By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – NBC has decided to remove Megyn Kelly from its flagship Today morning television program, canceling her appearance on the show's 9 a.m. slot previously known as “Megyn Kelly Today. ”
The network said in a statement Kelly would be replaced by her Today co-anchors.
Kelly earlier this week stirred controversy during a segment in which she disputed whether blackface — a non-black person wearing black facial makeup — is racist.
The comments sparked widespread uproar both within NBC and more broadly as the network, reportedly already displeased with lower than expected ratings, grappled with how it would respond to the furor.
Kelly has not addressed the controversy since apologizing on-air Wednesday.
“I was wrong, and I am sorry, ” she said. “One of the great parts of getting to sit in this chair each day is getting to discuss different points of view. Sometimes I talk and sometimes I listen. And yesterday I learned. I learned that given the history of blackface being used in awful ways by racists in this country it is not okay for that to be part of any costume. ”
NBC aired repeats of Megyn Kelly Today on Thursday and Friday as uncertainty loomed over the network's response.
It is unclear if Kelly will be departing NBC altogether or will remain in an alternate role. Negotiations are reportedly ongoing.
At stake is the remainder of her mammoth three-year $69 million contract.
