are unfit or injured horses.

"HBO, David Milch and Michael Mann should be ashamed. Three horses have now died, and all the evidence we have gathered points to sloppy oversight, the use of unfit or injured horses and disregard for the treatment of racehorses," the animal-rights group said in a statement obtained late Tuesday by THR.



"We contacted HBO and producer/star Dustin Hoffman last week regarding reports we'd received stating that oversight on the set was lax, and we urged them to help make things safer for the horses. But we received no response.

Yesterday, we went to law enforcement about the deaths of the first two horses, Outlaw Yodeler and Marc's Shadow, because one was drugged and the other was arthritic. We will want answers on HBO's latest casualty. Filming must stop now."









Despite its critical praise, "Luck" has been a ratings under-performer for the network, averaging about 625,000 total viewers.

The series was renewed for a second season immediately after its lackluster premiere in order to fit production into the window between racing at Santa Anita.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...spended-299500

[JamesG]

"Luck" Canceled: HBO Cancels Drama Amid Horse Deaths and Low Ratings
3/14/12


HBO has decided to cancel its horse-racing drama "Luck" after a third horse died during production on Tuesday.





HBO released the following statement:

"It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series 'Luck'.

Safety is always of paramount concern. We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures.

While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.

We are immensely proud of this series, the writing, the acting, the filmmaking, the celebration of the culture of horses, and everyone involved in its creation.

Quote from Michael Mann and David Milch: “The two of us loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers. This has been a tremendous collaboration and one that we plan to continue in the future.”"





In January, HBO renewed the series, starring Dustin Hoffman, for a second season only a few days after the show's premiere.

"Luck" was rather slow out of the gate, drawing only 1.1 million viewers for its premiere. The show has since struggled to attract 500,000 viewers during its initial Sunday night broadcast.

However, "Luck" received most of its media criticism due to the production's bad luck off screen.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0..._1346185.html?

[Janice]

This makes me see red. Three animals is a lot to be a coincidence. I watched one episode of the show, but it's not for me, but my husband enjoys it. He used to gamble himself, so he loves gambling shows.

I know that the AHA is very rigid when it comes to animals iin movies and television. I remember HBO was forced to drain the pool in Tony Soprano's house (and refill it) because there were ducks in the water, from a dream sequence. The AHA didn't want the ducks in chlorine. I'm not exaggerating when I say that an insect can't be killed on a film set.

[TMC]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...animals-593343

Asked if he would think twice about using animals again, HBO's Michael Lombardo said, "Yes." Twice.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#9zefuBKokGvCtOEO.99