MSNBC cancels Alec Baldwin's show after recent anti-gay outburst

The actor's latest anti-gay remarks appear to have cost him his job with the news network

Published November 26, 2013 8:23PM (EST)

                (<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-751606p1.html'>Joe Seer</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>)
(Joe Seer via Shutterstock)

Earlier this month, after a series of angry outbursts, Alec Baldwin shouted an "unconfirmed" homophobic slur at a photographer, resulting in the suspension of "Up Late With Alec Baldwin" on MSNBC.

After a bit of early speculation, the Hollywood Reporter has now confirmed that Baldwin's show has been canceled:

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the planned Nov. 29 episode, what was to be its first back from a two-week suspension, will not air -- and the series has been pulled from the schedule entirely, as first reported by the New York Post.  The network and Baldwin rep Matthew Hiltzik issued the following shortly after: “We are jointly confirming that Up Late will not continue on MSNBC.”

Baldwin had alluded as much in a recent editorial,expressing his doubt that the series would come back from its scandal-prompted hiatus. "This is a mutual parting and we wish Alec all the best," a MSNBC rep noted in a statement.

For MSNBC, closing up shop on Up Late is not the worst news. Though a program of its nature was not expected to come out of the gate particularly strong, the show arguably didn't even live up to its tempered expectations. Five weeks in, the 10 p.m. Friday talker was down 40 percent from the premiere. Its last episode averaged just 395,000 viewers and 101,000 adults 25-54.

With the empty slot to fill, maybe MSNBC will consider Salon's advice to hire the newly available W. Kamau Bell.


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Alec Baldwin Anti-gay Slurs Msnbc