Melissa Harris-Perry, the former host of the now-canceled public radio program The Takeaway, has spoken out about the show’s cancellation, calling it an act of abuse.
The show started in 2008 as an alternative program to NPR’s Morning Edition. According to The Root, The Takeaway’s “decline in audience as well as the financial challenge of producing a daily show––a situation made more challenging this year by the headwinds facing many across media––has led us to this decision.”
A WNYC spokesperson said that the show’s listening has decreased by nearly 13 percent over the last few years.
On Friday, Harris-Perry criticized the decision to cancel the show and shared her thoughts on Twitter, with absolutely no filter.
She tweeted, “The producers, editors, directors and team of @TheTakeaway deserve SO MUCH BETTER than this. This team is exceptional. Cancelling this show in this way is an act of institutional cruelty and abuse by the executives of @WNYC. I will stand for them until the end.”
The producers, editors, directors and team of @TheTakeaway deserve SO MUCH BETTER than this. This team is exceptional. Cancelling this show in this way is an act of institutional cruelty and abuse by the executives of @WNYC. I will stand for them until the end.
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) February 17, 2023
She even gave several shoutouts to her team writing, “It’s unimportant whether or not I ever work in media again but allow me to immediately and publicly write a few “letters of recommendation” for the members of team @TheTakeaway because THEY are the engines of this show and everyone in media should be CLAMORING to hire them.”
It’s unimportant whether or not I ever work in media again but allow me to immediately and publicly write a few “letters of recommendation” for the members of team @TheTakeaway – because THEY are the engines of this show and everyone in media should be CLAMORING to hire them.
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) February 17, 2023
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Many avid listeners and fans shared their disappointment in the cancellation, sharing Harris-Perry’s sentiments on Twitter.
@MHarrisPerry I loved The Takeaway, can’t wait to see what’s in store for you.
— sabrina watkins (@sabrina76300363) February 21, 2023
It’s def the leadership at WNYC. It’s clear the pandemic impacted donations BUT the mismanagement & lack of understanding of listeners is wild. The past few years station managers have questioned Brian Lehrer’s impact & tried to cancel music programs. They are trashing the place
— kathryn. like the account says (@KathrynFaccount) February 20, 2023
Your show deserves so much better than this, Melissa. I’m pretty damned outraged. There is so much content out there and so little of it decent. You were all a burst of intelligence and fun in an overcommercialized wasteland.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) February 21, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear about this! I learn so much from @TheTakeaway and I absolutely adore your voice MHP!
— dorisafinkasaurus (@dorisafinkasaur) February 21, 2023
