Randi Rhodes Update

[SoFlaJet]

Nova M(ess)?
The drama continues...

There are many reports circulating today claiming many different things in regard to the status of Randi Rhodes and her (now former) employer, Nova M Radio. For those of you keeping score at home, here's where it all stands:

1. Randi Rhodes and Nova M Radio are apparently through with each other. As mentioned in an update to a previous entry, she has issued a vague statement claiming that the problems that have kept Rhodes' show off the air are not of her doing.

2. If and when she comes back, will anyone still want her? One programmer that's sick and tired of all the finger-pointing and back-and-forth legal letters was at one time one of her biggest supporters, John Scott of Green 960 in San Francisco. In a blog post, he says that he will offer the station's highest-rated host, Stephanie Miller, in a replay during the 4-7P PT timeslot, observing that his listeners want to be entertained rather than listen to what he calls "Debbie Downers":

I do not know if Randi Rhodes is coming back. I have spoken to program directors and talkhosts around the country this past weekend, and this is what I came up with: The network is in chaos, Randi is on the bench, and this might be it.” Scott deduces that Randi “is fighting with over a contractual issue, and is apparently not coming back to Nova M unless they do some stuff for her. I am not assigning blame here, but the bottom line is, the show I made a deal with Nova M for is not available. And I may be prepared to move on, friends...

While Rush and Hannity and Mark Levin and Hedgecock and Michael Savage chug along, full steam ahead, I am surrounded by drama, inconsistency, miscommunication, ego and a trail of wreckage of some very, very bad decisions made by the networks who supply the shows to affiliates like Green 960.

3. Rumors are swirling right now that Nova M has folded. Proving that he's in a world of his own, the Tranquilizer is claiming that Rhodes' lawyer sent him a letter claiming that Nova M didn't make payroll and is about to fold, that Mike Malloy's show has been cancelled and that the network's co-founder, Sheldon Drobny, is in the hospital after an apparent 'suicide attempt.' Suicide??? Basically, Brian Maloney has topped himself on the crass-o-meter.

Sheldon's wife, Anita, confirmed that her husband was in the hospital, but it was a 'nervous breakdown'. So, like anything regarding either Nova M, Randi Rhodes or, heck, most liberal talk radio in general, there are a lot of mixed signals here...

4. So, if Nova M is totally and completely kaput and the Malloy show has been outright cancelled, then that's news to Mike and Kathy Malloy. The show should go on as scheduled tonight.

5. Radio & Records, a more reliable source for industry news than right-wing blogs run by crazy people, cites Nova M's general manager, Eric Reinert, who said that Nova M is no longer an entity and that a new company called On Second Thought LLC has been formed and is moving forward. Reinart also confirmed that Rhodes is officially out. The new network will continue to offer Mike Malloy, Phoenix host Mike Newcomb and a new show from Nancy Skinner, who had been filling in for Rhodes.

6. Oh, and that lawsuit brought against Nova M by former CEO John Manzo? Reinart wouldn't comment on that. The 16-page complaint alleges, among other things, that the syndicator breached Manzo's contract, failed to pay state and federal taxes on his behalf, defamed his character and cast him in a false light.

Confused by all of this? You should be.

[greenman3610]

1. I love Randi, but I stopped listening because

I got tired of her picking fights and berating people
who basically agree with her. Never got that.

[patrice]

3. That's where the worm-turned for me. I wanted to listen, but couldn't take the way she

would hammer a caller and ridicule them ON AIR before she even understood what they were saying. Sounds WAY too much like The Oppressor for me! She's too smart for this behavior to be the effect of alcohol; seems like there were some health issues a couple of years ago, so I'm wondering about Randi and drugs.

[LaydeeBug]

4. I stopped when she called Hillary Clinton a whore.

Among her tone being a bit over the top for me...THAT was the last straw.

[Beacool]

24. I never listened to her regularly,

but stopped altogether after she called Hillary a "big fu**ing whore". IMO, she should look at herself in the mirror before she calls any other woman names.

x(

[earth mom]

30. What Randi should have said is-all politicians are whores. Then she would have been speaking truth

to power.

But just saying it only about Hillary was bullshit and I'm not even a Hillary fan.

[SoCalDem]

32. Randi loves Randi.. I tuned her out a while back..n/t

[cobalt1999]

2. I was glad she was out there, but I couldn't stand her show personally

It obviously appealed to many though.

[patrice]

5. I believe Randi is a convert to Progressivism, or Liberalsim, so there's probably still

some of the old-soul, or whatever preceded her current incarnation, in her.

P.S. I had mixed feelings about her being out there; kept wondering how many people she was turning off relative to how many she was turning on.

[bdamomma]

6. Nova M has new owners now called Second Thought

too bad for Randi, but I am sure she will resurface, but as long as Mike Malloy is still there. He has got one powerful voice not to be missed.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

7. Randi is nothing if not consistent

She consistently runs hot and cold, even within one segment. One minute she's spooning, next minute she's screaming. And interrupt much? She even did that when heavy hitters like John Dean and Jonathan Turley came on her show.

I think Randi's true calling is stand-up. She can do whatever she wants on stage where the communication is one-sided and she can say whatever the hell she wants.

[patrice]

8. I think that's an EXCELLENT idea. I hope she goes there.

[yurbud]

22. and skip gigs without giving so many people heart attacks

[marshall]

9. Maybe she can partner with Rosie O'Donnell on a project?

They are both extremely passionate about what they believe. They would certainly make a dynamic duo!

[Lost in CT]

10. Good lord that would be like a nails on the chalkboard face off.

Randi has issues. I don't know if they are a result of a medical problem or untreated addition.

Rosie seems to have similar issues. (Though she seems to have hers under control)

I'm not sure they would work well together.

[marshall]

15. It would be a blast while it lasted

Yes, it would probably burn out even faster than Rosie's tour of duty on "The View" did, but after seeing her duke it out with La Hasselback, it would be intriguing to see Rosie spar with someone who is more or less on the same page as her (in more ways than one).

[Lost in CT]

17. Well I cheer on the trainwreck aspect as well. Good show sir. nt

[Ranting_Wacko]

11. I hope Jones picks her up and my local affiliate follows suit.

I'm missing Randi and I can't even listen to the Dallas progressive station in the afternoon anymore.

I used to listen to Nancy Skinner back when she was doing "Ski and Skinner" on Sunday afternoons in the days when Air America was still a pipe-dream. I don't know if she just works better with a partner or if her brain has warped from two failed runs for office but she sounded NOTHING like the Nancy Skinner I remember.

Much as I disagree with Randi on occasion, she generally does a good job of discussing the issues and not rambling. The shows I listened to, Nancy just kept going on and on about how she ran against Barack Obama for Senate and how he likes her, so she CAN'T possibly be a Republican plant or DINO.

[eilen]

13. I really miss listening to Randi in the afternoon

I feel that she offers a certain down to earth passionate response to the issues of the day. She's not nice to everyone but you don't have to be nice to be a good person. She is entertaining. She screws up sometimes-- her mouth gets ahead of her brain but she is accountable to it, she doesn't dissemble. Sure, she could be more even-tempered but then things could get boring. I find that with Nancy Skinner sometimes although her show is alright and I listened to the entire thing last night. It is different.

I almost always end up turning Mike Malloy off at some point. His anger/yelling stuff turns me off. But when he is talking about things, analyzing the news of the day, I find that interesting but once I turn him off, he stays that way. I like other shows -- love the Thom Hartmann show, Ron Reagan, Rachel (although it is too much like listening to reruns if I catch her the night before), Lionel-- I turn him off sometimes-- something with his voice, I can't put my finger on it. Now, I don't listen everyday or to all the shows but try to catch one or the other when I have the radio going. Stephanie Miller is entertaining, funny.

It will be a real shame if we can't get Randi anymore. This whole turn of events is very disappointing.

It sounds like the radio station changed hands and maybe there were some other changes happening? I view this as growing pains for progressive radio in a very constrictive climate. With internet radio and pod streaming, anyone could produce their own show and sell a subscription to it (hint hint hint)

[Ranting_Wacko]

18. I agree...

I can't listen to Malloy anymore. He started sounding too "angry old man yells at cloud".

[ShortnFiery]

12. I wish I could get my money back from NovaM, Randi Rhodes was the ONLY reason I joined ...

their Founders' Club. As it stands now, I listen online to WCPT in order to hear Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartman throughout the weekdays.

Goodbye NovaM ... and thanks for the warning. :( :thumbsdown:

[LiberalinNC]

14. With Randi, there's always Drama!

[LTR]

16. How 'bout a link?

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2009/02/nova-mess.html

Yeah, like that.

And an update:

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2009/02/nova-mess-part-ii-gaulin-letter.html

[Gold Metal Flake]

19. How about a link to the source of these snippets?

http://www.green960.com/pages/blog.html

http://www.green960.com/pages/blog.html?feed=313154&article=5024309

Randi Rhodes update and this week's 4p - 7p fill-in

Tuesday, February 17.

So I come into work this morning amazingly calm. I'm not sure why, but I guess coming into work all frazzled and kerfuffle and dramatic won't fix the problem. Let's think about some things for a moment.

Here's what's happening: Randi is done at Nova M. I do not know when or if she will ever be back on the air. No one is really talking, and all I am seeing are a bunch of lawyer letters. It's BS.

Let me repeat. She is not coming back, as you once knew her, and until I hear otherwise from somebody somewhere, that's it.

Done.

With calamity and chaos and drama comes opportunity. Maybe that's why I'm not bamboozled. What can we do? Lots of things. There's always another idea, there's always another option, there's always another shining city on a hill to climb up to.

Let me ask you a question. Do you want to be entertained or do you want to be educated?

I believe that based on Stephanie Miller's ratings, which make her by FAR the MOST successful show on Green 960, you collectively have told me you want to be entertained. You want to be able to laugh a little bit while the economic house of cards is falling down around us. You want to hear something positive and good once in a while, instead of this incessant drumbeat of Debbie Downer WAH-WAH the sky is falling. Of course, the sky IS falling or so it seems,, but we already know that. The Bitter Bus is already full, I want to get off.

Sully Sullenberger and his airplane is a great story, for a good reason. We need to smile, to have hope, to laugh, to emote something besides destruction and chaos and all bad news, all the time.

Why should we be a cheap version of public radio, which most of you already listen to ?

I think you're ready to be entertained.

Stephanie Miller will air on Green 960 from 4-7 this afternoon and for the remainder of this week while you and I talk about what's next. It will give us a chance to introduce her to listeners who may not be aware of her. Please don't email me and complain. It's plan A for a few days, not a permanent move, I promise. And besides, I think she's pretty damned entertaining, and so do many, many of you.

Not one other show will change in the short term.. But we may have some other tricks up our sleeve.

Another update this afternoon. Let's keep talking. I'm reading what you write, below.



http://www.green960.com/pages/blog.html?feed=313154&article=5025558

Updated release from Robert V. Gaulin


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Randi Rhodes’ on-air home for less than a year will shut its doors. In an email message of February 17th from counsel for Nova M Radio, Inc. to Randi’s entertainment attorney, Robert V. Gaulin, the company is said to have been advised to file for bankruptcy protection next week. All payroll deposits were reversed on Tuesday, leaving Nova’s employees unpaid for the past two weeks. On Sunday, Nova received a letter from Mr. Gaulin asserting that the contract with Ms. Rhodes was terminated due to material breaches and other reasons. Ms. Rhodes had not broadcast for over a week prior to this time, a situation which was diplomatically referred to as a “problem” that was solely within Nova’s control to solve. A few days earlier, Sheldon Drobny, founder of Nova M, and a co-founder of Air America Radio, attempted suicide and is hospitalized in Chicago.

Mr. Gaulin indicated on Randi’s behalf that “We saw this coming, but are most saddened by the tragic news regarding Sheldon Drobny. Randi is devastated by the impact of these events upon her fiercely loyal audience, affiliates and sponsors. Discussions are already being conducted for Randi’s swift return to the air. Stay tuned…”

Thank you

Robert V. Gaulin
GAULIN GROUP PLLC
COUNSELORS AT LAW

---------

Randi's message posted earlier on Green960.com, now displayed at TheRandiRhodesShow.com

TO ALL:

NOVA M RADIO HAS NOT YET CORRECTED THE PROBLEM THAT HAS KEPT ME OFF THE AIR DESPITE MY STRONG DESIRE AND READINESS TO BROADCAST MY SHOW. RESPECTING THE EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS EXISTED BETWEEN NOVA M AND ME, AND EXPECTING THE SOLUTION TO BE QUICKLY ACHIEVED, DETAILS OF THE TRIGGERING EVENT WERE WITHHELD IN GOOD FAITH. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS MUCH: ANY STATEMENT IMPLICATING ME AS BEING IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISRUPTION IN THE RANDI RHODES SHOW IS PATENTLY FALSE. THIS ENTIRE SITUATION IS SOLELY WITHIN THE CONTROL OF NOVA M.

IN LIGHT OF MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, MY SHOW WILL BE SEEKING A NEW HOME. I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED PATIENCE AND INDULGENCE IN RESPECTING MY RIGHTS DURING THIS TIME. YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT IS CHERISHED. THANK YOU.

RANDI RHODES

[azmouse]

20. We need every progressive voice on the air. I hope the problems get worked out.

Like her or not, Randi was on our side.

Conservatives can not be allowed to totally own the airwaves.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Ehhhh, No Loss. She Went Off The Deep End Some Time Ago.

There was a time I loved listening to her. Then she turned into one of the most dramatic and irritating to listen to hosts I've ever heard. Not sure she'll be missed all that much except for by a few loyals...

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Garbo 2004]

23. Rhodes' latest public comments to Palm Beach Post on her leaving Nova M:

Rhodes, who’s been heard here for more than a decade on WJNO-AM 1290, tells Page2Live that three separate lawyers told her she should quit working for syndicator Nova M.

So she walked.

“There were so many breaches of my contract it’s not even funny,” Rhodes said when asked if the company’s failure to pay for her libel insurance kept her off the air. “I’ll probably sue them. I should never have gone there.”

Even if Rhodes show originated from the JNO studios here, it was owned for the past 10 months by Arizona-based syndicator Nova M.

So happens Nova M filed for bankruptcy Tuesday.

“Oh sure, they’re dismantling that company so they don’t have to pay me, and they’ll start another one this week,” Rhodes said.

http://www.page2live.com/2009/02/18/radios-randi-rhodes-is-off-the-air-again/#more-4445

[B Calm]

26. I think it's going to be hard for her to further her career in radio!

[WolverineDG]

28. Should never have gone there?

Please, she ran to them after getting kicked off of AAR (dumb move by AAR, btw), but IIRC, she was always complaining about AAR too.

dg

[cboy4]

25. USED to really like her UNTIL here despicable treatment

of Hillary Clinton during the primaries.

I was shocked and disgusted that she would treat another Democrat so poorly.

And ever since she called the person who turned out to be Secretary of State a hoe .. that was it for me.

:puke:


I will say it's troubling that progressive/Democratic talk radio hosts have so much goddam trouble keeping a venue compared to the hate-mongering assholes on the right.

[dolphinsong285]

27. I Just Miss Her.

There is no comparison between Randi and Skinner or Miller or anyone else. Flaws and all, she's the reason I renew my XM. Or- used to renew my XM.

[Mike 03]

29. I respected the hell out of her even though I grew tired of her, and I always thought that some day

I would come back to her.

The news here for me is that she was a contractee of Nova Radio. I used to hear her on XM's Democrat station, and I didn't really connect her to Nova but still thought of her as Air America's lady.

She did some incredible programming, especially her programs on the Iraq veterans and how they were suffering without relief.