Update from MA Liberal! Randi Rhodes Message Board members have set up temporary asylum here:
Rhodes Scholars
One of our great progressive voices has been erased from the airwaves. Randi Rhodes' web site, message board and show, have been eliminated. There have been no attempts at an explanation from Ms. Rhodes, NovaM or Nancy Skinner, who after subbing for Randi last week, inaugurated "The Nancy Skinner Show" today.
MA Liberal's diary explores last week's situation pretty thoroughly.
I followed Ms. Rhodes to NovaM as many people did, after she was publicly shamed and let go by Air America Radio. Randi Rhodes was fired, after her negotiations with her network were torpedoed after a comedy performance was posted to YouTube and leaked to the media.The video is famous for the moment when she called Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro "f'n whores."
Air America's president, Mark Green, was a Clinton supporter. As tasteless as the performance was, I believe the network found it more offensive, that she was one of the few voices saying the electoral math didn't add up for Senator (now SOS) Clinton. But that's beside the point.
I remember Randi's wholehearted support for her colleague, Ms. Skinner's congressional run. She encouraged votes and financial support from her network of listeners. As much as I would prefer not to read too much into this, Nancy Skinner seems unwilling to extend a similar courtesy to her friend.
NovaM and, disappointingly Randi Rhodes have kept loyal listeners in the dark for over a week. Rumors, innuendo and silence are all we have. Just like when Sam Seder stepped in for Randi last April.
So I canceled my NovaM Founder's Club subscription today, because I have supported and listened to Randi, a brash, noisy, smart and opinionated woman. This entire situation is way too quiet.
Update:
spicecakes69, just posed a diary updating this story.
Edgewater Joe also supplied this link which presents statements from both sides of the issue.
New Update:
The latest from Dramaland...
Monday, Presidents Day 2009
Look at my face. That's exactly how I feel at the moment. A bit bewildered, a bit pissed, a bit focused.
I do not know if Randi Rhodes is coming back. I have spoken to Program Directors and talk hosts around the country this past weekend, and this is what I came up with:
The network is in chaos, Randi is on the bench, and this might be it.
She is fighting with them over a contractual issue, and is apparently not coming back to Nova M unless they do some stuff for her. I am not assigning blame here, but the bottom line is: The show I made a deal with Nova M for is not available. And I may be prepared to move on, friends.
I am tired of this circular firing squad I have to stand in. While Rush and Hannity and Mark Levin and Hedgecock and Savage chug along, full steam ahead, I am surrounded by drama, inconsistency, miscommunication, ego and a trail of wreckage of some very very bad decisions made by the networks who supply the shows to affiliates like Green 960, one of a precious handful in the country who are truly dedicated to advancement of progressive radio in America.
I'm sick of it, and I bet you are too.
We are going to make some bold moves in the next few days. You may love some of them, you may hate it. But I want you to talk to me on this forum: The future of your station is in the balance, and I'm going to try and do right by you.
More soon...>
Thanks for the link Puddytat