Bad news has been rocking showbiz in recent months thanks to incidents ranging from behind-the-scenes struggles to actors passing away. Sadly, we now know that another figure in showbiz has died. Jim Burns, who co-created MTV's wildly popular series MTV Unplugged back in 1989, passed away this week after being struck by a taxi in New York City. He was 65 years old.
Jim Burns was afflicted by problems with his vision, and he was walking with his seeing-eye dog at the time of the accident. He was reportedly crossing Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with his dog when he was hit by a cab. The taxi turned onto Fifth Avenue and collided with Burns in what has been deemed an accident. The driver of the cab stayed at the scene. Burns was near his Upper East Side home when the terrible tragedy occurred, according to police.
The accident happened on Saturday, December 23 and resulted in a severe head injury. Associated Press reports that Jim Burns finally succumbed to his injuries and died on Tuesday, December 26. MTV has released a statement in the wake of Burns' death, sending thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones and commenting that his "groundbreaking work continues to resonate with audiences around the world." Unplugged was certainly a big part of pop culture for teens and young adults during its original run.
Unplugged debuted in 1989 as a show that featured some of the biggest musical artists in the world performing versions of their songs that were stripped down and acoustic. The setting was far more intimate than the huge concerts at which fans usually saw their favorites, and the show became quite popular. Artists including Mariah Carey, Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Jay-Z, and Bob Dylan all participated in the original run of the series. Take a look at Nirvana on MTV's Unplugged back in 1994!
MTV brought Unplugged back to the small screen earlier this year, although with some differences. Artists performed from different locations across the country that are significant to each individual artist. The series returned in September with a performance from Shawn Mendes. The return of Unplugged in 2017 guarantees that Jim Burns' legacy will live on. Our thoughts here at CinemaBlend are with Jim Burns' family and loved ones in this difficult time.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in TV news, and be sure to check out our midseason TV premiere guide for the shows that will hit and return to the airwaves in the new year. If streaming is more your style, our handy 2018 Netflix premiere schedule is the place for you.
