Randi Rhodes is NOT With AAR anymore.

[Mezzo]

http://www.green960.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=213008&article=3493425

Just saw it someplace else.

It appears she will be back on air April 14th in West Palm Beach and San Fransisco.

[kevinmc]

1. Good for her. n/t

[Window]

8. I second that, "Good for her."

[kevinmc]

25. Here's another article I just found on Randi ..... "Rhodes coming back, with or without Air America"

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.

Air America CEO Charlie Kireker announced her suspension, a first for the network, last week following the release of a YouTube video that featured part of a raunchy monologue delivered by Rhodes at a radio station promotional appearance last month.

The partial video clip showed Rhodes doing a stand-up comedy bit, where she called presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro "f-ing whores." The clip was allegedly circulated by associates of Larry C. Johnson, an ex-CIA employee and former Republican operative who is currently a strong supporter of Clinton and a bitter foe of Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama. The video clip has since been pulled from YouTube.

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.

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.

But some are speculating that Rhodes could be gone for good. One of those wondering is KKGN (960AM), the station that sponsored the promotional appearance on March 22. Whether Rhodes is back on Air America is irrelevant, as Green 960 is forcing their hand, claiming that she will be back on the air next Monday, Air America or not. According to program director John Scott, "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." Green 960 will air her return next Monday (April 14) at 4P PT.

The station also dedicated a page on their site to refute claims made by others around the web. Some claimed that the appearance was an event for Obama. While one Green 960 listener did post the gathering on MyBarackObama.com's event listing, the appearance was strictly a Green 960 event.

There is no word on whether any other stations will bring Rhodes back. Her semi-homebase station is WJNO (1290AM) in West Palm Beach, FL, which , like Green 960, is owned by Clear Channel Communications. Rhodes had hosted her show at WJNO for over a decade, long before joining Air America.

It could be that this is all a misunderstanding, and that Rhodes is still employed by Air America. However, last week Rhodes voiced her displeasure with the suspension. "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.

So, will Rhodes actually be back on the air next week, and if so, will it be via Air America? Will the network actually fire Rhodes? And if so, where will she wind up? She has ties with Nova M Radio, which is headed by Air America co-founder Sheldon Drobny. And don't count Jones Radio Networks out either. Or heck, even Premiere, Clear Channel's syndication arm. Likely, we'll find out next Monday.

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2008/04/rhodes-coming-back-with-or-without-air.html

[kevinmc]

63. STATEMENT OF CHARLIE KIREKER, CHAIR & MARK GREEN, PRESIDENT, FOR AIR AMERICA MEDIA

Last week Air America suspended Randi Rhodes for abusive, obscene language at a recent public appearance in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air America affiliate station.

Air America Media was informed last night by Ms.Rhodes that she has chosen to terminate her employment with the company. We wish her well and thank her for past services to Air America.



We will soon announce exciting new talent and programming that will accelerate Air America’s growth in the future.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Looking for other sources...

...if true, then Mark Green can shove AAR up his ass.:grr::grr:

[ShortnFiery]

5. I don't care who claims to have fired Randi, Mark Green's smarmy fingerprints are all over this.

:grr:

If you've ever seen Mark Green opposite Ed Schultz in MSNBC News match-ups in the weekday afternoons, there would also be no doubt in your mind about the veracity of my above conclusion.

Albeit Mark Green vigorously claims that "he's neutral" he also DEFENDS HRC against every slight.

Mark Green needs to "catch a clue" regarding the mind-set of the progressive/liberal voters in the USA.

I'm not an avid Randi Rhodes fan - but I will readily admit that she is one "highly intelligent" woman who hosts an entertaining radio show. She has sharp wit and seemingly innumerable personality quirks to spare. When I periodically listen, my spirits are also lifted - IMO, Randi's like an irreverently outspoken older sister.

Her intellectual equal at AAR, but thoughtfully socially appropriate counterpart, Rachael Maddow, is PERFECT for Television audiences, but Randi is *excellent talent* for a Progressive Radio Host, i.e., spicy personalities seemingly rule entertainment re: audio media.

I hope Rachel Maddow leaves AAR soon to host a show on MSNBC News. Perhaps Dan Abrams could use a co-host. Make that DAN ABRAMS could use a co-host. :evilgrin:

Good for Randi Rhodes for landing on her feet.

Go Randi! Like MOST other progressive radio hosts who have landed in "hot M$M water" simply for speaking their minds like Ed Schultz (hell, Randi was at a comedy club not a radio venue?!?), I will support you - even when I disagree.

[Cooley Hurd]

11. Green dumped The Young Turks in favor of Clinton supporter Bill Press...

I agree with your assumption.:thumbsup:

[ShortnFiery]

17. Bill Press, albeit OK and somewhat "nice guy" is, to put it bluntly, F**king Boring

And the foregoing is an understatement. Bill Press reminds me of too many Professors who "coasted monotone" through lectures. B - O - R - I - N - G ... Between liberal Priests droning on (and on) during weekly Masses and my past attendence of College Lectures by "Bill Press" types, I honestly know what it feels like to be "bored to tears." :shrug:

[PassingFair]

44. They did that in my market, too.

I haven't gotten over it.

:cry:

[newmajority]

73. I'm no defender of Green, but that's not exactly accurate.

I don't follow the Young Turks (their show was on too early for me, 3 - 6 AM on the West Coast) so I don't know what went on between Cenk and the Greens, though I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with a failure to kiss Hillary/DLC ass.

But as for the Bill Press part, he does not work for Green or AAR. He is syndicated by Jones Network, as are Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz. Your local affiliate probably picked up the Bill Press show because nothing else is available at that time of the morning, unfortunately. Press is definitely a DLC asskisser though. I'm actually fine with the fact that his show is on too early to bore me back to sleep.

[Maddy McCall]

3. So she got fired over the "fucking whore" comment.

Too bad.

I was never a fan of hers...long before the primary I decided that I didn't like her bombastic style. I know that some are fans of hers--we all have different taste.

But what she said about Hillary Clinton was obviously beyond what AAR expects of their show hosts. Surely she knew the risk she took with her employment when she said what she did.

If she would have called Barack Obama a "fucking n-----," all of the Obama supporters here would have wanted her head on a platter.

Employers have the right to establish expected conduct of their employees. Randi stepped over the line that her employer established, and it cost her her job.

That's too bad, and I mean it sincerely. I've read that she has a drinking problem, and if that contributed to this situation, I hope she gets some help for it.

[Boz]

4. It was a scheduled change, likely why she felt comfortable to loosen her tongue

[rodeodance]

6. nicely said maddy.

[SoFlaJet]

43. Glad I missed that comment since she is on my ignore list

I'm sure my blood would have boiled reading what that______ said. So here's to you MM a big Bronx cheer PPFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTT

[PBS Poll-435]

53. You are missing out...nt

[2rth2pwr]

66. Look at that, even on your ignore list people can get to you.

pathetic.

[DemVet]

7. Was her comment really any worse than Imus'?

[ShortnFiery]

14. IMUS was 1000x worse, in that, it was directed at "innocent" college BB players,

during a nationally aired TV show, whereas, Randi was performing at "ONE comedy club."

Who are we going to fire next, Lewis Black for dis'ing the innocence of Paris Hilton? :eyes:

[Maddy McCall]

18. Your comparison is lame.

Back to my comparison.

If Randi had called Obama a "fucking n-----," (even if it were a comedy routine) would you still be defending her?

[DemVet]

24. "They" wouldn't. "They'd" have a cow.

They = Oba-maniacs.

edit...typo

[ShortnFiery]

35. My comparison is "spot on." My question: Why do you relish in repeating this inane talking point?

Calling someone "a WHORE" (user - for hire to the highest bidder) is NOT equivalent to calling someone "a NIGGER."

But you already know that, don't you?

[romana]

56. Well...

True, the word "whore" is sometimes applied to men, but that word is inherently sexist, and calls to mind sexist imagery. We would be better off leaving such words out of our political discussions, especially now.

Rather than comparing what RR did to Imus, I think it's closer to when Ann Coulter called John Edwards a "faggot." Like RR, she was speaking at a political event, not representing any paper or media outlet she worked for, and she said it to get a cheap laugh. The left went ballistic when she did it, and called for papers and other media outlets to fire her.

Imus made his comments on air, and his comments were about a group of college girls, not politicians.

[DemVet]

62. You've got to be kidding, right?

"Whore" is every bit as offensive as "nigger." But then you knew that, right?

[gort]

57. She didn't say the N word so stop it

but you seem to enjoy the hypothetical a bit too much.

I have seen the enemy and he is us- Pogo

[DemVet]

23. Only one with a political agenda....

...could come up with THAT one. :eyes:

[Uben]

10. She made a stupid mistake..........

....and deserved to be fired for what she said. I never liked her, obviously. She was the Ann Coulter of the left, who would say controversial shit just to get attention. People who do this sort of thing deserve to be shut down. Now, why Limpbutt and those other right-wing asshoiles are still on the air is beyond me!

[ShortnFiery]

12. "I've read that she has a drinking problem"

With or without "a drinking problem" Randi Rhodes is one unabashedly opinionated radio personality. I guess thats why, even when she reveals her flaws, it makes her more endearing to me. Sometimes, I have yelled at the radio "Randi now STFU and let them finish!" OR "I can't buy into THAT bullshit!" when Randi says something that I don't agree with.

Yes, I can understand that those who still support HRC would choose to not tune into Rhodes, but firing her for "a skit" that she performed at a comedy club (drunk or not) is IMNSHO bullshit. It is giving self-righteous horses patooties like Mark Green (AAR), the excuse to fire her that they've been looking for all along. :thumbsdown:

As a person who has been blessed to have assisted people in overcoming a myriad of addictions over the past 17 years, I'd also suggest that "we all" demonstrate some behaviors, past and present, that can be used to smear our character. Specifically, the ongoing struggle and/or continued recovery from ANY "drinking problem" is a complex and rocky road. "Problem Drinking" is a behavioral disorder of many Americans and does not necessarily correlate with "a character defect."

[rodeodance]

13. She still was a visible spokesperson for AA. They did right. What she did

was wrong.

[ShortnFiery]

15. Yep, performing at "a comedy club" ... Lewis Black & Randi Rhodes are now *The Root of All Evil"

:crazy:

[rodeodance]

20. I did not say she was the root of all evil. you did.

.....Yep, performing at "a comedy club" ... Lewis Black & Randi Rhodes are now *The Root of All Evil"

[PBS Poll-435]

50. But why was she performing at a comedy club???

:shrug::shrug:

[Maddy McCall]

19. Again, if she had said about Obama, "fucking n-----," even in a "comedy skit,"

would you be defending her?

[ShortnFiery]

32. Not equivalent: Both men and women can be considered corporate WHORES (users) = gender neutral

on a political scale. Nice try for making "an issue" out of nothing at all, i.e., comedy club appearance. :eyes:

Even HRC's heroine, Margaret Thatcher, NEVER (not ever) claim "perpetual victim hood." I've worked in atmospheres where "very few" women were present. HRC is IMO "shameless" in her attempts to fire up other women. I didn't have the option of whining because NOBODY CARED. If HRC loses it will be MOSTLY because she is a piss poor candidate and a person lacking in demonstrated "trustworthiness."

HRC, in particular, is NOT *all women.* :thumbsdown:

If nothing else can convince those who are still objective about whether or not to vote for HRC, ask yourselves, "Why is Joe Scarborough, Pat Buchanan, and Sean Hannity constantly pushing for HRC to be our democratic nominee?" Something's wrong here. :shrug:

[rodeodance]

40. Randi said "f**king whore--get it!!--your post is irrelevant!!

[Beacool]

68. She actually said "big fucking whore".

I guess that in her estimation, Gerry is just a fucking whore, but Hillary warrants the adjective "big".

Either way, if Randi wants to see a nasty, bitter whore, she should just look at herself in the mirror.

:shrug:

[polmaven]

34. I have noticed a pattern here

...Your comment is being met with a deafening silence. There is no one so far willing to deny the truth of your statement.

[ShortnFiery]

37. The comparison is so BOGUS on its very surface, it's almost comical to pimp-out. See post 35.

[ShortnFiery]

42. see post #35. Ladies and Gentleman, I rest my case.

:patriot: :-)

[SoFlaJet]

45. who said she has a drinking problem

shortnfiery? Let me guess one of the idiots on my ignore list right?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

71. Very well said, ShortnFiery.

Plus, I'm pretty sure she "read" about the "drinking problem" here on DU.

[Mezzo]

26. perzactly. nt

[cboy4]

46. Yea, Obama supporters want in both ways.

At times, I thought she was really good going after Republicans.

But then, she started viciously attacking one of our own, and she lost me.

I don't know what she was thinking.

Talk about divisive.

[SeaLyons]

51. ...

"If she would have called Barack Obama a "fucking n-----," all of the Obama supporters here would have wanted her head on a platter."

That says it all, Maddy. Agree with you 100%.

Glad she is gone.

[Political Heretic]

55. She didn't get fired.

And I find your treating of those two terms as equivalent deeply offensive.

[sasquatch]

9. Mark Green meet Harry Frazee, Harry Frazee meet Mark Green

You two have made some of the biggest bonehead directions in American entertainment business history.

[npincus]

16. so what does that mean for her listeners?

Will she have a similar tie slot, and will steaming be available?

[pstokely]

22. Will XM or Sirius pick her up?

nt

[onehandle]

27. XM's single Liberal station is AAR (vs. 3 conservative), so she wouldn't got there.

Sirus has their own "Liberal" station (vs. 3 conservative), and it's terrible.

[DeeDeeNY]

21. A big mistake by Air America

[goddess40]

28. Who will they replace her with - I can't take another Lionel or Ed

Sorry, but I just can't warm up to either one.

[kstewart33]

29. Her comment was way out of line, as happens with Randi

from time to time. I'm sorry to see her go, but profanity-laced liberalism is something AAR can do without.

[toadzilla]

30. I miss Randi. I hope Nova M picks her up.

bring back my radio goddess!!

[FlaGranny]

31. I'm glad she'll be back in West Palm Beach.

We can all get her at WJNO. Unfortunately, her great research will be missed by many. I have e-mailed Air America every single day how I feel about her suspension. I see she is still updating her web site daily.

[ShortnFiery]

38. Is there a link that we can catch her audio on The Net? eom

[Orsino]

33. Another nail in the coffin of Air America.

Can they really afford to lose their most popular personality now?

I guess negotiations must have broken down.

[Ian David]

36. Who would have imagined that negotiating with Randi might prove difficult?

Air America screwed-up on this one.

Randi wasn't my favorite host, and based upon what I heard and read, I supported SUSPENDING Randi, but not firing her.

[Orsino]

39. I fully expected some half-hearted compromise...

...where she sorta-kinda took back some of what she said in order to go back on the air. But I suspect AAR needs her more than she needs them--at least right now. Randi has just lost a big part of her audience (if the rumor is accurate), but her departure may prove fatal for Air America.

edit: I'm not sure whether to be pleased that she didn't back down, or disappointed that she wouldn't negotiate. We may never learn what really happened.

[Ian David]

41. I think AAR should have immediately agreed that Geraldine Ferraro, is, in fact, a whore.

That should have been part of the compromise.

For one thing, it would have generated mountains of free publicity.

[MattNC]

47. AAR sucks

They've been a poorly managed company from day one.

[otohara]

48. Can You Imagine Negotiating w/ Randi?

I imagine there's no room for negotiating - kinda like negotiating with Geraldine Ferraro - she wouldn't back down either and was called a big fucking whore for it.

[gort]

58. Evokes an image of Joan Crawford at a Pepsi board meeting

Don't fuck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.

[mmonk]

49. If she goes with the Jones network, AAR might be

knocked out of some markets, especially on the weekdays.

[bullwinkle428]

52. She would never go to Jones - she loathes Ed Schultz

with a white-hot passion of a thousand suns!

Interestingly enough, I recall someone here mentioning the seed that planted the feud between them was a reference he had made about her, as "Randi Slut"...cue Alanis Morrisette's "Isn't it Ironic?"!

[Beacool]

69. Schultz is another asshole!!

Funny that Randi would be offended by the word "slut", but thought nothing of calling two women Democrats "fucking whores".

Same hypocrisy as usual........

[mmonk]

72. Yes, I know but Big Ed says he has no dog

in the fight between her and AAR. Jones, if they picked her up, would do real damage to AAR IMO in many markets where both get play on the same stations.

[zulchzulu]

54. Imagine if Lenny Bruce was still alive...

All these Hillbots would be calling for him to be deported...

Randi can land a very nice contract with XM...she'll be fine.

[ellacott]

59. I can't get on her site

It redirects me to AAR's page. When I click on her icon it takes back to an AAR page. When I try to go to her messageboard nothing comes up.

[Armstead]

60. On the Air America site, clicking on her show takes to a non-Randy Page

They appear to have removed her show homepage.

[ellacott]

64. That is really too bad

There is tons of information on her message board. I would check her site before I googled.

It will be easy enough to get another message board but the research will certainly be missed.

[cooolandrew]

61. Least she is back. GO GET 'EM RANDI. Woman for the people. She loves you more.

[redqueen]

65. Heh... I see people have now stopped pretending "it was an AAR event".

I wonder if AAR ever took the lie down off their page.

Don't care enough to check.

[Beacool]

67. Couldn't care less!!

I don't even know where AAR is on my dial.

[totodeinhere]

70. When she returns to the air next week she can be heard online at

http://www.green960.com/main.html