PASADENA, Calif. – MSNBC’s top executive said Saturday he hasn’t decided whether conservative commentator and author Pat Buchanan will be allowed back on the network.

Buchanan, a former GOP presidential candidate and a paid MSNBC contributor, hasn’t been on the network since the publication of his book, “Suicide of a Superpower” last October. The book has chapters titled “The End of White America” and “The Death of Christian America” and its author argues that the United States is in the “Indian summer of our civilization.”

“When Pat was on his book tour, because of the content of the book, I didn’t think it should be part of the national dialogue much less part of the dialogue on MSNBC,” said MSNBC President Phil Griffin. The minority advocacy group Color of Change has circulated a petition urging MSNBC to fire Buchanan.

Buchanan did appear for an interview about his book in October on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” where host Sean Hannity said, “Welcome out of exile.”

Griffin would not discuss the length of Buchanan’s contract with MSNBC or whether it would be renewed.

The conservative firebrand has seemed increasingly out of place on a network that has emphasized a liberal viewpoint on many of its programs in recent years. Last August, Buchanan went on “Morning Joe” to explain that he wasn’t trying to slur President Obama by referring to him as “your boy” during an on-air discussion with talk show host Al Sharpton.

Meanwhile, “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski acknowledged at a news conference Saturday that they considered offers from other networks in recent months, including CBS, which is launching a new morning show on Monday.

Scarborough said they concluded that they couldn’t duplicate their show on broadcast television, specifically the lengthy interviews.

Betty White takes no credit for reaching age 90

PASADENA, Calif. – Betty White says her plans for her upcoming 90th birthday might include “a little vodka on the rocks.”

The tireless actress’s big day on Jan. 17 seems to be exciting others more than her. NBC is airing a birthday special for White the day before and has picked up a “Candid Camera”-like prank show featuring senior citizens called “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.”

“I didn’t accomplish anything,” White said Friday. “It just came up on me. I’m blessed with good health.”

NBC has not yet put “Off Their Rockers,” which White would host, on the schedule. White said she’s on hand to make sure none of the humor is mean-spirited. In most of the cases, young people are the butt of the show’s jokes.

“It’s the reverse psychology of the ‘poor old seniors,'” White said.

Griffin soon will rant on own show

PASADENA, Calif. – Comic Kathy Griffin is never shy about offering her opinions. Soon she’ll have a weekly outlet for them.

The Bravo network said Saturday that it will premiere “Kathy,” a once-a-week talk show hosted by Griffin, sometime this spring. The network hasn’t decided when it will air regularly.

Bravo said the show will feature Griffin’s thoughts “on everything pop culture as she rants on the week’s biggest headlines and tabloid gossip.”

TMZ won’t be in court

ASPEN, Colo. – Attorneys for Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife have prevailed in keeping a celebrity-news website from airing her appearance in court on drug and assault charges.

The Aspen Times reports a judge has denied a request from TMZ to air the Jan. 23 proceeding for Brooke Mueller. District Judge Gail Nichols said the live courtroom feed would “unduly detract from the solemnity, decorum and dignity of the court.”

— From news service reports