Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Fred Willard Says He's 'Not Guilty' Of Lewd Conduct After His Arrest In An Adult Theater

fredwillard.jpg
s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Fred Willard says—despite what undercover LAPD vice officers say—he didn't do anything illegal while he was inside an adult theater in Hollywood last night.Willard's lawyer, Paul Takakjian, released a statement to TMZ saying, "With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law." He adds, "We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter."

In the meantime, PBS wasted no time dropping Willard from its programming after he was arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct at the adults-only Tiki Theater in Hollywood.

PBS execs fired Willard from his gig on "Market Warriors," according to TMZ. They are telling their affiliates in an email obtained by TMZ not to air any more episodes featuring Willard. It hasn't even been 24 hours since his arrest and TMZ says that PBS is already ironing out the details of a version of the show without the comedian.

Maybe Willard needs to call up Paul Reubens, another bowtie-wearing comedian, who managed to get an HBO show after a similar controversy (although decades later).

Related:
Fred Willard Arrested For Lewd Conduct At Hollywood Theater

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today