NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

MSNBC’s Harris-Perry refuses to appear

NEW YORK

The future of Melissa Harris-Perry’s MSNBC talk show was in doubt Friday after the host declared she would not appear this weekend in response to several weeks of its pre-emption by the network.

Harris-Perry, who is black, focuses on race, gender and politics on her eponymous discussion show, which she has hosted since 2012.

Harris-Perry said in an email to her staff that was obtained by The New York Times: “Our show was taken – without comment or discussion or notice – in the midst of an election season.”

MSNBC said the pre-emptions were the result of the network’s heavy coverage of the presidential primary season.

Lennie Baker of Sha Na Na dies at 69

BOSTON

Longtime Sha Na Na member Lennie Baker, who sang lead on the doo-wop favorite “Blue Moon” and appeared in the 1978 hit movie “Grease,” has died at age 69.

He died Wednesday in Weymouth, where he had been hospitalized briefly after developing an infection, his nephew David Baker said.

Associated Press