E tu, Mickey?

Remember how we talked about Kim Kardashian’s appearance on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me over the weekend? That was the same interview where Kim said the idea of naming her second child “South West” was “the stupidest thing ever” and “just ridiculous.” Well, funny story: NPR got CRAZY backlash for allowing Kim to appear on that show. NPR’s ombudsman had to compile all of the hate mail they got from NPR snobs after Kim’s appearance. Here’s just part of NPR’s ombudsman’s post:

Kardashian’s presence on the show sent several hundred listeners over the top. By the dozens, they say they are “disgusted” and “disappointed,” and a handful are sure the show has “jumped the shark.” Paula Poundstone’s “exposition on the proper preparation of Pop Tarts” is OK, wrote Gary Miller of Charles Town, W.Va., but Kardashian? “She has no business in any civilized forum,” he wrote.

The listeners are self-aware and unapologetic about their outrage. “I have enjoyed your show for years, but I found the inclusion of Kim Kardashian so misguided and offensive, I fear I will never be able to listen again (hyperbolic, yes, but vapid, talentless, and shallow individuals who have not earned fame or fortune through an ounce of hard work have no place on a show of such caliber),” wrote Brianna Frazier of Laguna Beach, Calif.

They are threatening to pull their donations, or claim they have already done so. Kerry Castano, of Burlington, Vt., wrote, “I recently gave a small gift to my local NPR station. Had I heard your Saturday show before I made my gift, I wouldn’t have donated. The Kardashians represent much of what is wrong with America today — and I listen to NPR to get AWAY from Kardashian-like garbage.”

Monthly sustaining donor Sharonn Flaucher of Tuftonboro, N.H., is “seriously thinking about dropping my membership. I thought NPR had a certain class/values and it looks like we might be heading in another direction that I’m not willing to go with you. Just thought I’d give you a heads up. Have a sparkling day!”

[From NPR.org]

Bless their hearts. I love NPR snobs. I’m more of a PBS snob – I watch Nature, Frontline, American Experience and of course, Masterpiece. I would be devastated if American Experience did an episode about the Kardashians (although it would probably be bizarrely fascinating). But I was raised by two NPR snobs. I’ll never forget my dad’s excitement when he realizes we not only got NPR but PRI (Public Radio International), with tons of news from the BBC. So what I’m saying is that I feel the NPR snobs’ pain. It’s funny, but I feel you.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and Kim’s Instagram.