Radio Sweethearts

The Forget Ferris Project (Save the BPP!) forges on in the face of listlessness, hopelessness, hangovers, and biopsies the nation over.

We got name-dropped on the BPP today. Which would feel good under happier circumstances.

Some clarifications of credit are due: The lovely “Save Ferris” watertower graphic is mine, and is to be shared. We did NOT start the “SAVE BPP” Facebook group. I was just an early member.

Yesterday’s News, Updated for Today:

Please repost what follows as you see fit.

The Bryant Park Project has been canceled. This doesn’t make us happy.

Of all NPR programs, the BPP has most actively embraced online media (I hesitate to call it “New Media” anymore; it should be universal). We first found them on Twitter, and their blog is one of two news outlets in my RSS reader.

Their use of social networking and blogging and video has allowed them to create, in just a few short months, the kind of personality and relationship with their listeners that takes other programs years to develop.

If you, too, dislike their cancellation, please call the people at these phone numbers, and let them know (politely) how you feel.

• NPR media relations: 202-513-2300
• NPR listener service: 202-513-3232

Laura Conaway, the BPP online editor, posted the following on the BPP blog:

A lot of you have asked where you can write to register your unhappiness with NPR’s decision. Here’s the answer: Go to npr.org/contact/. Click on the “I want to contact a program” option and pick Bryant Park in the drop-down menu. I’ve been assured that NPR has set up a special folder for these so they’ll be separated quickly from the rest of the audience e-mail and directed to the right person. Don’t send it to “contact an NPR office/management,” since it will go into the general pool of incoming mail and will take longer to be forwarded.

You can also write to our Ombudsman, Alicia Shepard. She can be reached here.

There is now also a “Save BPP” Facebook Group.

 Blog Reactions:

• Carlo Scannella posted an open letter to NPR Executives.
• John Proffitt is not surprised.
• WBUR and The ConverStation offer some likely explanations (and think we’re incandescent with rage).
• Our friend Zach thinks we’re crazy.
• Another friend, Lindsey, wants to help us help, and has kind words for Laura Conaway.
• Eliz. S. swears the BPP hasn’t taken over her blog. (It has.)
• Beau Yarbrough wonders why NPR didn’t even try to have the BPP raise its own money.
• The ArtsJournal merely aggregated the New York Times story. The link whores.
• The Wikipedia page was updated in a manner best described as “depressingly prompt.”
• The Huffington Post is still processing my account status, so I can’t comment.
• Sky Bluesky knows the show was/is big-time great.
• We never learned what all the damn drilling in the BPP studio was about.

That, thus far, is our call to arms. This post will be updated continually until otherwise noted.

Thanks, and keep ideas and links coming in the comments!