Italian broadcaster apologizes for editing gay scenes out of "How to Get Away with Murder"
Italian fans looking to check out "How to Get Away With Murder" got less than they bargained for when broadcaster Rai aired the hit show's first episode with some careful editing.
Rai came under fire after fans noticed the broadcast of the show's pilot episode had omitted a gay sex scene between two actors (Jack Falahee and Conrad Riamora) in a flashback. The episode had aired unedited last year on Sky Italia's pay-TV platform. Rai, on the other hand, is the country's top free TV broadcaster.
Not only fans were upset about the move, as folks behind the hit ABC show were quick to register their displeasure at the move. Creator Peter Nowalk tweeted the original scene as it was meant to be viewed.
Meanwhile, star Falahee tweeted one side-by-side comparison, stating solely: "Damn, this is crazy."
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes called on fans around the world to keep an eye out for similar cases of censorship.
Rai's official news Twitter feed responded, "True @shondarhimes. An integral version of the episode is scheduled to air tomorrow at 9 pm on @Rai2. #LoveisLove #htgawm."
Going a step further, Rai 2 director Ilaria Dallatana released a statement explaining that "there was no censorship, simply an excess of modesty" by an overzealous female editor who made the cuts without permission. Dallatana ordered the episode to be rebroadcast uncensored on Sunday evening in the same time slot.