PBS Suspends ‘Tavis Smiley’ Talk Show

PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley’s talk show after an independent investigation uncovered “multiple, credible allegations” of misconduct by its host. The network said in a statement Wednesday it had engaged an outside law firm to investigate “troubling allegations” against the host. It said it interviewed witnesses and Smiley and uncovered charges of conduct “that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS.”

Smiley, whose nightly program has aired on PBS since 2004, flatly denied PBS’s accusations that he had behaved inappropriately in the workplace. Smiley said on Facebook he had “never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career, covering 6 networks over 30 years,” adding for emphasis: “Never. Ever. Never.”

Smiley’s nightly program has aired on PBS since 2004.