Alec Baldwin defended Martin Bashir on Twitter late Wednesday and had some harsh words for MSNBC after the journalist’s resignation.
“I wish @MartinBashir the best of luck,” Alec Baldwin wrote.
“Some of these cable venues really are Off-Off Television.”
“And their need for a reliable, even forced, homogeneity is more apparent than ever.”
Alec Baldwin defended Martin Bashir on Twitter and had some harsh words for MSNBC after the journalist’s resignation
Alec Baldwin, whose own MSNBC show Up Late was canceled two weeks ago after the actor was caught on camera using a gay slur, said Martin Bashir’s career shouldn’t have been ruined by one transgression.
“Broadcasters on certain networks are called upon to offer analysis of events and public policy, day in, day out, often with tremendous aggression and scalding language,” Alec Baldwin wrote.
“If, over the course of hundreds of hours on air, they commit a foul… then it’s like high-sticking in hockey or a late hit in the NFL. Throw a flag. But to end someone’s job?”
Martin Bashir resigned from the network Wednesday following flap over comments he made on air criticizing former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
Martin Bashir has resigned from MSNBC after controversial remarks about former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
In November, Martin Bashir referred to Sarah Palin, a Republican, as a “world-class idiot”, then suggested she “eat f**ces”.
Martin Bashir has since called his remarks – about her comparison of the US national debt to chattel slavery – “ill-judged”.
The British journalist joined MSNBC three years ago as a daytime chat show host.
“Martin is a good man and respected colleague – we wish him only the best,” MSNBC president Phil Griffin wrote in a statement announcing the decision on Wednesday.
Martin Bashir later released his own statement saying he had offered his resignation after a meeting with Phil Griffin and upon “further reflection” of his remarks.
Martin Bashir has resigned from MSNBC after controversial remarks about Sarah Palin
“It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues… will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself,” he wrote.
“I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers.”
Martin Bashir’s fall from grace follows comments he made on air on November 15.
“America’s resident dunce Sarah Palin scraping the barrel of her long-deceased mind and using her all-time favorite analogy in an attempt to sound intelligent about the national debt,” he said on MSNBC.
“Given her well-established reputation as a world-class idiot, it’s hardly surprising that she should choose to mention slavery in a way that is abominable to anyone who knows anything about its abominable history.”
Martin Bashir then suggested she eat f**ces, which he described as a punishment for wayward slaves.
Martin Bashir later apologized to Sarah Palin and network viewers for his “deeply offensive” comments.
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