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'Heathers' reboot starring Philly-area actress put off after Florida school shootings

The series from Paramount Network (formerly Spike), stars Mount St. Joseph grad Melanie Field as the lead "Heather," who becomes a target for elimination by a fellow student.

Melanie Field (left),  Brendan Scannell,  and Jasmine Mathews in a scene from “Heathers.”  Paramount Network says it will delay airing a television reboot of “Heathers” following the Florida high school shooting that left 17 dead. Paramount says in a Wednesday statement that it will not air the show until later this year “out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones.”
Melanie Field (left), Brendan Scannell, and Jasmine Mathews in a scene from “Heathers.” Paramount Network says it will delay airing a television reboot of “Heathers” following the Florida high school shooting that left 17 dead. Paramount says in a Wednesday statement that it will not air the show until later this year “out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones.”Read moreMichael Yarish/Paramount Network via AP

Heathers, a new TV series based on the '80s cult favorite about homicide in high school, won't be making its debut next week, after all.

In the wake of the Feb. 14 shootings that claimed the lives of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., the Paramount Network — formerly known as Spike — has decided to put off the March 7 premiere. The show stars Mount St. Joseph Academy graduate Melanie Field as the lead Heather, who's targeted for death by one of her fellow students in the show's pilot. The episode also featured a cameo by Shannen Doherty, who played one of the original Heathers.

Field's character is described in promotional materials as "the unconventional leader of [a] popular high school clique [who] rules Westerburgh High through fear, intimidation and an amazing fashion sense."

I've seen the pilot, and I can't imagine what took the network so long to play its part in what's become a numbing post-violence ritual of thoughts, prayers,  and TV postponements.

>> Read more: When TV shows clash with real-life violence

Here's the statement the network released Wednesday:

"Paramount Network's original series Heathers is a satirical comedy that takes creative risks in dealing with many of society's most challenging subjects ranging from personal identity to race and socio-economic status to gun violence. While we stand firmly behind the show, in light of the recent tragic events in Florida and out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones, we feel the right thing to do is delay the premiere until later this year."