Culture
10:51, 30-Nov-2017
US radio host Garrison Keillor fired over 'inappropriate' behavior
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US radio personality Garrison Keillor, the host of one of the best-known shows in American public broadcasting, has been fired over allegations of "inappropriate behavior," his employer said Wednesday.
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) did not detail the allegations, but said it learned of them last month and they related the conduct with a co-worker while Keillor was the host of the long-running program "A Prairie Home Companion."
The 75-year-old, who retired from the popular weekly music and comedy show last year, said in an email to the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he had "put my hand on a woman's bare back" and later offered an apology that was accepted.
Garrison Keillor listens at a campaign rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US ,October 23, 2010. /Reuters Photo
Garrison Keillor listens at a campaign rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US ,October 23, 2010. /Reuters Photo
"I meant to pat her back after she told me about her unhappiness and her shirt was open and my hand went up it about six inches. She recoiled. I apologized," Keillor said, according to the newspaper.
"Anyone who ever was around my show can tell you that I was the least physically affectionate person in the building," he said. "Actors hug, musicians hug, people were embracing every Saturday night left and right, and I stood off in the corner like a stone statue."
In a separate email to MPR News, Keiller indicated that two employees had raised questions about his behavior, saying he had a different recollection of events but respected the network's decision. MPR announced that it had terminated contracts with Keillor and his private media companies, through which it was broadcasting "Best of" reruns of Keillor's hosted program and other features.
The company also planned to change the name of "A Prairie Home Companion," which is now hosted by Chris Thile. Broadcast since 1974 and recorded in front of a live audience, the program is heard by 2.6 million listeners on almost 600 public radio stations in the US, according to its website.
(Cover photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Source(s): AFP