CBS Programming Executive Resigns Amid Controversy

The head of CBS late-night programming, who was quoted in a magazine article as suggesting that blacks make good late-night television audiences because they have short attention spans and don’t have jobs to go to in the morning, has resigned, CBS said Thursday.

John Pike, senior vice president of late-night and non-network programming at the network since September 1994, stepped down while continuing to deny that he made the statements that were attributed to him in this month’s Details magazine.

CBS’ announcement of the resignation came on the same day that a two-page ad in support of Pike appeared in the Hollywood Reporter, an industry trade paper. The advertisement, which had the heading, “John, you have our trust, friendship and support,” was signed by 116 producers, writers, directors and performers, among them Kelsey Grammer, Michael J. Fox, Sandy Gallin, Grant Tinker and David L. Wolper.

CBS officials declined to say Thursday whether they had asked Pike to resign. They also refused to discuss the result of the network’s investigation of the matter, launched after the magazine hit newsstands last month.

But a network spokesman said, “We are satisfied with the resolution of this matter.” The spokesman added: “CBS regrets our association with Mr. Pike has come to an end under such unfortunate circumstances. We now consider this matter closed.”

The resignation did not lessen the anger of local minority groups who had called for Pike’s ouster.

“This matter is definitely not closed,” declared Billie J. Greene, president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, part of a coalition of community groups that had requested a meeting with CBS Entertainment President Leslie Moonves, Pike’s boss.

“This upsets us. CBS feels they can say those kinds of things and get away with them,” said Greene, citing past controversies over racist and sexist comments by sports commentators Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder and Ben Wright. “We still want that meeting.”

In the Details article, which detailed a comedy group’s efforts to produce a late-night Halloween special, Pike reportedly explained to the young comics why African American viewers were an important part of the late-night show audience.

The article said people at the meeting paraphrased Pike as saying, “First, they have no place to go in the morning--no jobs--so they can stay up as late as they like; second, they can’t follow hourlong drama shows--no attention span--so sketches are perfect for them. Third, network TV is free.”

The writer of the article, David Lipsky, admitted that he was not at the meeting but got the account from people who were in attendance. When the controversy about the remarks first erupted, Details’ managing editor Lisa Murray said the magazine had “checked things extensively” and stood by its story.

CBS’ Moonves said at the time that he and the network found the alleged remarks to be “reprehensible” and that he hoped the allegations were not true. “If they do prove to be true, the company will take appropriate action,” he said.

CBS said that when Pike issued his resignation Tuesday, he maintained “that he did not make the statements attributed to him. He has expressed his profound sorrow if any quotes as printed caused offense to the public, the viewing audience or CBS.”

Pike could not be reached for comment Thursday. He has worked in television since 1971, including stints at NBC and at Paramount.

He still has his supporters. The advertisement in the Hollywood Reporter, which was addressed to “the industry at large,” read in part: “What have we become when the accusations of an unidentified source can be reported by a journalist, and ultimately, compromise a career? Do we allow that reportage to be taken as the defining moment of a man’s work, or do we consider the years of good service, both professionally and personally, to judge the man?”