Despite Jeremy Piven’s denials — and even a lie detector test that produced results favorable to the embattled actor — CBS says it will drop his new show, “Wisdom of the Crowd,” as a result of several sexual harassment allegations levied against Piven in recent weeks.
The network says that it will finish airing the 13 episodes it ordered, but after that, “Wisdom of the Crowd” will either have to find a new network or fold production, The Washington Post reports. Piven appeared to confirm the news in a series of Tweets late Monday.
“ . . . sorry we don’t get to continue with this great family we have created,” the actor posted on social media. “Proud of the work we did.”
The Washington Post noted that CBS has not given an official reason for pulling “Wisdom of the Crowd,” and based on numbers generated by television polling firm, Nielsen, the show wasn’t performing as well as many of CBS’ other hour-long dramas, though it wasn’t failing.
But the decision does come just weeks after Piven was targeted in a wave of sexual harassment allegations sweeping through the media and entertainment industries — and CBS already has its share of troubles with anchor Charlie Rose, who was fired from the network after it emerged he’d allegedly propositioned several of his former employees.
Three actresses have accused Piven of forcibly groping them — allegations Piven has repeatedly denied. The actor even took a lie detector test last week to help bolster his own claims that he never touched the women, and passed.
