After 12 years, Alan Colmes ends the Hannity-Colmes 'marriage'

Alan Colmes, who served as Sean Hannity’s liberal counterweight on their long-running Fox News program, announced today that he’s leaving at the end of the year.

The co-host of “Hannity and Colmes” said that after 12 years he’s ready for a new challenge. He will continue to serve as a commentator on Fox News and is developing a weekend program for the network.

“Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years,” Colmes said.

Hannity called Colmes “a remarkable co-host” and “a great friend,” adding: “I’ll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner.”

Executives have not yet decided how to replace him on the program. “Hannity & Colmes” is the second most-watched cable news show after “The O’Reilly Factor” and has been a fixture on the network since it launched in 1996.

“Alan is one of the key reasons why Fox News has been such a remarkable success,” said Chief Executive Roger Ailes. “We’re sad to see him leave the program, but we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the network.”

—Matea Gold

Comments

[bye hanny]

FOX decided today in a closed door meeting to cancel the Hannity show next year after sweeps. They want to move in a different direction. They feel Hannity president bashing is not going to go over well with one of the most popular demo presidents. They are already rec push back from even their conservative audience. Colmes the tip off earlier this year when it was apparent Obama was going to win, Colmes is now going to distance himself so he can have a new role in the Demo media and not seen as a basher. Read all about it in next months "inside media".

[Joeybolz]

Never really agreed with Alan Colmes hardly ever, but I will say. Hannity is a mental midget with no capacity for intelligent discourse. Have sometimes wondered if Colmes has just been playing the part and making the money. Maybe Hannity can be an orientation guide for gifted 12 year olds in the Amerikorps.

[WorksforALiving]

What a joke... sure FOX will cancel all of its conservative talking head hosts, starting with Hannity. O'Reilly will be next. It is would be totally stupid of FOX to keep any program that actually makes money or does well in the ratings. After all, they really need to keep up with NBC, that outstanding network which is currently courting bankruptcy. Heaven help us if some large corporation were to actually make any money in the following years.... if they do, they would miss out on the taxpayer bailouts (oh...I forgot, we don't ALL pay taxes). Fox needs to be in a position to put their hand out for the big money give away by our President elect and the new congress. No doubt we will all be sitting around on our rears, out of work, eating junk food, living on pennies in the coming four years. Glad I live in the country where I can raise and my own food. Best of luck to all those who DO work.... JT

[dustytrails]

I cant beleave ALAN COLMES will stay at FOX under any circumstances its his chance to put FOX behind him. HANNITY is a CONSERVITIVE destorting the truth about DEMOCRATE leaders such as OBAMA and his wife.He tried the old scare and smear tactics but they didnt work this time.The CONSERVITIVES paid a high price that will stand for years to come.

[franco guimaraes]

Hannity is the most ODD conservative talking head hosts . I so curious to know where he get his information and witch kind the sources he has accumulated in 12 years.
He just hear and say what he believes , ignoring science, history and real facts. I usually watch once a month just to me not take for granted that we have a free media .
I would like so much that Obama could give an opportunity to him 1 / 1 check points reality interview. w o n t b e g r e a t

[nikonwillyD200]

Hannity has absolutely no credibility and the time that was given to Colmes to provide some level of reality was almost non-existent! Hopefully Colmes will end up with a platform to voice his opinions. It's disgusting to think Americans actually watch these type of media outlet shows for their news! I'm all for debating opinions but Hannity is nothing more than a nuisance!