Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage.
PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger fielded questions about Fred Willard during today’s TCA presentation. Willard was dropped from the PBS show Market Warriors after his Wednesday arrest in Hollywood at an adult theater for alleged lewd conduct. Mark Walberg, the host of
Antiques Roadshow, has stepped in to take over Willard’s role as narrator. “We are actually in production with that series, and at the end of the week when it became known, we realized we had to move fast because we are taping now, it’s a new series,” Kerger said. “His circumstances would have become a distraction to the series. We talked to him and decided we would bring in Mark Walberg, who is hosting Antiques Roadshow. We asked Mark to do both.” She added that the two are companion shows so having Walberg do both provides a natural link between the two.


Who would be distracted? What’s more distracting than suffering through long interruptions during Pledge Week?
Between Fred Willard and crazy mofo with a machine gun this was a good week to stay away from movie theaters. Anyway this marks the first time Fred Willard has ever done anything funny.
A trollish cheap shot, no? Fred Willard has been making people laugh since before you were a glint in your daddy’s eye.
So has Robin Williams.
I would not have replaced Fred — it’s not like this was a children’s show. If anything, he might have boosted the ratings. This is a 24 hour story that would have blown over.
Thank God the LAPD got this guy! Because all of the murderers, rapists, terrorists, arsonists and other true criminals have already been apprehended. Seriously – is this the best use of taxpayer dollars? Sending cops into adult theaters? How about more cops on the streets and fewer barging into our personal lives.
And don’t forget, this was the 9th time since November 2011 that the police have visited this theater. I guess if you want police presence, change your films more often. Then they’ll come… pardon the pun. DG
Does PBS plan to replace that convicted felon, Martha Stewart, on the new show she’s doing for them in the fall? Fair’s fair (or money’s money).
They should have brought in Pee Wee Herman to co-host. They could talk about their busts in between bangs of the auctioneer gavel. Maybe take viewers on a tour of the adult theaters and strip joints of America.
What a weak sister Paula K turns out to be. There would be no distraction to their new series, maybe new viewers. Back up talent both in front and behind the camera’s until proven guilty. Then it’s a corporate decision… Fred most likely did wrong, but I’d wait for judge to tell me so… Not some fat cat corporate type who jumped the gun. I hope sometime she’s given the benefit of doubt, but she certainly hasn’t earned it by her deeds… DG
Thank GOD LAPD busted this man. LAPD is keeping Los Angeles livable. I don’t need some guy masturbating next to me in the adult movie theater while I’m trying to masturbate.
/End Sarcasm.
LAPD = FAIL.