NPR losing Smiley

Tavis Smiley is giving up his popular NPR show after three years, signing off Dec. 16. “I am grateful for the opportunity NPR gave me to bring a broader range of viewpoints on life in America to the public airwaves,” Smiley said in a statement.

Smiley, who hosts “Tavis Smiley” on PBS, was the first African-American to host an NPR show – and immediately shot out of the box, with his show becoming the fastest-growing show in NPR history. But NPR apparently didn’t do enough to grow Smiley’s show through a comprehensive advertising/marketing campaign.

“. . . NPR’s own research has confirmed that NPR has simply failed to meaningfully reach out to a broad spectrum of Americans who would benefit from public radio . . .” Smiley wrote in a memo to station managers.

Smiley is expected to return to radio in one form or another. Stay tuned.

Last, but not least:

* NBC’s “Today” averaged a winning 5.9 million viewers last week, followed by “GMA” (5.2 million) and “The Early Show” (2.9 million viewers).

* “Good Day Live” producers have winnowed their search for a N.Y. correspondent down to five wannabes – and logged 150,000 viewer calls viewers yesterday on deciding the final three. Winner named tomorrow (noon/ Ch. 5).

* CNN’s Paula Zahn and Jim Lampley emcee the March of Dimes New York Chapter Annual Sports Lunch tomorrow at the Waldorf.

* Tomorrow: Former “American Idol” contestant John Stevens, now with Maverick Records, performs his new single, “Come Fly With Me,” aboard Song’s in augural flight (NYC-Nassau).

* Ch. 11’s “Three Stooges” marathon Sunday peaked with 320,000 viewers (12:30-1 p.m.) with “A Plumbing We Will Go” (1940).

* Jackie Mason, subbing for Monica Crowley last Saturday on WABC (770 AM), mistakenly thanked “Monica Lewinsky” in his closing comments.

* A Nov. 22 article on “Seinfeld” incorrectly reported that Jerry Seinfeld originally wanted another actor instead of Michael Richards to play Kramer. Seinfeld, in fact, championed Richards for the role – it was Larry David who had some initial objections.