Pontiac Repair: silly 01 Grand Am GT1 wont shift or give me back my Key!, mechanical linkage, silly thing

Question
This started about 5 days ago.  It is intermittent...starts just fine, but I have to try and try to get the silly thing to shift out of park.  When I finally get it into gear, and I return it back to park, my key won't go any further than the acc. postion and won't give me my key back unless I mess with it for awhile.

Can you tell me what the heck is wrong with it?

Answer
Hey Janice:

Well it's more than likely the shifter assembly it's self. there is a mechanical linkage in it that has a cable that's connected to the ignition switch if that cable is either kinked or the lever in the shifter is binding up it will not allow you to release the key. good luck :)