Tavis Smiley “Tom Joyner Morning Show” Exit Statement

Castina — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:31:21 +0000

Tavis Smiley is leaving the Tom Joyner Morning Show. The PBS television personality made the announcement on Friday morning installment of the TJMS. The commentator has been with the show since 1996. According to scathing reports from the Rumor Mill, Tavis is walking following severe fan backlash over his so-called ‘Barack Bashing” commentaries. Tavis came under fire in February when he publicly criticized presidental hopeful Barack Obama’s failure to attend Smiley’s annual State of the Black Union Conference in New Orleans.

Tavis attempts to clear up the rumors about his Tom Joyner exit in this press statement:

There is no way to put into words the love and respect that Tom Joyner and I have for each other, or the love affair that I’ve had with TJMS listeners for almost 12 years now.

Due to the overwhelming amount of phone calls and emails I have received from listeners and other media, I wanted to briefly clarify a few issues that I will address more fully in my regular TJMS commentary on Tuesday morning, April 15, at 8:20 a.m. ET.

I did not “quit” the Tom Joyner Morning Show effective immediately. In July I will celebrate my 12th anniversary with the show, and as I discussed with Tom, it is my intention to take on the issues of the day in my commentary twice every week with the same energy, passion and commitment until the end of June.

Contrary to what has been suggested, I have decided to clear some things off my plate so that I can devote my time and attention to some exciting and empowering projects that The Smiley Group, Inc. and other divisions of my company have underway this summer, this fall and beyond.

I look forward to continuing the dialogue on Tuesday and in the coming months. www.tavistalks.com

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Tavis Smiley “Tom Joyner Morning Show” Exit Statement