Andrea Thompson Quits CNN

Former “NYPD Blue” actress turned news anchor Andrea Thompson quit CNN Headline News on Thursday, saying she needed to make changes in her professional life.

Thompson’s hiring in August as part of the network’s make-over prompted criticism that it was emphasizing entertainment values over news credentials; Thompson had only minimal news experience at a New Mexico TV station. Headline News, owned by AOL Time Warner Inc., also was put on the defensive when it was revealed that nude pictures of the actress were circulating on the Internet.

CNN executives praised Thompson’s work. A CNN insider said that Thompson hadn’t been happy with her progress as an anchor and that even though CNN was willing to help her develop, she decided to leave.