Kelly, NBC in talks for her exit

On the Tuesday episode of her show, Megyn Kelly made remarks on blackface Halloween costumes that caused a backlash. On Wednesday, she looked into the camera and apologized. On Thursday, she did not go to work, and a rerun of “Megyn Kelly Today” replaced the live broadcast of her show.

Kelly’s absence was a sign that she is not likely to return to the NBC airwaves.

Bryan Freedman, a Los Angeles litigator just hired by Kelly, has started negotiations with NBC about her potential exit from the network, according to two people briefed on recent discussions.

With another repeat episode of “Megyn Kelly Today” scheduled for Friday, Noah Oppenheim, the president of NBC News, and Jackie Levin, the show’s executive producer, told staff members Thursday to prepare for a few days off. Oppenheim and Levin also informed them that they would be moved into new jobs at the network if the program was canceled, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

The offstage machinations took place two days after Kelly suggested, during an on-air roundtable discussion, that it was appropriate for white people to dress in blackface as part of their Halloween costumes.

Kelly apologized for her comments on two occasions this week — once in an email to colleagues, and again on the air.

In an indication of how Kelly’s stock has fallen, she is no longer represented by a talent agent. Kelly cut ties with the Creative Artists Agency this week.

If Kelly leaves NBC, speculation is that she might attempt a return to Fox News, but the network suggested Thursday that was not a likely outcome.