According to sources quoted by the New York Magazine, Bill O’Reilly might be off the air for good.
With only six days remaining in Bill O’Reilly’s vacation, the pressure on the Murdoch family to decide the embattled commentator’s fate is intensifying. Three sources with knowledge of the discussions said that, while no final decision has been made, the Murdochs are leaning toward announcing that O’Reilly will not return to the air. Sons James and Lachlan have been arguing that O’Reilly needs to go, say these sources, though their father, Rupert, has resisted that outcome.
The prospect of dumping O’Reilly — once unimaginable — has gained steam this week due in part to street protests outside Fox News headquarters and advertiser boycotts on O’Reilly’s air. One network insider said Fox executives are alarmed by the severity of the ad-revenue decline. “It’s worse than Glenn Beck,” the insider said, referring to the advertiser revolt that helped derail Beck’s Fox News career in 2011.
That would be a yuge problem for Fox News since O’Reilly is a monster ratings hit, and used to bring a ton of ad revenue. But then again now that a lot of that advertising revenue is drying up because of the allegations against him, what’s the point of keeping him on?
Some scamps on social media are already providing Fox News with advice on who to replace him with.
Meanwhile, another accusation of sexual harassment has come up against O’Reilly just today:
Another woman has accused Fox News star Bill O’Reilly of unwanted advances and sexual harassment, The Hollywood Reporter reported on Tuesday.
The woman, an unnamed African-American clerical worker at Fox News, alleges that in 2008, O’Reilly leered at her and called her “hot chocolate,” her attorney, Lisa Bloom, told the Reporter.
Well, on the bright side, at least it helps his case that he’s not really a racist? Hmmm….