Advanced Television

Paramount TV chief fired for alleged racist slur

July 20, 2018

Paramount TV chief Amy Powell has been fired over alleged insensitive remarks – which she has emphatically denied.

A memo from Paramount studio head Jim Gianopulos circulated to staff, which was leaked to the press, read: “Last week, multiple individuals came to us to raise concerns around comments made by Amy Powell in a professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent with our company’s values. Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately.”

Gianopulos’s memo did not specify what Powell said, or the context, but multiple reports allege she made racially-charged comments during a conference call pertaining to upcoming show First Wives Club, which features a predominantly black cast.

“There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting — or in any setting. The facts will come out and I will be vindicated,” Powell responded in a statement.

Powell joined Paramount in 2004 and was appointed Chief of its relaunched TV division in 2013.

Categories: Articles, Business, People