Showtime is keeping ‘Circus’ political show minus Halperin
NEW YORK — Showtime says it is keeping its political television series “The Circus” alive despite the loss of co-host Mark Halperin on sexual misconduct charges.
The network announced Wednesday that the show will return on April 15, with Alex Wagner of CBS News and the Atlantic magazine joining holdover hosts John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon. The series explores the character and strategies of politics, and will focus this season on the upcoming mid-year elections.
The show’s future was in doubt when Halperin was dropped in late October. The veteran political reporter was accused by multiple women of unwanted advances and lewd behaviour when he worked at ABC News.
Behind the scenes, Showtime executives had continued to stress their support for the show, McKinnon said. “Everyone said we hope the show goes on,” he said.