Longtime “Hardball” host Chris Matthews is recovering from prostate cancer surgery, according to an update on Monday from fill-in host Steve Kornacki on the MSNBC show.
{mosads}“Before we go tonight, Chris hasn’t been here the last few nights and he wanted to let you know why,” Kornacki said at the end of the 7 p.m. hour. “Chris is recovering from prostate cancer surgery last week.”
“The procedure went well, but he’s taking a few days to get back into fighting shape,” Kornacki added. “I know he’s looking forward to getting back very soon.”
Matthews last appeared on “Hardball” on Oct. 4. A date has not been yet been set for his return.
The 73-year-old has hosted the program for the past 25 years, with the last 20 airing on MSNBC. Prior to the move to MSNBC, “Hardball” aired on CNBC and the now-defunct America’s Talking cable channel.
The title of the show was taken from Matthews’s 1988 book, “Hardball: How Politics Is Played, Told by One Who Knows the Game.”