The fractured relationship between MSNBC and host Melissa Harris-Perry is headed toward a split, reports the Washington Post.
Citing sources at the network, Paul Farhi reports MSNBC “intends to part ways” with Harris-Perry following complaints she made about the network’s decision to pre-empt her weekend show.
In an email first reported by The New York Times, Harris-Perry said she felt “worthless” after MSNBC replaced her show with political coverage. “I will not be used as a tool for their purposes. I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head,” Harris-Perry wrote in the email. “I am not owned by Lack, Griffin or MSNBC. I love our show. I want it back,” she wrote.
The Post reports the future of weekday host Jose Diaz-Balart, whose show has also been pre-empted in recent weeks, may also be in question, with a senior executive telling the newspaper “his chances of continuing his program beyond another month” are “50-50.”
Farhi reports Harris-Perry’s future is far more clear:
MSNBC executives said they were surprised by Harris-Perry’s blast on Friday and that it may have stemmed from her perception — incorrect at the time, but now virtually inevitable due to her actions — that her weekend program was about to be canceled. “She’s a brilliant, intelligent but challenging and unpredictable personality,” one executive said. “There was no plan to cancel her.”
He added, “It’s highly unlikely she will continue” at MSNBC. Her email “is destructive to our relationship.”
Update: Sunday Morning Harris-Perry tweeted:
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