Melissa Harris-Perry is officially out at MSNBC, two days after telling her staff that she would refuse to continue hosting her MSNBC show. A network spokesperson confirmed Harris-Perry’s departure to TheWrap.
“In this exciting and unpredictable presidential primary season, many of our daytime programs have been temporarily upended by breaking political coverage, including MHP,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “This reaction is really surprising, confusing and disappointing.”
Harris-Perry tweeted a goodbye to her show Sunday morning, writing, “Farewell #Nerdland. Inviting diverse new voices to table was a privilege. Grateful for years of support & criticism.”
Farewell #Nerdland. Inviting diverse new voices to table was a privilege. Grateful for years of support & criticism. pic.twitter.com/DJ7MMvVreN
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) February 28, 2016
Harris-Perry revealed to staff this week that she would refuse to host her weekend MSNBC show in protest over having been pre-empted by election coverage for several consecutive weeks.
“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,” Harris-Perry wrote in an email obtained by the New York Times.
In her memo, Harris-Perry singled out NBC News chairman Andrew Lack and MSNBC president Phil Griffin, writing, “I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head. I am not owned by [Andy] Lack, [Phil] Griffin or MSNBC. I love our show. I want it back.”
In an interview with the Times, Harris-Perry said, “I don’t know if there is a personal racial component. I don’t think anyone is doing something mean to me because I’m a black person.”