PUSHBACK

Tavis Smiley on Sexual-Harassment Allegations: ‘PBS Made a Huge Mistake’

“I’ve never groped, I've never coerced” a woman, he said.

Talk-show host Tavis Smiley on Monday morning took shots at PBS for suspending his show amid sexual-misconduct allegations. “PBS made a huge mistake here,” Smiley bluntly told ABC’s Good Morning America in his first interview since the suspension. Smiley, 53, reiterated his claim that “I’ve never groped, I've never coerced” women into sexual relations. He did, however, admit to having consensual relationships with women on his staff, including one currently still working for him. Additionally, Smiley said, his production company’s handbook does not forbid relationships between employees because “I don’t know where your heart is going to lead you.”