Alan Colmes is leaving 'Hannity & Colmes' TV show

[November 25, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity is losing his liberal half. Alan Colmes of the network's "Hannity & Colmes" said Monday that he'll be leaving the prime-time show after 12 years. He'll continue as a commentator on Fox programs, keep doing his radio show and is developing a weekend show at Fox.

"We have a Democratic House, Senate and president," Colmes said in an interview. "My work is done."

Colmes said he approached an executive Fox earlier this year about wanting to try something different and ending his time on the show, which airs live each weeknight. He said he was "looking forward to having dinner with my wife a couple of times a week."

Their show is second only to Fox's "The O'Reilly Factor" in prime-time cable ratings, and competes against Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Larry King on CNN.

No decision has been made on who will replace Colmes, or whether he will be replaced at all.

Hannity has been the bigger star in media circles and recently signed a contract extension. Hannity also does his own solo weekend show at Fox.

Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes said Colmes "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 said he'll miss his sparring partner.

"I'm proud that both Sean and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years," Colmes said.

[Associated Press; By DAVID BAUDER]

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