Longtime NBC newsman and memorable "Dateline" segment host Chris Hansen has left the network — and TheWrap newsroom had some fun imagining how his departure was handled.
(Hansen's "To Catch a Predator," in which he confronted men who tried to set up sexual encounters with children, was a ratings success in the mid-2000s — but was discontinued in 2007 after one man caught in a sting committed suicide.)
Also read: 'To Catch a Predator' Lawsuit OK'd by Judge
NBC did not elaborate on Hansen's exit, but come on — it had to be something like …
HR Rep: Hi, I'm the HR Rep from NBC. Why don't you have a seat over there?
Chris Hansen: (nervously) Um … okay, I guess. What — what's going on here?
HR Rep: Would you like a drink of water?
Chris Hansen: No — no. I don't know.
HR Rep: What's in that bag you brought?
Chris Hansen: My laptop? What's going on here?
HR Rep: Uh huh, uh huh. Listen, what did you think was going to happen here? Why are you here?
Chris Hansen: I was called in … my contract's up for renewal, right?
HR Rep: Mm hm, mm hm. How old did you think that contract was? How many years did you think you'd have on that contract?
Chris Hansen: Okay, look, that contract is at least 20 years old. I joined the network in 1993!
HR Rep: Well, we're not renewing it.
(an NBC Security Officer dressed as an office plant jumps up and ushers Hansen out)
~~fin~~
TV Guide first reported the news.