On Sunday morning, TMZ posted footage of the fatal car crash that killed comedian James McNair and critically injured Tracy Morgan and two other passengers. The video, which appears to have been taken on a cell phone, shows several people pulling comedian Ardie Fuqua from the wreckage. Because of its sensational and insensitive nature, Louis C.K. is now asking TMZ to remove the clip.
Fuqua's daughter, Krizya Fuqua, posted an Instagram asking the gossip-news site to remove the video. "This is hurting my heart so that this video is posted for all to see," she wrote. "No one should see my father this way." Once he saw the post, C.K. sent a series of tweets, asking his followers not to even visit the TMZ site, but to join him in the petition to get rid of the footage. Now, Judd Apatow, Neal Brennan, and Dax Shepard have all aired their grievances with TMZ as well.
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The crash footage does have the potential to be helpful — perhaps it could help authorities and the medical team to better understand the details of the incident. But, using it as a news item for shock value feels inappropriate.
Maybe if enough celebrities and social-media influencers sound off on the issue, TMZ will consider taking it down. Until then, C.K. offers the best way for you to help remove the video: Don't watch it.
Please don't go to TMZ to watch the video. Please ask them to take it down. @TMZ
— Louis C.K. (@louisck) June 12, 2014(Vulture)