PBS says it had to move fast after Willard arrest

The Associated Press, Saturday, July 21, 2012, 11:34am (PDT)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- The president of PBS says the decision to remove Fred Willard as narrator of a new public TV series had to be made quickly.

Paula Kerger said Saturday that PBS was concerned that Willard's lewd conduct arrest would be a "distraction" for "Market Warriors," which starts next week.

Willard was replaced by Mark Walberg, host of PBS' long-running "Antiques Roadshow." Walberg was brought in to provide new narration for "Market Warriors," which Kerger said was done in time for the first episode to debut as scheduled Monday.

Willard, best known as the announcer in the film "Best in Show," was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of committing a lewd act. He was taken into custody by police doing a routine check at a Hollywood adult theater.