'Mythbusters': Discovery responds to fan outrage over dumping Kari Byron

Mythbusters fans have been rather upset by the last month’s axing of three cast members, and one departure in particular has sparked a popular campaign to re-instate the performer on the show. A petition focused on supporting the re-hiring of Kari Byron in particular has garnered more than 32,000 online signatures.

“This is a huge step backward for Discovery — as the main female Mythbuster, Kari inspired a generation of girls and showed them that they, too, had a place in the traditionally male-dominated world of science,” read the petition.

The 11-year-old cable hit recently announced that long-time veterans of the show Byron, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara were all leaving the series as part of a creative shake-up. “While Adam [Savage] and Jamie [Hyneman] are amazing educators in their own right, Kari was what drew me and so many others to the show, year after year,” the petition continued. It’s also disappointing to see Grant, the sole person of color on the show, dropped as well.”

Networks often choose to ignore fan petitions, but Discovery Channel sought to reassure Byron supporters: “We are all big fans of Kari — as well as Tory and Grant — and are looking for other projects where we can work with them.”