behaviourChicago, Nov 30 (AFP) US radio personality GarrisonKeillor, host of one of the best known shows in Americanpublic broadcasting, has been fired over allegations of"inappropriate behaviour," his employer said today.
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) did not detail theallegations, but said it learned of them last month and theyrelated to conduct with a co-worker while Keillor was host ofthe long-running program "A Prairie Home Companion."The 75-year-old, who retired from the popular weeklymusic and comedy show last year, said in an email to theMinneapolis Star Tribune that he had "put my hand on a woman'sbare back" and later offered an apology that was accepted.
I meant to pat her back after she told me about herunhappiness and her shirt was open and my hand went up itabout six inches. She recoiled. I apologised," Keillor said,according to the newspaper.
"Anyone who ever was around my show can tell you that Iwas the least physically affectionate person in the building,"he said. "Actors hug, musicians hug, people were embracingevery Saturday night left and right, and I stood off in thecorner like a stone statue."He added: "Getting fired is a real distinction inbroadcasting and I've waited fifty years for the honour. Allof my heroes got fired. I only wish it could've been forsomething more heroic."In a separate email to MPR News, Keiller indicated thattwo employees had raised questions about his behaviour, sayinghe had a different recollection of events, but respected thenetwork's decision.
"I think the country is in the grip of a mania," he said,describing as an "absurdity" the uproar surrounding Al Franken-- the Democratic comedian-turned-senator under scrutiny overaccusations of touching several women without consent.
MPR announced that it had terminated contracts withKeillor and his private media companies, through which it wasbroadcasting "Best of" reruns of Keillor's hosted program andother features.
"MPR retained an outside law firm to conduct anindependent investigation of the allegations. Based on what wecurrently know, there are no similar allegations involvingother staff," the network said in a statement.
The company also planned to change the name of "A PrairieHome Companion," which is now hosted by Chris Thile.
Broadcast since 1974 and recorded in front of a liveaudience, the program is heard by 2.6 million listeners onalmost 600 public radio stations in the US, according to itswebsite.
Keillor's firing came the same day the NBC televisionnetwork announced it had fired star morning news anchor MattLauer over allegations of sexual misconduct.
The two joined the ranks of other giants of Americanfilm, television and journalism who have fallen amid a wave ofallegations of sexual misconduct, which began weeks ago with aflood of charges against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. (AFP)CK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.