The former host of “Prairie Home Companion” was fired over sexual harassment allegations Wednesday, but he wrote an op-ed defending Minnesota Rep. Al Franken the day before his termination.
Garrison Keillor, the host of the Minnesota Public Radio classic, wrote a defense of Franken in light of multiple accusations of sexual harassment from women, saying it was “absurd” for the representative to resign.
“He did USO tours overseas when he was in the comedy biz. He did it from deep in his heart, out of patriotism…” Keillor wrote. “Eleven years later, a talk show host in LA, she goes public, and there is talk of resignation. This is pure absurdity, and the atrocity it leads to is a code of public deadliness. No kidding.”
Keillor announced he was fired from Minnesota Public Radio for alleged misconduct in the workplace Wednesday.
“Last month, MPR was notified of the allegations which relate to Mr. Keillor’s conduct while he was responsible for the production of A Prairie Home Companion (APHC),” Minnesota Public Radio spokeswoman Angie Andresen wrote in a statement. “MPR will end its business relationships with Mr. Keillor’s media companies effective immediately.”
Franken, too, faces multiple sexual harassment allegations from women who have alleged he forced them to kiss him, grabbed their butts while he took a picture and allegedly groped them while they were sleeping. The Minnesota representative has apologized for some of the interactions, but denied the others.
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