Just a day after Chris Savino, creator of Nickelodeon’s hit animated series The Loud House, was suspended from the show amid allegations of sexual harassment, Savino has been fired. His dismissal won’t affect the series, which will continue production. Here is the statement from Nickelodeon spokesperson:
Chris Savino is no longer working with Nickelodeon. We take allegations of misconduct very seriously, and we are committed to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment that is free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct.
The Loud House, which is currently in its second season, will continue to air on Nickelodeon and be in production. Season three is scheduled to premiere in early 2018.
In conjunction with Savino’s termination, Nickelodeon Group president Cyma Zarghami sent an internal memo reinforcing parent Viacom‘s “commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment” and encouraging anyone who has been the subject of or has witnessed “an uncomfortable situation at work” to speak up. (you can read it in full email under the story).
According to Cartoon Brew, as many as 12 women came forward to accuse Savino of harassment including unwanted sexual advances and threats of blacklisting after relationships with co-workers had ended. The site said the reports date back at least a decade.
Savino’s credits include Rocko’s Modern Life and The Powerpuff Girls. The Loud House is the first show he created. It follows 11-year-old Lincoln as he gives an inside look at what it takes to survive in the bedlam of a large family, especially as the only boy with 10 sisters. It launched in May 2016 and last October was renewed for a third season. The series is based on an animated short of the same name from Nickelodeon’s annual Animated Shorts Program. It was the first series to be greenlit out of the global program designed to mine and cultivate a new generation of creative talent.
Here is Zarghami’s memo, obtained by Deadline.
Nickelodeon is incredibly successful at the moment and continues to thrive because of the people who work here. You put your heart and soul into what you do. And we are committed to giving you the tools and resources you need to succeed and thrive here.
Something we have long provided, as has the whole of Viacom, is a commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment. It is one of our foundational principles, and it is non-negotiable.
This principle is not an idea that can be pushed solely from the top down. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to our culture, to value one another, and to promote inclusivity and respect on all levels.
I have been at the company for more than 30 years, and since the beginning of my time here, I have come into the office, and left it every day, feeling that we are doing good work, that we are good people, and that it is a privilege and responsibility to create great characters and stories for kids.
In the current climate, it feels necessary to say that if you should encounter an uncomfortable situation at work, or witness one, you are safe to speak up. If you hear something, and are unsure of what to do, you are safe to tell your supervisor or Human Resources. If you need help, in any way, you are safe to ask for it.
We value each and every one of you just as much as we collectively value our audience, and I am proud of the incredible brand and business we have built.
– Cyma
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