Tucker Carlson says bye-bye bow tie

NEW YORK, April 14 (UPI) -- MSNBC talk show host Tucker Carlson has shucked his trademark bow tie.

"I'm not wearing a bow tie" anymore, Carlson posted on his Web site Thursday, the New York Post reported.

"This is odd for me. I've worn a bow tie on television every night for the past six years, and for 15 years off-air before that ... Since I was in the 10th grade," he wrote. "I've certainly spent a lot of time defending them. But from now on, I'm going without."

Carlson said his reason for ditching the look is simple -- he needs to give his neck "a break."

"No, I didn't lose a bet," he wrote. "It is not a political statement. I didn't ditch the bow tie as a protest, or in solidarity with any oppressed group. It's not a ratings ploy. I just decided I wanted to give my neck a break.

"A little change is good once in a while."