Fred Willard Fired By PBS After Lewd Conduct Arrest

2:05 PM PDT 7/19/2012 by THR Staff

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Fred Willard

His lawyer says the actor, who allegedly was caught with his pants down in an L.A. theater less than 24 hours earlier, will fight the charges.

Less than 24 hours after being caught in L.A.’s Tiki Theater allegedly with his pants down, actor Fred Willard has been let go from PBS’ new competition-reality show Market Warriors.

Fred Willard Arrested For Alleged Lewd Conduct in Adult Theater

Fred Willard to Narrate PBS 'Antiques Roadshow' Spinoff 'Market Warriors'

A PBS spokesperson confirms that Willard no longer will host Warriors, which launched Monday, July 16, as a spinoff of the long-running Antiques Roadshow.

"Given the unfortunate news reported today, effective immediately, Fred Willard no longer will be involved with the Market Warriors series," said WGBH spokeswoman Jeanne Hopkins in a statement to THR.

Antiques Roadshow host Mark Walberg will record new narration for the Market Warriors episodes that already have been shot.

The 72-year-old Willard was caught engaging in a "lewd act" during a routine LAPD search of the theater Wednesday night. He was taken into custody and released soon after.

Paul Takakjian, Willard's lawyer, says his client did nothing wrong and will fight the charge.

"With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law," said Takakjian in a statement. "We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter."