Former Host Winstead Suing Air America

[Kelvin Mace]

http://199.249.170.141/radiomonitor/news/format/talk/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000930904

Former Air America morning show host Lizz Winstead is suing the network, claiming she was fired, then stiffed out of nearly $300,000, according to the New York Post.

Winstead claims that she’s owed $200,000 of her $250,00 annual salary, plus $83,333 in severance pay, $14,423.08 in unused vacation time and $5,960.55 that she says the network pocketed from her on-air ads for the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.

Winstead was fired by Air America on March 4, according to the paper. The show she co-hosted with Rachel Maddow and Chuck D, “Unfiltered,” remained on-air until March 31. At that point, Jerry Springer’s show took over the time slot.

Asked for comment, a spokeswoman for Air America told BillboardRadioMonitor.com, “We do not comment on rumors of litigation or litigation."

Seems AAR is behaving just like any typical American media corporation. It takes money from fraudulent advertisers and screws the help.

[meganmonkey]

1. Damn

:o

[orwell]

2. 250 Large

Damn...I think I'm going to quit my day job...

[SkipNewarkDE]

3. Lizz Winstead is a pain in the ass

This is weird. I am wondering if Ms. Winstead might not be one of those perpetual victim, pain-in-the-asses at every job she has? Didn't she go through the same kind of kooky nonsense with Comedy Central?

[Syrinx]

16. exactly

I think she sued Comedy Central too.

[Kelvin Mace]

38. I can't find any

indication she did.

[Susang]

76. And what if she did?

She was one of the two creators of the Daily Show, if you recall. She most certainly had a case for sexual harrassment, considering how all of the female writers and talent were pushed out during Kilborn's tenure while he hired all of his white male friends.

Go ahead, ask me how I know all of this.

[Kelvin Mace]

17. She got mad at Craig Kilbourne

for telling Esquire this:

"There are a lot of bitches on the staff, and, hey, they're emotional people. You can print that! You know how women are -- they overreact. It's not really a big deal. And to be honest, Lizz does find me very attractive. If I wanted her to blow me, she would."

Kilborn was suspended instead of fired and Winstead left.

Consensus opinion by other women on the show was that Kilborn was a dick.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

23. goddamn that's a funny quote

i had forgotten about that one. i know its sexist and evil, and obviously kilborn's a dick - but it sounds like it was written by Marty Scorcese.

[JRob]

63. im sorry, hes obviously threatened but that is fuckin' funny... nt

[Kelvin Mace]

73. Yeah, he later claimed the commenst

were not meant for publication. Somehow he doesn't understand the meaning of "You can print that".

[Chicago Democrat]

44. Excellent memory and research..

I think this suing thing is just normal biz practice in the USA.

[JRob]

64. thats it, you need to (truly) pencil litigation into every deal...

and it because there are an amazing amount of assholes out there... an amazing amount.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Before jumping to conclusions I'd have to know more about

the situation. Who knows what her contract actually says with respect to money in the event of being fired. As far as acting typical, I'd keep my mouth shut if I were being sued too.

[cascadiance]

5. Welcome to Sirius Left Liz!

We need more on like you to replace the AAR folks once they've jumped ship! I'm sure that there others under contract at AAR which would like to join you there but aren't able to since they signed before the XM deal!

[benburch]

14. Does she have a show now?

If so, please tell me about it???

[cascadiance]

19. Not yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see her there soon!

Sirius is needing to put together a whole channel worth of liberal show hosts to replace Air America when they leave Sirius in June/July. They've not announced a new lineup, but I'm sure they could find a place for her on their two liberal channels that will likely be unveiled within the next month or so.

[Must_B_Free]

58. shes taking her poop jokes and starting a new network.

she is a creator, you know...

[bahrbearian]

29. Like Mike Maloy and MArk Riley

They were a little pissed about Springer taking Air Time.

[ronnykmarshall]

71. I don't blame them

I can't stand Springer's show.

In LA they replace Morning Sedition with Stephanie Miller (who I LOVE) on the morning drive.

I hate not hearing Marc & Mark, but at least I don't have to listen to Springer's boring ass.

[bahrbearian]

80. Luckly, I listen out of Seattle, so we still have morning Sedition.

I haven't heard springer yet but I've heard he sucks. I want someone who fights with Passion, not for the bucks.

[bahrbearian]

30. Like Mike Maloy and Mark Riley

They were a little pissed about Springer taking Air Time.

[Dickie Flatt]

6. OH SNAP

[Teaser]

7. Good.

I want them to act like a corporation. There going to have to be ruthless for a few years until they're rock steady.

[onehandle]

9. Yep.

They aren't a charity. I wish them huge profit and wild success.

I want them to own Clear Channel in a few years.

I want them to launch a TV Network.

[cascadiance]

13. More likely Clear Channel will own them...

Which is more likely if Sirius gets put out of business, and XM is left for Clear Channel to "repurchase" then without fear of customer retribution...

[Kelvin Mace]

18. So, to fight the morally corrupt

we must become morally corrupt?

[David__77]

27. If one lays down in the middle of the road...

...one will surely get run over. Sometimes ruthlessness is called for, guided by important principles.

[Kelvin Mace]

40. Taking money from

frauduent penis pill companies, fraudulent hypnotists peddling cancer cures and predatory lenders is "principled ruthlessness".

What next? Swift Boat ads? After all, their money spends as well as other people's.

Sorry, immoral is immoral.

[mahina]

65. Wait a minute....you mean the corisone pill won't shake 20 pounds off me?

Oh crap! ;-)

[Inland]

8. A deal's a deal.

So a court will figure out what the deal is. As someone not involved, I hope they settle more or less amicably.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

25. exactly

this kind of shit happens all the time in business. i should know because I always seem to be the one getting fucked out of a deal <but seriously>

as long as there are no threats of mediterranean food being used in a bizarre sex-ritual this looks like its just another business dispute that is none of my business.

not that I'm in the mediterranean food business or anything but I think you get my point <but seriously folks. . . >

[warrens]

10. She was getting $250K?

Jesus, gimme a break.

[supernova]

11. Really? So how much is Franken making

from this gig?

250Gs is a lota mullah to spout off for a few hourse in the morning.

[aion]

32. $1,000,000?

Of course, Air America's "million-dollar-a-year-man," Al Franken doesn't really see the sordid history of vapor cash at the company as a collection of lies. Franken explains them as: "In a startup, says Mr. Franken, people often exaggerate what they have. Mr. Cohen, he says, "did just that, and somehow got us on the air. For that, I guess I owe him some gratitude." We imagine that Mr. Franken has learned, over the years, how lies can result in profits for himself. Except in this case it would seem Franken himself was shortchanged:

" Mr. Franken had negotiated a pay package valued at more than $1 million a year, according to a copy of the contract viewed by The Wall Street Journal. On the evening of April 26, Mr. Goodfriend says he was asked by Mr. Cohen to show Mr. Franken a deposit slip that would prove he'd been paid a portion of his salary. Mr. Cohen says he only asked Mr. Goodfriend to negotiate with Mr. Franken.

http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/003304.php

[K8-EEE]

61. I'm Not 100% Sure But Thought Franken Was Working For Free...

for the first year anyhow...

[benburch]

15. Much more than Randi or Mike I am betting. nt

[supernova]

21. I don't think I would begrudge Randi the bucks

because she works so hard at what she does. Plus, she's pulling in listeners. But if Liz made more.... I duonno. :think: I never listened to Unfiltered so I couldn't say.

[warrens]

24. I think Randi is the best paid at the network

Not sure, but to get her to move to NY, they had to pony up some bucks. Al is probably working fairly cheap, because frankly, he can afford to. He made millions on his books.

$250K for Lizz Winstead, who was pretty marginal, IMO, just seems like, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

[rocktivity]

34. I suspect Al and Randy have a few bucks invested in AirAm as well.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Jane Austin]

35. Wasn't she program director for AAR in addition to her on-air role?

Some of her salary would have been for that position. Likewise, I think she was a founder of AAR, so she might have had some say on how salaries were divvied up.

If she is in part responsible for bringing the brilliant Marc Maron, Mark Riley, Rachel Maddow, Chuck D, Randi, Janeane and Sam, on board, she's worth a lot.

Oops, I forgot some of my other favorites: Laura Flanders, Bobby Kennedy and Mike Papandapoulus (sp!) and Marty Kaplan. These are all wonderfully talented hosts.

[benburch]

37. You'd be wrong. nt

[lostnfound]

82. Count me disappointed.

She's really good.

Even if she did leave me waiting on the line for 30 minutes after telling me I'd be on the air and then telling me I wouldn't be, on my very first call to the show. :-(

[Blue Belle]

75. I found Liz Winstead to be annoying...

I liked listening to Rachael Maddow, and Chuck D (when he was on)... but Liz's voicewas a bit whiney to me.

[Gregorian]

33. Why do you think there are so many ADS on AAR?

It's the reason I don't listen. However, if Springer is on.....hmmm... Nope. Still won't listen to commercials.

[TroglodyteScholar]

49. I don't like the ads either -- here's what I do...

Start a realplayer stream up an hour or so before you actually want to listen...just press play, let it start, then press pause. Then whenever you actually want to listen, just skip ahead about 4 or 5 minutes past the commercials.

Oh, but in case any of the sponsors are reading, I also buy many of the fine products peddled on AAR. As a matter of fact, I do my banking with Amalgamated Bank. Can't do better than that.

[Gregorian]

52. Wow. That's a new one on me.

I've been listening to radio since 1996! I was an early one. I never tried that technique. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[DS1]

12. Nothing like exploiting a startup company, it's the American Way!

[KittyWampus]

20. Can't Believe She Was Getting A Quater Million. She Sucked & Rachel

Maddow shines without her.

Anyway, IF this is true the courts will figure who gets what.

[crispini]

22. Well, I liked Lizz.

But of course who really knows what happens? At this point, only Lizz and AAR management....

[bpilgrim]

28. me, too... and a contract, is a contract n/t

peace

[NashVegas]

26. Welcome to Radio, Liz

You can be canned for any reason whatsoever.

[rocktivity]

31. I'm not accusing anybody of anything

But if her contract didn't spell out what would happen financially in the event of her termination, whether she could be compensated for unused vacation time, or how she get paid for doing promos, what DID it spell out?

On the other hand, maybe Unfiltered was just meant to hold a space for Springer until he could come on board!

:headbang:
rocknation

[brentspeak]

36. I would prefer if they fired Randi Rhodes

Nobody can turn listeners away from the Democratic Party faster than Randi Rhodes can. The GOP is probably thrilled AirAmerica has her on the 3-6pm time slot.

[benburch]

39. Bullshit!

I archive Randi Rhodes, and she is my second most popular show.

She does a wonderful job of representing the mainstream, non-elite portion of the Democratic Party. In other words, its base.

I wish we had a dozen Randis on the radio.

[Rainscents]

41. Bull shit... She has turn around many Republicans on to our side

Air America will never give her up. I will leave as a listener the day they get rid of Randi.

[bunny planet]

42. Got news for you. Randi Rhodes is what's called the 'anchor' of the

station. That's why she was #1 in her market in West Palm and kicked Limbaugh's ass in his own home town for years. She is in afternoon drive, the most coveted spot in radio broadcasting for a reason,she is smart, funny, informed and she doesn't back down. That's what we need. She is the best they've got. They just need to get rid of Springer and put Thom Hartman or Stephanie Miller in his slot and they'll be just fine.

Randy Rhodes is great and she is the reason AAR is even on the air. Not only has she not turned off Democrats, she has informed those that are already Dems and schooled some Republicans as well.

[Chicago Democrat]

45. Her voice (the accent) and aggressiveness turn off Midwestern

ears. IMO. I like her alot. It took awhile.. NY accent is not pretty; she won me over cause she's a true believer.

They pre empt her in Chicago for Ed Shultz who is her nemisis. Ed seems to play better in Red State land. Ed is an opportunist mostly IMO and turns on Dems at a drop of a hat.

[bunny planet]

53. She's pure Brooklyn through and through. Brooklyn people tend to tell

it like it is, and yes the accent is I guess hard to take at first (I'm used to it, my best friend is from Brooklyn).

Brooklyn rocks.

[Chomskyite]

68. They said the same thing about the cast of Seinfeld

How did NYPD Blue do in the midwest, eh? Or Kojak in the 70s?

How's Howard Stern doing in the midwest? And Don Imus, who has several New Yorkers among his crew of characters.

How stupid can you get and still be a Chicago Democrat?

[Chicago Democrat]

74. Hardly comparable..She's no Seinfeld, Kojak

Stern may be a valid comparison. (Her hero)


I back up what I say with facts: Ed Shultz pre-empts her live show in Chicago and in MANY OTHER MARKETS. Fact is, she can come off totally abrasive. Every one of my friends who has heard her thinks she's like a raving lunatic. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE MIDWEST YOU PUTZ.


How dare you call me stupid. I have an opinion, based on listening to her everyday since the day she went on.


She was way, way way worse during early Air America. Lets talk about her lack of self control and opinionatedness sabotaging interviews and how she can't get along with anyone who does parrot her views. Patti Smith, Ralph Nader interviews are prime examples of her loooking bad, burning bridges and her "Screaming at the guest" method of interview. Not exactly easy to listen to.

Since she OBVIOUSLY has been "talked to" about her anger problems she NO LONGER yells at every caller the days she's hung over, bitchy or whatever. Man. I don't wanna hear about how Al never introduces anyone to you cause you act like a raving looney half the time. Orr how you hate NY.

I'm still a fan.. What else are my choices. Ed? Lyn Samuels? Lyn is like ALL THE WRONG THINGS ABOUT RANDI and none of the good things.


Randi's great about CapitolHill and those interviews are the only ones where she gives any respect to the guest (But still talks over them)

[Chomskyite]

81. Well, I'm a Southerner . . . from Arkansas

. . . where we're not really known for shouting folks down. And I find Randi Rhodes to be refreshing as hell.

[Susang]

79. Where do you get off calling anyone stupid

Just because they don't like the same talk show host you do?

BTW, I also live in Chicago and CD is correct, her show is not aired here for the reason that he stated. You have to listen online if you want to hear Rhodes in Chicago.

[Blue Belle]

78. I feel the same way about Ed...

I've listened to his show a couple of times, but I couldn't get past his ego. If the conservative market wasn't so flooded with angry bloviating white men, he'd be so there... He's the Dennis Miller of the Pundit set.

[phylny]

84. NY accent is heaven compared to a pure Chicago accent

(and yes, I've lived both places.)

[ElectroPrincess]

86. Randi is aggressive ... I like it! BTW I grew up in the Midwest ... lots

of us pushy broads come from there sans Brooklyn accent. :P

[redacted]

66. What's everyone got against Springer?

I mean I've only heard tiny bits -- he just doesn't work in my schedule. But it doesn't sound like he deserves the wrath of DU or anything.

[bunny planet]

69. Not wrath, he's a nice guy, just not compelling, in other words boring.

AAR needs dynamic, interesting, programing. In my opinion, Springer's not it.

[dhinojosa]

46. I don't like her show or Ed Shultz, so that is my 'silence zone'

I can't take any of their voices. Randi is more cranial IMO, Ed is a rabble-rouser. Both great attributes. Unfortunately they annoy me.


When the young turks starts on Sirius is when I turn it back on.

[benburch]

47. In that time slot, may I recommend stream Tony Trupiano?

If you cannot take either Randi or Big Ed, Tony is a great alternative.

http://www.thetonyshow.com/ and archived at http://www.WhiteRoseSociety.org

[Must_B_Free]

59. OMG that sak?

Leptoprin Tony with Al "Liar" Martin? These people are counting on a sucker being born every minute.

[lostnfound]

83. turks strike me as more libertarian-liberal

is that incorrect?

[ronnykmarshall]

72. Uh huh, yeah?

I'm still waiting for the monkeys to fly out of my ass too.

[Blue Belle]

77. I'd have to disagree there....

She's the best thing they have on the air...

[Chicago Democrat]

43. SHIT!

Oh this is getting hard to take...

[NuttyFluffers]

48. Might I point out the obvious. New York Post.

this is an article in Billboard quoting the New York Post. note in the article there's no other sources. they tried an interview but AAR refused, as they should. if it's real they shouldn't comment on it, if it's a rumor, they shouldn't comment on it.

seriously, if this was from the NYT or WaPo or Knight Ridder then I might give this rumor a bit more respect. but right now it's classified as right-wing echo chamber rumor mongering, and Billboard probably just got caught up as many legit forums have before.

[n69n]

50. lizz' blog

lizz has a really funny blog @ http://lizzwinstead.net/">lizzwinstead.net
& today she was a featured commentator on arrianna huffington's blog.

[n69n]

54. lizzwinstead.net

i meant

lizzwinstead.net


sorry bout the bad link

[salvorhardin]

51. Good for her!

I really felt like around the time she disappeared that AAR management was telling all the on-air talent to keep their "loony" opinions to themselves and walk the DLC line. It was like suddenly the most vocal hosts (Randi, Janeane and Malloy) were all toning down their shows.

I know that's not a popular opinion, still it is my opinion.

On edit: Oh yeah, and I agree 100% with Kelvin Mace about the penis pills, home equity loan and hypnotism commercials. I find it hard to believe that the people who listen to AAR buy that crap.

[howmad1]

56. AAR Commercials

Is it my imagination or are the commercials getting longer and longer. I realize the network needs advertising revenue, but it seems to be getting kind of ridiculous. Anyway, hooray for the penis pills. At my age, I'll take any help I can get.

BTW, Randi rocks!:-)

[Must_B_Free]

60. Oh Come on

the monitor alone is worth $500... :)

[bbgrunt]

67. tonight (5-23) Malloy mentioned that

he was requested to refrain from calling * a dumb bastard. I'm wondering when they will pull his plug. I absolutely love the guy but I think he is being reined in....especially since he no longer wants to toe the Democratic line.

And the amount of and type of commercials are NOT creating an inducement to listen!!!!! If they don't pare this down, they will have a lot of listeners finding it all a waste of time.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

55. Ummm...

Shows get canceled. That's pretty much par for the course in broadcasting -- if your show's successful, you get paid. If it goes in the crapper, you get bounced. I can't for the life of me think why Winstead would think that AAR should be paying her salary after her show has been canceled.

[salvorhardin]

57. ...and if you have a contract

they're obligated to hold up their end (unless there was a termination clause).

[K8-EEE]

62. Depends On The Deal

I know some people have these ridiculous "Golden Parachute" deals where they get YEARS of salary in the event they are phased out, however, I have a hard time believing a start-up network would have been able to afford that, or that she would have warrented it.

[natrat]

70. hey aar BLOW ME

pos xm skanking corporate sellout---to hell demon with the rest of the money grubbing deceivers-yea blow me

[ElectroPrincess]

85. Good for Lizz Winstead, I stopped listening to AAR when she was fired