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Chris Thile, the mandolinist who took over as host of the
long-running show last year, announced the name change on
Saturday from the Town Hall, the New York City theater where it
is staged before a live audience.
In opening the first episode since Minnesota Public Radio ended
its business relationship with Keillor, Thile called Keillor's
dismissal "heartbreaking news" and linked it to other prominent
men in politics, media and entertainment who have been accused
of sexual harassment or assault.
"As for this show, I want it to be a place for us to gather
around, hear great music, laugh together, reflect and gain
respite from our weekly troubles," Thile said. "And I'm as
thrilled as ever to say: "Coming to you live from New York City,
welcome to 'Town Hall.'"
A spokesman for the show did not respond to questions on Sunday.
After his firing, Keillor, 75, said in an email to the
Minneapolis Star Tribune that he had accidentally touched the
bare back of a woman with whom he had worked and that he later
sent a note apologizing to her after seeing her recoil.
The woman who accused him of misconduct has not been publicly
identified.
Keillor created "A Prairie Home Companion," a mixture of gentle
comedy sketches, music and social commentary, and hosted the
program from 1974 to 2016. He created a fictional Minnesota
town, Lake Wobegon, which featured in the show.
Besides Town Hall, the show was often staged at the Fitzgerald
Theater in St. Paul, in Keillor's home state of Minnesota.
(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Frank McGurty and Lisa
Von Ahn)
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