‘Fresh Air' Returning to MPB | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

‘Fresh Air' Returning to MPB

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Terry Gross' program ‘Fresh Air' will return to Mississippi Public Broadcasting Aug. 2 in a later time slot.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting is reinstating the nationally-syndicated radio program "Fresh Air," two weeks after its decision to cancel the show for "inappropriate content" drew widespread criticism. In a statement released today, Executive Director Judy Lewis said that MPB would return "Fresh Air" to its radio schedule on Aug. 2 in a new, 9 p.m. time slot. MPB will also air notices that the show may include adult content, Lewis said.

Lewis also acknowledged the outpouring of support for "Fresh Air" that has surfaced on MPB's Facebook page.

"Comments from concerned listeners are what led to my decision to remove the program, but I want to give equal attention to listeners who enjoy the program," Lewis said. "Please know that I will not be driven by the slander, threats, curses and total misrepresentations I have received from many over this one radio program. Thoughtful, intelligent, and sincere feedback is certainly helpful, though."

MPB pulled the show July 8, citing "inappropriate content" in an email to a listener. In a post on The Rachel Maddow Show's blog, Laura Conaway reported that MPB officials responded to a complaint about "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross' July 7 interview with comedian Louis C.K. During the interview, the comedian explains that wears a shirt during sex because he is ashamed of his body.

In comments to Current, a biweekly newspaper for public broadcasting professionals, Lewis said that she has received more complaints about "Fresh Air" than any of MPB's other programs.

"Most of the comments I've received have to do with the salaciousness of Ms. Gross," Lewis said. "She talks a lot about sexual issues and the language she uses — a lot of people of Mississippi are not accustomed to hearing. They're not accustomed to hearing (the) word ‘orgasm' on the air, and three o'clock in the afternoon is not the best time to air this."

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