Why Was 'Buckwild' Canceled? MTV Cancels Reality Show After Shain Gandee’s Death

MTV canceled the West Virginia reality show "Buckwild" Tuesday, eight days after one of its favorite characters died.

The cable channel didn’t cite Shain Gandee’s untimely death as the reason for the decision to cancel the show, but according to TMZ, MTV executives said they pulled the plug on the hit show in the middle of filming its second season.

“Buckwild,” like "Jersey Shore," follows in the line of MTV’s famous reality show “The Real World” which tapes young adults, night and day, for months at a time.

Unlike any of “The Real World’s” hip, urban locations, “Buckwild” was filmed in rural West Virginia. It’s been called a mix of “Jersey Shore” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.”

According to TMZ, MTV didn’t give the cast and crew of the show an official reason for the cancellation, but will be issuing a statement Wednesday morning.

Gandee, his uncle and a friend died last week from carbon monoxide poisoning after his Ford Bronco got stuck in the mud, jamming the exhaust pipe. He was just a mile from his home, but there was no cell phone reception and they could not call for help.

According to TMZ, other problems with “Buckwild” could have made the decision for MTV to cancel the show easier. Since its debut in January, two other cast members had been arrested: Salwa Amin for drug possession and Michael Burford for DUI.

Sources who spoke to the celebrity news site said four episodes from the second season had been taped but will not air. A special that was filmed two months ago is expected to air, however.

Gandee was only 21 when he died. MTV issued a statement promptly after his unexpected passing:

“We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident," the network said in a statement. "We are waiting for more information, but at this time, our main concern is for the Gandee family and their friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met, and we will miss him dearly."