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Confirming the earlier DHD report that HBO's Chris Albrecht was, in the words of an insider, "toast," Variety now says that corporate parent Time Warner will soon announce that it's given the embattled, rehabbing executive "the boot." Brace yourselves for a press release short on colorful firing metaphors, but long on talk about how the company hopes the surrender of his job will give Albrecht the time to get the help he needs.

UPDATE: The Reporter now has the official statement (excerpted after the jump), which makes clear that TW asked for the resignation:

"With great regret, at the request of Time Warner, I have agreed to step down as chairman and CEO of Home Box Office," Albrecht said in a statement issued by TW. "I take this step for the benefit of my Home Box Office colleagues, recognizing that I cannot allow my personal circumstances to distract them from the business. I'm very proud of what we have achieved together at Home Box Office, and I wish everybody there many more successes in the future."