Alec Baldwin and MSNBC are parting ways

By By Patrick Kevin Day

Nov 26, 2013 | 1:08 PM

Alec Baldwin and MSNBC are parting ways — Alec Baldwin hosted "Up Late with Alec Baldwin" on Friday nights. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

It appears that Alec Baldwin's career as a TV talk-show host is over, at least for the time being. MSNBC and Baldwin on Tuesday released a joint statement confirming that "Up Late With Alec Baldwin" had been canceled.

"We are jointly confirming that 'Up Late' will not continue on MSNBC," Baldwin's publicist, Matthew Hiltzik, said in a statement.

MSNBC added, "This is a mutual parting and we wish Alec all the best."

Baldwin's show aired for just five weeks to low ratings before going on a two-week hiatus following Baldwin's notorious altercation on a New York street in which he allegedly used a gay slur to attack a photographer.

Baldwin has disputed the reporting of what he said, but has also apologized. He's drawn much criticism from other media personalities, most notably CNN host Anderson Cooper, who called Baldwin's excuses for his outburst "ridiculous."

Piers Morgan, another CNN host, has defended Baldwin, writing on Twitter, "He is not a homophobe. This is getting ridiculous."

The last episode of Baldwin's show to air on MSNBC, on Nov. 8, drew just 395,000 viewers.

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