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Earlier this week, Kelly sparked widespread
criticism by defending the use of blackface as part of Halloween
costumes during remarks on the show.
Kelly apologized for the comments on the air, but the network
began airing taped episodes of her normally live show on
Thursday.
Kelly, 47, remains an employee of NBC News and "discussions
about next steps are continuing," her attorney, Bryan Freedman,
said in a statement on Friday. According to a "Today" show
report on Friday, NBC executives and Kelly's representatives
were in negotiations about her departure and her remaining
three-year $69 million contract.
NBC hired Kelly in January 2017 after she rose to fame on 21st
Century Fox's cable channel Fox News. At the time, her contract
at Fox was up for renewal and she said she was searching for new
opportunities.
Next week, other Today show co-anchors will host during the 9
a.m. hour that had belonged to Kelly, NBC News said.
Kelly made her controversial remarks on her show on Tuesday.
"What is racist? Because you get in trouble if you are a white
person who puts on blackface for Halloween or a black person who
puts on whiteface for Halloween," she said. "When I was a kid,
that was OK as long as you were dressing up like a character."
Kelly apologized on air the next day, saying, "I was wrong, and
I am sorry."
NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack condemned the remarks in a staff
meeting, according to a report on the network's "Today" morning
show on Friday.
Last September, Kelly caused a furor when she interviewed
actress Jane Fonda and quizzed her about plastic surgery. She
was criticized for interviewing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones,
who has said the 2012 Connecticut school shooting a hoax.
Despite her high-profile hiring, Kelly has failed to boost
audiences. According to Nielsen ratings data, "Megyn Kelly
Today" drew an average audience of 2.3 million in the 12 months
to September 2018, compared to 2.8 million for "Today's Take"
that was hosted by Al Roker and Tamron Hall and replaced by
Kelly's show.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
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