{
  "id": 3119953,
  "title": "Reggie Watts dropped from Comedy Bang! Bang! intro, multiple festivals after abuse allegations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/reggie-watts-dropped-from-comedy-bang-bang-intro-multiple-festivals",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T19:45:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/reggie-watts-dropped-comedy-bang-bang"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reggie Watts, the 54-year-old comedian and musician, has been removed from several top comedy festivals and dropped from Comedy Bang! Bang! following allegations of misconduct, according to a Rolling Stone article. The article claims that Watts encouraged his ex-girlfriend Katherine Early McCollough, 36, to engage in risky drug use, including ketamine, leading her to a drug-induced breakdown in Munich last summer. McCollough subsequently took her own life in a Lima, Peru hotel room in March 2026. While Watts' representatives deny the allegations, five other former girlfriends have come forward with similar claims of being pushed past their limits by Watts with drugs and non-consensual acts. Despite these accusations, Watts has not been officially charged with any wrongdoing. Comedy Bang! Bang!, a long-time showcase for Watts' work, has quietly removed the comedian's theme song from future episodes, replacing it with an unidentified British voice introduction. The podcast's host, Scott Aukerman, has not commented on the decision. Additionally, UK music festivals Shambala, Greenbelt, Electric Picnic, and CAPYAC have all canceled Watts' scheduled appearances, with the latter two citing a lack of notice.",
  "summary": "A Rolling Stone article named the comedian and musician’s “reckless” and “abusive” behavior as factors in ex-girlfriend’s suicide.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Reggie Watts’ Theme Song Axed From ‘Comedy Bang Bang’ Podcast After Report Alleging ‘Reckless’ Drug Use in Relationships",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/reggie-watts-theme-song-axed-from-comedy-bang-bang-podcast-after",
        "published": "2026-08-24T13:31:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Reggie Watts: Festivals Remove Comedian, ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’ Drops Theme Song",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/reggie-watts-festivals-remove-comedian-comedy-bang-bang-drops-theme",
        "published": "2026-08-24T15:27:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Reggie Watts Dropped From Podcast Intro & Comedy Festivals After Report Alleging Disturbing Behavior in Romantic Relationships",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/reggie-watts-dropped-from-podcast-intro-comedy-festivals-after-report",
        "published": "2026-08-24T22:46:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}