The show was occasionally filmed in
New York City, at the Lincoln Center studios of
WNET. The show features notable entertainers, athletes, politicians, authors, and other noteworthy individuals in a 30-minute interview that explores the lives of the guests and the
current events.
Tavis Smiley is a production of The Smiley Group, Inc and New York station WNET, with major funding from
Wal-Mart. During the first eight seasons, the show was taped at the studios of
KCET which served as the flagship PBS station for the West Coast until its separation from PBS in December 2010, moving the flagship name to
KOCE-TV. From January 2011, New York station
WNET took over production of the show with some episodes originating out of WNET's studio in Lincoln Center but the show remained at the KCET studios for the remainder of the eighth season. The ninth season began on January 19, 2012 and debuted a new studio at the Encompass Digital Media Studios, nearby downtown Los Angeles. The show continued to tape episodes in both New York and Los Angeles.
Cancelation On December 13, 2017, PBS indefinitely suspended distribution of the show after an investigation discovered allegations of sexual misconduct. Smiley is accused of engaging in sexual relationships with multiple employees as well as "creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment." On December 19, 2017, the
BBC and PBS announced that the show would be replaced by simulcasts of the
BBC News shows
Beyond 100 Days and
World News Today, which would begin airing on PBS on January 2, 2018. ==References==