Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is not the only one feeling the negative effects of the now-infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape. The other man heard on that tape, former Hollywood host Billy Bush, has lost his job on NBC’s Today Show.
From Troubled Beginning To Abrupt End
Billy Bush got off to a rocky start at the Today Show. He joined as a co-anchor this past summer and, almost immediately, a video of him arguing with weatherman Al Roker over Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s since-debunked claim of being robbed in Rio de Janeiro went viral.
The Access Hollywood video, released on October 7 by the Washington Post, proved to be the end for Bush at NBC.
Rumors of Bush’s ousting were swirling within days of the scandal breaking, and the Washington Post reported that Bush and his attorney were working on a separation agreement. He has not appeared on the Today Show since the tape was released.
As of yesterday, October 17, it’s official – Billy Bush is out.
The Washington Post released NBC’s statement:
“‘Billy Bush will be leaving the “Today” show’s 9 a.m. hour, effective today,’ NBC Senior Vice President Noah Oppenheim wrote in a memo to staff on Monday evening. ‘While he was a new member of the “Today” team, he was a valued colleague and longtime member of the broader NBC family. We wish him success as he goes forward.’
… After NBC confirmed the official exit Monday, Bush’s attorney told Variety that ‘Billy is no longer employed by NBC. He is a free agent, and there is no noncompete,’ meaning he could, theoretically, quickly find work elsewhere.”
Given Bush’s reputation in the business, it may be a while before he’s employed in television again.
Then again, with talk of Trump TV in the works, perhaps Trump can live up to his claims of being a “job creator” and offer Billy Bush a new gig?
Featured Image via screenshot from Washington Post video
