Neil deGrasse Tyson’s National Geographic show, ‘StarTalk’ has been pulled from the network as it investigates sexual misconduct claims made against the host.
The show features Tyson discussing scientific topics with a different guest each week and was currently in its fifth season. The show was taken off of Nat Geo’s schedule three weeks after two women accused Tyson of inappropriate sexual behavior.
In a recent statement regarding the investigation, Nat Geo said:
“In order to allow the investigation to occur unimpeded we chose to hold new episodes of ‘Star Talk’ until it is complete. We expect that to happen in the next few weeks at which time we’ll make a final decision.”
The story first broke on Patheos, where two women, Dr. Katelyn Allers and Ashley Watson, both said Tyson made sexual advances against them. Allers alleged that Tyson groped her during a 2009 meeting of the American Astronomical Society and displayed what she termed “creepy behavior.”
Watson once worked as Tyson’s assistant and claimed that he tried to convince her to have sex with him while making inappropriate comments. Watson eventually quit her job as a direct result of his behavior.
The two allegations from Allers and Watson came on the heels of an accusation of rape against Tyson in 2014 by a former classmate at the University of Texas.
In a post on his personal Facebook, Tyson denied the allegations but said he welcomed a full investigation. Both Nat Geo and Fox, where Tyson hosts ‘Cosmos,’ gave statements following the allegations saying:
“We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports.”
‘Cosmos’ is supposed to air its second season on Fox and Nat Geo in March, no word on whether the show will be suspended has been released by either network.
