Great American Baking Show shelved over accusations
ABC is hanging up its apron.
The network has pulled the remainder of the third season of “The Great American Baking Show” in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against judge Johnny Iuzzini.
“In light of allegations that recently came to our attention, ABC has ended its relationship with Johnny Iuzzini and will not be airing the remainder of ‘The Great American Baking Show’ episodes,” an ABC spokesperson told the New York Daily News.
The spokesperson added that accusations against Iuzzini violated the company’s standards of conduct, and that it would announce the winner of the season at some point in the future.
Season 3 was only slated to run for three episodes, and only one had aired so far.
“The Great Christmas Light Fight” and “CMA Country Christmas” will take the place of the remaining two episodes, the spokesperson said.
Iuzzini, a former judge on “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” was accused of sexual harassment last month by four former colleagues in a Mic report.
The women alleged that Iuzzini stuck his tongue in the ear of two employees several times, was verbally abusive and, in one instance, “simulated sex” by grabbing one woman’s hips.
Iuzzini denied several of the allegations, which ranged from 2009 to 2011, and said he had no ill intent.
“I am shattered and heartbroken at the thought that any of my actions left members of my team feeling hurt or degraded,” he wrote. “More importantly, I am deeply sorry to those who felt hurt.”