I have never been a fan of Tavis Smiley. I was shocked when NPR gave him a show a few years ago, because his work on BET and CNN was always so horrible. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but I could never figure out if he was interested in pushing his agenda or doing real news. He’d suck up to his guests in such a pathetic way that I’d feel sorry for him. I never heard his NPR show, but I guess it wasn’t working for him, because he’s sent out a letter telling his fans that it’s over:

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 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.

Someone should have told Smiley before he started the gig at NPR that the network’s core audience are middle class white listeners. It’s been that way for a long time. If Smiley really wants to reach black Americans with the type of programming NPR provides, then he needs to start from the ground up. NPR is built on a foundation of middle class white donors who pony up during the pledge drives. That’s who NPR caters to because that’s who pays the bills.

I have no doubt that Smiley, being the opportunist that he is, will pop up somewhere else.