I’m Starting To Change My Tune On Charlie

A year ago when Charlie Sykes abruptly left the Bulwark, many people on this board surmised that there it was some sort of nasty falling out or palace intrigue among the Bulwark staff and he was forced out. I never did. I accepted Charlie’s explanation that he was tired of doing a daily podcast, a daily newsletter and MSNBC hits, and wanted to spend more time with his family. He’s older, and I figured maybe there were some health issues going on as well.

I’m starting to change my tune.

It’s become pretty obvious that Charlie left with a 1-year non-compete agreement that kept him off the air. That’s a strange thing to do if you’re really planning on retiring, and it’s typically not a part of an amicable parting. Then Charlie starts a new podcast exactly a year later, on the first day he’s eligible. So now the guy who supposedly didn’t want to do “a daily podcast, a daily newsletter and MSNBC hits” is back to doing…..a daily podcast, a daily newsletter and MSNBC hits. Hmm.

This, together with the fact that he almost never talks about The Bulwark or is former co-hosts, leads me to believe something bad went down.

Thoughts?