Not Feeling Smiley: An Upset NPR Host, And A Possible Blow for Books

By Steven Zeitchik, PW NewsLine -- Publishers Weekly, 12/1/2004

For those who don't follow the soap opera that is NPR inside politics, Tavis Smiley is leaving in December after Smiley chose not to renew his contract.

Smiley sent a memo explaining the non-renewal and lambasting the station for not reaching out to a younger, more diverse audience. "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."

Smiley is a relatively influential figure on the book scene; with his show's wide-ranging cultural bent, he's covered the end of Oprah and has interviewed NBA winners. He also has his own small book imprint with Hay House. And so some publicists worry what the loss of he who has been called the black Charlie Rose will mean for book media. "He wasn't on in as many markets as, say, Morning Edition, but he did do a lot of books," said one.

The station didn't enumerate books in a statement, but did give a general assurance. "NPR will launch an aggressive national search for a new host who can build upon the success of the show," it said. In an interview, spokesperson David Umansky's said "I would expect the same numbers of the various people and that includes authors," adding, "I don't foresee any changes in the near future."