Hot on the heels of news that Today host Matt Lauer has been fired following allegations of sexual harassment, news broke that Minnesota Public Radio host Garrison Keillor has been fired effective immediately. A statement from the radio network reads that Keillor has been fired over “allegations of his inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him.” He has worked for the radio station for more than four decades.
The Associated Press was the first to break the news, stating that Keillor informed them of his termination in an email. He alleged in a follow up email that he was fired over “a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard,” but did not give any details. Keillor also sung the praises of M.P.R, hinting that there are no hard feelings.
“It’s some sort of poetic irony to be knocked off the air by a story, having told so many of them myself, but I’m 75 and don’t have any interest in arguing about this,” Keillor wrote. “And I cannot in conscience bring danger to a great organization I’ve worked hard for since 1969. A person could not hope for more than what I was given.”
BREAKING: Garrison Keillor says he’s been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of inappropriate behavior.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 29, 2017
M.P.R also stated that it would be cutting off all business relationships with Keillor’s media companies, ending the broadcast and distribution of “The Writer’s Almanac” and rebroadcasts of “The Best of A Prairie Home Companion hosted by Garrison Keillor,” the program Keillor is most well known for.
Keillor created “A Prairie Home Companion” over four decades ago, retiring briefly in 1987 before returning for nearly 30 more years. The show became a smashing success, peaking at 4.1 million weekly listeners 10 years before his retirement.
“Garrison Keillor has been an important part of the growth and success of M.P.R., and all of us in the M.P.R. community are saddened by these circumstances,” said president of M.P.R Jon McTaggart in the statement from the network. “While we appreciate the contributions Garrison has made to M.P.R., and all of public radio,” Mr. McTaggart continued, “we believe this decision is the right thing to do and is necessary to continue to earn the trust of our audiences, employees and supporters of our public service.”