Producers To Change Violence Policy
SOURCE
Shed Media, who produces the show along with the VH1 network, who airs it, addressed criticisms that the show promotes bullying and insisted that cast mates will now be encouraged to resolve their issues in a "non-violent" way throughout the next season.
"Shed Media US is fully committed to telling the compelling stories of the Basketball Wives in a balanced way. Our producing partner Shaunie O'Neal feels strongly about this, and we fully agree with this stance. We support her as she encourages the cast members to work out issues in a non-violent fashion. We look forward to working with her and the rest of the cast on conveying more balance in the next season," a Shed Media statement read.
VH1 echoed Shed Media's statement and said that the network condemns violence, despite various critics' assertions that it actually promotes it.
"Our viewers' opinions always matter a great deal to us at VH1. Lately, there has been a lot of conversation about Basketball Wives, a series featuring strong, intelligent women with very passionate viewpoints, which can sometimes escalate," the statement read.
"We at VH1 agree with and support Shaunie and the show producers' "no excessive physical confrontations" policy on the series moving forward. We are all committed to balancing the candid, bold excitement that the viewers have come to love in the series with storylines and representations they can be proud of. Shaunie has been a strong advocate for a more balanced approach to the show and we, along with our producing partners at Shed Media, are all in agreement about moving forward with that goal," it added.
