Fallout: PBS Fires Fred Willard Over Lewd Conduct Arrest
Despite amusing wise cracks from Albert Brooks and the rest of the Internet about the news that veteran character actor Fred Willard was arrested for allegedly masturbating inside an adult movie theater in Hollywood, it seems his employer, PBS, is not laughing.
The non-profit television network announced this afternoon that Willard has been terminated from his role as host of its Antiques Roadshow spin-off Market Warriors, effective immediately.
PBS also informed its affiliates that all unaired episodes of the show were to be shelved. Those episodes will be re-voiced by Roadshow host Mark Walberg before airing at an unspecified date.
According to its website, Market Warriors, which premiered last Monday, "follows antiques pickers...on a nationwide treasure hunt, scouring flea markets and antiques shows for vintage valuables with an eye toward selling their finds for profit at auction."