Randi Rhodes Blames Air America's New Owners On Larry King: "This Is Really About Them Wanting To Change My Contract"

Update: Randi Rhodes went on Larry King Live and contradicted earlier statements regarding the manner in which her relationship was terminated with Air America. Rhodes said that Air America had new owners and that "this thing is really about them wanting to change my contract." According to Rhodes, when the new owners discovered "they didn't have the right to fire [her]" they used parts of her stand-up routine as a means to get her to leave Air America.

[WATCH]

The Huffington Post has learned that Richard Belzer will fill in during Randi Rhodes' time slot next week. Read more here.

Update: The Huffington Post has learned that Randi Rhodes quit Air America after being asked by the network to apologize for her inflammatory remarks against Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro.

A source at Air America, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "Many people screw up and then apologize and move on. Like Imus. Like David Shuster. Like Jay Rockefeller on McCain. Like Obama on Rezko. Like Hillary on Bosnia. Randi Rhodes refused to apologize for her obscene comments and has chosen instead to terminate her relationship with Air America."

The source also said that there is no love lost between Rhodes and her colleagues at the network. "No one is upset. She made the move but there's relief and joy."

Dismissing claims that Rhodes was just doing stand-up comedy in San Francisco when she made the remarks, the source confirmed that Air America paid her way to California, that she was advertised as "Air America's Randi Rhodes," and that the Air America website urged people to go for "an evening of politics and pop culture." The source said, "Air America pays people to be talk show hosts, not stand-up comics, or else we'd hire Chris Rock."

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It remains unclear who will substitute for Rhodes' time slot in both the short- and long-term, but the source said the network is looking at Rhodes' departure as an opportunity to rebuild. "Sometimes it's for the best that the leading player leaves so you can rebuild with better talent."

Original Post: Randi Rhodes has quit Air America Radio just a week after being suspended for calling both Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro a "fucking whore" in a public appearance (seen here). The station has condemned her lanaguage, but she herself has not come out publicly to retract her statements. Now a statement from Air America reveals that she has walked away from the station.

Charlie Kireker, Chair, and Mark Green, President, for Air America Media released the following statement:

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.

Reports surfaced yesterday that Rhodes was leaving the network, possibly to join KKGN/San Francisco. From a report on RadioAndRecords.com:

According to John Scott, PD of Clear Channel talk KKGN/San Francisco, suspended talker Randi Rhodes and Air America network have parted company as of Wednesday (April 9). In a posting on the station Web site Scott says that on Monday (April 14), "it will be our pleasure to announce the return of Randi Rhodes to the Green 960 family."

Update: Nova M Radio has announced that Randi Rhodes will be joining the network as of Monday:

The Nova M Radio Network is thrilled to announce the addition of "The Randi Rhodes Show" to its nationally syndicated talent offerings beginning this Monday, April 14, 2008.

Randi Rhodes is the #1 rated progressive talk radio host in the nation.

Nova M CEO John Manzo says, "I just can't stop smiling - Randi is simply the biggest and the best. Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy under one roof - talk about TALENT!"

Randi Rhodes adds, "With Manzo at helm of Nova M, I am truly going to work for the best of the best. He is radio elite...and I am too . I'm home, I'm home, I'm home!"

"The Randi Rhodes Show" will air live Mon-Fri from 3-6pm Eastern on The Nova M Radio Network.

Comments

[billsmile]

Most knocks against Rhodes seem to be about her style rather than her substance.

Please folks, please list the number of times she has been wrong about things (please cite your sources, as Randi does).

List'em for me. Anybody? Got any factual errors? Any logical errors?

I personally have some beefs with Thom Hartmann's take on things, but Randi gets has integrity that an average Joe, like me, can appreciate. It's a real truly American type of integrity.

She didn't apologize. She has principles & integrity.

[conscioushope]

Can you give YOUR definition of an "average Joe"??

Somehow the phrase seems like a put down to persons who you do not think are "average Joe's.....­..........

S, who exactly qualifies for the "average Joe club" in your estimation??

[Jjc2006]

Name calling like a middle schooler = integrity????
Interesting concept.

[hoopesaz]

Well, she called Hillary an F****ing W**re for one. Taken literally, it simply is not true. Don't believe she provided any sources for that, did she? It's both factually and logically incorrect, best I can determine. And these are really the first and only words I believe I have read/heard from her.

So, her record isn't all that great. In my view of Randi, she's never been right.

On another note, it is remarkable to me that people will give her credit for "principles and integrity" for not apologizing for such a vulgar personal insult. She's clearly obstinate and full of herself. Principled and filled with integrity, though? that's pushing it a bit.

[CharlieQ]

PRINCIPLES & INTEGRTIY? Hillarious

Google-"MY LIFE AS CO HOST WITH SHOCK JOCK PERRY STONE"
Who's the whore Randi?
This is the 50 year old woman who fell down drunk outside a bar (there
are witnesees-it was daylight) And the next day she calls Mark Green and tells him, she was beaten up & mugged. (no witnesses.& no police report)
And what exactly were her demands, that it took 7 months to negotiate her contract?

CAN YOU REALLY BLAME MARK GREEN!

[MoreCowBellNowPlease]

This explains why Randi's show recently took a a 180 degree turn from being informative, funny and balanaced to hate-filled toward Clinton. She was obviously getting pressure from corporate for her contract combined with wanting her to back off from Clinton. She responded with even more hate toward Clinton which she knew would tick off the owners.

[Hardguy]

That's just BS. There was no hate. There was only truth. Sometimes truth is hard for some people to accept.

[MoreCowBellNowPlease]

Hardguy, I am entitled to my opinion of her show. I found about three untruths that she spun as facts on her show. I don't want to bother mentioning them now. She usually has solid factual back-up for her opinion, but not as of late. That means if I listen to her show now, I am going to have to wonder if she is really telling the truth or her interpretation of the truth. I am not alone in my opinion. And there was undeniable hate on her show against Clinton.

[Jjc2006]

Wow, the Obamabots have been drinking so much koolaid, they can't see the forest for the trees. You think differently than them and it's BS. You give your take and you are a liar.
Wow, closed minded progressives...what a sad concept.

[SmootyBooty]

Lie all you want, but Hillary is better at it than you...

[Hardguy]

is it any wonder Randi gets brash and impatient? There's more than a few right here I wouldn't mind smacking some sense into.

[patapsco99]

Your right, white trash should not be on the air. Good job for terminating her

[conscioushope]

.."white trash".........

That is quite judgmental language, patasco99.

[Boris]

How about a nice evening swim in the Patapsco, agent 99. Maybe it will wash off some of that vitriol.

[Jjc2006]

Ahhhhhh...­..progress­ives with a penchant for violence towards those who disagree with them.
I believe that is called an oxymoron.
Isn't that the Bush doctrine.....use violence to instill freedom and democracy.

[Hardguy]

have I used any violence, my tender lad?

[tiger313]

I will not listen to AA again. She was THE voice of freedom of speech. Now that voice has been censored by the left, of which I am(was) a member. Going to re-register independent.

[nellie]

She hasn't been censored by the left. First of all, AAR is not "the left." Second, she will be heard on Nova M Radio in her same time slot starting Monday.

http://www.novamradio.com/

[zelduh]

AAR said "Sometimes it's for the best that the leading player leaves so you can rebuild with better talent."

Well, this is a lie. You don't dump the No. 1 Progressive Talker in the country.

You just don't.

Period.

[billsmile]

Nice that AA brought a liberal voice to America's airwaves. We need it.

The weird thing to me is the advertising. Liberals are less likely to buy the stupid stuff that is advertised(sorry dopey products/a­dvertisers­).

But if presented with intelligent choices liberals will embrace sponsors.

It's a way forward for our society

[banats]

I listen to the radio station that promoted the event where Randi Rhodes spoke in San Francisco. You signed up to go to the event through the radio station. I did not hear the station promote it as a raunchy comedy routine. If the station knew the tenor of Randi Rhodes' "talk," they should have made it clear that audience members might find the trash talk abusive and offensive. I had been listening to Randi less and less over the last year because it seems as if she has become more and more abusive and rude to listeners who don't agree with her. I like to think that liberals and progressives are more tolerant of other people's views. I don't see how Obama supporters could condone her remarks. Obama's campaign reflects a new kind of campaign where trashing and disrespecting other candidates is not a value that he is promoting. There's a difference between attacking a candidate on their record or their issues and spouting hateful language because you do not agree with that candidate. My progressive radio station in the San Francisco Bay Area, Green 960, has hired Randi Rhodes in the wake of her firing. I will voice my opinion by switching channels when Randi Rhodes is on.

[BIllyDelyon]

She wasn't fired....

She quit....

[MoreCowBellNowPlease]

Whatever you need to tell youself. She may not have been technically fired, but she was pushed out all the same.

[PatCroft]

I feel they should rename AR to Air-Un-America or perhaps Air-Corpor­ate-Americ­a; aUa or aCa. I listen to their broadcasts daily and it was an interesting aside that vertually all the Broadcastees tried their best to avoid this subject. The oligarchy wins again at any price, except Randy is off to better radio broadcasting grounds.

[TheOldSchool]

Randi Rhodes says many things with which I agree, but her personality (egotistical, obnoxious, combined with her inability to refrain from blathering on incessantly about herself or going on ad infinitum over points that have already been well-established) has made listening to her show a low priority. I listen to progressive talk shows all the time. She, in my opinion, is the worst.

On Seattle's KPTK AM 1090, the line-up consists of: Stephanie Miller (funny), Thom Hartmann (erudite), Ed Shultz (a bit slow on the uptake, but often entertaining, Rachel Maddow (also erudite), Randi Rhodes (turn radio off time), Mike Malloy (the best of the bunch), and then John Elliot (not bad, but not required listening, either).

The only dead wood in it is Randi Rhodes.

I'd rather listen to my son's industrial noise band while my mother-in-law nagged at my father-in-law on a loud speaker phone from a bad cell phone connection than I would to Randi Rhodes. I know there are people who like her, but there are also a lot of masochistic gluttons for punishment.

Unfortunately for me, Seattle's KPTK station will be picking up her new Nova M show on Monday.

C'est la vie.

As for her comments about Hillary and Geraldine, I don't think she owes anyone an apology. Mark Green is a putz.

[jimpryor99]

Americans have freedom of speech. But with that comes responsibility. Randi said what she believed, and the company said "bye bye". Sounds fair to me.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Legal? Perhaps. Fair? no F'ing way. "With that comes responsibility" Yeah, don't yell fire in a crowded theater. This is America, we used to have a greater respect for freedom of speech.

[hoopesaz]

What are you talking about? This is perhaps the BEST example of freedom of speech in action. Randi "I'm a radio elite" Rhodes attacks Clinton with perhaps the most offensive words in the english language when directed at a woman. She did it on COMPANY TIME. They paid for her trip and sponsored her appearance. In doing so she alienated half of their audience.

She has the right to be an idiot. That's fair. They have the right to ask for an apology. That's fair. She has the right to say no and leave. That's fair.

As I read comments about this I'm increasingly convinced that the liberal idea of free speech is "protect what I agree with and quash what I don't". Frightening coming from the party that has proclaimed itself as the protector of personal liberties.

[Jjc2006]

So if people go on and on calling people ethnic slurs or racial slurs or religious slurs in their "so called comedy" routines, when their company feels their "speech" is losing them customers they STILL HAVE to allow it because it's freedom of speech.
WOW, you really don't get the concept at all.

[Hardguy]

If you were paying attention, that is not what happened.

[wsblake]

jimpry,
Listen up ,milquetoast. Whenever a liberal starts with that " with freedom comes responsibility" drivel I feel like I'm listeneing to my eighth grade principal- and he didn't know jack about the meaning of the First Amendment either. The First Amendment is absolute , as soon as you start making exceptions you slide forever down that infamous slippery slope. Got it?

[Synoia]

"The First Amendment is absolute "

It's not. Fighting words are not free speech, Commercial speech is limited.

[litebug]

I'd like to know what politician hasn't been called a whore at one time or another? And I'd bet this has been true as long as there have been politicians. I can think of damned few today that wouldn't deserve that label. They're all mostly interested in exchanging political favors for fund raising. If that ain't whoring I don't know what is. Since when does someone have to apologize for telling the truth? What could be more whorish than Ferarro going on FOX NEWS to bash Randi?

Randi, whom I can take or leave, depending on our respective moods at the moment, will continue just fine with Nova M. It is a big boost for them to add her to their staff, along with Mike Malloy. Nova M was started by the "good guys" (the Drobnys) who originally started Air America. But they got kicked out and replaced by a succession of not-so-good (or competent) guys and AAR has been going downhill ever since. Randi is just the latest stupid move on their part. Like her or not she was their biggest draw and now she's gone to an upstart competition. Currently the only AAR shows, other than Randi, that I'be been listening to are Rachel Maddow and Thom Hartmann. Jones and Nova M are giving AAR a run for their money and this move of Randi's is going to intensify that.

[hoopesaz]

That's just it. SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE. She gets to leave. It's her choice. Claiming she has been abused and mistreated is just a completely hollow postion to take.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I don't know how you can come to that conclusion. No she doesn't have to apologize, nor should she have been suspended. It appears she was forced outof a job because they didn't like her. How in the world is that fair? The hell she hasn't been abused and mistreated.

[pizzmoe]

I have the utmost respect for Randi for NOT apologizing. She was doing a routine, she meant what she said and she has no reason to apologize for it (esp. to Geraldine Loony!)

[Jo]

I don’t buy that “this thing is really about [AAR] wanting to change [Randi’s] contract.” It seems more a matter of Randi wanting out of her contract. Even assuming AAR’s effort to renegotiate the no-fire clause predated Randi’s use of vulgar and offensive language (“VOL”) while performing in S.F. as “Air America’s Randi Rhodes,” how is Randi’s decision to terminate her contract AAR’s fault? I seriously doubt AAR had any contractual/legal grounds to insist that Randi agree to revise the no-fire clause — certainly not without paying additional consideration for the modification. So, if the attempted renegotiation preceded the VOL, one might reasonably assume Randi wanted out of her contract and decided to use S.F. to embarrass AAR and provoke a contracting-ending confrontation. But if the VOL antedated AAR’s renegotiations, who can blame AAR for wanting some control over its talent when representing AAR? By Randi’s own admission, AAR couldn’t fire her; so, it was her choice to leave. If Randi left because AAR declined to bring her suspension to a swift conclusion unless she apologized**, it was still Randi’s decision to engage in the VOL and not apologize for it, and her decision to leave.
** IMHO, AAR was owed an apology at the very least. Public figures are subject to VOL masquerading as public discourse. But AAR deserved a certain level of professionalism from Randi when appearing as “Air America’s Randi Rhodes,” and Randi fell short in S.F.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Seeings how she has been sued twice for her public comments, and won both times, I think she's prudent enough not to slander her former boss. Chances are she's telling the truth and you are just searching for a reason to dislike her. It's seems far mor elikely that they wanted her gone, siezed upon thses comments, advertised them on their web site and susended her. Yes, they can legally do this, however it seems pretty ridiculous to suspend your best talent over remarks she made in a club, then post them on their website, making a non-story a national story. Either they are incredibaly stupid or wanted to embarass her. The jokes on them. Not only did they lose their highest rated host, they lost another show on radios across the land. Mine picked her up within hours of the announcement she quit AA.

[geobushono]

soon, Nova M will have ALL the original aar lineup....­..........­...Mike and Randi are the best of the best.
There's change in the air and conservative dems are going down......­..........­let's remember, these same people gave us lieberman and kerry.....­.........I haven't trusted them since 1968.........MAYBE next year in DC.

Obama 08

[piezoid]

I knew she would never show ANY humility and apologize for her s**t-mouthed comments. Just as I suspected, her dog ate her homework.

It's no wonder she supports Obama, after all they have a matching pair of egos.

[Hardguy]

If you can't recognize Hillary's ego as out of control, you just may be a very poor judge a character.

[BIllyDelyon]

No doubt.

billarys ego.....

Good grief!

Mercy!

egads!

[piezoid]

You know, I do challenge that assertion.

Hillary is not in this because of some ego-driven defect.

If you want to talk ego, how about a first-term senator with NO experience on the world stage, NO experience with the executive branch of anything, NO experience in foreign policy, No scholarly works except a self-serving little bio all about guess who, NO resume that would even remotely qualify him for the biggest job in the galaxy, and you think Hillary is the one with the ego problem?

The last guy with his qualifications is sitting in John Kerry's chair right now! How'd THAT work out for us?

[Amberlass]

What does this have to do with Hillary's ego? How would you like to be called a whore?
They were right to get rid of her. She is just a dirty-mouthed nothing. Good Riddance.

[MoreCowBellNowPlease]

And Obama doesn't have an ego? I think anyone that is in the US senate for two years and running on platitudes has a huge ego. I don't care or hold it against either of them but put on your progressive critical thinking hat Hardguy.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

She supports Obama because Hilalry is behaving horribly. She owes no apology, she is owed one. I hope she sues AA for defamation and breach of contract much like Imus has. She was paid for her speech and suspending her for it, esp. when she was not on air and broke no laws or acrued no fines, seems very hypocritical. And rather Hilalry like. If you have a problem with egos, stop supporting Hillary who's made her ego more important than a Demcorat winning the White House. Why should we placate anyone who is attempting to destroy the candidacy of the likely nominee? For her ego? I think not.

[Amminadab]

Hillary is not "behaving horribly". Give me a break.

She is campaigning against Obama but isn't allowed to say anything critical of him?

That's crazy.

She gets smeared and debased up one side and down the other by the Obama brigade, but she can't say that he's not experienced enough to handle foreign policy?

Your logic is juvenile.

[disgusted48]

It was just a matter of time before Obama's name would be disparaged in posted comments. Even though this article has nothing to do with him.

[mellene]

With any good luck we'll have her still on the airwaves on the 14th. I understand that KKGN at least will carry her show through Nova M like Malloy.

[UltraClassic]

Hillary '08

Trust me, if Ms. Rhodes were doing anything for the listing ship that is AAR, they'd have kept her. Listening to RR is about as pleasent as taking your arm and running it across a cheese grater. But then again, that's about 95% of AAR's programs. Thank God they have some sponsers because the ads give the listner relief from the constant rants long on bitterness and short on humor.

Hillary '08

[Hardguy]

Like the Bulls kept Michael Jordan?

[Swift2]

I really hate to see progressives squabbling like this. Randi Rhodes, a talk show host I like, disgraced herself by calling Hillary a whore, and a f***ing whore. All she had to do is apologize for that. I think she should apologize for that. I don't want our "noise machine" to become as insulting and vitriolic as theirs, above all when we're talking about OUR side. (And if you don't think Hillary is on our side -- whether you're voting for her or not -- then you don't belong in the Democratic Party. If your strategy for success is to insult Hillary, and thus half the Democratic voters, then you're really stupid as well as being beneath contempt, and good riddance.

[A Meat Beetle]

Swift:

Careful! You're making a reasoned, intelligent observation. There are some lurking about Huffington who frown on such things. Next thing you know you'll be denying that Chelsea Clinton's looks are a campaign issue. Don't stand too close to me when you start talking like that!

[Hardguy]

Sorry, but reasoned and intelligent would have to include the truth. Hillary will be Bush lite. Better, yes, but not a true progressive. Watch as she caves to her own powerful monied elite.

[escapee]

Swift2:

I'm with you on this. It amazes me how so-called progressives think that it's okay to sling this crap because the far right have been doing it for years. That is NOT in line with progressive thought. No matter which side you are coming from it's still hate-speak!

[hoopesaz]

Actually, it is. "Progressives" are no better than anyone else, they just convince each other they are.

Aside from that "dig" (dig in that it isn't said with compassion...I truely believe it to be true) I agree that both sides should be above this kind of discourse. I don't think Republicans are necessarily any worse, they just happen to be more in your face because they control talk radio airwaves. I do agree that it isn't healthy or helpful in any way.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

She shouldn't have to apologize and frnakly I'm a little sick of weak willed people who cling to this myth that we can be above this kind of thing. Like it or not we need people who are willing to yell back. If half the Democratic party supports Hillary then their the half with their heads shoved up their ass. Your candidate can't win without destroying the party and she's more than willing to take down Obam ain the process. Wake the F up!

[PigLipstick]

Welcome to corporate America. The politically expedient line that saves your career and keeps the self-declared owners happy always takes precedent over the truth and our Constitutional Freedoms. Randi is right; between Left Wing Political Correctness and Right Wing Free Market Capitalists, we are literally flooded with Whores in this country. No big surprise, after all, it is the world’s oldest profession !

[Amminadab]

If Obama supports mean-spirited name-calling, then there is no way I'm voting him and his "movement". Ever.

[chharriett]

Grow up, Ms. Rhodes!!! There is absolutely NO DEFENSE in using such foul language about ANY political candidate, but you committed an UNPARDONABLE offense...calling a great woman (whatever your personal beliefs about her character, etc) a whore?!?!?! I lost almost every shred of respect i had for you.

[editorjuno]

Senator Clinton is "a great woman?" Can one be "a great woman" and also deficient in "character?" It seems to me greatness is principally dependent on character! The bottom line is that Senator Clinton is not anywhere near "great" -- she is, however, famous, which makes here a public figure and therefore fair game for all sorts of criticism, up to and including mockery, derision, and even profanity. The rest of this is a matter of who you believe about Ms. Rhodes AAR contract and the true motives of AAR management in suspending her and demanding that she apologize -- on that issue I find Ms. Rhodes' explanation much more credible than the PR platitudes coming our of AAR.

[Hardguy]

A man with a brain. And you make it seem so easy.