Alan Colmes To Leave "Hannity & Colmes," Will Not Be Replaced

Update: While the blogosphere has been buzzing with suggestions for who should replace Alan Colmes, who is relinquishing his role as one half of Fox News' 9PM duo, Colmes' co-host will be moving forward with the program solo, reports the New York Times' Brian Stelter:

While the network remained quiet about its plans for the political debate program, two people close to the network said that Sean Hannity, 46, Mr. Colmes's conservative counterpart for the last 12 years, would become the sole host of the hour. The people requested anonymity while speaking about private deliberations.

Original Post: Fox News host Alan Colmes will leave his role as co-host of "Hannity & Colmes" at the end of the year, the network announced Monday.

Colmes, who has co-hosted the program with Sean Hannity for 12 years, will remain with the network as a liberal commentator and will develop a weekend program, in addition to his radio show.

"I approached Bill Shine (FNC's Senior Vice President of Programming) earlier this year about wanting to move on after 12 years to develop new and challenging ways to contribute to the growth of the network," Colmes said. "Although it's bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I'm proud that both Sean (Hannity) and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years."

Hannity added, "Not only has Alan been a remarkable co-host, he's been a great friend which is rare in this industry -- I'll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner."

Earlier this year, Colmes debuted his blog, Alan Colmes' LiberalLand.

Update: Colmes tells TVNewser that Obama's victory plus wide Democratic margins in Congress paved the way for him to leave:

"It's a great creative opportunity for me. I feel as though we have a Democratic President, House and Senate; I feel like my work is done," he tells TVNewser. "I can't think of a better time to make the transition."

Full press release below:

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ALAN COLMES TO DEPART TOP RATED HANNITY & COLMES

FOX News Channel's (FNC) Alan Colmes will relinquish his role as co-host of Hannity & Colmes at the end of the year.

In announcing his decision, Colmes said, "I approached Bill Shine (FNC's Senior Vice President of Programming) earlier this year about wanting to move on after 12 years to develop new and challenging ways to contribute to the growth of the network. Although it's bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I'm proud that both Sean (Hannity) and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years."

Colmes will continue to have a presence on FNC as he will serve as a liberal commentator on a variety of FOX News programming, including Foxnews.com's The Strategy Room and continue hosting his radio program, The Alan Colmes Show on FOX Talk, a division of FOX News Radio. He will also begin developing a weekend program.

Shine said, "We're very sorry to see Alan reach this decision but we understand his desire to seek other creative challenges in his career. We value his incredible hard work in making Hannity & Colmes the most successful debate program on cable news and we're going to miss him on the show. Thankfully, he will begin developing a weekend pilot for us."

FOX News Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Roger Ailes added, "Alan is one of the key reasons why FOX News has been such a remarkable success. We're sad to see him leave the program but we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the network."

Hannity & Colmes is the only FNC program which has remained in the same timeslot for 12 years, catapulting to number one in 2003 and never relinquishing the top spot. The second highest-rated program in cable news behind only The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity & Colmes averaged 3.3 million viewers nightly for the Nielsen month of October and is poised to mark 60 consecutive months at number one at the end of November.

Hannity added, "Not only has Alan been a remarkable co-host, he's been a great friend which is rare in this industry -- I'll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner."

Throughout his 12 year tenure on Hannity & Colmes, Colmes has interviewed numerous key political figures, including: President Elect Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), DNC Chairman Howard Dean and former Vice President Al Gore.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour general news service covering breaking news as well as political, entertainment and business news. For nearly seven years, FNC has been the most watched cable news channel in the nation. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes.

Comments

[Daniboy]

Fox should hire Oberman-Oh, I forgot, Keith doesn't debate-only has people on who agree with him!

[shockmagog]

It was already the "Sean Hannity Show" anyway. Who cares. Colmes was only a sounding board for the Fox/Bush/Republican propaganda chants.

I've listened to the Alan Colmes radio program, and Colmes spends a good amount of time verbally trouncing wingnuts who seem to have discovered where he goes when he's not "on the TV."

[MissDaphne]

I see a ratings plunge in Sean's future. Fair and balanced?

[bartonfink]

says hannity: "working with alan colmes has been one of the bestest, great experiences god has ever given me on this earth."

[johnmeeks1974]

Thus sayeth Joan Crawford on adopting her children... With similar results as well (If you are to believe the Faye Dunaway film!)

[dryrock]

Colmes was never there anyway, I mean, seriously. . . Who could hear anyone over Hannity's slobbery bellowing - one day he's gonna rage himself into a heart attack. The show has never been informative, only combative, which says a lot about the audience, and FOXs regard for journalism (compared to ratings).

[Rosarita]

Sean Hannity sunk to the lowest level possible during the campaign. His hate mongering seemed driven and very personal. I don't know how he got away with most of it. Now that Obama is President Elect, he won't stop. We don't need this kind of divisiveness in this country; we have enough to deal with without Hannity's continuing viciousness. We want to pull together and his lack of respect for a freely elected new president cannot be tolerated. Honest criticism is acceptable, but innuendo and lies must stop.

[HamletsMill]

Very true. Hannity's show along with Limbaugh and Michael Savage really might result in violence against this duly elected President of the United States. Their constant drum beats of hatred and vilification of a man who has not even taken office yet is absolutely shameful. It is absolutely third rate an un-American. If such a terrible thing would ever happen (I pray for the secret Service to be on their best game at all times) then the court of public opinion must hold these men and their sponsors accountable. If that would ever happen (and I certainly pray it doesn't ever even come close) I hope these men have an army of personal security at very great personal expense to them because it does not take much imagination to envision the fate that would befall each of them at the time and place of someone's choosing at any time until their dying day. These ignorant men are playing with fire for money and ratings. It is a very dangerous game.

[cookiemaster]

In case you are bored waiting for Thanksgiving Festivities!

Sarah Palin's Top 10 Stupidest Moments!!

http://theliepolitIc.com/2008/11/sarah-palins-top-ten-stupidest-moments/

[JoeBuck15]

Big deal. Hannity's only really preaching to the choir anyway. And I figure this is probably a good thing. The crazier Hannity's rants get, the more people he'll drive over to the democrats. Keep it up Sean. Maybe in 2012 Obama will win by 20 points.

[johnmeeks1974]

A little consistency would have helped HANNITY. First, he gets his panties in a bunch because Charles Rangel's reference to Bush's 'Bring it On' comments to being like that something a gang leader would say. The way HANNITY carried on, you would have thought that Rangel joined up with Al Qaeda or something. Now, Bush says that he regrets being so heedless in his 'Bring it On' comments. Hell, this is not a cheerleading film! But, mark my words, HANNITY will be watching very closely for every syllable that Obama says to make sure that they meet his holy approval.
Another thing that irks me is how HANNITY shows no deference to Democrats who agree to appear on his television or radio program. He bullies them into submission because he knows they will come back for more. But then HANNITY whines and moans then other Democrats decide that they don't want to play those childish games with him. He calls them chicken for not agreeing to get pushed around.
In the end, HANNITY is a schoolyard bully who has nothing but hatred for Democrats and those who disagree with him. I do, however, feel sorry for the man. He won't be able to replenish his punch bowl full o' Kool-Aid from the White House come January 20.

[Smoothsail]

But I thought they were the number one show??

[Mikeeee]

New show going to be called "Helpless hannity"? Or maybe move bor and han into one show so they don't conflict. :)

[Teamster]

A word from the past H & C of a debate team , there once was a team.

" don't confuse me with the facts my mind is made up .

Everyone has two sides right and left. -- but where did the fair and balanced go?

[kassandrasduplex]

Ya think they got rid of him because Obama won and they decided Colmes might have been too helpful to the Progressive movement? Laughable, but possible.

[johnmeeks1974]

colmes is about as helpful to the Progressive movement as wet cereal is to hammering nails.

[bartonfink]

so, not helpful you're saying

[DueTruthinesss]

Wait just one second ! There was a second host?

[kassandrasduplex]

Yeah, he was the colmes in that show HANNITY & colmes. It's understandable you missed him...he was an intellectual, diminutive shill for the neo-cons. And he is largely responsible for a great deal of damage to the health of progressive politics in America. He won't be missed.

[johnmeeks1974]

You are being charitable when you call colmes a 'host.' That implies that he actually brought something to the show other than his name...

[MadxAsxHell]

And I thought it was "Hannity and his Combs" just spelled wrong for Sean's plastic hair...You mean it was spelled right and there was another guy there????

[johnmeeks1974]

I used to watch HANNITY AND colmes around the beginning of the G.W. Bush Administration. I remember how Hannity tends to scold, lecture and hector people intu submission - including his so-called co-host.
HANNITY is often a self-righteous bloviator who seems to get off on bullying people. I see little mercy or humility in how he carries himself on television. On the other hand, colmes, seems to be token opposition to make FOXNews fans feel like they are really seeing how liberals think. Unfortunately, we all know tha HANNITY pimp slaps the hell out of little colmes if the bespectacled lackey gets out of line.
Perhaps, colmes the prison b***h will write his memoirs. HANNITY Dearest, anyone?

[FirstShirt]

I have an idea. Get Mickey Mouse. He graphically represents most liberal ideas and is a registered voter.

[FlamingLibrul]

Wow firstshirt- you're a Clinical Social Worker?? What happens if you find out your "Patient" is a liberal? Just goes to show, wingnuts come in all sizes, shapes, and professions. I hope you're kinder and more professional with the people you're supposed to be helping.

As for Hannity, I still can't get over the fact that he's being paid 100mil to spew hate-filled vitriol and spread ignorance. After his ties to Anti-Semitic groups were exposed, you'd have thought there would have been some repercussions. Just imagine if Keith Olbermann had a secret racist past exposed. Faster than you could say "Hypocrite," repugs would have been screaming "Off with his head!"

[Fascistfrog]

Zing! Love ya. :)

[JohnPone]

And the difference is?

[ElitistWhitePerson]

Since Hannity never shut his fat yap or allowed Colmes to have much of a say, It only makes sense that he have the program all to himself. I guess the idea of Air America's Stephanie Miller as co-host did not fly too far!
A liberal commentator on FOX News? Hmmmm. Sounds to me like Alan Colmes had better brush up his resume, because that job description will not last long at FOX.
Good luck Alan. You are well rid of Hannity. I hear he has a terrifically, terrifying HUGE head. Is that true? Again, Stephanie Miller says it is so!! :-)