Readers respond: What's your take on NPR's 'Morning Edition' decision?

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If, Edwards is stepping down to have more time and relax, that's fine. If, they are replacing him to "freshen up" the show, it's the dumbest move since New Coke.
— Joe Betor, Tacoma

Thank goodness! At last Edwards is gone! The change will hopefully create badly needed editorial changes at Morning Edition. The news from ME contained a definite geographical bias, with emphasis on Israel. It was very clear that the rest of the world took a back seat to that bias, for seldom did Edwards discuss issues in the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Rim, or Latin America. Indeed, the bias left a huge void of silence from parts of the world that have greater impact on the United States than the Israeli-Palistinatian conflict. Let's hope that the new folks will take this badly needed change into account.
— Dick Butcher, Seattle

The greatest thing about Bob Edwards, aside from that wonderful warm voice, is that he comes across as an intelligent guy with no particular desire to impress us with his intelligence. What a refreshing lack of ego — rare in any venue, but perhaps especially so on NPR. Just thinking about his interviews with Red Barber brings tears to my eyes.
— Elizabeth Cross, Seattle

Bob's a large part of the reason I listen. Please don't make this change!
— Shaun O'Neil, Seattle

My first reaction upon reading of Edwards' replacement on the Web is that I must have accidentally clicked on the satirical newspaper "The Onion." Come on, NPR, you can't be serious. Edwards IS Morning Edition. When he's on vacation, we count the days until his return. Why mess with success? What exactly is the point of this unnecessary change? Change for change's sake? Ridiculous!
— Dennis Higgins, Kent
 

How sad. Bob Edwards is such a solid comfort each morning. "Natural evolution" does not include getting rid of someone for "a new look." There are ways that could happen without getting rid of someone who is the journalistic caliber of Mr. Edwards. The media haven't been the messengers to the public as they should be these past few years. It's getting more and more disheartening to even tune in to certain stations because of how they "think" people want to hear the news or want to slant it.

I've looked to NPR to give me a solid look at what's going on in the world and in our country. I think you are making a mistake believing that you need a new look. Perhaps your management is the one that needs the new look.
— Jon Ann Cruver, Seattle

I like Bob Edwards ... whom I've heard for many years. However, management at NPR has the right to make changes in whatever fashion they choose in their search for program improvement in the radio network. I wish the very best to both Bob Edwards and the NPR management.
— Thomas Cole, Seattle

I cannot imagine waking up each morning to some other voice than Bob Edwards'. We saw the demise of "Talk of the Nation" when "the voice" of that show (Ray Suarez) left. I fear "Morning Edition" will lose its character and uniqueness when Mr. Edwards becomes just another correspondent. NPR, beware. Newer isn't better and younger does not mean fresher.
— Eliana Maxim, Mercer Island

I have listened to "Morning Edition" and NPR since 1979, when I first heard it on a station in Philadelphia in the fall of that year. I was on a cross-country extended tour, staying with friends and working my way around the U.S. I'll never forget hearing the updates to the Iran hostage situation and how both intense and intelligent the reporting was. When I returned to Seattle I immediately found our local NPR station and have been getting my morning news from (first) KUOW and (now) KPLU ever since.

When you have a great news team already and an anchor that is like a family member, what on Earth can you be thinking of when you propose a change? It seems to me the coverage is already universal. This makes me very sad, and I'm sure I speak for my husband as well.
— Jill Goodnight and Jeff Collum, Seattle

While it is good to have fresh content, it should not be at the expense of experienced professionals who are at the top of their game. Why should someone work so hard to be the best if he or she is then at the mercy of change for the sake of change?
— Susan Richmond, Gig Harbor

Something my father taught me long ago... change for the sake of change will usually require more changes to fix problems that didn't exist in the first place. As I'm worming my way into the business of radio, something I've picked up on is that people like familiarity, someone they know, someone they trust. Bob is a consistent, knowledgeable, trustworthy host who shouldn't be shuffled around simply because he's been doing something for so long. Change like that really hurts the long-term flow and consistency of a show, and I think Morning Edition, at least initially, will suffer some as they go through this change.
— Troy Oppie, Seattle

If it is not broken don't fix it. People don't tune into NPR for new and fresh, local television news broadcasts try and be new and fresh, and that is part of the reason that local television news sucks. Now I am certainly not going to become a contributing listener.
— Forrest Roberts, Yelm

I see no reason to replace Bob Edwards. He is the voice of NPR! It's apparent that NPR's marketing department is out of touch with its listeners.
— Stephanie Pure, Seattle

Experience and skill are more important than a fresh attitude. All I can say is, you guys are ****ing crazy!!! Bob Edwards is on a first-name basis with most world leaders, and you're gonna boot him for someone new? Can you follow up his credentials? This I gotta see.
— Ellen Barnett, Seattle

I'll miss Bob Edwards. Since arriving in Kansas nearly five years ago, NPR has been my station of choice. I woke up with Bob, have relied on "Morning Edition," especially on 9/11/01. My loyalty to the NPR team will not fade ... Thanks.
— Adelene Benson, Junction City, Kan.

It's just wrong. How do I drink my coffee without him? Why are they trying to fix what isn't broken ... and they are not even letting him stay for the anniversary. It's a shame.
— Diane Schneider, Seattle

I think Bob Edwards is exceptional and see no good reason for the change — ESPECIALLY if management replaces him with a flighty, uneducated, video-saturated twentysomething who doesn't have historical perspective ... like the snippy guest commentator a few weeks ago who blasted Vietnam vets for criticizing the Bush administration's 9-11 push in the campaign ads. The twentysomethings are not special; they have not proven themselves and really haven't seen adversity; they are the pampered, impatient, ungrateful generation. NPR management, please take note.
— Renata Birkenbuel, Bellevue

The idea of removing Bob Edwards from hosting "Morning Edition" is absurd. His voice is the one I wake to every morning and has been one of the few constants in the ratings/"infotainment" confusion that has engulfed most of mass media.
— Sid Kimball, Bremerton

Change for change's sake shows a lack of sense and intelligence. The media have reworked many successful programs in an effort to "enhance," "update" or "refresh" the product (draw in more viewers/listeners). Often a negative outcome occurs. DON'T MESS WITH SUCCESS! Bob Edwards is the foundation of "Morning Edition." I'd rather stay with my morning nutrition, bread and butter, rather than try a new fruity flavor of the week.

The best thing NPR's program director could do to "refresh" its broadcast is to replace Laura Gross (the program director). Top 20 radio stations are famous for their frequent personnel changes. NPR has the reputation as a company that respects its employees and honors its broadcasters. It portrays a family, not a team environment. To force out Edwards leaves a painful blemish on NPR. While everything is fluid, it should be naturally fluid. To force Edwards out of the anchor spot makes the change artificially fluid — like the top 20, not like NPR. I wish "Morning Edition" illness with the new and hopefully incorrect path that they have chosen.
— Curt Bergquist, Burien

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