Melissa Harris-Perry has been cancelled at MSNBC, Variety reports:
The anchor, who has hosted a weekend program on the NBCUniversal-owned cable-news outlet since 2012, said she will not host her show this weekend in what appears to be a significant difference of opinion regarding her role at the network, which has in recent months focused more intently on breaking-news coverage and politics.
Harris-Perry elaborated on the factors behind her decision in a heartfelt post on Medium:
As you know by now, my name appears on the weekend schedule for MSNBC programming from South Carolina this Saturday and Sunday. I appreciate that many of you responded to this development with relief and enthusiasm. To know that you have missed working with me even a fraction of how much I’ve missed working with all of you is deeply moving. However, as of this morning, I do not have any intention of hosting this weekend. Because this is a decision that affects all of you, I wanted to take a moment to explain my reasoning.
Some unknown decision-maker, presumably Andy Lack or Phil Griffin, has added my name to this spreadsheet, but nothing has changed in the posture of the MSNBC leadership team toward me or toward our show. Putting me on air seems to be a decision being made solely to save face because there is a growing chorus of questions from our viewers about my notable absence from MSNBC coverage. Social media has noted the dramatic change in editorial tone and racial composition of MSNBC’s on-air coverage. In addition, Dylan Byers of CNN has made repeated inquiries with MSNBC’s leadership and with me about the show and what appears to be its cancellation. I have not responded to reporters or social media inquiries. However, I am not willing to appear on air in order to quell concerns about the disappearance of our show and our voice.
Here is the reality: our show was taken — without comment or discussion or notice — in the midst of an election season. After four years of building an audience, developing a brand, and developing trust with our viewers, we were effectively and utterly silenced. Now, MSNBC would like me to appear for four inconsequential hours to read news that they deem relevant without returning to our team any of the editorial control and authority that makes MHP Show distinctive.
The purpose of this decision seems to be to provide cover for MSNBC, not to provide voice for MHP Show. I will not be used as a tool for their purposes. I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head. I am not owned by Lack, Griffin, or MSNBC. I love our show. I want it back. I have wept more tears than I can count and I find this deeply painful, but I don’t want back on air at any cost. I am only willing to return when that return happens under certain terms.
The network has hit back at Harris-Perry, saying via statement:
“In this exciting and unpredictable presidential primary season, many of our daytime programs have been temporarily upended by breaking political coverage, including MHP. This reaction is really surprising, confusing and disappointing.”
RIP.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the status of MHP…
faun says
She absolutely deserved to be cancelled.
Man1 says
MSNBC will be down 2 irreverent hosts When Trump wins in Nov and Al Sharpton sticks to his word and bails out of the USA. Did I just say Al Sharpton sticks to his WORD? Well excuuuuuse me.
Skyman says
GOOD RIDDANCE !!!
Paul says
Used to enjoy MHP when she would sub for Rachel Maddow. But she got to the point where she would deep water drill to find racism whether it existed or not. Turned her off after the Star Wars racism. Jeesh!
Gwen says
What a shame. The show was crisp and cutting edge. All you haters, change the channel.
Helga Ganguly says
I miss her voice ,her face, and her opinion.Those of you who don’t,go suck on an egg. Move to Russia. Stick your head in a blender. Or dye your hair with urine on Mondays like your brainless leader, Herr Drumpf (Sieg Heil!)
G. Nicholas says
This show was fast moving, intelligent and informative. Guess it was too much for MSNBC.
Lilly says
Never should have had a show. MHP is one of the most hate filled , vile, wretched excuses for a human being on earth. She always wanted to create racism BS when none existed. She should move away from the U.S. to a 3rd world country, or city like Bangladesh. She is not fit, nor deserving to live in USA.
When Trump gets in hopefully all of these slime will move as they promised, & good riddance.& please take Illegal Muslim Obama with you.
Notce how all these radicals collapse. Soledad O’Brien gone, Kathy Couric the Commie Hag gone, MHP gone. %$#@ for brains can’t make it in the real world.