Peter Lenkov, ‘MacGyver’ & ‘Magnum PI’ Showrunner, Fired By CBS For Creating Toxic Work Environment

Peter Lenkov, the showrunner for MacGyver and Magnum PI was fired by CBS over multiple accusations that he was creating a toxic work environment. Lenkov has been released just one year short of the end of his deal with the broadcasting company. 

A CBS TV Studios spokesperson released a statement that said, “Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing MacGyver and Magnum P.I., and the studio has ended its relationship with him. Monica Macer will be the showrunner on ‘MacGyver’ and Eric Guggenheim will run ‘Magnum P.I.’ Both are currently executive producers on their respective series. 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. 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.”

Lenkov told The Hollywood Reporter, “Now is the time to listen and I am listening. It’s difficult to hear that the working environment I ran was not the working environment my colleagues deserved, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I accept responsibility for what I am hearing and am committed to doing the work that is required to do better and be better.”

The company had received at least three different complaints about Lenkov’s behavior in the workplace. 

This is not the first time that CBS has had to fire someone for acting inappropriately. In 2018, the showrunner for NCIS: New Orleans Brad Kern was released due to reports of abuse and harassment. Fam showrunner Bob Kushell was fired for, “inappropriate language in the workplace” and Vinnie Favale for inappropriate comments.