TV apology over Bush 'severed head' (From Epsom Guardian)

TV apology over Bush 'severed head'

9:48pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

US broadcaster HBO and the producers of the drama series Game of Thrones have apologised for a scene that appeared to depict former American president George W Bush's severed head on a spike.

Producers Dan Weiss and David Benioff say they did not intentionally use the prosthetic head because it looked like Mr Bush, and added they meant no disrespect to him.

The scene was shown last year and included again in a DVD release this March, with little public notice.

However, a story about the image began circulating online this week - as HBO prepares to premiere a documentary on Mr Bush's father, fellow former president George HW Bush.

The prosthetic head was one of several on spikes in a scene where the character King Joffrey reveals to his fiancee the severed head of her father, whom he had judged disloyal.

The former US president's features on the prop were partially obscured by long hair and the picture flashes by quickly. But in a commentary included with the DVD, producers Dan Weiss and David Benioff pointed out the Bush head.

"We meant no disrespect to the former president and apologise if anything we said or did suggested otherwise," the producers said.

HBO, in a statement, said it was dismayed to learn about the Bush head: "We find it unacceptable, disrespectful and in very bad taste."