HBO's "Luck" suspends filming w/ horses after 3rd horse dies

[stark]

HBO has decided to cancel production on Luck following the death of a third horse on the series.
The network released this 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.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/14/hbo-cancels-luck/

[LifeAtZen]

[Plenilune]

Hard to say, as yes, they can flip anytime and kill themselves, but implication here could be that the handlers might not be the best horsemen. Which I would guess to be the case, truthfully, because the best groom, hotwalkers, etc. are working for real trainers that make a living, not for a guy that plays trainer for Luck stable. And all shows look for ways to cut corners, even with big budgets. Which doesn't mean this might not have happened anyway. They should hire D. Wayne. He must have some time free these days. He can show them how to lead horses with two peeps.

The animal was being led to a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable by a groom when it reared and fell back Tuesday morning, suffering a head injury, according to HBO. The horse was euthanized at the track in suburban Arcadia, where "Luck" is filming its second season.

HBO has agreed, under pressure from the AHA, to suspend filming using horses while the incident is investigated.

http://www.mercurynews.com/celebriti...t-by-3rd-horse

"The animal was being led to a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable by a groom when it reared and fell back Tuesday morning, suffering a head injury, according to HBO."

The sad fact that the filly lost her life is tragic. Yet, this was not a break down during a race. She was being lead to the race track. This kind of horrible accident happens even with the best of handlers. Anyone remember St. Liam? Exogenous?

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/34983/horse-of-the-year-saint-liam-dead

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/6705/exogenous-injured-prior-to-distaff-is-euthanized

At the very least they are suspending filming the horse scenes until an investigation is completed. Milch used to own and race horses. I can't imagine he's not sensitive to their needs and safety. I know, it doesn't automatically mean he was a caring and considerate owner, but I don't know him personally so I can only hope and be optimistic that he does right by the horses on his show.

[stark]

At the very least they are suspending filming the horse scenes until an investigation is completed.

HBO has CANCELLED (not suspended) production of the show.

[BlindLucky]

I guess "Luck" might not have been the most appropriate name for the series.

[algobbi]

I guess "Luck" might not have been the most appropriate name for the series.

It only averaged a 0.2 for the 18-49 demo most weeks.

[BlindLucky]

It only averaged a 0.2 for the 18-49 demo most weeks.

That's exactly what I mean. It just had all sorts of problems out of the gate, so to speak.

[firehorse]

I just started watching that last 2 episodes and was actually getting interested in it - maybe the first episodes were really bad, don't know, but I thought it was better than what I was reading here... oh well....

[Plenilune]

All right, my apologies. When I read a few articles earlier today they referred to the show being suspended.


http://news.yahoo.com/hbo-suspends-filming-horses-luck-drama-014510941.html

HBO suspends filming with horses on 'Luck' drama

"We are also insisting that this stoppage remain in full effect pending a complete, thorough, and comprehensive investigation," the American Humane Association said in a statement. It noted that the accident didn't occur during filming or racing."

http://www.newser.com/story/141752/third-horse-killed-in-luck.html

Third Horse Killed in Luck

Animal scenes suspended again in controversial HBO series

[Loveabull]

The show was complete crap. I watched it on Fast Forward.
The charaters were poopy. Gary had a moment of good acting, I mean a moment.
The character loosely based on Julio was a bad replica.
I imagine Jill Hennessy to be Melinda, and also poorly played. tho I love Jill HENNESY. but she still seems like Jordan from Jordan's Crossing.

Who cares about PETA.. heck I shout out a huge thank you to them if they are behind the cancellation.
I hate peta, BUT this show just plain sucked!

[second_glance]

HBO has CANCELLED (not suspended) production of the show.

That's a recent development. Originally they just suspended filming with horses involved.

[second_glance]

Jerry Bossert on the fragility of horses -- the cancellation of Luck, the fatalities at AQU, and the injury to Animal Kingdom.

Some interesting quotes from Motion and Gretchen Jackson (neither of whom cared for the series, BTW).

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/mo...sEnabled=false

[second_glance]

Interesting tweet from Randy Moss (who does both NFL and horse racing) about comments from a NFL exec: "NFL guy was incredulous that SA wouldn't be ballistic that sport was portrayed as nothing but Mafia types, down & out gamblers."

I remember several years ago ESPN produced a dramatic series about a fictional NFL team -- with all the problems one read about in the press at the time. IIRC, only a few episodes aired before the NFL killed it dead.

[gravano]

I wonder if the NFL put a bounty on that show's producers.

[second_glance]

I wonder if the NFL put a bounty on that show's producers.

Ha!

[second_glance]

And maybe it's all about cultural perspective -- this is from Graham Cunningham, racing TV broadcaster in the UK and freelance writer: "5 horses killed in action in 2 days at the Cheltenham festival. It's a hard trade off but one millions buy into in uk and ire"

[The Tin Man]

This is unfortunate ... Just as the show was getting much better, it's gone ...

In the bigger picture, this should really scare off any future production of movies/shows representing this sport we love so much ...

As an aside ... We finally got the names of the 1st two horses who died in the filming ...

They were Outlaw Yodeler and Marc's Shadow ... I wasn't familiar with either one of them, but now that they're public ... at least appreciation for their sacrficies can be individualized to them now. May they rest in peace.

http://equibase.com/premium/eqbHorse...862&registry=T

http://equibase.com/premium/eqbHorse...265&registry=T

[Kurenai]

Whoah, really? Because of a freak accident they cancel the show? I liked it a lot. But even if I would have hated it, that is... ridiculous.

[second_glance]

Highly recommended reading:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mauree...56.html?ref=tw

[Catalina]

Whoah, really? Because of a freak accident they cancel the show? I liked it a lot. But even if I would have hated it, that is... ridiculous.

So it is. But there's no convincing some people that flipping over and incurring such injuries IS a freak accident.