SALT LAKE CITY — ABC has decided to pull the third season of its hit show “The Great American Baking Show” after allegations against judge Johnny Iuzzini accuse him of harassment, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“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,” said an ABC spokesperson. “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. This season’s winner will be announced at a later date. Episodes of ‘The Great Christmas Light Fight’ and ‘CMA Country Christmas' will take its place this week and next.”
Four employees who worked with Iuzzini made sexual harassment allegations against last month. Iuzzini addressed the allegations in an interview with Mic.
“I am shattered and heartbroken at the thought that any of my actions left members of my team feeling hurt or degraded. More importantly, I am deeply sorry to those who felt hurt,” he said.
The allegations come at a time when powerful men in Hollywood are being outed for sexual assault and harassment allegations. Major names such as Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose have been accused of harassment and sexual assault.
"The Great American Baking Show" first returned to ABC on Dec. 7 for a planned three-week run.
The show’s first two episodes featured Highland native Bryan McKinnon, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Deseret News reported last week.
McKinnon spoke with judges Paul Hollywood and Iuzzini during the show’s first episode, according to the Deseret News.
McKinnon said that being on the show reminded her that as important as her role as a mother is, she also needs an identity apart from her children.
"You chose a great calling, being a mom’s the best, but you’re also a person, too. I wanted to represent that you’re not throwing your life away. It’s a choice I made and it’s probably the best choice I’ve ever made," she said. ”I just feel like it’s so important for moms to know that you need an identity past being a mom. I feel like I want to shout that to the world."