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.