CBS This Morning guest criticises show for airing ‘legitimising’ Woody Allen interview

Director took part in his first TV interview in 30 years

A CBS guest has called out the network over its decision to air an interview with Woody Allen.

Allen once again proclaimed his innocence during a rare interview with CBS Sunday Morning yesterday (28 March), addressing allegations of historic sexual abuse by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow.

Elsewhere in the episode, the Sunday Morning presenters discussed “cancel culture”, referencing the careers of Louis CK, Michael Jackson and Allen.

However, author and art critic Aruna D’Souza took aim at the network for their decision to air the interview with Allen, which was conducted by CBS News for new US streaming service Paramount+.

“If someone is there being interviewed, they’re given a kind of legitimacy just by the fact that they’re being interviewed on a big newscast,” D’Souza said.

Read more:

• Talking points and theories from Line of Duty season 6, episode 2
• Jessica Simpson says she doesn’t want a public apology from John Mayer
• Kim Kardashian talks about ‘frustrating’ marriage to Kanye West in latest KUWTK episode
• Seth Rogen clarifies rumour that Emma Watson ‘stormed off’ the set of This Is the End

The Allen interview was his first in-depth TV segment in 30 years and follows the release of HBO documentary Allen v Farrow. It was originally recorded in July 2020.

Referencing Dylan’s claims, the filmmaker said: “I believe she thinks it. She was a good kid. I do not believe that she’s making it up. I don’t believe she’s lying. I believe she believes that.”

Allen has not been charged with any crimes and has always vehemently denied allegations that he molested Dylan, who claims the abuse took place in 1992 when she was seven years old.