Randi Rhodes To Leave Air America
By Logan Murphy Wednesday Apr 09, 2008 4:50pm
C&L received confirmation from Air America:
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.
Apparently, Randi will be heading back to Green 960 AM.
UPDATE: 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.
I, like many, think that Sam Seder deserves his own show again. Write to pcollin@airamerica.com and let them know you want Sam back full time. We wish Randi all the best in the future.
UPDATE: Looks like Richard Belzer will be filling in at least temporarily.
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...and Rush keeps going.
didn't she used to play guitar for ozzy osbourne?
nyuck nyuck!
Here's hoping the she'll join Nova M.
Alright, what did she say? I find it odd that a woman can get fired (or did she quit)for saying something bad. But how bad was it? But just remember. Dick Chaney told Leahy to F-off on the senate floor and we couldn't fire him.
You guys are slow. She did sign with Nova M
Check www.novamradio.com and read it.
But it's okay for michael savage to call Barbara Walters a "mind slut"?
Mike Malloy seems to be happy over at www.NovaMradio.com.
UPDATE: LOOKS like Randi will be there too. Click Link above for details.!!!
A couple of years back I used to listen to Air America just about all day long when I was home but Randi always kinda got on my nerves. She was just too abrasive and rude to the people who called into her show. She would interrupt and talk over them. I wish her well but she really needs to take it down a notch. What she said was way over the top for any venue. It was just crass and uncalled for. Maybe she learned something from this experience, I hope so. And, I'm not familiar with Green 960 - can someone enlighten me?
Randi Rhodes spewing her vulgarities is one thing -- but, spewing them at a sold-out, private Fundraiser for Barack Obama is another thing. Speaking of which... why is the Media covering for Obama? Just can't help but think that if Hillary hired someone like Rhodes to spew racial epithets at Obama, we'd be hearing about it non-stop for months. Is Randi Rhodes calling Hillary vulgarities at an Obama-sanctioned Fundraiser supposed to be acceptable? Good riddance, I never could stand hearing her on Air America.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Randi needs to learn that having the right to say anything doesn't make anything you say right.
and with that, liberal radio dismisses its most appealing personality. No wonder AirAmerica is never going anywhere, its run by incompetents and cowards. Randi was the beam of sunlight disinfecting conservative radio, hopefully she will continue spreading the truth just as vigorously with her new fam.
Hogswaddle.
As much as I agreed with what she usually said, I quit listening to Air America radio because it sounded too much like the flip side of Rush. These shows with pissed-off rantings are not helping us. Some might think that they are a counter to the right wing radio. I just felt that it was more ranting. We are soooo overly aware of how screwed up our capitalistic society has gotten but few are actually guiding us in a better direction. Finger pointing is not helping.
It's about damned time. Perhaps her accusations and insults against anyone that she happens to disagree with are beneficial to those that feel the same - the equivalent to a self-congratulatory, "look how smart we are" pat on the back. But, to those that disagree, she delivers her message in a way that comes off as condescendingly rude and garrish.
Love her or hate her, she's equally as divisive as Sean Hannity - we could use a little less of this on the airwaves. Getting rid of Hannity next would be a spectacular improvement, too...
I (heart) Malloy, Maddow, Miller, Goodman, Flanders, Seder, Farias, Hartmann and Werbe.
I do not (heart) Rhodes.
Her suspension/relocation doesn't affect me in the least.
But good luck anyway, Randi. Try not shouting over your guests as much. That's so, uh, reich-wing and ditto-like.
@ #5
That's great news! Randi and Mike Malloy together will kick A$$!
btw how many toes does AAR have left? They must have shot most of them off by now! lol
P.D. @ 4:
Among other things, she call Geraldine Ferraro a fucking whore and Senator Clinton a big fucking whore. She did this at an event sponsored by Green960 an AAR affiliate station in a public appearance on behalf of Air America.
Randi leaves. Spitzer leaves. David Vitter stays. Larry Craig stays...
I guess I'm trying to make a point here somewhere..
Okay, sometimes I would get fed up with Randi Rhodes, but it wasn't because she cussed about some politician that really, really deserves it. I'd get sick of Rhodes because she sometimes mails it in with her tough Jersey bitch shtick, plus too much about her own boobs and hair and plastic surgery. Cute for awhile, eventually tiresome.
Still, Rhodes was AAR's most dependable host. At her best she did a great job of zeroing in on why middle America should be angry and disgusted with too many years of corrupt Republican rule. She emphasized "doing your homework" when you make claims, and her own claims were always backed up by solid documentation. And when she did make a mistake, she would correct the error and move on.
Now she'll be broadcasting for AM 960 in San Francisco. Meanwhile, as much as I like Sam Seder, I don't envy him doing a daily 3-hour grind. AAR will have a hard time filling that time slot with somebody as popular as Randi Rhodes.
GINA @ 9:
Gina, you appear to be operating from several misconceptions. Randi was at an Air America/Green 960 event here in San Francisco, not an Obama fundraiser.
As her employers, I understand why AAR corporate felt they needed to make a statement that her name calling went over the line. If they had said to her, "Look, take a couple of days off to let this cool down and we'll see you next week," I don't think it would have been that big a deal. That they felt the need to make her apologize (which was the straw that broke the camel's back for Randi) and keep harping on this really does speak ill of AAR corporate and their particular bias.
Sf nomad, Holy Crap! Well, I never listened to her. Not very ladylike, huh?
GINA @ 9:
Hillary Supporter!
myiq2xu @ 10:
Hiilary Supporter!!!
X @ 14:
Hiilary Supporter!!!
Hmm, she's kind of a hottie... I'd do her...As far as her being vulgar.. Never heard the diatribe...have no opinion on that.... I do know Rush has got away with far worse behavior than just saying something insulting on air, (though he's done plenty of that too) without being fired and thrown off the radio so there IS that...
Mostly, this is strictly a fluff post.... Scroll on past if you don't like her or me... . It's all about the same as far as I'm concerned.....JD
Good riddance.
Just another nut case that gives the Right ammo to use against reform.
sam @ 11:
No fan here. She is a whore.
Never been a fan of Randi Rhodes, who is really intolerant of alternate views. Shouting down someone you don’t agree with is for cable news, not “progressive talk” that Air American claims to be….
I’ll take a guy like Thom Hartmann anytime - he brings on honest contrarians to air out philosophical positions in an intelligent, respectful manner. That’s the kind of progressive radio we need.
Eric
http://www.changeany1thing.com
Chip @ 23:
You mean "whore", don't you?
SFnomad @ 17:
Hiilary Supporter!!!
Dang. That's a shame. I listened to Randi's show every day on my way home from work and will definitely miss her program. Sure... she might be an acquired taste, but I for one will miss that voice of a million cigarettes speaking out over my AM radio dial.
Good Luck Randi! I'll find you again somewhere... some station.
AirAmerica has just gotten away with censoring Randi Rhodes, suspending her from the airwaves for saying something "vulgar" OFF THE AIR. Glad to see Randi landed another gig, away from AirUnAmerican, from a station that recognizes her right to free speech.
Palooka @ 26:
Hillary Supporter!!!
Ratface @ 27:
Ratface or rat feces?
Jeez Chip, regarding who wins the nonmination, I'll go with any democrat over McCain. Hell, I even vote for SpongeBob over McCain!
Chip @ 30:
Yes, you're right. But, I'm trying to be PC so I can label these Hillary Supporters for what they are...
chips right, you all dont really care, you just got an ax to grind cause she doesnt like hillary... who lies like you an me breathe.
OBAMA SUPPORTER!!
Good by Air America!!! That network is going down the drain and rightfully so!! Kiss Randy's popularity goodbye, especially if Hillary wins, its for the best though, she's was to arrogant.
Its a good start.
Many should follow her lead.
I wholeheartedly disagree with her being suspended over what she said. However, good riddance. She was an absolute pathetic liberal role model and incredibly annoying. Bring back Sam Seder!
Chip @ 33:
Chip = Obamaniac Kool-Aid Drinker
She should sue for major $$$; pretty easy to prove in open court that Shrillary is, in fact, a "fucking whore"...
P.D. @ 35:
Me too! I'd vote for any Dem Nominee.
I'm just a little annoyed at the Hillary Supporters right now!
I was listening to Ed on Green960 and to be honest these Hillary Supporters sound like a bunch of whiney bitches!
Sorry...
Wow, I'm surprised to see so many Randi bashers. My take on it is that she was out of line to call Hillary a name like that at an event associated with Air America.
I know some may find her abrasive but still, I've learned alot from Randi over the years. I think she's a great talent and I'm glad NovaM picked her up. I will probably stream her show if it's in the same time slot.
Eric @ 28:
Yeah, Hartmann is the best of the lefties. Smart, thoughtful, wide-ranging topics, great guests. I learn somethiung useful every time I listen.
Randi was (often) entertaining but was really our version of Glenn Beck. Big radio veteran ego, not much substance.
All politicians are whores, was it because she dropped the F bomb?
RIP http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=LhgIuPcRIAE
Chip @ 22, 23, 24 & 30
If you are trying to be clever it's not working.
Richard Belzer? Seriously? What is it with Air America and thinking I give a fuck what hack comedians have to say about anything, let alone politics?
Good luck Randi.
SFnomad @ 41:
Ohhhhh bite me!
It doesn't matter the language you use when telling the truth. Hillary is a total liar and a whore for the elite. Geraldine Ferraro blew it decades ago and her tired ass is riding on Hillary's soiled coattails and people know this as plain as the nose of their faces and a "civilized" discussion will boil down to the same fact- that Hillary and Geraldine are whores. So is Obama and this will become all too clear after nothing can be done about. It doesn't matter if you use racial slurs or eloquent witticisms exchanges- it doesn't change his actual stance. Randi Rhodes finally got the message and called it like it is. Discrediting Randi by firing her from her own show doesn't change the truth she revealed- the deception of truth is quite vulgar so adding insult to injury by calling Hillary and Geraldine "fucking whores" only serves to confirm its poignant profoundness. I do not always agree with Randi and feel that she has done much harm by supporting Hillary and Obama at all. That said, I give Randi kudos for telling it like it really is.
If you are duped you are duped so it doesn't really matter- that is unless you place a higher value on truth even if you are a liar!
jimislord @ 46:
Maybe a little of both...Ya think.
Bluesage @ 48:
Not trying to be clever...just fed up with the BS...
Air America will either go down the tubes, or it will become conservative.
Nova M is going to become the true progressive voice out there. I suspect we progressives are in for some great Nova M growth in the future.
It's my understanding that affiliate stations are likely going to bring Randi back on. There are those pesky legal matters that have to be addressed. Our local station here told me that they're working on it.
So for all the naysayers, and especially those shrill Hillary supporters: She's B-A-A-C-C-K-K-K!
Somebody go tell the b on Johnson's blog.
Chip @ 51:
No..."Chip". Still not working.
The point is not whether or not randi was annoying to listen to or one disagreed with her tone.
The point is she got suspended by 'liberal' radio for using strong words, to a paying crowd, on her own time. BTW, she was not fundraising for OBama; just like the con propaganda machine, you guys are quick to form that circle and ensure only your truth gets out!!!
Randi was my afternoon commute treat. Wisconsin public radio was my morning commute fix.
Gots to have my fix. Will miss the treat.
myiq2xu @ 10:
It's true........she really does turn a lot of people off. I don't care to listen to her, and think it's a win-win for both her and Air America.
Chip @ 54:
Waaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Chip, I live in Pa. and I have been inundated with Hillary and Obama mailings for days. My phones have been ringing off the hook with recorded messages, I'm about to do a Ophelia run naked in the woods because I'm starting to lose my sanity!
Bluesage @ 8:
Yeah that's my thoughts as well. I always liked Rachel because she was pretty polite with everyone who called (from the times I listened in) but Randi was way too antagonistic. And seeing as how she was representing Air America, this shouldn't really be a surprise.
And it doesn't matter what everyone else was doing. People talk about "Savage said this" or "Rush says this" or whatever. But my way of thinking is why compare yourself to them? Why do we constantly act like anytime someone on the progressive side of the aisle gets in trouble it's always "well, what about this guy that said THIS?"
It doesn't matter what they said. True, it's usually something horrible that is quoted, and yeah Savage and Rush irritate me to no end. But when you start trying to justify or qualify something that your guy (or gal in this case) says, by comparing it to someone else and trying to say "well they were worse and they were kept on", it defeats the purpose of trying to be above that.
I've always thought we were supposed to condemn those people over there, not use them to justify why we should get away with irresponsible behavior.
Just my thoughts.
Bluesage @ 48:
He thinks he's a wit.
He's half right.
oh and I meant since she was representing Air America (via the affiliate) at the event, we shouldn't be surprised that they reacted this way.
Not that her actions are indicative of Air America.
myiq2xu @ 63:
Beeeeutiful. LOL.
If your local station is an affiliate of Nova M, WRITE TO THEM RIGHT NOW, and tell them to bring Randi back.
Randi has been in contact with affiliates.
Chip @ 43:
Would that be Ed Shultz? If so, no wonder you sound like a raving lunatic. Explains a lot.
Well, at least it's 2008 with options for her to continue, and not 2003 when she might've been up a creek without a paddle. I like Randi. Not the biggest fan of her, but I think she means and does well generally. There have been moments where she's offended, but then I think it's good to have a firebrand like that sometimes.
As far as Randi getting fired for what she said, yes technically it's not any worse than anything Savage or Rush or anyone else says or implies on a daily basis, but Air America has standards. The other guys don't, which is why they're still on the air. Those guys also still butter expensive bread, so there's little chance of them getting slapped on their wrists. Look how it took and instantaneous nationwide movement over one incident to unseat Imus, even though he'd been known for his "comments" for years.
It's unfrotunate that Randi said what she did, but the upside is she's not going away, and it wasn't a baseless decision like it might've been elsewhere. Pus, this helps build Nova M nicely.
TypicallyWhiteJohnny2Bad @ 56:
Randi said nothing wrong. She has the right to make a fuss quit her job and move forward. Anyone who condemns her acts aren't seeing the "big picture".
[deleted - site monitor]
And well...it makes me sick...
Air America is toast. She knew it. Nova M is becoming what Air America was in the beginning. the place for Rhodes, Malloy and maybe Seder. Sucky or not Seder and Garafalo was hilarious to listen to, even when they were taking Jabs at each other.
All Nova M needs is Marc Maron now.
P.D. @ 61:
As you can see I'm there to!
Do the right thing!!!!
brokenarrow @ 59:
Well, she doesn't turn off as many people as George Bush does and he still has his job- even after flipping bird to the world on national television or using an assistants skirt to wipe off his glasses! I could have mentioned the bigger stuff but hey- we all know about those fire able offenses.
The attack here is about truth- if you don't like her show or what she has to say- then go to a movie or to church or change the station.
Wow, if she's going to San Francisco then they will have someone to counter Michael (Weiner)Savage. I call for a cage match. My money's on Randi.
P.D. @ 35:
Thank you!!! I don't know what's wrong with some of us. Barack and Hillary's voting records are nearly identical while they've both been in the Senate. It's most important that McSame be defeated.
Well, at least she didn't play the faux-outrage/faux-apology tango like everyone else on the planet.
I am getting sick of that game. It's an intentional distraction designed to secure our loyalties without actually serving our interests.
New Orleans is still a mess. The war is now permanent (cluetrain time: neither Hillary nor Obama is going to withdraw from Iraq; They. Are. Lying. About. That.) We're torturing people. We're holding people without legal oversight. We're setting our sights on Iran (cluetrain: Bush. Will. Attack. Iran.) We're defining "progress" down so low that it's impossible not to make progress, but defining "victory" so high it's impossible to achieve. Gen. Patreaus DID NOT ANSWER A SINGLE QUESTION in two days and only Jon Stewart actually pointed that out.
And no one is lifting a goddamn finger to fix this. So, how can they get us to vote for them?
Oh, easy, send Randi or Crazy Aunt Geraldine or Rev Wrong out and have them say some outrageous bullshit so we'll all get huffy and angry (ahem) AS THOUGH IT MATTERS WHAT ANY OF THEM HAVE TO SAY.
New Rule: accept no more invitations into distracting barroom pissing contests when the world is sinking into the sea.
When Candidate A expresses "outrage" that Candidate B has not "distanced him/herself more" from whoever the nutjob of the week is, politely ask Candidate A to get back on the fucking topic.
We. Are. Dying. Out. Here.
Diana @ 57:
Diana,
GNA is a troll..........some took the bait, I spoze. However, I don't know what you mean about the circle comment??? GNA's statement was a red flag, so I checked it out, as I always do when something doesn't feel right.
FUCK Air America....
Rhodes style is the same as right wing radio -- it's nasty, hateful and the "dialog" on it is never meant to be anything other than one-sided (hers). The only difference is that she does at least stick to and cite facts that support her views. And I agree with many of them but her style makes her show useless to me.
If calling female politicians "fucking whores" is now part of liberalism and those that say that kind of thing are wished "the best," then I'll take a pass on the effort to reclaim that label as something good.
This episode has made one thing obvious. It's hard to tell the difference between the right-wing trolls and the "progressive" left-wing nutbags. They spew the same Clinton hatred.
Nobody in Atlanta (one of the largest media markets in the country) cares.
I think RR is smart but hard to listen to, but I'd listen to her anyway if AAR would come back to the ATL.
Darrell Kern @ 72:
Randi Rhodes has the right to say whatever she wants. We have the right to disagree with her, and to say that we find he words offensive. He employer has the right to suspend or fire her for her work-related conduct.
BTW - No true progressive or liberal calls women "whores."
Taking the low road never helped anyone.
Gabe @ 80:
It's not part of being "Liberal", it's part of being "Progressive", something I want no part of.
No loss at all. Thom Hartman, Ed Schultz, intelligent and thought provoking hosts with real information and usually educational. Randi? Entertainment of the shock jock variety. Leave that to the Repugnicans. Randi and anyone else needs to be held to the same standards as Ann Coultor when it comes to offensiveness. People who are just now beginning to consider leaving the dark side and and opening their minds to a more liberal point of view don't need to be dissuaded by trash improvisational comedy that sometimes is actually funny, but usually just self-indulgent. She is pretty good looking though. Seder can go, too. Can't think and talk at the same time. If Air America is looking in: I'll listen to the advertising in this time slot as soon as you find someone as thought provoking as Hartman or Schultz.
Screw Air America. I haven't listened to Air America since. Anyone who doesn't recognize that Clinton is a liar and a cheat isn't paying attention. It really is that simple.
Her departure (demise) is long overdue. She should have been terminated when she had her on air tantrum with Ralph Nader and/or Patti Smith. She is a complete embarrassment to herself and AAR. Good riddance.
Canuknotusa @ 84:
It helped the Bush administration.
They successfully transition trillions of dollars into the pockets of themselves and their cronies.
Is that as serious as name-calling, or does the name-calling ruffle your feathers just a tad more?
SFnomad @ 85:
Melissa McEwan calls them "fauxgressives."
Diana @ 57:
She was not on her own time. She was at a forum sponsered by Air America - She was on their time and they had every right to suspend her. Facts are pesky things, aren't they?
Lollimom @ 89:
Do you want us to be like them?
cubejockey @ 70:
Marc Maron would be a great addition to Nova M. He's been substituting for Mike Malloy the last few days and he's been great. He's one of the few guys I know in radio who can be informative and super funny for 2 hours a day.
TypicallyWhiteJohnny2Bad @ 53:
No, I don't think... I think if you call a bunch of women's basketball players "nappy headed hoes", you should apologies. If you call a politician a "f'en whore" you're only stating the obvious. This is because the term "whore" has multiple meanings. A) someone who is to be thought of as sexually promiscuous, and B) someone who compromises their personal principles for personal gain. All politicians are B, some, as we are have been seeing lately, are both A and B.
Green960 broadcasts from S.F. bay area (used to be in S.F. but Oakland now I think). You can stream or podcast.
I am still an aar premium member because of Sam Seder and Rachel Maddow. Looks like Rachel is secure for now with more teevee. I hope she stays in radio too. Sam Seder is the most under appreciated talent at aar. If he is still limited to 3 hours on Sunday only, I hope he too can make a new home. This is a chance for Nova M.
To those who criticise, wake up. This was a free speech issue with Randi whether you "approve' of what she said or not. The event was a fund raiser for Green960, not Barack Obama. It was not broadcast on the radio. Grow up.
Diana @ 57:
While you're calling out people for incorrectly calling this an Obama fundraiser you should at least tell the whole story. This was an event that Randi promoted on her national radio show and was sponsored by an Air America affiliate. I can see why they suspended her. I don't agree with them trying to force her to apologize.
Nova M Radio is the real deal, folks. Air America is progressive-lite. It sort of tastes close to the real thing, but not as deep and robust in flavor.
Clap-clap, point-point
...ad nauseum
jimislord @ 94:
And when she called her "that bitch Hillary", how are you going to justify that? Personally, I find in pathetic the way people are trying to justify Randi Rhodes behavior.
myiq2xu @ 92:
You mean steal trillions? Or kill millions? Or gut the government? Or be paid off by lobbyists? Or sanction corporate welfare? Or let a city die? Or be treasonous?
No.
If you mean using dirty names, why yes, I endorse it. And I'm all for putting some teeth in those dirty words and fighting the goddamned people who got us into this mess.
Next question.
TypicallyWhiteJohnny2Bad @ 60:
Are you hitting on me?
Sandra Hussein @ 95:
No, it wasn't a "free speech" issue. She was at a work sponsored function as a work employee. It doesn't matter if it was "on the air" or not. She embarrassed AAR, they had every right to suspend her.
SFnomad @ 99:
Sorry, I wasn't aware that she had to apologize for calling her a bitch. Grown ups shouldn't be calling each other names. She should apologize.
Good for Randi. She isn't willing to sell out. Or as the Dixie Chicks wrote. . . "wouldn't
kiss all the asses that they want me too."
Well, if this does get us Sam Seder on a daily basis, and Randi becomes a staple of 960 (which you can stream), then indeed it's a best of two worlds scenario. Especially if 960 doesn't put her up against Seder time wise (960 is San Francisco, so there is a 3 hour time difference). Oh well.
Ha Ha! I like Richard Belzer. He'll do a good job. I wish Randi the best. I don't blame AA for suspending her though, if I said something like that representing my job, I'd get fired too.
GINA says: Randi Rhodes spewing her vulgarities is one thing -- but, spewing them at a sold-out, private Fundraiser for Barack Obama is another thing.
Man, how does this crap get started? The event was a "meet & greet" put on for Randi by the San Francisco Air America affiliate "Green960", or KKGN. It had NOTHING to do with Obama. The proceeds, at a whopping $5.00 per ticket, went right into the station's coffers. Check it out here:
http://tinyurl.com/5s336j
Just so you know, I don't like the way Rhodes does her show and I sure as hell didn't like her comments about Ferraro & Clinton but please don't try to make this about Obama. It's not.
Only host that back Hillary shall maintain a show at Air America...Sam has declared his support for Obama he is out...He will be gone within the next month. I was on the Air American Cruise and there is a couple of other supporters for Obama but they have not stated it on Air there job is OK for now...
In other news: Joy from The View gives McCain some straight talk and rips Bush a new one. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/10/mccain-does-ithe-viewi-fa_n_960...
www.NovaMRadio.com is getting a NEW website MONDAY April 14th, 2008!!! Great NEWS.
Wow, I'm conflicted. I love Belz, but Randi's my girl. No, wait, Stephanie's my girl now. Whoops - I mean Rachel Maddow's my girl. And I love Sam Seder to pieces. Oh, how can I live with this embarrassment of riches? How how how!
I'm listening to John Scott right now on 960 and he is praising Clear Channel for supporting Randi. Clear Channel. Air America. Hmm. Hmm, hmmm, hmmm. Aw fuckit. I LOVE YOU RICHARD BELZER! EVEN MORE THAN KEITH OLBERMANN!
So Air America is going Politically Correct now or something? They want their "entertainers to be squeaky clean" according to Corporate Standards?
They lost me then.
i love sam seder and thom hartman but i am glad randy is leaving air america. she really bothers me. every time iv'e listened to her she makes factual errors and she will just go on and on about something untill your ears bleed.
I met the queen of whatever
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
Moved with the shakers
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to
No I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
Pariah @ 13:
I agree and I think the new ownership at Air America agrees as well. I think that's why Malloy and now Rhodes are gone and probably why Sam Seder's been marginalized.
The main talent at Air America right now comes from Rachel Maddow and Thom Hartmann (with an honorable mention for Laura Flanders). I don't think they really qualify as pissed off ranters or Bizarro World Limbaughs.
Diana @ 57:
She was NOT on her own time, she was at an event sponsored by Air America.
But don't let the facts get in the way of your ranting
Good riddance to her.
She needs to go back to the minors for a (long) while.
Jim @ 115:
Oh I see. So much for Air American shilling itself as the "Cutting Edge of Dissent" then.
Ruthless People @ 18:
Barney Frank stays ,Gerry Studds ,Ted Kennedy ALL STAYED but you never even mentioned them hmmmm
Randi Rhodes is like Bill O'Reilly.
Neither advance the dialogue.
SFnomad @ 41:
Ummmmmmmm....you better put down your own cup of Kool-Aid, chief!
[Enough. Discuss the issue, rather than waste our bandwidth insulting each other. - site monitor]
Later
L.A. Confidential @ 121:
The dead end of engaging in the new National Bloodsport. Who gets canned this week.
Other then BUSH.
Sam Seder is a centrist moron.
Ruthless People @ 18:
I hope you're not making some point about this being somehow unfair. The point I draw from this is that we on the left haven't lost our moral bearings or our sense of propriety.
Randi Rhodes stepped way over the line with her remarks. She earned what she got. As for Spitzer, the big problem is that the transgressions were of a sort that he vigorously "crusaded" against as a prosecutor and DA. He trashed his own credibility and moral authority in a very public way.
And, of course, he took himself out of the game. He wasn't forced to resign, though he might have been eventually. I think it's to his credit that he stepped down and avoided the protracted orgy of personal destruction which would have ensued.
L.A. Confidential @ 117:
It means they have every right to suspend/fire/discipline her for her actions at a company event.
And since when did potty mouth insults become "cutting edge"? Using that definition we'll never catch up with Rush and Savage
I've been a loyal Air America listener literally from Day 1, but this is it. I don't like what the network has turned into.
Over the last couple years, Randi has been the MVP of the network. I always believed that if they ever lost her, the whole thing sinks like the Titanic. Well, I'm getting on the little dingy boat and I'm paddling away from this mess.
Make sure you email XM Radio (if you listened to Randi on there) and let them know that you want them to carry Randi Rhodes.
Personally, I think Air America has never been the same since the management changed. I've pretty much stopped listening to them and Randi Rhodes was the last good thing they had on. Now I have almost no reason left to tune in.
Orangutan. @ 7:
All NovaM needs now is Rachel Maddow and Laura Flanders and Air America is all but finished...but I gotta hand it to them, they made Liberal Talk Radio a force to be reckoned with.
Andotech @ 86:
Yep. Its really simple.
Look all politicians including Barrack Obama is a liar and a cheat.
So, uh, what's yer point, again?
AP; Bush signed Torture Memos. On ABC and DailyKos.
Jim @ 115:
You know what! If she was on the air and said that I could understand Air American being upset...I still wouldn't agree that she should be suspended...not as long as Bill'O-job can say how impressed he was that at a black restaurant the people were acting like people and not animals! As long as Rush can make fun of disabled soldiers! and just get away with it because they are Conservative. Randi gets suspended because she is a Liberal. see, it's not the punishment as much as the double standard that make me so mad.
Tom @ 123:
I don't think he's a "centrist".
Most of these talk geeks (on both sides) are failed comedians/radio personalities who saw a way to make it in a really, really creepy bizness.
Eeeeuuu.
let's see now, rush, o'reilley and Savage rule the air waves. And then we have Randi getting fired for ...well for being randi. But this "liberal blog" rejoices at another liberal biting the dust. I can imagine the conservative pundits reading this blog and wondering how they pulled this one off. they plant a few of their own to fuel the fire and then the liberals themselves take over in eating one of their own. I'm not one to support a liberal radio host simply on the basis that the person is a liberal. But honest to gosh,where there is so much fodder on the other side to attack, why begin with the attack on randi. For that matter, some feel the ongoing debate between hillary and obama is a good thing. it's great to have all the issues aired. however in the interim, they begin playing the smear game. again, how exuberant are the repubs at this occurrence. Oh, yes, while this happens, mcCain skates free and could slip in the back door. Let's put our priorities straight...unless of course you want more of the same.
Dahgrostab'ph-r-i @ 131:
Yeah, let's not be better than Oxycontin Rush or Billdo.
TypicallyWhiteJohnny2Bad @ 129:
while I agree that all politicians are liars and cheats. I can show examples of where Hillary was lying...can you show an example where Obama was lying?
And just so you don't have a fit because I didn't list any of Hillary's lies here we go:
Running for cover from sniper fire when there was clearly no sniper fire and she wasn't running with her head down. (if you ever have to run for your life you would remember it very clearly)
Voting for the Iraq resolution was a mistake...but she made the same mistake again when she voted on Iran's guard.
just 2 of many examples of who Hillary really is.
Ratface @ 27:
Hmmm, now why was it she got fired exactly?
I am so happy for Randi! Air America is really pathetic these days. The only person left with talent at AA is Rachel. Go NovaM!!!
Enough of this "well Rush can do it' crap.Set the bar higher,she couldn't come back because she would be perceived as "neutered" it would ruin her shtick.Randi is an excellent talent,but it happened
SFnomad @ 135:
I'm not saying let's emulate Rush or Bill'O-job I'm saying that we should be outraged that a Liberal talk show host can be suspended for saying something pretty mild like Hillary is a whore and yet when a Conservative talk show host says you could reduce the crime rate in America if you abort all black babies and he is allowed to go merrily on!
That is hypocrisy and we should not stand for it.
Randi can be grating to the ear as Mike Molloy can be, but sometimes we do have to work harder and speak louder just to get past the indifference of the MSM to our logic. Most our logic is much better reasoned and less jingoistic than that found on the right and I am glad that Randi and Molloy are out there speaking in a strong voice and Thom Hartman's logic adds to it. I'm pretty certain that Randi will do well, probably broadcasting out of a Florida radio studio to the Nova M for syndication with Green 960 as the first subscribing station or vice versa.
Sam Seder had a multi-hour broadcast since the beginning of AAR, although lately he was only on Sunday. Richard Belzer has been a regular on a number of venues and is one of those comedians/actors who is very cerebral and studied, so I don't think that he'll do much worse than the other comedians, including Seder, Colmes and Limbaugh. I don't seen him as good as Maher or Franken because his humor is much more deadpan and sardonic.
Whither AAR? If you're going to have an owner for a progressive station, it's eventually going to reflect the personality of that owner. It's harder for that owner to do that because the owner has on-air talent that doesn't want to be seen as controlled. Mr. Green seems to have a desire to have a DLC skew to the channel.
Remember that the profitability of the network depends upon selling commercials and a group of corporations, including Microsoft, some auto companies and Disney, have tried to make certain that none of their advertising money goes to AAR. Remember, also, that Faux News Charnelhouse bled red ink for over four years before it became profitable. So, there's going to be compromise while the progressive experience proves that it can work for those who buy advertising. That's the truth about commercial radio.
Is Mark Green a Hillary Supporter?
I would like Randi more if she left her ego at home. Mike Malloy got too screechy at times. Thom Hartman is very good; he gets it right. Love Sedar, Maron, Garafolo, Steph.
Randi could have avoided all of this unpleasantness if she just would have said, "She's a Whore...able person!"
P.D. @ 35:
SpongeBob supporter!
You "good riddance" people are wrong. Say what you will about Randi (and I myself was on extended break from listening), but she knows how to do radio. And that's huge. You can't replace a radio person with a goddamn actor. Radio takes certain skills and rhythms that take years to develop, and it's important that liberal radio be populated with dedicated radio people, not yammering stars.
You can't do radio like a speech. It's a conversation--you don't have the floor. That's why, for instance, Janine TheBuffalo came off like an insufferable, condescending, long-winded propagandist.
Randi dug deep into the facts, explained them in simple terms, and her show won a lot of converts to the left. You can't say the same for Seder, Garafalo, or Franken.
Yes she could be grating, but you kinda have to be to do it right, and she does it right.
So much for Air American shilling itself as the “Cutting Edge of Dissent” then.
What does calling the first woman to run for president a big fucking whore have to do with dissent?
It's just namecalling, that's all. There's nothing cutting edge about it. Any asshole can call someone a fucking whore or a fucking bitch. A drunk sailor can do it. It's a personal insult, it's not political dissent.
I believe political dissent is vital, but I have no use for the uncreative idiots who have to result to barroom brawl behavior and pretend their ordinary cursing out of someone is "political dissent."
Barbara Bush is an idiot for calling Ferraro "something that rhymes with rich" and Rhodes is an idiot for her stupid remarks. You may have the right to say whatever you want, but you have to deal with the consequences of what you said.
I don't like Hillary Clinton but Jesus, even Coulter hasn't stooped that low.
Yet.
Pariah @ 13:
No offense, but I will NEVER understand the comparison you are making here. Talk radio has a lot of ranting, lecturing, bloviating and pontificating; left, right, godamn sports talk, even. But the difference, to me, is that right wing radio is loaded with lies and proganda and currently props up a horribly corrupt administration and backs any and all republicans no matter what cathouse they visit or what bathroom stall they visit to shop for hand-jobs.
But peace, otherwise; I have a strong feeling you and I would agree on about 99% of everything else.
GINA @ 9:
it was an air america event [deleted - keep it civil. - site monitor]
Good riddance . An obnoxious loudmouth and full of herself . And by the way # 9 Gina , it was an Air America sponsored event , nothing to do with Obama , nice try though . People lying their asses off in support of a candidate who is also a liar , real gems .
jimislord @ 92:
I suppose it all depends on the nature of your particular bigotry. The only thing that's obvious to me is an aspect of your own.
I find a lot of the anger and contempt above hard to understand.
I am a very long time fan of political talk radio as a medium, and have listened to it avidly since the mid-sixties, when it emerged from religious broadcasting. Yes, I remember the likes of Rev. Carl McIntyre, and Melvin Munn, and the Hunt Brothers' show "The Voice of Americanism."
I listened to Randi from the day she went national on Air America. Here is my take. For several years she was unquestionably the best left wing talk show host in the country. As for the many claims above that she engaged in fact-free rants, a visit to her website would reveal that there is no talk show host of any kind who was more thorough in documenting their claims. Unfortunately, she began to change a couple of years ago. Randi (in my opinion) became insufferably impressed with herself, and, for me, became harder and harder to listen to. Face it, most talk show hosts, like most writers or artists or anyone else, lead pretty uninteresting lives. The more the show became about her, the less entertaining it was. I have thought for some time that she needed a long break, to get her perspective back.
Now, as for Air America: This company reminds me of the L.A. Clippers. They have had a steady stream of talented people run through their organization, and have managed to lose them one after the other, while sticking with some people who are just horrible at their craft. They deserve whatever insignificant fate awaits them; I just hope they don't drag down liberal talk radio in the process.
A word about Thom Hartmann, who is compared to Randi in numerous comments above. I agree with just about everything Hartmann says. Unfortunately, the guy is dead boring. I know numerous people that could listen to Randi or Ed Schultz or Rachel Maddow that just can't take Hartmann. I don't care how correct you are, if no one is listening it doesn't make much difference. There are two things that make a good liberal talk show host. You must know the facts, and you must be able to present them in a way that grabs people's interest. Hartmann, despite his long career, has never mastered the basics of his craft, as far as I am concerned.
Forgive me, please, for the length of this comment- I hope it has some value.
to those fans of randi, sorry, but she shoulda been fired long ago...not because of the words that she uses, but what she says
i have heard her blatantly lie on air in an attempt to make a point....for example, she told her listening audience that she had been called on to be a part of the local draft board, and she had the letter to prove it, yet she never produced the letter
im glad they are putting belzer on for a bit...now the truthers have a mainstream station to air their bs....should be a laff riot
im gonna call in and find out what its like to bang a porn star
Dahgrostab'ph-r-i @ 130:
They're employed by different companies so it's not a double standard. It's a case of Air America having some standards and Fox, etc not having any.
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