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Report: 'Megyn Kelly Today' staffer fired after complaining about 'toxic,' 'abusive' environment
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Report: 'Megyn Kelly Today' staffer fired after complaining about 'toxic,' 'abusive' environment

A report by the Daily Mail alleged that a "Megyn Kelly Today" staffer was fired after making complaints to NBC President Noah Oppenheim, as well as human resources, over a purportedly "toxic" and "abusive" work environment.

What are the details?

The show's former head writer, Kevin Bleyer, reportedly sent an email Tuesday to colleagues revealing that he was fired from the network following complaints he'd made about two of the show's top executives, Christine Cataldi and Jackie Levin.

The Daily Mail reported Thursday that Bleyer complained to Oppenheim about workplace bullying and harassment and named Cataldi and Levin as the people responsible for the toxic environment.

Bleyer's email to staffers also contained the original message he'd reportedly sent to Oppenheim and HR, which detailed information about the workplace where, he said, employees were belittled and subjected to foul-mouthed tirades.

The outlet reported that a portion of the email read: "It is a special absurdity — and what some find a hard-to-swallow injustice — that as a team we’ve been lauded for covering harassment stories daily on air, while the staff producing those stories feels so embattled and bullied themselves."

"I’m sad to say … the executive incompetence continues — as does the dysfunctional management, abusive treatment, maddening hypocrisy, staggering inefficiencies, acidic and deficient communication, and relentless scapegoating," the email continued. "Jackie Levin persists in creating a toxic and demeaning environment, and Christine Cataldi enables and reinforces it."

The email continued, pointing out the "special absurdity" of the "Megyn Kelly Today" team being praised for the continued coverage of sexual harassment stories while the staff is reportedly subjected to bullying. "As a result, veteran staffers are looking for the exits," the email added.

Levin reportedly fired Bleyer from his position at the network on Monday.

Is there more?

The email did not name Megyn Kelly as involved in — or even aware of — the incidents, according to the Daily Mail. The outlet wrote that a source familiar with the incident also noted that Kelly was unaware of the situation.

"We don't believe that Megyn had any idea that this is happening," the source told the Daily Mail. "Jackie manages up well and Megyn is no doubt under the impression that all is well on her show. Put simply – it's not."

The source added, "We hope that Megyn sees this and speaks up. She has the power to change this and have Jackie removed from the show."

The publication reportedly spoke to an NBC insider who told the outlet that "the working environment on 'Megyn Kelly Today' is completely toxic."

"It is hypocritical that a show that has positioned itself as a safe place for those who are victims, has staff that feel like they are being harassed and abused," the insider reportedly said.

An NBC spokesperson, when reached for comment, told the Daily Mail, "Jackie and Christine are being attacked unfairly. They are both excellent and experienced producers, and have the full support of everyone here. They, and the team, are fully focused on continuing the show's momentum as it continues to climb in the ratings."

Page Six, which also reported on the incident Thursday, said that it, too, spoke to an NBC rep who said that Bleyer — an Emmy Award-winning writer who previously worked with Jon Stewart, and who had also assisted in writing comedic speeches for former President Barack Obama — was fired for an issue unrelated to his purported allegations.

The rep said that Bleyer "was let go for one reason only: he was the wrong fit for this role, as a comedy writer at a morning news broadcast."

The Daily Mail reported that Bleyer declined to speak to the outlet.

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