Getting fired sucks. Learning about it on TV while talking to your employees? Even worse.

Turns out FBI Director James Comey "learned from news reports that he had been fired while addressing bureau employees in Los Angeles," according to the New York Times.

"While Mr. Comey spoke, television screens in the background began flashing the news that he had been fired."

That's pretty harsh.

Reminds me of players learning they've been traded via Sportscenter https://t.co/J9sCvgigxa — Alex Kantrowitz (@Kantrowitz) May 9, 2017

Apparently #Comey found out he was fired via TV screens at his speech in LA. Classy. Via @CNN pic.twitter.com/OU8rin4ksS — Jackie (@Jackstar009) May 10, 2017

At first, he thought it was a joke.

"In response, Mr. Comey laughed, saying he thought it was a fairly funny prank," the Times reported. Cue the awkwardness ...

"Then his staff started scurrying around in the background and told Mr. Comey that he should step into a nearby office."

Comey used to head the agency responsible for investigating possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election, which obviously has people a little worried about the future of American democracy. (Yes, there have been plenty of Nixon comparisons.)

So far, Comey hasn't issued an official statement backing out of an FBI recruitment event that was scheduled to take place Tuesday night in Hollywood, but the local CBS radio affiliate reported he's not going to make it.

It also appears he is heading to LAX. Oh, and news helicopters are following him around like he's OJ.

Local news has a chopper over Comey’s car on the 405, heading south toward LAX. Likely will not be speaking as scheduled pic.twitter.com/I3dN6BM4Rh — Jon Passantino (@passantino) May 10, 2017

The Eventbrite page for his speaking event is still up and has this disclaimer: "Due to often unforeseen operational demands, some program representatives may be unavailable for some or all portions of the event."

Unforeseen — what an understatement.