The Insider Drops Pat O’Brien…Again

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Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Syndication, Gossip

After three strikes, Pat O’Brien is officially out at The Insider.

While no official reason was given for the host’s long overdue exit, many believe Pat was axed yesterday as result of a controversial email. An email that became the topper on the 60-year-old’s troubled history with the entertainment program.

Back in 2005, O’Brien was forced to explain himself on a primetime Dr. Phil after sexually explicit voicemails he recorded were leaked. Then in February of this year, he was readmitted into a treatment facility for problems with alcohol abuse. Although it was believed he would be fired after that second public embarrassment, the former host was allowed to return to his job—but only as a correspondent.

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So what ultimately brought POB down? (BTW - I will be so happy not to hear Lara Spencer call him that again.) Well, it was a letter than he fired off and eventually forwarded to the staff at both The Insider and Entertainment Tonight.

In the message that was leaked to the New York Post, Pat claimed viewers were literally getting sick of his female coworkers.

“Hi, folks, I just spent a couple of days in Iowa - I’m a little bit of a favorite son there - and I spoke with maybe a thousand people and was very hands-on. Even Joe Biden said, ‘You should be running (for president)!’ But what I came away with was, these people can’t afford gas, books, food or schools or movies!

I was approached a hundred times by people asking, ‘Can you help us?’ I tried to tell them we care, but they didn’t buy it. They wanted to, but watching Anya and Lara [Spencer] pick out accessories makes the viewers want to vomit. I’ll get killed for this, but I’m actually the one not afraid for my job. I want people to be happy.”

Well - to be fair - seeing Anya and Lara pick out accessories would make me want to vomit too. But I wouldn’t be stupid enough to forward an email like that (unless I wanted to get fired), and I also wouldn’t watch that particular program (which I don’t).

At least it’s good to know that O’Brien wasn’t afraid for his job, because he was booted from it on Thursday. In a statement released to the media, the show’s rep wished their former employee well.

“Pat O’Brien is a talented broadcaster who has been a part of The Insider family from the very beginning. Although we have decided to part ways, everyone at CBS Television Distribution and The Insider greatly appreciate and respect all his contributions to our show. We wish Pat much success in his future endeavors.”

Maybe it was all for the best. I don’t think Pat’s tanned skinned would have looked good on the show’s new HD set anyway.