The Celebrity Truth

CBS Television announced on Thursday (September 18 that Pat O’Brien is leaving gossip show ‘The Insider,’ with no reason given for his sudden departure.

The 60-year-old made headlines earlier this week for an alleged email he sent to staff of the show which said, “I just spent a couple of days in Iowa – I’m a little bit of a favorite son there – and I spoke with maybe a thousand people and was very hands-on… But what I came away with was, these people can’t afford gas, books, food or schools or movies!

“I was approached a hundred times by people asking, ‘Can you help us?’ I tried to tell them we care, but they didn’t buy it. They wanted to, but watching Anya and Lara [Spencer] pick out accessories [on the show] makes the viewers want to vomit. I’ll get killed for this, but I’m actually the one not afraid for my job. I want people to be happy.”

No confirmation or denial was issued regarding the email.

A statement announced the veteran’s departure saying, “Pat O’Brien is a talented broadcaster who has been a part of ‘The Insider’ family from the very beginning.  Although we have decided to part ways, everyone at CBS Television Distribution and ‘The Insider’ greatly appreciate and respect all his contributions to our show. We wish Pat much success in his future endeavors.”

O’Brien has also spent time in a rehabilitation facility on two separate occasions, with the first in 2005 and again earlier this year.

Photo courtesy of CBS.