Photo: Craig Lovell/Corbis Via Getty Images
Garrison Keillor, the former host of "A Prairie Home Companion," said Wednesday he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.
Garrison Keillor, the former host of "A Prairie Home Companion," said Wednesday he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.
FILE — Garrison Keillor and Aoife O'Donovan performs at Iroquois Amphitheater on September 7, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky.
FILE — Garrison Keillor and Aoife O'Donovan performs at Iroquois Amphitheater on September 7, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky.
FILE — Garrison Keillor attends the a Prairie Home Companion held at The Greek Theatre on June 6, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
FILE — Garrison Keillor attends the a Prairie Home Companion held at The Greek Theatre on June 6, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
President and Mrs. Clinton share a laugh with humorist Garrison Keillor after presenting him with a National Humanities Medal in Washington Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999.
President and Mrs. Clinton share a laugh with humorist Garrison Keillor after presenting him with a National Humanities Medal in Washington Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999.
Photo: KHUE BUI, AP
Fred Newman creates sound effects as Garrison Keillor tells a story of marriage, during the live performance of “A Prairie Home Companion,” at Ives Concert Park, in Danbury, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010.
Fred Newman creates sound effects as Garrison Keillor tells a story of marriage, during the live performance of “A Prairie Home Companion,” at Ives Concert Park, in Danbury, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010.
Photo: Michael Duffy / File Photo
FILE — Garrison Keillor autographs his new book 'The Keillor Reader' in autograph session in Los Angeles, United States on 7 June, 2014.
FILE — Garrison Keillor autographs his new book 'The Keillor Reader' in autograph session in Los Angeles, United States on 7 June, 2014.
FILE — Radio personality Garrison Keillor performs during A Prairie Home Companion taping at The Greek Theatre on June 7, 2013 in Los Angeles.
FILE — Radio personality Garrison Keillor performs during A Prairie Home Companion taping at The Greek Theatre on June 7, 2013 in Los Angeles.
FILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, Garrison Keillor, creator and former host of, "A Prairie Home Companion," talks at his St. Paul, Minn., office. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, he's been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.
lessFILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, Garrison Keillor, creator and former host of, "A Prairie Home Companion," talks at his St. Paul, Minn., office. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, he's been fired by
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Humorist Garrison Keillor autographing large stacks of his book Lake Wobegone Days in his hotel room in 1995.
Humorist Garrison Keillor autographing large stacks of his book Lake Wobegone Days in his hotel room in 1995.
Recent sexual harassment and abuse allegations
Recent sexual harassment and abuse allegations
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Harvey Weinstein
A New York Times article uncovered multiple incidents of Weinstein's sexually harassment or abuse. Thousands of women embracing the "Me Too" movement to own their histories of sexual harassment and abuse, and those issues swirling at high volume in the culture overall, parents are reaching for teachable moments in the post-Weinstein world.
lessA New York Times article uncovered multiple incidents of Weinstein's sexually harassment or abuse. Thousands of women embracing the "Me Too" movement to own their histories of sexual harassment and abuse, and
... more
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Matt Lauer
NBC News fired longtime "Today" show host Matt Lauer on Wednesday for "inappropriate sexual behavior," making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct charges in a week.
lessNBC News fired longtime "Today" show host Matt Lauer on Wednesday for "inappropriate sexual behavior," making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct
... more
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Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct toward several women, including masturbating in front of them to their horror and embarrassment, according to a report in The New York Times.
Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct toward several women, including masturbating in front of them to their horror and embarrassment, according to a report in The New York Times.
Photo: Chris Pizzello, Associated Press
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Kevin Spacey
Spacey says he is “beyond horrified” by allegations that he made sexual advances on Anthony Rapp when he was a teen boy in 1986. Spacey posted on Twitter that he does not remember the encounter but apologizes for the behavior.
lessSpacey says he is “beyond horrified” by allegations that he made sexual advances on Anthony Rapp when he was a teen boy in 1986. Spacey posted on Twitter that he does not remember the encounter but
... more
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Charlie Rose
The Washington Post says eight women have accused television host Charlie Rose of multiple unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior. CBS News fired Rose and PBS is to halt production and distribution of his show following the sexual harassment report.
lessThe Washington Post says eight women have accused television host Charlie Rose of multiple unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior. CBS News fired Rose and PBS is to halt production and distribution
... more
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John Lasseter
Pixar and Disney Animation chief John Lasseter is accused by several women of unwanted touching and has announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence. He has acknowledged some "missteps" with employees and apologized for any behavior that made workers uncomfortable.
lessPixar and Disney Animation chief John Lasseter is accused by several women of unwanted touching and has announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence. He has acknowledged some "missteps" with employees
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James Toback
Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing "Bugsy," has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 30 women. He said: "anyone who says it is a lying c---r or c- or both ... Anyone who says that, I just want to spit in his or her f--g face."
lessToback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing "Bugsy," has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 30 women. He said: "anyone who says it is a lying c---r or c- or both ... Anyone who says that, I
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Former President George H.W. Bush
Accused of patting seven women (including Heather Lind, pictured above) below the waist while posing for photos with them in recent years, well after he left office. The 93-year-old Republican has issued repeated apologies through a spokesman "to anyone he has offended," with the spokesman noting that the former president uses a wheelchair and that his arm sinks below people's waists when they take photos with him.
lessAccused of patting seven women (including Heather Lind, pictured above) below the waist while posing for photos with them in recent years, well after he left office. The 93-year-old Republican has issued
... more
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Congressman John Conyers
The longtime Michigan Congressman denied settling a sexual harassment complaint in 2015 from a woman who alleged she was fired from his Washington staff because she rejected his sexual advances.
The longtime Michigan Congressman denied settling a sexual harassment complaint in 2015 from a woman who alleged she was fired from his Washington staff because she rejected his sexual advances.
Photo: Paul Sancya, AP
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Roy Moore
U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore was accused of sexually assaulting two women decades ago when they were teenagers. About a half-dozen other women also have accused Moore of inappropriate conduct. Moore, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, has called the allegations "unsubstantiated," ''unproven" and "fake." He has rebuffed pressure from national Republican leaders to step aside; the state GOP is standing by him.
lessU.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore was accused of sexually assaulting two women decades ago when they were teenagers. About a half-dozen other women also have accused Moore of inappropriate conduct. Moore, a
... more
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Al Franken
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, then-comedian Al Franken and sports commentator Leeann Tweeden perform a comic skit at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 16, 2006, during the USO Sergeant Major of the Army's 2006 Hope and Freedom Tour. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., apologized Nov. 16, 2017, after Tweeden accused him of forcibly kissing her during the 2006 USO tour. Tweeden also accused Franken of posing for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept, while both were performing for military personnel two years before the one-time comedian was elected to the Senate.
lessIn this image provided by the U.S. Army, then-comedian Al Franken and sports commentator Leeann Tweeden perform a comic skit at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 16, 2006, during the USO
... more
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Dr. Larry Nassar
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman says she is among the young women abused by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Raisman tells "60 Minutes" she was 15 when she was first treated by Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent more than two decades working with athletes at USA Gymnastics. He's now is in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
lessOlympic gymnast Aly Raisman says she is among the young women abused by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Raisman tells "60 Minutes" she was 15 when she was first treated by Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent more
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Brett Ratner
Film director Brett Ratner has been accused by six women, Including actress Olivia Munn, of harassment or misconduct in a Los Angeles Times report.
Film director Brett Ratner has been accused by six women, Including actress Olivia Munn, of harassment or misconduct in a Los Angeles Times report.
Photo: Willy Sanjuan
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Mark Halperin
Halperin apologized for what he terms "inappropriate" behavior after five women claimed he sexually harassed them while he was a top ABC News executive.
Halperin apologized for what he terms "inappropriate" behavior after five women claimed he sexually harassed them while he was a top ABC News executive.
Photo: Richard Shotwell, Associated Press
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Russell Simmons
In a report published Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in the Los Angeles Times, Model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of sexual misconduct in 1991 when she was 17-years-old. Simmons, denied the allegations in a statement.
lessIn a report published Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in the Los Angeles Times, Model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of sexual misconduct in 1991 when she was 17-years-old. Simmons, denied the allegations in a
... more
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Steven Seagal
Jenny McCarthy said on her Sirius XM show Nov. 9, 2017, that Seagal sexually harassed her during an audition in 1995. A Seagal spokesman has denied the McCarthy’s accusations to The Daily Beast.
Jenny McCarthy said on her Sirius XM show Nov. 9, 2017, that Seagal sexually harassed her during an audition in 1995. A Seagal spokesman has denied the McCarthy’s accusations to The Daily Beast.
Photo: Ivan Sekretarev, AP
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Jeremy Piven
CBS is investigating a sexual harassment allegation against Piven, who currently stars in the CBS series, "Wisdom of the Crowd." Actress and reality star Ariane Bellamar claimed in posts on her Twitter account that the Emmy-winning "Entourage" star groped her on two occasions.
lessCBS is investigating a sexual harassment allegation against Piven, who currently stars in the CBS series, "Wisdom of the Crowd." Actress and reality star Ariane Bellamar claimed in posts on her Twitter account
... more
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Michael Oreskes
Former executive Michael Oreskes lost his job as National Public Radio newsroom chief following sexual harassment reports. Oreskes was vice president and senior managing editor at the AP from 2008 to 2015.
Former executive Michael Oreskes lost his job as National Public Radio newsroom chief following sexual harassment reports. Oreskes was vice president and senior managing editor at the AP from 2008 to 2015.
Photo: Chuck Zoeller, AP
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Chef John Besh
Chef John Besh stepped down from the restaurant group that bears his name after a newspaper reported that 25 current or former employees of the business said they were victims of sexual harassment.
Chef John Besh stepped down from the restaurant group that bears his name after a newspaper reported that 25 current or former employees of the business said they were victims of sexual harassment.
Photo: Edmund D. Fountain, For The Chronicle
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Dustin Hoffman
Hoffman is apologizing for alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old intern in 1985. Writer Anna Graham Hunter alleges that the 80-year-old actor groped her on the set of TV movie “Death of a Salesman” and “talked about sex to me and in front of me.”
lessHoffman is apologizing for alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old intern in 1985. Writer Anna Graham Hunter alleges that the 80-year-old actor groped her on the set of TV movie “Death of a Salesman” and
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Ed Westwick
The BBC said Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, it is pulling a new Agatha Christie adaptation from its television schedule because of a sexual assault allegation against actor Westwick. Westwick has strenuously denied the allegation.
lessThe BBC said Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, it is pulling a new Agatha Christie adaptation from its television schedule because of a sexual assault allegation against actor Westwick. Westwick has strenuously denied the
... more
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Tom Wopat
The former star of "The Dukes of Hazzard" has been accused of indecently assaulting two female members of a musical in Massachusetts.
The former star of "The Dukes of Hazzard" has been accused of indecently assaulting two female members of a musical in Massachusetts.
Photo: AP
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Jeffrey Tambor
Trace Lysette, an actress on "Transparent," says the shows star Tambor pressed his body against hers in a sexually aggressive manner during filming and made inappropriate and unwanted sexual statements. Tambor denies the allegations saying he has never been a predator - ever.
lessTrace Lysette, an actress on "Transparent," says the shows star Tambor pressed his body against hers in a sexually aggressive manner during filming and made inappropriate and unwanted sexual statements.
... more
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Robert Knepper
Knepper was accused by one woman of sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Knepper was accused by one woman of sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Photo: Richard Shotwell, Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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George Takei
Takei has denied he groped a struggling model in 1981.
Takei has denied he groped a struggling model in 1981.
Photo: Phil Mccarten, AP
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Jann Wenner
Rolling Stone co-founder and publisher Jann Wenner was accused by one man of sexual harassment. He says he did not intend to make the accuser uncomfortable.
Rolling Stone co-founder and publisher Jann Wenner was accused by one man of sexual harassment. He says he did not intend to make the accuser uncomfortable.
Photo: Evan Agostini, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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Hamilton Fish
New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish faces multiple sexual harassment allegations. He has resigned from the magazine.
New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish faces multiple sexual harassment allegations. He has resigned from the magazine.
Photo: Nomi Ellenson/FilmMagic
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Leon Wieseltier
New Republic editor Leon Wieseltier is accused of sexually harassing numerous women. Removed from the masthead of The Atlantic magazine. He has apologized for his behavior.
New Republic editor Leon Wieseltier is accused of sexually harassing numerous women. Removed from the masthead of The Atlantic magazine. He has apologized for his behavior.
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Glenn Thrush
New York Times White House reporter Glenn Thrush is accused of making drunken, unwanted advances on women. He disputes some of the accusations but has said he had had a drinking problem and apologized for "any situation where I behaved inappropriately."
lessNew York Times White House reporter Glenn Thrush is accused of making drunken, unwanted advances on women. He disputes some of the accusations but has said he had had a drinking problem and apologized for "any
... more
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Jeff Hoover
Kentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover stepped down as speaker this month after news surfaced that the Republican had settled a sexual harassment claim from a GOP caucus staffer. Hoover denied the harassment allegation but said he sent consensual yet inappropriate text messages. He remains in the Legislature.
lessKentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover stepped down as speaker this month after news surfaced that the Republican had settled a sexual harassment claim from a GOP caucus staffer. Hoover denied the harassment
... more
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Stephen Bittel
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel (center), is accused of sexually inappropriate comments and behavior toward a number of women, Bittel resigned. Meanwhile, Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens resigned after a report that he had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist, and Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala is being investigated by the Senate over allegations of harassment and groping. Latvala has denied the allegations.
lessFlorida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel (center), is accused of sexually inappropriate comments and behavior toward a number of women, Bittel resigned. Meanwhile, Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens
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Image 42 of 50
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Gary Goddard
Director-producer Gary Goddard — Accused by one man of sexually molesting him when the man was 12. He denies the allegation.
Director-producer Gary Goddard — Accused by one man of sexually molesting him when the man was 12. He denies the allegation.
Photo: Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan Via Getty Image
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Matthew Weiner
"Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner has been accused by one woman of sexual harassment. He denies the allegation.
"Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner has been accused by one woman of sexual harassment. He denies the allegation.
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Tom Sizemore
Actor Tom Sizemore is accused of groping an 11-year-old actress in 2003. Utah prosecutors declined to file charges, citing witness and evidence problems. He denies the allegation.
Actor Tom Sizemore is accused of groping an 11-year-old actress in 2003. Utah prosecutors declined to file charges, citing witness and evidence problems. He denies the allegation.
Photo: John Carucci, AP
In this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP)
lessIn this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by
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In this Feb. 19, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor uses his phone at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul to time a promo for an upcoming show. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Euan Kerr/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)
lessIn this Feb. 19, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor uses his phone at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul to time a promo for an upcoming show. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota
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In this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP)
lessIn this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by
... more
In this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP)
lessIn this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by
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In this Sept. 30, 2014 photo, Garrison Keillor talks with Daily Circuit host Tom Weber in the studios at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul, Minn. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Jeffrey Thompson/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)
lessIn this Sept. 30, 2014 photo, Garrison Keillor talks with Daily Circuit host Tom Weber in the studios at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul, Minn. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by
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Garrison Keillor fired for 'inappropriate behavior'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Garrison Keillor, whose stories of small-town characters entertained legions of public radio listeners for 40 years on "A Prairie Home Companion," became another celebrity felled by allegations of workplace misconduct on Wednesday when Minnesota Public Radio terminated his contracts.
The homegrown humorist told The Associated Press he was fired over "a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard." Keillor didn't detail the allegation to AP, but he later told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he had put his hand on a woman's bare back when trying to console her.
"I meant to pat her back after she told me about her unhappiness, and her shirt was open and my hand went up it about six inches. She recoiled. I apologized," Keillor told the newspaper in an email. "I sent her an email of apology later, and she replied that she had forgiven me and not to think about it.
"We were friends. We continued to be friendly right up until her lawyer called."
MPR said only that it received allegations of "inappropriate behavior" against Keillor last month involving one person who worked with him during his time hosting "A Prairie Home Companion." Keillor retired as host of the radio variety show last year, but continued to work for MPR on various projects.
MPR said it had received no other complaints but had retained an outside law firm that was continuing to investigate.
Later Wednesday, Keillor gave a statement to MPR News saying he had to "respect the privacy of the two employees who have made the allegations." A spokeswoman for MPR's corporate arm didn't immediately respond to questions from AP on whether Keillor was accused of bad behavior with more than one person.
Keillor's hand-picked successor to host the show, mandolinist Chris Thile, tweeted Wednesday he was "in shock" after Keillor's firing. Thile had been a frequent musical guest on the show and said he knew nothing about the allegation, adding: "I trust that the proper steps are being taken."
Sue Scott, who worked on the show as a voice actor for 24 years with Keillor, told the AP she was stunned. She said she saw no evidence of inappropriate behavior from Keillor.
Fans also were shocked. Cindy Dina, of the Minneapolis suburb of Forest Lake, said she frequently listened when Keillor hosted the show and admired him, saying the Minnesota native was "iconic."
"It's just one more, wow," she said, adding that she hoped the continuous allegations against high-profile men would send a strong message to all men.
Keillor's storytelling earned him comparisons with Mark Twain and Will Rogers. His 1985 best-selling book, "Lake Wobegon Days," landed him on the cover of Time magazine.
"A Prairie Home Companion" was heard by nearly 4 million listeners a week on nearly 700 public radio stations across the U.S. the year before Keillor left as host. The inaugural show — attended by about a dozen people at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, on July 6, 1974 — is in the Library of Congress' national registry of historic sound recordings.
On Wednesday, Keillor didn't say when the incident with the woman occurred. In his statement to AP, Keillor said it was "poetic irony to be knocked off the air by a story, having told so many of them myself.
"But I'm 75 and don't have any interest in arguing about this. And I cannot in conscience bring danger to a great organization I've worked hard for since 1969."
His separation from MPR came just days after Keillor, an avowed Democrat, wrote a syndicated column that ridiculed the idea that Minnesota Sen. Al Franken should resign over allegations of sexual harassment.
MPR said it would rename the show now hosted by Thile and end distribution of "The Writer's Almanac," Keillor's daily reading of a poem and telling of literary events. MPR also plans to end rebroadcasts of "The Best of A Prairie Home Companion" hosted by Keillor.
Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" aired on Saturdays, featuring tales of his fictional Minnesota hometown of Lake Wobegon "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."
The show featured musical acts, folksy humor, parody ads for fake products such as Powdermilk Biscuits and the centerpiece: Keillor delivering a seemingly off-the-cuff monologue, "The News From Lake Wobegon," in his rich baritone voice.
He also has been working on a Lake Wobegon screenplay and a memoir about growing up in Minnesota.
"A person could not hope for more than what I was given," Keillor said in his statement Wednesday to AP.
Keillor was scheduled to appear Wednesday evening at a theater in western Massachusetts along with the folk duo Robin and Linda Williams, but the show was canceled.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Garrison-Keillor-says-fired-over-alleged-improper-12392177.php
