Checked the Randi Rhodes board this am to find this diary posted:
Randi Rhodes Canceled?
Listening at 8:35 PST on KKGN in SF, announcer John Scott just broke into the Rachael Maddow show to say that Air America has ended Randi Rhodes' contract with the network.
Anybody?
Further checking, via the LTR blog gives us a post from yesterday...
Less than a week since Air America Radio suspended Randi Rhodes, what is not resolved is when, if ever, Rhodes will return. Or with who, as rumors are flying that Rhodes is no longer with the network, and that one of her affiliates will continue airing her show regardless.
The network will issue some sort of statement regarding the situation Thursday (April 10), according to Radio & Record
WTF?
Well, it's pretty clear to anyone who has ever listened to AAR, that they've been pretty poorly managed from Day One. Anyone recall those heady days? Months and months after announcing they were going to start, having plenty of time to get things together, and yet the talent had to deal with studios with no air conditioning, lousy technology, etc. I recall Rhodes storming out of the studio one day, early on, when things just got too difficult (headphones screwed up, audio etc.). They were reports of the talent not being paid, and general lousy management.
then they declared bankruptcyand later moved on with new ownership, the Green brothers.
Unfortunately, none of those involved in the enterprise had any media or radio background.
And now, after changing and losing so much talent (and replacing them with hacks) they lose their one Star, Randi Rhodes.
Yesterday, Green960, the station that sponsored Rhodes' appearance, the one that got her suspended for calling Clinton a f**king Whore, announced that they are bringing Rhodes back on the air, Air America or no Air America.
John Scott, Program Director of Green960, speaks out:
"We have been very frustrated the past few days in our efforts to rectify the Randi Rhodes Situation (her suspension by her network, Air America Radio). It is our understanding that today (April 9th) she is no longer an employee of Air America. So we are bringing her back."
Monday, April 14th at 4pm... it will be our pleasure to announce the return of Randi Rhodes to the Green 960 family.
Like her or hate her (and I know there are many here who don't like her, Randi Rhodes is a strong progressive voice for America. No, she's not always right - who is? And, yes, sometimes she puts her foot in her mouth (who doesn't?), but her suspension was a bit over the top. All Air America had to do was make a statement that the event was not broadcast, was for a private audience, and that while Rhodes comments do not reflect that of AAR management, they recognize her right of free speech, etc.
But no.
We all know who runs AAR don't we? Mark Green, Hillary supporter. So I guess free speech in his realm means agreeing with him.
The LTR blog mentions:
Michael Hood at blatherWatch quoted a source at the network as saying she would be gone for several weeks. A suspension period of that length seems par for the course in the broadcast industry, as both David Shuster of MSNBC and Dana Jacobson of ESPN returned after two weeks following their own verbal gaffes. Personalities such as Don Imus and Opie and Anthony were suspended, then released outright by CBS Radio following controversial bits aired on each of their shows. The Rhodes appearance was not broadcast.
Yes, Air America, and Mark Green, THE RHODES COMMENTS WERE NOT BROADCAST, you fool.
Now I'll say that I didn't think that Rhodes bit was all that funny. It's the kind of thing you'd hear and probably groan. The choice was bad. But Randi's no professional stand-up. A good stand-up comic knows how to skewer without a degrading, sexist, comment. And I think she could have gotten her point across without the "W" word. But it was her choice and her right to say it.
But to suspend her indefinitely? Come on. When are we going to get a spine and allow people their right to say things, to express their own opinions, without being fired or suspended? Where is the backbone of the left, who can't seem to be able to tell the difference between speaking for a corporate entity or speaking for yourself. Why does the left feel the need to apologize for speaking the truth - even if it is uncomfortable? I seem to recall D4emocratic members of congress having to apologize for saying something truthful, all because the right got their knickers in twist.
More recntly, Ed Schultz called John McCain a "warmonger." Now McCain's upset and people are calling for Schultz's head. Fuck that. John McCain IS A WARMONGER.
In any event, speculation is that Rhodes will be broadcast from Green960 and then land either at the Jones Network (home of Schultz and Stephanie Miller) or, perhaps, even at NovaM Radio, where her good friend, John Manzo (and the one she credits for her success), is CEO.
Suffice it to say, there's an announcement coming up today, and until then, we won't know what's going to happen. But Rhodes is pissed (I don't blame her)
"They are in breach of my contract and have damaged my hard won excellent reputation in the broadcast industry," she told blogger Jeff Norman at Huffington Post last week.
Air America worked hard to build her show:
Since former air personality Al Franken departed the network early last year, Rhodes has been positioned by the network as their highest profile air talent. Air America has especially worked hard at lining up affiliate stations to carry her show. An outright dismissal could be messy for the network, and further upset a rather shaky alliance with radio stations.
And now, becuase Green can't separate his own political feelings, or because the Clinton team forced his hand (backbone, Mark,backbone) Rhodes may be leaving.
I have no doubt that she'll be back somewhere. Like her or not, we can use a bold, brassy broad who doesn't take shit from anyone. Like her or not, she doesn't lie to her listeners and encourages those with right wing opinions to call in. She also recommends people research her points if they think she is wrong. There are a lot of listeners who credit her with raising their awareness of what is happening to our country, with instilling them with an appreciation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Don't like her? Don't listen. But at least fight for her right to free speech. it's the American (but not Air America) way.