ABC Fires Mario Batali from THE CHEW Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC has fired Mario Batali from its daytime talk show THE CHEW. The decision comes amid multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against the celebrity chef.

A spokesperson for the network commented, "Upon completing its review into the allegations made against Mario Batali, ABC has terminated its relationship with him and he will no longer appear on The Chew. While we remain unaware of any type of inappropriate behavior involving him and anyone affiliated with our show, ABC takes matters like this very seriously as we are committed to a safe work environment and his past behavior violates our standards of conduct."

Over the past week, four anonymous women, three who were identified as former employees of Batali's, have come forward to share details of alleged misconduct over a period of decades. Batali has since been accused by a total of eight women, with claims ranging from unwanted sexual advances and groping.

Earlier this week, ABC cancelled THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW following multiple sexual harassment allegations which were made against the show's judge, Johnny Iuzzini. In a statement, the network shared, "ABC takes matters such as those described in the allegations very seriously and has come to the conclusion that they violate our standards of conduct."

Read the article in full here

Photo credit: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua

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