@Caitlin: no, sorry, it's not happening. You've been working for a bunch of tools who don't even know what a podcast is. If they had the intelligence to change their minds, they wouldn't have made this decision in the first place.

Shop the show to PRI and APM. Give up the morning slot to The Takeaway and become that group's midday or evening show... or forget about "morning", "midday", "evening" and just live on the timeless ether of the web.

NPR sucks. Whatever are you going to do when the Ronald McDonald money runs out?

Sent by Marc Naimark | 10:16 AM ET | 07-23-2008

Boooooo. Bad move, NPR!

Sent by Carey | 10:18 AM ET | 07-23-2008

I totally agree about shopping the show to another network. This group of people/format/community WORKS. It'd be an easy fit @ PRI, a local station, etc. How did Terry Gross at WHYY get her show started? Why can't BPP do the same thing? You have a built in faithful audience who can spread the word like nobody's business.

Sent by T. Weiss | 11:13 AM ET | 07-23-2008

BPP Haiku for the Bargaining Stage of Grief:

But we'll pay for it.
Put a donation link up,
PLEASE! We'll support it!

(Aside: this one was the easiest for me to write in that the words came right away. On the other hand, it was the hardest one for me to read back in that I choked up. I guess you can tell what stage I'm at and that the BPP is not just another radio show.)

Sent by Matthew C. Scallon @mattsteady | 11:30 AM ET | 07-23-2008

I got a little teary listening to Caitlin recount listener suggestions for keeping the BPP going. It was a reminder that there's a lot more being lost here than a really excellent show.

Sent by Maura @m_a_u_r_a | 11:44 AM ET | 07-23-2008

I haven't the slightest idea what caused it, but the Cheers theme song popped into my head. It's sad in the right context.

Sent by Sarah Lee | 12:18 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I haven't seen anyone suggest a move to satellite. I already listen to BPP on Sirius and they gave Howard Stern half a billion dollars surely they can afford to fund this brilliant show. Thanks for all of your hard work BPP staff!

Sent by Michael C | 12:21 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I thought I was misunderstanding but it really is true? There will be no more Bryant Park Project? What is wrong. I love my news this way. I have completely quit listening to the regular broadcast and instead link immediately to your site and download the broadcast. I'm hating this decision. So much for fresh and interesting...

Sent by TN | 12:24 PM ET | 07-23-2008

From Morphine...maybe we all need a little pain alleviation...In Spite of Me, changed just a little.

last night I told a stranger all about you
they smiled patienty with disbelief
I' always knew you would succeed
no matter what you tried
and I know you did it all
in spite of [NPR]

still I'm proud to have known you
for the short time that I did
proud to have been a step up on your way
proud to be a part of your illustrious career
and I know you did it all
in spite of [NPR]
in spite of [NPR]

late last night
I saw you in my living room
you seemed so close but yet so cool
for a long time I thought that you'd be coming back to [NPR]
those kind of thoughts can be so cruel
so cruel

and I know you did it all
in spite of [NPR]
in spite of [NPR]

Sent by Leah | 12:46 PM ET | 07-23-2008

So where are we supposed to go to find out where you'll all be appearing? The Save BPP Facebook group? Elsewhere? I don't want to discover late that you're doing something funky on satellite or elsewhere on public radio.

Sent by Marc Naimark | 12:52 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Depression songs:
Boys do't cry - The Cure
Wave GoodBye - Erasure
With or without you - U2

I'll keep thinking of angst filled songs of my youth... But the Cheers theme song is a good one.

Sent by amy | 12:57 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Thinking of Setting up a Ning BPP Diner what do you think?
Rob

Sent by Robert Paterson | 1:00 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I am so disappointed by this. I only just found BPP a few weeks ago and really enjoy listening to it.

As a 24 year-old visual journalist, I really love this format. I'm young and in the media industry and work for a bunch of old folks at a print paper in Texas and it's so frustrating having realized that while they may say that they've embraced the future/interwebs/blahblahblah, that we're still creating the same product for the same people year after year.

I have to wonder what the download stats are on the podcast. What are the hard numbers? Do they really justify canning the show? The community is outraged - but maybe we are the few?

Sent by Lori | 1:01 PM ET | 07-23-2008

caitlin i love your optimism!!! i'm praying hard that the curtain will rise again for BPP!!!

Sent by Michael Wood | 2:19 PM ET | 07-23-2008

All things considered, even Howard Stern knows how to modulate his pipes well enough to sound luxurious and remain on air after much fines and controversy. Take an oath to "First, do no harm," or "First, do no annoying voices," and one just might survive the employ of talk media someway or another.

-Caveman Jones

Sent by Caveman Jones | 2:23 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Suggestion for Acceptance Phase on Friday - Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me"

Sent by Heather | 2:46 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I'm not sure how this giblet head became the interim CEO, but someone has made a horrible mistake appointing him. He is clearly out of touch; why is the CEO trying to make a decision about something he clearly doesn't understand.

Sent by Jeremy | 3:15 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I just got my "we feel your pain; thanks for sharing your opinion" note in the email from NPR. I guess I should be glad they bothered to respond at all.

Sent by Susie @rangersusie | 3:38 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Along with your cast, I am in mourning for the upcoming loss of the BPP. Where else will I be able to listen to such intelligent, yet humorous, jabber during my morning commute?

I have only recently discovered The Bryant Park Program and have greatly enjoyed repeating the show's daily subject matter with work colleagues. You will be greatly missed, good luck to you all. And, please let me be the first to know when NPR realizes their colossal mistake and brings you back on air!

Sent by Sara Bartholomew, Lafayette Hill, PA | 4:08 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I am terribly sad to hear this news. As a recent discoverer of your program, wish I had found you earlier. Selfishly,I am sad for the return of my painfully long commute without the entertainment of the BPP. I do hope "the governor calls" and the show is allowed to live a long fruitful, informative, entertaining and enjoyable life.

Sent by Heidi | 4:23 PM ET | 07-23-2008

how can they do this to us???

Sent by Rita Weiss | 4:23 PM ET | 07-23-2008

for the depression song, you should play something from the 1920s/30s. the time of the great depression

Sent by Rita W. | 4:35 PM ET | 07-23-2008

@amy - perfect song suggestions.
For depression - I think I'm spanning the stages all at once - add "Everybody Hurts" (REM)
On Friday (have I mentioned - my birthday?) I'll just lock myself in a dark room and listen to Sarah McLachlin, the Cure and Tori Amos and mope.

Sent by Glenn Wonacott | 4:59 PM ET | 07-23-2008

@Glenn Wonacott, Happy Birthday. If you're on Facebook, I'll send you a drink.

Sent by Matthew C. Scallon @mattsteady | 5:58 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Hope that NPR exec reads this. I just informed NPR that I have put their NPR Listens e-mails on the junk list. Have been an NPR listener for many years but they do not listen to their listeners(customers). Please try to find a way to let us know if you will be able to sell your show and where it will be. You all are great with great ideas. A shame NPR doesn't agree.

Sent by David Vaillancourt | 6:15 PM ET | 07-23-2008

I don't understand how they can cancel you now that Alison is back! I had a hard time with the show when Alison was gone, but now, it just seems mean and wrong. Come on NPR!

Sent by Deb | 6:17 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Downsize and go independent. You'd be starting with a solid fan base. Podcasting. That's the way to go.

Sent by David Morrison | 7:41 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Take one or two of the most hard-core BPP staff and wade into the world of independent podcasting. Become lean and mean and demonstrate to NPR and other low-tech media how it can be done.

Sent by David Morrison | 8:07 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Is it any wonder that NPR never manages anything more any than a tote bag giveaway?

Best wishes to the staff of the show. Let's hope PRI was paying attention.

Sent by C | 8:34 PM ET | 07-23-2008

You will be missed, BPP. I hope to see a similar reincarnation of the show sometime in the future.

Also:

It's not just NPR--the American listening public needs to get with the program!

Sent by VHS | 8:36 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Have five minutes? Send NPR a postcard about why you want them to keep the BPP:

http://www.dmotech.com/bpp/

Sent by Dan | 11:26 PM ET | 07-23-2008

re NPR Listens: just got my "image of NPR" survey. Yes, NPR is old, boring, dry. Except for that cool BPP show. Oh, never mind.

Sent by Marc Naimark | 3:44 AM ET | 07-24-2008

I just got an NPR listens (well in my case not any more) survey invite. I can live without Wait Wait...NPR is on my s***list.

Go to PRI, they have This American Life (also New York Based), which I also listen to on podcast. Obviously they have a clue because This American Life is doing great.

Sent by Nathan in Holland | 3:59 AM ET | 07-24-2008

The BPP is a living thing; it's all the people that are so passionately expressing their anger and frustration on these boards. Let us all know where and how and we can just move out of Mom's basement (NPR) and get our own place! NOTE: milk crates and smelly roadside couches are likely to be the primary furniture for a while.

Sent by Dave Bagnall | 4:20 AM ET | 07-24-2008

Obviously I am still in denial, but I really believe there must be some way to continue the BPP in some way that works for everyone. As far as I know, there is absoultely nothing else out there that compares to the BPP, as far as providing an extremely entertaining, engaging, educational, thought provoking, diverse, relevant, open-minded, funny, friendly, multi-media-encompassing, culturally hip, easily available, incredibly awesome program! I can't even think of anything that includes even a few of those aspects, much less all of them, plus all the adjectives I didn't include!

I feel like I am losing a friend or something, and I am having a really difficult time believing that there is no way for your ridiculously incredibly show to continue, somewhere, somehow!

I listen to the show via podcasts on itunes - surely there must be a way to continue the show online only that is financially feasable... Please? Someone? Anyone?

I know that other listeners understand how much your show has affected my life since last year. How can we make the people with the money understand how important and wonderful and beloved the BPP is to us?? (and how it is probably a great example of how to be successful in the future of media overall!!?)

I love you guys (especially Mike Pesca, you were awesome!!), and I pray that you can stay together and create your wonderful show somehow, please don't give up! Thanks for the 10 months or so of absolute awesomeness. And although you have ruined radio for me because there is nothing that remotely lives up to your show, I am all the better for having listened since October.

I do have a sort of crush on Pesca, but I am realizing that I might have a crush on all of you!! Thanks, and please, PLEASE keep it going somehow... If I sound like I am begging, well, I am!

Be well,
Leanne

Sent by LaBajista | 4:52 AM ET | 07-24-2008

what would happen if you all just broke out on your own and started a BPP non-profit org? lol i love how i'm writing this here on the NPR website, but seriously--- what's to stop you? there are some of us (myself included) who would be more than willing to help donate to get it off the ground and if you start with just the web for now you might even be able to program much of it for free (clearly you all would need salaries so you could eat and have a roof over your head, but i mean bandwidth-wise)--- how sad would NPR be if the BPP became a successful offshoot without their help and became more successful than some of the programming they kept? (and you all might feel a bit of vindication as well... )

:)

and look at leanne's comment- clearly people who have semi-crushes on more than one staff member would most likely help contribute :)

Sent by JW | 9:03 AM ET | 07-24-2008

Caitlin, you have a great voice! You should consider breaking into hosting!

Good luck to the BPP. I am convinced this isn't the end.

Sent by Seymour Glass | 1:53 PM ET | 07-24-2008