[Interesting that the network cancelled the show because the host dared to mention Hitler, not because he shot an elephant twice in the face and then celebrated its death over champagne… Why he thinks we only care about elephants and not the hunting of ducks, deer, rabbits, etc. is beyond me. Not all anti-hunters are “animal racists,” as he put it, or species favoritists, as I call it. Many of us don’t want to see the hunting of any non-human animals.]
September 29, 2013 1:41 PM EDT ››› SOPHIA TESFAYE
NBC Sports Network has announced that it has canceled the hunting show Under Wild Skies after host Tony Makris compared critics to Hitler.
Controversy began after the show aired an episode in which an elephant was shot in the face twice by host Makris. Makris, who has longstanding ties to the NRA, celebrated the killing of the elephant with a bottle of champagne.
Following days of outrage and a petition calling for NBC to cancel the show, Makris took to NRA News on September 26 to respond to critics by claiming they advocated for a form of “animal racism.” Makris said the following about critics who argued that elephants not be targeted:
MAKRIS: The nice ones will come up and go, you shoot elephant? Why? And I said well, the short answer is because hungry people eat them and because I’m a hunter. You know, I’m not an elephant hunter. I’m a hunter. I hunt all things. And they go, well nobody should shoot an elephant. I said, why? And they go they’re so big and kind and gentle and smart and I said, okay, let me ask you a question. Should I be able to shoot birds? Well, I guess that’s okay. Ducks? Yeah. Pigeons? Oh, they’re flying rats, okay. Rabbits? Well rabbits are cute. But yea. Squirrels? That’s nothing but a rat with a tail — with a fuzzy tail. And I said, well deer eat all my mother’s roses in Long Island and I go– so I can shoot all of those, but not an elephant? No. Do you realize that if you subscribe to that philosophy you are committing a very unique form of animal racism?
CAM EDWARDS, HOST: [laughter]
MAKRIS: And now they’re shocked. And they said but they’re so big and special and they’re smarter. And I went, you know, Hitler would have said the same thing.
On September 28, NBC Sports Network announced in a statement to Deadspin that Under Wild Skies has been canceled due to Makris’ comments:
Under Wild Skies will no longer air on NBC Sports Sports Network due to the program’s close association with its host, whose recent comments comparing his critics to Hitler are outrageous and unacceptable. NBCSN will continue to air all of our other quality outdoor programming.
Exposing the Big Game 
..V.I.C.T.O.R.Y..
..may all the precious creatures murdered by this piece of soulless dreck rest softly in paradise…
How in fucks name would a show about shooting elephants even get made in the first place?
My question exactly!
That’s what I was wondering, Rory.
Wow his comment really show how stupid he really is.. Wow…
the fact that this show was taken off the air because the guy compared his critics to Hitler and not because it is a show promoting hunting is very disappointing.
but at least it is off the air
That’s also what I was struck by. Apparently you can cruelly kill endangered animals for fun and that’s OK. But God-forbid you say something politically incorrect like comparing another person to Hitler, that’s just over-the-top! Such is the mindset of the limousine liberals running the media.
Does anybody who regularly visits this website disagree, in theory, with the notion that the planet would be best served if this turd Makris were to disappear, I mean in the Soprano’s sense?
I’m sure you won’t hear any argument here.
The lesson this person will take with them is not to rethink their outlook on life and to consider the lives of non-humans as more than just ego-fuel, but to not compare [compassionate] people to long dead dictators.
This is the type of thinking we animal advocates are up against every.single.day. Face Palm!
The type of insanity, you mean.
yes
I think this quote aligns nicely to our beliefs that animals should have rights, no?
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/the-trouble-with-bertrand-russell/
The gestation period of an elephant is 2 years!!!
ARGH!
I cannot even begin to understand why ANYONE would want to shoot these beautiful animals or any animals, large or small, for that matter.
This guy Makris is an Ass Clown!
Makris is a moron clueless murderer who gets his kicks out of killing innocent creatures!!!
I’d never heard of him until now, but I definitely agree with you.
Thank you to all who spoke up against this abhorrent programme. Whatever the reason, it will not be shown. We must be the voice for the voiceless!
That’s right!
…well said…
I bet Hitler is is screaming and stomping and his feet from the other side, yelling no no no I’m not associate with people that are doing good ,I am associated with the hunter who dose the killing you dumb asses !!! How dare you to ruin my reputation !!!!!
Yep
Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog.