Paramount Television fires its president Amy Powell after she blasted 'angry black women in conference call about First Wives Club TV series
- Staff at the company complained about comments by Powell
- During conference call, she is said to have remarked about 'angry black women'
- Complaints triggered investigation against her, resulting in her termination
- Powell has denied making insensitive remarks and vowed to be vindicated
- Paramount Chairman Jim Gianopulos wrote memo to employees on decision
Paramount says it has fired the head of its television division for making unspecified comments that drew complaints from employees.
Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos wrote in a memo Thursday that Amy Powell had been fired for making comments that were 'inconsistent with company values.'
The memo did not elaborate on the nature of the statements or where they were made, beyond stating they were said in a 'professional setting.'
A source told Variety that the comments were 'racially charged' in nature.
Powell allegedly made an insensitive remark about the television adaptation of the 1996 movie First Wives Club.
During a conference call with producers of the show, Powell made a comment about black women being angry.
This prompted an African-American assistant who was on the call to complain.
Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos wrote in a memo Thursday that Amy Powell had been fired for making comments that were 'inconsistent with company values'
Powell reportedly made a racially charged comment about 'angry black women' during a conference call with the producers of the television adaptation of the 1996 film First Wives Club (stars Diane Keaton (far left), Goldie Hawn (center), and Bette Middler are seen above)
Powell denied making any offensive comments.
'There is no truth to the allegation that I made insensitive comments in a professional setting - or in any setting,' Powell said in a statement.
'The facts will come out and I will be vindicated.'
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Powell was reportedly upset over a tweet written by the First Wives Club showrunner, Tracy Oliver.
On June 28, she tweeted: 'Had a moment today that REALLY pointed out why we need representation across the board.
'A black female voice doesn't matter if the decision makers don't understand nor even want to understand what you're saying. Where's the #metoo for race s**t out here?'
Oliver was not on the conference call with Powell.
Powell was reportedly upset over a tweet written by the First Wives Club showrunner, Tracy Oliver, who complained about 'decision makers' who 'don't understand nor even want to understand black female voices'
The memo said numerous employees complained about Powell's behavior, and the decision to fire her was made in agreement with the company's legal and human resources departments.
She joined Paramount in 2004 and became president of its television division five years ago.
Under her leadership, Paramount supplied shows including 13 Reasons Why and The Alienist to cable and streaming outlets.
'Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,' Gianopulos wrote.
'While it is incredibly difficult to part ways with a valued member of our community, it is imperative that we uphold our values and ensure that all employees feel safe and included in the workplace.'
The memo said numerous employees complained about Powell's behavior, and the decision to fire her was made in agreement with the company's legal and human resources departments. Gianopulos is seen above in Las Vegas in April 2018
In 2013, Paramount decided it would once again try its hand at producing original content for television.
The company stopped producing television series in 2006, when Viacom and CBS were split into separate entities.
At the time, Powell was considered a star executive on the rise. She had headed the company's digital department as well as its low-budget film shop InSurge.
Paramount hired Powell to oversee its latest foray into the television business.
News of her dismissal was a surprise to industry observers who expected her to receive a high-profile job.
She will be replaced on an interim basis by a committee of executives who will take over specific aspects of the job.
