List of entertainment affected by the September 11 attacks

September 11 attacks media impact
Industry	Film and television
Area served	United States

Films

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, numerous movies in various stages of production were either modified or cancelled, largely to update their content, honor the victims, and minimize distress among viewers. Around 45 films experienced delays or alterations.

Removal of the World Trade Center

Spider-Man (2002) – Sony withdrew teaser trailers and posters that depicted Spider-Man near the Twin Towers. The film excised most WTC footage, although some clips remain accessible on Sony’s stock footage platform. Two new scenes were added after the attacks: one featuring New Yorkers confronting the Green Goblin with patriotic remarks, and another showing Spider-Man hanging from an American flagpole. Additionally, the Spider-Man trailer was omitted from the home video release of A Knight's Tale.
Zoolander (2001) – The World Trade Center was digitally erased from skyline shots for its theatrical release shortly after 9/11 but was reinstated in the 2016 Blu-ray version.
Don't Say a Word (2001) – Released soon after the attacks, scenes showing the towers were either cut or replaced, including some early sequences set in Brooklyn.
Men in Black II (2002) – The original climax set at the World Trade Center was relocated to the Statue of Liberty.
Changing Lanes (2002) – Director Roger Michell digitally removed the towers from the opening credits but later expressed regret over this decision.
Mr. Deeds (2002) – Some skyline shots retained partial views of the WTC, while others had the towers digitally eliminated.
Stuart Little 2 (2002) – Images featuring the World Trade Center were digitally removed.
Serendipity (2001) – Scenes containing shots of the towers were excised.
Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) – Visuals including the WTC were cut before release.
People I Know (2002) – Scenes with the towers were deleted from the final version but are included in DVD deleted scenes.
Armageddon (1998) – Television versions edited out a sequence depicting meteors striking the WTC.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) – A scene atop the towers was removed on some TV broadcasts but restored by 2018.

Additional modifications related to September 11

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (2002 re-release) – The line "You're not going as a terrorist" was changed to "You're not going as a hippie."
Meet the Parents (2000, ABC Family) – A scene where Greg mentions a bomb on an airplane was cut.
Spy Game (2001) – The intensity of smoke after a bombing scene was toned down to avoid resemblance to WTC debris.
The Time Machine (2002) – A scene featuring falling debris hitting a building was altered due to its similarity to actual events.
Lilo & Stitch (2002) – A hijacking sequence involving a Boeing 747 was replaced with a spaceship chase; this original scene is available on the special edition DVD.
An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000) – A fire rescue scene was edited post-9/11 for sensitivity reasons but remains intact on Disney+.
The Bourne Identity (2002) – Extensive reshoots addressed concerns about CIA representation; these changes are explained in detail on the special edition DVD.
The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2002) – A scene portraying people falling from a building was modified to avoid direct references to the World Trade Center.
Fox delayed airings of The X-Files and Independence Day during September 2001, substituting them with lighter programming; ABC also pulled The Peacemaker from its schedule.
Die Another Day (2002) – The originally planned Manhattan satellite attack ending was relocated to the Korean Demilitarized Zone following 9/11.
The Incredibles (2004) – An early sequence showing Mr. Incredible causing structural damage was replaced with a rescue scene to avoid parallels with the collapse of the Twin Towers.
Monsters, Inc. (2001) – A scene depicting destruction at a sushi restaurant was changed into a quarantine scenario; this is discussed in Blu-ray bonus materials.
Sidewalks of New York (2001) – Promotional materials removed images of the WTC, although it remained visible within the film itself.

Delayed releases

View from the Top (2003) – Initially planned for a Christmas 2001 debut, its release was postponed until March 21, 2003, owing to the storyline centered on a flight attendant traveling across multiple flights.
Collateral Damage (2002) – Originally set for October 5, 2001, the premiere was deferred by four months because of its plot involving a terrorist bombing in Los Angeles. The film's box office results were disappointing, likely influenced by heightened public sensitivity after the attacks.
Training Day (2001) – Release shifted from September 21 to October 5, 2001.
The Time Machine (2002) – Postponed three months from its December 2001 schedule due to the removal of a scene depicting a meteor shower obliterating New York City.
Big Trouble (2002) – Delayed seven months from its original September 21 launch date because it involved a storyline about smuggling a nuclear device on an airplane.
Bad Company (2002) – Moved from its planned December 25, 2001 release as its narrative revolved around a bomb threat at Grand Central Terminal.
Gangs of New York (2002) – Set for Christmas 2001 but postponed by an entire year due to the events of September 11.
Deuces Wild (2002) – Delayed from September 2001 owing to violent themes connected to New York; eventually released in May 2002.
Buffalo Soldiers (2003) – Although it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2001, its general release was deferred for two years because of war-related themes.
Windtalkers (2002) – Scheduled for Christmas 2001 but postponed until June 2002; underwent re-editing to reduce violent war content.
Hart's War (2002) – Planned for December 2001 but delayed until February 2002 due to its war-related subject matter.

Films cancelled

A Jackie Chan project titled Nosebleed, focusing on a window cleaner at the WTC who prevents a terrorist attack, was slated to begin filming on September 11, 2001. However, according to Snopes, the film was likely abandoned well before that date due to common industry development challenges.
After the attacks, James Cameron abandoned plans for a sequel to True Lies, explaining that "terrorism is no longer something to be taken lightly".
A follow-up to Forrest Gump was also dropped; writer Eric Roth, director Robert Zemeckis, and lead actor Tom Hanks concurred that the story felt "meaningless" in the post-9/11 context.
Peter Berg was attached to helm Truck 44, a heist movie about FDNY firefighters unintentionally igniting a fire during a robbery, under Fox 2000 Pictures. The project was shelved following the attacks, though Berg later sought to revive it at Radar Pictures by shifting the setting to Miami.
Columbia Pictures had plans for Tick Tock, an action thriller starring Jennifer Lopez as an FBI agent investigating a serial bomber targeting Los Angeles malls during Christmas. Production was slated for January 2002 but was cancelled due to its sensitive theme.

Unaltered Films

A number of movies released following the events of 9/11 retained footage of the World Trade Center (WTC), either as a form of homage or because their production schedules prevented changes:

Vanilla Sky (2001) – Despite producers urging removal, director Cameron Crowe preserved shots of the towers in the final version, considering it a tribute.
Donnie Darko (2001) – Contains scenes involving falling airplane debris; its somber tone may have impacted initial box office results, though it later achieved cult classic status.
Delivering Milo (2001) – Features views of the WTC from Ellis Island during a boat journey.
Crazy Little Thing (2002) – Includes imagery of the WTC.
Spider-Man – Once Upon a Time The Super Heroes! (2001 documentary) – Maintained a shot of the towers as an homage, unchanged in the 2002 DVD edition.
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) – Released just before 9/11, it includes a future scene depicting a damaged WTC, which was kept for home video distribution.
Death to Smoochy (2002) – Displays the North Tower in footage shot prior to 9/11; Danny DeVito confirmed this inclusion was deliberate.
City by the Sea (2002) – Presents unaltered scenes featuring the WTC.
Gangs of New York (2002) – Concludes with a New York skyline showcasing the Twin Towers; although filmmakers considered removing or modifying this pre-9/11 footage, they ultimately left it intact.
Rush Hour 2 (2001) – Several sequences involving an explosion at the U.S. Consulate General remained unedited for video release.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) – Filmed after 9/11, it depicts an alternate 2003 that includes the Twin Towers due to use of pre-attack backgrounds; this detail later sparked viral discussions.

These decisions illustrate diverse approaches aimed at balancing reverence, production realities, and storytelling impact in films released after 9/11.

News Coverage

The September 11 attacks triggered the longest continuous news broadcast in U.S. television history, with major networks providing nonstop coverage for 93 hours. From the instant the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, all standard programming and commercials were suspended as networks dedicated themselves exclusively to news reporting. Nielsen estimated that over 80 million Americans tuned into evening news that night, while global audiences reached approximately two billion.

This marked the first occasion since President Kennedy’s assassination that networks indefinitely halted advertisements and entertainment shows, underscoring the seriousness of live coverage amid widespread devastation. Throughout that week, evening news viewership nearly doubled, with American adults averaging eight hours of television daily. To handle ongoing updates, many broadcasters introduced continuous news tickers, which became a permanent feature.

In the immediate days following, networks endeavored to deliver accurate information but sometimes broadcast incorrect reports. For instance, CNN erroneously reported a fire on the National Mall and a car bomb near the State Department, along with airing a witness statement claiming a helicopter—not a plane—struck the Pentagon. Comparable inaccuracies appeared across other channels during this period.

Responses from Different Networks

The primary local television stations in New York City covered the World Trade Center attacks mainly through cable systems, as their broadcast equipment on the WTC was destroyed and six engineers from these stations lost their lives.
WCBS-TV and WXTV continued to transmit over-the-air signals using their antennas located on the Empire State Building.
Certain cable channels interrupted their usual programming to simulcast news from affiliated networks; for instance, Viacom’s VH1 and MTV relayed CBS news, while Disney’s ESPN and ESPN2 broadcasted ABC's coverage.
Other channels, especially those aimed at children like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, maintained their regular schedules. Networks such as Food Network, HGTV, along with shopping channels QVC and HSN, temporarily halted programming to display messages of condolence.
In Brazil, Rede Globo aired a special edition of its midday newscast, Jornal Hoje, followed by periodic updates before returning to normal programming. The evening newscast, Jornal Nacional, broadcast at 8:15 p.m., became the most-watched program of the year with a 74% viewership share. Anchored by William Bonner and Fátima Bernardes with correspondents reporting from New York, Washington DC, London, and Beirut, the broadcast received critical praise. Correspondent Jorge Pontual’s frontline coverage was especially lauded. This edition was later nominated for the 30th International Emmy Awards in October 2002.

Visual Content Guidelines

Following the attacks, First Lady Laura Bush advised caution regarding children's exposure to distressing visuals, recommending that parents limit television viewing and engage in comforting activities with their children.

Impact on Programming

The tragedy had a direct impact on television production, including the loss of David Angell, co-creator and co-executive producer of NBC's Frasier, who perished aboard American Airlines Flight 11.

The rollout of the 2001–2002 U.S. TV season was postponed due to ongoing news coverage, delaying premieres such as NBC's Crossing Jordan. Late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show and Late Show with David Letterman temporarily suspended broadcasts; when they resumed, hosts delivered emotionally charged episodes addressing the events. This delay was one of four significant season postponements caused by external factors, alongside strikes in 1988–89, 2023–24, and the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020–21.

Several television series incorporated themes related to the attacks into their storylines. The West Wing and Third Watch produced dedicated episodes; Law & Order and its spinoffs began with tributes. Programs such as JAG and Third Watch modified plots to reflect post-attack realities. The eighth season premiere of NBC's Friends was devoted to New York City. HBO’s The Sopranos adopted a darker tone and removed the Twin Towers from its opening sequence; similarly, Sex and the City eliminated the towers from its title visuals. The spy drama Alias introduced terrorism-related themes and references to the newly established Department of Homeland Security.

On September 17, 2001, during an episode of Politically Incorrect, host Bill Maher's guest Dinesh D'Souza controversially described the terrorists as warriors rather than cowards; Maher concurred, which led to widespread backlash. The show was canceled in June 2002 amid declining viewership and advertiser withdrawal, although ABC denied that controversy was a factor.

Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, narrowly escaped tragedy by missing Flight 11 due to intoxication the night before.

Postponed or Cancelled Entertainment Award Ceremonies

The 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, initially scheduled for September 16, experienced two postponements due to the commencement of the Afghanistan bombing campaign. Ultimately, the ceremony took place on November 4 at the smaller Shubert Theatre rather than the originally planned Shrine Auditorium. The 2006 drama series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip fictionalized this period by incorporating Emmy nominations linked to these events.
The 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, which were set for September 11, were cancelled immediately following the attacks. After unsuccessful efforts to reschedule, winners were revealed during a press conference held on October 30 at the Conga Room. This cancellation incurred losses estimated around $2 million. Several winners were later honored at the 44th Grammy Awards, and the incident influenced the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to host the 2003 Grammy Awards in New York City as a symbolic act of recovery.

Speculation arose regarding a possible postponement or cancellation of the 74th Academy Awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but president Frank Pierson publicly refuted these rumors, asserting that cancelling would equate to allowing "the terrorists to win." The event proceeded on March 24, 2002, under increased security measures and a more somber atmosphere, featuring multiple acknowledgments of the attacks throughout the broadcast. In 2006, this ceremony was designated as a National Special Security Event by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

September 11's enduring influence on entertainment was evident in several ways; for instance, the 2003 Grammy Awards shifted venue from Staples Center to Madison Square Garden, and Blockbuster Entertainment permanently ceased their awards show following repeated Emmy postponements.

Additional Modifications

Thirteen of the initial thirty episodes of Power Rangers Time Force underwent edits post-9/11 to eliminate scenes reminiscent of the attacks.
The Absolutely Fabulous episode titled "Paris" had a joke about the Taliban removed from its original September 14, 2001 airing but reinstated in home video releases and streaming platforms.
CBS postponed the second episode of The Amazing Race from September 12 to September 19 to accommodate extensive 9/11 news coverage. Host Phil Keoghan initially doubted continuation, yet casting director Lynne Spillman and producer Ghen Maynard viewed it as a tribute to global travel and culture. Location scouting for Season 2 halted in September 2001, delaying filming from November 2001 until January 2002.
The premiere of Survivors third season was postponed until October 11. Additionally, plans to film Season Four in Jordan were abandoned due to regional instability despite prior approval from King Abdullah II; instead, production moved to the Marquesas Islands.
The 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode "Alive N' Chicken" was withdrawn because it contained a scene with a flying device crashing. It remained unavailable until June 2020 when the series debuted on Disney+.
In Friends, a honeymoon flight scene was rewritten after Chandler's joke about an airport bombing. A "Dedicated to the People of New York City" message was added following 9/11, and characters wore apparel representing NYPD and FDNY in subsequent episodes.
Starting with season four, The Sopranos replaced images of the Twin Towers in its opening credits.
PBS’s Sesame Street rapidly introduced episodes focusing on fire safety and combating xenophobia after the attacks.
The syndicated episode "Get Outta Dodge" from Married... with Children was pulled due to a scene featuring Arabs with a ticking bomb at Al Bundy's home.
Shots of the World Trade Center were removed from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit third season opening credits.
Beginning September 29, 2001, Saturday Night Live altered its opening montage by removing Twin Towers imagery and adding an American flag.
The The Simpsons episode "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" was temporarily withdrawn from syndication because of its World Trade Center setting; it returned in 2006.
Following 9/11, Family Guy cut a scene featuring Osama bin Laden; an episode originally slated for September 12, 2001 aired instead on September 19.
While Frasier did not directly address September 11, later episodes prominently displayed an American flag.
Episodes of King of the Hill depicting explosions were temporarily removed during September but resumed broadcast in October 2001.
The SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Just One Bite" had a gas-and-match gag removed after its initial airing; this decision was confirmed as network-driven and unrelated to sensitivity concerning 9/11.
In the U.S., Invader Zim delayed and edited its episode "Door to Door" to exclude scenes showing burning cities; uncut versions aired internationally.
After September 11, Malcolm in the Middle re-shot a subplot involving a mad bomber with a less controversial storyline.
The Only Fools and Horses episode "The Sky's The Limit" was temporarily removed due to a plane crash scene near Nelson Mandela House.
During production of season two of Lizzie McGuire, crew members affixed an American flag sticker onto the clapperboard as a tribute.
Following 9/11, Sex and the City replaced images of the Twin Towers with those of the Empire State Building in its opening credits.
The animated series The Zeta Project nearly faced cancellation after its first season; however, season two proceeded only after removing references to "terrorist" themes and adopting a lighter tone.

Unaffected broadcasts

The Game Show Network aired reruns of Wheel of Fortune that prominently displayed the Twin Towers, especially during the nighttime opening sequence.

Music and radio

Following the attacks, U.S. radio program directors modified their playlists to increase airplay of patriotic anthems such as Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" and Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" from Super Bowl XXV. Conversely, tracks like U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday", Drowning Pool's "Bodies", and Dave Matthews Band's "Crash Into Me" were removed from rotation. Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia) attracted attention for circulating a list of 150 sensitive songs to avoid, which included all songs by Rage Against the Machine.
The September 15–16 weekend recording of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! was canceled.
On September 11, 2001, Christian rap metal group P.O.D. released Satellite; its lead single "Alive" became notable for its uplifting message in the aftermath. In contrast, sales in the nu metal and rap metal genres declined over the following years.
Thrash metal band Slayer issued God Hates Us All on September 11, with its title and themes unintentionally resonating with the tragedy.
Jimmy Eat World altered their July 2001 album title from Bleed American to Jimmy Eat World and renamed the track "Bleed American" as "Salt Sweat Sugar" due to sensitivity issues; both original titles were restored in a 2008 deluxe edition.
The cover art for Dream Theater's live album Live Scenes from New York, released on September 11, initially depicted New York City engulfed in flames; this version was withdrawn and replaced with new artwork. Later, the band paid tribute to victims through the song "Sacrificed Sons" on Octavarium and produced the charity compilation 4NYC. Additionally, they retitled a track from Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence from "Conflict at Ground Zero" to "The Great Debate" to avoid direct references to the attack site.
British rock band Bush switched their lead single from Golden State from "Speed Kills" to "The People That We Love" and replaced album artwork featuring a commercial airliner.
Beginning September 12, the San Francisco Symphony continued scheduled performances of Mahler's 6th Symphony; their recording later earned the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance.
Due to concerns about traveling after the attacks, Janet Jackson postponed a Tampa concert and canceled her European tour dates.
DJ Khaled ceased using his tagline "DJ Khaled - The Arab Attack" to avoid causing offense to victims.
The U.S. launch of The Strokes' debut album Is This It was postponed and modified by removing the song "New York City Cops" and adding "When It Started."
Alternative group Enon experienced delays releasing their second studio album after their label folded post-9/11; they subsequently signed with Touch and Go Records and issued an instrumental album in late 2001 as an interim release.
Hip-hop collective The Coup postponed their album Party Music from September to November, altering cover art that originally depicted bombing the World Trade Center.
London's concluding night of the BBC Proms on September 15 was significantly subdued, with pieces such as John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine removed from the program.
Welsh band Feeder replaced their music video for "Piece by Piece," eliminating visuals of New York skyscrapers and airplanes in favor of scenes filmed at an English train station.
Sean Altman's a cappella rendition of "Zombie Jamboree" modified lyrics referencing the World Trade Center to address sensitivity concerns.

Theme parks

The Walt Disney World attraction The Timekeeper, a 360-degree film showcasing a panoramic view of New York City including the Twin Towers, ceased operation on September 11, 2001. Prior to this, it had been updated to reflect the year 2000, removing any mention of the World Trade Center. The ride ultimately closed five years afterward.

Sports

Numerous prominent North American sporting events were either postponed or canceled:

National Football League (NFL): The games scheduled for Week 2 (September 16–17) were deferred and rescheduled for early January 2002, resulting in the playoffs and Super Bowl being held in February for the first time.
Major League Baseball (MLB): Commissioner Bud Selig suspended games for several days, postponing all contests through September 16. The New York Mets’ home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates was relocated to Pittsburgh, with the Mets designated as the home team. The postseason commenced on October 9, making the 2001 World Series the first in history to extend into November. This represented MLB’s third disruption due to national security concerns or wartime conditions.
All Minor League Baseball championship series were canceled; titles or co-championships were awarded to leading teams.
Major League Soccer (MLS): The final two weeks of the 2001 regular season were canceled; however, playoffs continued as planned from September 20 through October 21.
The concluding three matches of the 2001 Women's U.S. Cup, including fixtures involving the United States women's national soccer team, were canceled.
NCAA Division I college football games scheduled for September 13 and 15 were called off.
USA Cycling canceled the BMC Software Tour of Houston, an important event on that year’s Pro Cycling Tour.
The world Middleweight boxing championship fight between Félix Trinidad and Bernard Hopkins at Madison Square Garden was postponed from September 15 to September 29; additionally, a wrestling event at the same venue was canceled.

Events that experienced delays included:

UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup matches planned for September 12–13 were postponed to later dates; however, games held on September 11 proceeded with moments of silence and players wearing black armbands.
World Wrestling Entertainment (then World Wrestling Federation) rescheduled a SmackDown! taping from September 11 to September 13 in Houston, marking the first major public gathering after the attacks.
NASCAR delayed the 2001 New Hampshire 300 from September 16 to November 23; several race cars featured liveries adorned with American flags.

Events that continued as scheduled:

The 2001 American Memorial CART race at EuroSpeedway Lausitz took place four days after the attacks; it was renamed from "German 500" but was not postponed.
Formula One’s governing body confirmed that the 2001 Italian Grand Prix would proceed as planned. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo emphasized maintaining normal operations while showing respect for the tragedy. Podium celebrations and pre-race ceremonies were canceled; Ferrari and other teams modified their car liveries as a tribute. Michael Schumacher later expressed hesitation about competing so soon after the events.

Video games

The launch of the major title Grand Theft Auto III was postponed by nearly a month to implement last-minute modifications related to its setting in a city loosely inspired by New York City. Development was also influenced by Rockstar's closeness to Ground Zero. The police car color scheme was changed from blue-and-white (reminiscent of the New York City Police Department) to black-and-white (similar to the Los Angeles Police Department). Additional changes involved adjusting an AI-controlled airplane's flight path near skyscrapers and removing certain pedestrian conversations and talk radio segments.
Prior to release, the cover art for Syphon Filter 3 was altered, replacing an aggressive image featuring the American flag with a more neutral headshot of the main characters.
Activision postponed Spider-Man 2: Enter: Electro to eliminate references to the Twin Towers and the events of 9/11.
One month before release, Neversoft modified the airport level in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, substituting terrorists involved in a bombing plot with pickpockets and renaming objectives for sensitivity reasons.
An art designer for PlayStation 2's Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies removed buildings from promotional images that resembled smoke plumes from the Twin Towers collapse. Additionally, Namco halted a Japanese television commercial for the game.
The release of Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem was delayed to remove a Templar Knight character and Arabic script textures.
Due to political sensitivities following the attacks, Metal Wolf Chaos remained exclusive to Japan but was globally re-released as Metal Wolf Chaos XD in 2019.
Released shortly after the attacks, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty cut scenes showing destruction of the Statue of Liberty and parts of Manhattan and removed dialogue referencing terrorist threats targeting Manhattan.
The Game Boy Advance title Advance Wars experienced delays in Europe, Japan, and Australia after its North American launch, arriving in Australia in 2001, Europe in 2002, and Japan in 2004.
The Dreamcast game Propeller Arena, focused on aerial dogfighting over cityscapes, was completed but canceled prior to its planned September 19, 2001 release date.
The Xbox launch game Project Gotham Racing originally displayed the World Trade Center on its cover art, which was modified following the attacks before release.
Initially named Ozzy's Black Skies, a licensed title linked to musician Ozzy Osbourne, the PlayStation 2 game was renamed Savage Skies due to post-attack sensitivities regarding its premise and licensing costs; it debuted in 2002. Osbourne later included "Black Skies" as a bonus track on his single "Dreamer."
During development, Half-Life 2 removed a scene depicting an airplane crashing into a high-rise apartment building following the attacks.

Other

A 1979 advertisement for Pakistan International Airlines, published in French magazines, showed a jetliner's shadow cast onto the Twin Towers. Rediscovered after the attacks, it attracted attention due to this imagery and because Osama bin Laden was later found and killed in Pakistan in 2011.
Issue No. 411 of Mad had to replace its original cover—a joke featuring mascot Alfred E. Neuman jogging into a downtown Manhattan crime scene—due to insensitivity after September 11. The substitute cover depicted a close-up of Neuman's face with an American flag filling his tooth gap.
The 2001 Boshears Skyfest was canceled because airspace restrictions were imposed following the attacks.
Performances on Broadway theatre were suspended until September 13, 2001, when shows resumed with dimmed theater marquees.
In 2001, Toys "R" Us at Times Square released an exclusive Barbie doll; initial packaging showed the Twin Towers but was revised post-attacks to omit them.
After negative reactions due to villain Vitriol's description referencing an attack on the World Trade Center, Mattel censored packaging for its Max Steel toyline. Packaging for other figures such as Max Steel and Psycho was also altered, and a toy helicopter was withdrawn from U.S. stores.
Comedian George Carlin extensively revised and retitled his 17th album and HBO stand-up special, originally called I Kinda Like It When a Lot of People Die, renaming it Complaints and Grievances.

References