People are talking about this Bojack Horseman episode in light of the Las Vegas mass shooting

'Of course, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims'

Bojack Horseman’s fourth season was an astounding piece of television, touching on some very timely issues, including the election, online journalism, and mental health.

One of episode also dedicated itself to tackling gun control in America. Rather than point fingers at the NRA, though, the writers decided to lampoon Hollywood celebrities who give their “thoughts and prayers” to victims while marketing movies that glorify violence.

During the episode — appropriately titled “Thoughts and Prayers” — producer Lenny Turtletaub calls Princess Carolyn, revealing there’s been a mass shooting in a shopping mall.

The problem? Their movie, Ms. Taken — a spin-off from the Taken films that focusses on Liam Neeson’s niece — has an entire third act centred around a mall shoot-out.

“Everyone set a Google alert for mass shooting, we can’t keep getting caught off-guard like this,” says Turtletaub during a meeting.

“This is so sad,” chimes Courtney Portnoy, the actor leading Ms. Taken. “You always hear about mass shootings affecting other people’s movie openings, but you never think they’re going to affect your movie opening.” She adds as an afterthought: “Of course, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims.”

The whole room then gives their “thoughts and prayers” to the victims as an aside while continuing to discuss how to go about releasing the movie.

Since the mass shooting in Las Vegas over the weekend that left over 59 dead and 500 injured, numerous people have spoken out against those who just offer “thoughts and prayers” on social media without actually taking any action.

One person to have been widely talked about is late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who called upon congressmen to open up a debate about gun control. Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brian, and others also brought up gun control on their shows.

Perhaps the more stinging critique from Bojack — alongside pointing out how “thoughts and prayers” has become a go-to none-statement — is that Hollywood continues to glamorise gun violence. Should filmmakers be restricted from portraying heavy violence in certain lights? A huge issue Bojack masterfully portrays, although without offering an answer.