The US ancestry show Finding Your Roots has been indefinitely delayed after an episode featuring Ben Affleck was found to have violated network standards.
Earlier this year, leaked emails from the Sony hack revealed that the Oscar-winner had requested details of his ancestry be suppressed after it was discovered that his background included a history of slave-owning. After producers complied, it caused controversy and it now puts the show’s future at risk.
“PBS and WNET have determined that the series co-producers violated PBS standards by failing to shield the creative and editorial process from improper influence, and by failing to inform PBS or WNET of Mr Affleck’s efforts to affect program content,” broadcaster PBS said in a statement.
The third season has now been postponed and the decision over a fourth season is yet to be made. PBS stated that it needs to be “satisfied that the editorial standards of the series have been successfully raised to a level in which we can have confidence” before saying yes.
The public network has also requested that if the show does move forward, the makers will need to employ another fact-checker and an independent geneaologist. Additionally, the Ben Affleck episode will be removed from circulation.
After the details emerged of Affleck’s request, the star admitted that he was ashamed of what was discovered.
“I didn’t want any television show about my family to include a guy who owned slaves,” Affleck said in a statement posted to Facebook in April. “I was embarrassed. The very thought left a bad taste in my mouth.”
