MSNBC chief is leaving post

MSNBC President Rick Kaplan announced Wednesday that he was leaving the cable news network after 2 1/2 years in his post.

NBC News President Steve Capus, who oversees the network, said that he and Kaplan came to a “mutual decision” about his departure. “I think it’s time for some change there and I think Rick is in agreement,” said Capus, who praised Kaplan for helping expand MSNBC’s audience.

In an e-mail to the staff, Kaplan -- a former ABC News executive and CNN chief -- did not say what he is doing next.

But he stressed MSNBC’s recent ratings gains, saying, “It is not often in professional life that someone has the opportunity to end his tenure on such a high note.”

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-- Matea Gold

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FINALLY

Slapstick in song: Jerry Lewis will direct a musical version of his 1963 film “The Nutty Professor.” He says he hopes to present the show at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in January and then on Broadway in 2008.