‘Hawaii Five-O’ Showrunner Peter Lenkov Fired For Abusive Behavior
Peter Lenkov, the showrunner of “Hawaii Five-O,” “Macgyver” and “Magnum P.I.,” has been fired for abusive behavior. CBS confirmed the axing in a statement released after an investigation into the toxic work environment Lenkov apparently perpetuated on the set.
“Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing MacGyver and Magnum P.I., and the studio has ended its relationship with him,” a spokesperson for CBS Television Studios said. “Our studio is committed to ensuring safe and respectful production environments. Over the past year, we have assigned human resource production partners to every show, expanded staff training and increased reporting options,” the statement continues.
“We will continue to evolve our practices with continued focus on building trust with all who work on our sets. Every complaint is taken seriously, every claim is investigated, and when evidence is clear that policies were violated and values not upheld, we take decisive action.”
There have been three complaints against the showrunner stating that he was abusive and manipulative. The complainants also said that the “Hawaii Five-O” set was hard to be in for a woman, especially women of color. Lenkov allegedly treated the male staff differently. One accuser claimed that the showrunner is “anti-woman, anti-POC, anti-gay and everything you’d expect. But he’d also torture straight, white men if he felt like it.”
In response, Lenkov said that he is accepting the responsibility and apologized for his mistakes.
“Now is the time to listen and I am listening,” Lenkov said.” I am committed to doing the work that is required to do better and be better.”
“Hawaii Five-0” ended its run in April after 10 seasons. Lenkov still had one year to his deal with CBS with his remaining shows. Monica Macer will step up as the showrunner for “MacGyver” while “Magnum P.I.” has Eric Guggenheim overseeing the production.
