The Real Reasons Why Networks Canceled Shows People Liked Watching

Multiple Horse Deaths Stopped Dustin Hoffman’s Luck

Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The 2011 HBO series Luck starred Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, and Nick Nolte. It centered around a horse racing track. While filming the show’s second season, some questionable practices involving the animals were brought to the media’s attention. Three horses reportedly died during filming.

PETA and other animal rights groups lashed out at HBO for mistreating animals on set, and the network canceled the program, despite claiming they “maintained the highest safety standards throughout production.” Hoffman later defended the show and said during an interview that information about the horses was “distorted” by PETA and the media website TMZ.