Head writer of NBC's 'Megyn Kelly Today' reportedly fired after alleging bullying and abusive behavior from executives
- Kevin Bleyer, the head writer for NBC's "Megyn Kelly Today," was fired after alleging bullying and abusive behavior from two executive producers.
- He reportedly wrote an email to his former colleagues which chronicled the alleged offenses day-by-day.
- Megyn Kelly did not appear to be directly implicated in Bleyer's emails.
The head writer for NBC's "Megyn Kelly Today" was reportedly fired after making complaints about "dysfunctional management" and "abusive treatment" from the show's co-executive producers, according to a Daily Mail report Thursday.
An email written by head writer Kevin Bleyer portrayed a hostile work environment where "the show's management regularly scapegoated junior members of staff," and where co-executive producers Jackie Levin and Christine Cataldi were alleged to have created a "toxic and demeaning environment."
Bleyer's email, which chronicled the alleged offenses day-by-day, was reportedly sent to his former colleagues, and further notes that he notified NBC News president Noah Oppenheim and the human resources department of the persistency of the problems at work.
"On Wednesday 1/3, when I offered politely that Megyn wouldn't have to wait for a rewrite if Jackie could review the affiliate promos prior to the show (as per the workflow), Jackie called me a 'f---ing whiner,'" Bleyer wrote. "It was not said as a joke. It was unwarranted, and unjustified, and abusive. And unacceptable."
Bleyer recorded incidents spanning 24 days in total.
A source familiar with the situation appeared to confirm to the Daily Mail some of the sentiment behind the scenes of the show.
"The working environment on Megyn Kelly Today is completely toxic," the source said in the report. "It is hypocritical that a show that has positioned itself as a safe place for those who are victims, has staff that feel like they are being harassed and abused."
"Megyn harps on about people having a voice and shining a light in dark places, so that's what Kevin did," the source continued. "Here's the problem, Megyn's show doesn't practice what she preaches - you do that on her show, you get fired! It's a joke."
Megyn Kelly did not appear to be directly implicated in Bleyer's emails.
An NBC spokesperson reportedly denied the accusations to the Daily Mail: "Jackie and Christine are being attacked unfairly. They are both excellent and experienced producers, and have the full support of everyone here."
"They, and the team, are fully focused on continuing the show's momentum as it continues to climb in the ratings," the spokesperson continued.
The accusations come at the heels of the recent departure of Don Nash, the executive producer of NBC's "Today," and the firing of the show's anchor Matt Lauer, who was let go after he was accused of sexual misconduct.