Posted on 11/29/2004 6:21:56 PM PST by wagglebee
WASHINGTON - Talk-show host Tavis Smiley said Monday he will be leaving National Public Radio, which he said has tried hard but fallen short of reaching "a broad spectrum of Americans who would benefit from public radio."
Smiley, 40, said Monday that Dec. 16 will be his last day as host of "The Tavis Smiley Show."
Launched in January 2002, the show is a daily, one-hour program, a collaboration between NPR and public radio stations with predominantly black audiences. Smiley said he decided against renewing his contract, which is up at the end of the year.
In a statement, he thanked NPR stations and said he has come to care even more for public radio and its potential.
"Yet, after all that we've accomplished towards our goal of seeking a broader, more diverse and younger audience for public radio," he said, "NPR's own research has confirmed that NPR has simply failed to meaningfully reach out to a broad spectrum of Americans who would benefit from public radio but simply don't know it exists or what it offers. "
NPR's vice president for communications, David Umansky, said, "The success of this show is a testament to our continuing commitment to reach out to all of these audiences with all of the resources available."
Umansky said the network wishes Smiley well, and "he will always have a place in our hearts and our history." NPR will launch a nationwide search for a new host.
The show offers a mix of news and pop culture coverage. Smiley's guests have included politicians - Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton - and celebrities - Halle Berry and Bill Maher.
The show draws 900,000 listeners every week. Its audience is 29 percent black, and 40 percent of his listeners are 44 years old or younger.
Before joining NPR, Smiley was the host of "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley" on Black Entertainment Network.
Smiley did not disclose his future plans.
Tavis who? I thought it was Guy Smiley on the Muppet Show.
Well, Tavis, you can only preach to so many Blue State Elites. Too bad that the we Red State Neanderthals are listening to Rush, huh?
Put some ice on it.
Even if he is a doctrinaire liberal, he's still pretty interesting to listen to.
Uh... you blame NPR that no one wanted to listen to your lousy show?
Maybe he can drive the final nail into CBS News's coffin.
Give him credit: he didn't blame W.
I have to agree. I listen to his show to hear the latest liberal talking points, but at least he doesn't have a grating personality like so many libs do. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, albeit misguided.
Condi Rice, Walter Williams, Clarence Thomas and several others must be a real source of confusion for him then.
Tavis Smilley Face is an overrated idiot. My fingers are sore from hitting the remote every time that I see his arrogant face on TV.
Hopefully, this will be the last that we hear of him. Please.
NPR, aka national socalist public radio, is taxpayer funded liberal media. They are anti-christian and anti-conservative. We need to remove this pig from the hog trough of public money.
I receive 5 different NPR stations where I live and I've never heard the fellow.
Who would be listening to a "liberal" radio, the flagship of Juan Williams?
Maybe he's going to take over for Dan Rather?...
NPR? National Proletariat Radio?
Juan Williams can't open his mouth without something loony coming out.
| From: Tavis Smiley Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 1:30 PM To: [Multiple recipients at public radio stations] Subject: The Tavis Smiley Show 29 November 2004 Hello Friend! I trust that this letter finds you well and enjoying the spirit and splendor of the holiday season. Let me apologize for the somewhat impersonal nature of this letter, but the sheer volume of addressees makes it a bit impossible to send each of you a personal greeting that would arrive in a timely manner. It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of my decision to not renew my contract with NPR, which expires shortly. My last scheduled day on air is anticipated to be Thursday, December 16, 2004, when my previously scheduled holiday hiatus is set to commence. I wanted to contact you personally and immediately to express my gratitude to you and your staff for giving me the chance to be heard by your listeners. I know the ridicule many of you had to endure when you decided to take this journey with me by adding my program to your line-up. I will always be appreciative of your confidence and trust. With your support, I have come to care even more for public radio and its social, cultural and intellectual potential. Yet, after all that we've accomplished towards our goal of seeking a broader, more diverse and younger audience for public radio, NPR's own research has confirmed that NPR has simply failed to meaningfully reach out to a broad spectrum of Americans who would benefit from public radio, but simply don't know it exists or what it offers. In the most multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial America ever --- I believe that NPR can and must do better in the future. I sincerely hope you understand my position. I thank you, again, for all of your support. With your help, this has been a remarkable journey, and I hope that in some small way I did my part to help make America better by the simple act of introducing Americans to each other. Keep the faith, Tavis Smiley |
Good riddance, liberal-demokkkRAT scumbag!
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