In "Harrison Bergeron," how do Hazel and George react to their son's televised murder?

George and Hazel struggle to appreciate the dancing ballerinas that they are watching on the television and fail to comprehend their son's rebellious act. George, who is extremely intelligent, is forced to wear headphones that make loud noises every twenty seconds in order to interrupt his thoughts. George's wife, Hazel, can only think of things in short bursts, which means she cannot truly understand or comprehend the significance of her son on the television screen.

When Harrison's picture is initially shown on the screen, George recognizes his son but immediately forgets what he is watching after a loud sound goes off in his head. Harrison then enters the television studio and declares himself the emperor. He then strips away his massive handicaps and leaps into the air and kisses a ballerina. After Diana Moon Glampers kills Harrison, George walks back from the kitchen with a beer in his hand, and Hazel notices that he's been crying. Unfortunately, George cannot recall why he's been crying. When Hazel asks what caused him to cry, George responds by saying, "Something real sad on television" (Vonnegut, 6).

Because of the handicaps that George has, his reaction to his son's murder is brief, and because of Hazel's "low" intelligence and short attention span, hers is also underwhelming.  Their son, Harrison, has been gone for a long time, imprisoned by the Handicapper General and her thugs.  So when they see him on television, it is for the first time in months.  You would imagine immediate recognition, and joy at seeing him, but, George's recognition is blasted away by a loud sound in his head.  After Harrison is shot, George went "into the kitchen for a can of beer."  No reaction; the death was probably quickly erased by a loud "handicap" of a distraction in his ear; in the brief span of the story, these handicaps have already happened multiple times, and we realize that George can barely think straight at all, about anything.  That includes his son.  So, his reaction?  Nothing, because the handicap that he has assures he can't dwell on anything or remember it for too long.

Hazel has a more physical reaction; she starts crying.  She is, momentarily, deeply distressed by what has occurred, but,  because of her level of intelligence and memory, she quickly forgets what happened.  Her husband sees the tears and asks what is wrong, but she can't remember.  The closest she gets is remembering that "something real sad on television."

In the Bergeron's society, handicaps assure that no one ever feels anything negative--sadness, grief, misery, jealousy, or low self-esteem.  So, when Harrison is gunned down in front of them on television, his own parents feel only a momentary pain before forgetting.  I hope that those thoughts help; good luck!

How do George and Hazel react to their son Harrison Bergeron's televised murder?

George and Hazel show an unnatural lack of concern regarding the televised murder of their son.

Because of his handicap, George is prevented from experiencing any emotions that are considered subversive in the dystopian world he lives in. In this world, all those who are considered of above average intelligence and beauty are required to wear "handicaps" to prevent them from taking undue advantage of these attributes. George is required to wear a mental handicap radio that is tuned to a government transmitter. The handicap ensures that any unacceptably intelligent or cogent thoughts are dispelled by the transmitter sending sharp jolts of noise to his brain.

Hazel is only of average intelligence and thus considered no threat to the existing order. She is not required to wear a mental handicap of any sort.

When their son is shot by Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, Hazel doesn't know what to think about it. She experiences confusion and sadness all at the same time, but she can't explain her feelings to George. Meanwhile, George is unable to feel pain, anger, or sadness after witnessing his son's televised execution; this is because the mental handicap he wears prevents him from doing so. Due to the government's machinations, neither Hazel nor George can muster up any normal feelings regarding their son's execution.

In "Harrison Bergeron," how do Hazel and George react to their son's televised murder?

Like all people living in the future society of "Harrison Bergeron," Harrison's parents have substantial external handicaps on their bodies to prevent them from being exceptional in any way. Because of this, and because they are in fact quite intelligent, the handicaps are programmed to distract and disorient them, causing problems with their short-term memories. Both Hazel and George watch Harrison's rebellion on live TV, and then his death at the hands of the Handicapper General; sadly, they are unable to remember the event past a few seconds.

"You been crying" [George] said to Hazel.
"Yup," she said.
"What about?" he said.
"I forget," she said. "Something real sad on television."
"What was it?" he said.
"It's all kind of mixed up in my mind," said Hazel.
"Forget sad things," said George.
"I always do," said Hazel.
(Vonnegut, "Harrison Bergeron," tnellen.com)

Their reaction is typical of the people living in the future; they cannot change their stations in life, because of the handicap laws, and they can't even remember important events. Instead, they simply "forget sad things," and continue with their lives. This means that not only was Harrison's sacrifice in vain, but his parents no longer remember that he died, and so assume that he, like them, still lives a handicapped and average life.