After weeks and weeks, silence from Randi Rhodes. Peter B goes dark. Then today I got an email from our (Greater Seattle area) AAR affiliate stating that Randi Rhodes will back in national syndication……….soon. AGAIN! *sigh* HERE’S the link.
Anyone who thinks that liberal talk radio had no influence on the last election is ignorant. Anyone who thinks that because the election is over, liberal talk is no longer necessary is stupid. ALL liberal voices are more important than ever. I hope for a quick return of Randi Rhodes AND Peter B. Collins.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Good news and please Randi don’t call Mrs. Clinton a whore and let bygones be bygones. It’s time to start fresh.
Patricia
March 26th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I ran into Ron Kuby on the street last week and asked him if he knew anything about Randi Rhodes.
He said that Randi has her own personal “issues” that get in her way.
He also said that in the business of radio and syndication, you have to prove your worth with the numbers. Then you can write your own ticket.
He said that Sean Hannity, Rush, and a few others (all on the right) do have those kinds of numbers.
But Randi doesn’t.
My feeling is that no one in progressive radio is going to have the “numbers.” Part of the reason is that the progressive community doesn’t need to listen to the radio to know what to think. They think for themselves. The progressive community is too diverse and enjoys picking at each other’s comments. (Circular firing squad.)
Rumors around the web and blogs have summed up the problem as follows:
When Randi moved to Nova M she required that the company pay her insurance against suits for slander, libel, defamation, etc. A reasonable request.
It was in her contract. When John Manzo left Nova M and filed suit, Randi discovered that no one had ever paid that insurance policy.
It is possible that due to at least one suit against Rhodes, that it is difficult for her to get that type of insurance. That’s why Nova M never got it. (Too expensive.)
Randi then had to immediately stop broadcasting. Without insurance she is very vulnerable to any sort of suit. It could also be why she has not made any public comments on the situation. She doesn’t want to risk getting sued.
March 26th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
newschool,
I disagree that progressives don’t need their own radio programs. We need it more than ever now that we have President Obama is in the White House. Yes, its true that liberals aren’t robots but it doesn’t mean we don’t want to listening to progressive radio. In my humble opinion one big reason President Obama is in the White House is that we finally created progressive radio and Randi was one of the first syndicated program folks turned to and in turn to get the message out that we are not alone.
It’s too bad that Nova M lied to her and I hope Randi finds a home where she can broadcast her program.
Keep your chin up Randi. There are folks out there who want you back.
Patricia
March 26th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
It’s hard to get “numbers” when progressive talkers are only on a handful of short-stick AM stations. The de-regulation Clinton signed in ’96 made it possible for three guys to own 95% of all radio stations in the country. They also own 95% of the reich-wing shows.I think it is BS that WE,as liberals don’t want talk radio shows to listen to. As for Randi’s “issues” that’s HER business. I think she’ll be back. And as far as her being sued….she WON that case, CACI had to pay ALL legal expenses. The fact that she got sued the way she did and by whom shows she was ON to something….THEY fear.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Frank the liberal,
So, what is the answer as to how liberal stations can be expanded?
Patricia
March 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Frank the liberal,
I think we have to admit that after 5+ years, the market for progressive radio has shrunk rather than expanded.
And I assure you, as Randi Rhodes has said many times, Clear Channel will put anything on the air if it is profitable. The fact that Clear Channel has so few progressive voices compared to the right is an indication that the listeners are just not there.
Now, that’s not to say I don’t think there aren’t tons of progressive thinkers out there. I honestly feel that there are more progressive thinkers than the right.
I just feel that progressives are less likely to want to listen to progressive radio.
They don’t need to learn the latest talking points. And they are much less likely to agree with everything the radio host says.
And as far as Randi’s issues being “her” business, that’s not exactly true. If Randi has personal problems that cause her to miss work then they are her syndicator’s problem.
And we do know that Randi has had one highly publicized issue where the amount of liquor she drank did cause her to lose several days of work. And this was a situation that Randi can’t remember at all. They call that a blackout.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
There have been a couple stations CC owned in major markets where they changed formats away from liberal talk with disastrous results. They don’t care if they lose money. In major urban markets where libs go head to head libs kick reich-wingers ass. Consider who OWNS CC. Baine capitol………mitt romney.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Been searching around other web sites and still no news on Randi. DJ Allen is right, she needs say something. (not a peep so far) I think Frank the liberal said it best. We don’t want any progressive liberal’s of the air. They all serve a purpose and all have their great moments and ‘not’ so great moments. In the mean time hopefully the progressive talk shows keep building. I actually believe that many sections of the rich radio business world would cut themselves off from revenue to keep the liberals of the air. Otherwise we would already have strong radio transmitter signals. It’s an important time and I remind myself that the country needs a filibuster proof house and Senate. Plus the Supreme court to fix. Liberal DJ can help push this. I would really like to see the other liberal DJs say something positive during their shows on Randi Rhodes (regularly every hour) that’s not going to happen is it. Couldn’t do any harm.……so come on Liberal talk show DJs, keep the chatter going and support Randi. If anyone gets a chance to call into any shows ask them what they can do to keep the topic alive and get Randi back…..I will keep seraching
March 28th, 2009 at 8:42 am
If Randi’s goal is to fade off into obscurity, she’s doing exactly the right thing. It’s funny. I wonder how fans of Hartmann and Amy Goodman would be reacting if this were happening to their heros? Randi needs to issue SOME kind of a statement SOON unless she wants to alienate her fan base. Even after all the drama and mystery, IF she goes live again, I will be there with my paypal account to podcast her, just like I plan to do when Malloy re-starts Monday.
March 28th, 2009 at 9:47 am
@ newschool:
If the problem with Randi is money for insurance then maybe the liberal progressive community by the thousands could donate money every month to keep Randi and other talk show host that fear getting sued on the air. Stan
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
maybe if we all just admit that clear channel is right-winger owned, and controls almost all radio, then we will all be mature enough to admit that left talk will always get the shaft and never be competitive because that would mean right wingers losing power. what? it’s already happening? wtf!! REALLY???? who was out there exposing the truths? oh… RANDI.
thank you randi wherever you are and may you return to the airwaves soon. i’ll be there.