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:

Story continues below

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

[GaryWolf]

It seems almost impossible to get a comment past the HuffPost censors, so I'll eschew all eloquence and try one more time...

Holmes = right, but weak

Hannity = wrong, and bullying

I hope Hannity's TV and radio shows get cancelled.

I hope you have all been entertained by my simplistic comments.

[GaryWolf]

There must be a filter that looks for certain words. It's a shame that I'm too articulate.

[Trill]

My god, GaryWolf...you are your worst enemy!

[sc92705]

Alan had the thankless job on television. I wish him the best.

[DotMatrix]

With AC gone, Sean won't have anyone to shout down.

[realitychecks]

Seems like an excellent time to get rid of Insanity Hannity!!

[sent2null]

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."

What a crock of hooey, Colmes is the foil to Hannity's raging bull dozer...anyone with an IQ above 110 notices this within seconds of watching an exchange. Colmes gets run over every time and that is not by accident it is the same pattern that Faux has going in EVERY single show they have. Strong Gop/rightwing/republican with big mouth versus Weak/Left/Liberal/Democrat who shuts up if yelled at enough....that's Faux News in a nutshell.

Heck being able to recognize this bias (fair and balanced my arse!) should be a type of IQ test, if you see it you pass if you don't you're an idiot. It really is that simple.

[linmin]

Run Alan run and don't look back!!! The sooner you get away from big bully Hannity, the better!!

[JessWonderin]

Hannity is no BULLY . . . he's like the old shop teacher chaperon at the Prom hitting on all the drunk Sophomore girls . . . even his "radio show" showcases complete fools doddering inaccuracies and spraining their necks agreeing with the "Great American" . . . what a hoot but truly a sad reflection on the millions of his "fans" and the lack of factual critical thinking skills.

[SnapShots]

News about media is not news.

[TJoad]

. . . will not be replaced."

Nor missed.

[Norak]

Not a moment too soon. I can't watch the program because Sean Hannity is such a mean bully and poor Combs is like a little kid trying to defend himself. He just seems so outnumbered. Hope he gets a chance to show his intellect on his own show.

[cher2]

Until this day, I cannot understand why Mr. Colmes would team up with Mr. Hannity. Don't get me wrong, it is good to have opposing views, but Mr. Hannity's views were never honest or logical.

[TRYKER]

This looks like one of those "doors" that Sarah Palin was praying for. Colmes out...that looks like an opening for Sarah. And ya know..."Sean and Sarah got along beautifully".
She already has him under her spell, after a few months, it will be HER show. Hey, if anything will stop Hannity, I vote for it. Sarah, FOX is calling.

[leonardse]

Hey!

You didn't post my last msg. Am I to suppose to believe this one will be posted?

[greataunty2]

I hope hannerty gets "joe the info-mercial guy" to be his co-host. His t.v. career is set to take off!(sic) I don't know what is funnier: Joe as a late night pitchman, or Sarahcuda as a politician. Palin/Plumber...er... Worsonlooger..in 2012!!!

[rdobbs]

This programming decision is a direct response to the recent msnbc success with Olbermann and Maddow. Watch for the new format to be extremely biased with no counterpoint. The regular guest list will probably not need to be revamped however (Newt Gingritch, Karl Rove, Dick Morris).

[surfcitysteven]

"We have a Democratic President, House and Senate. My work is done." And what a piece of work it was you lousy lay-down artist. What a tool.

[scared4ALL]

Do you really think he thought he had "US" fooled?

He didn't, did he? And he better know that.

He's finished, too, like the rest of the tools!

[monicaangela]

Right, and since he's enjoyed Hannity for so many years, I would appreciate him taking him to wherever it is he's going, as long as it's off the air waves.

[novazembla]

Seriously. No thanks to you, Colmes.

[Skeetshooter]

But will anyone notice? Colmes has rarely been able to get a word in edgewise, and when he does speak seems to spend an inordinate amount of that meager time playing Hannitys apologist sidekick. He's a smart and well informed guy but not nearly aggressive enough to be heard above that relentless buzz saw.