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

[ObamaEdwards]

Charlie Kireker is a fool. Lucky lucky Nova M! It's shocking that the flaccid liberals at Air America lost Rhodes over a stand-up comedy routine. They're even dumber than I thought they were.

[nylefty]

Rhodes was hurting Obama's chances in November by alienating Hillary's supporters, who were saying that because of the savage attacks on Hillary, they would stay home or, worse, vote for McCain Kireker is an Obama supporter and wanted Rhodes to attack McCain instead of Hillary.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I never heard Randi savagely attack Hillary unless you consider her stand up routine which she would never say on the air. She gave her props when she did good and tore her ass when she did bad. Hillary has deserved any criticism Randi gave her. I listen pretty much every day.

[KINGS]

I blame Mark Green for all these problem. Since his brother bought AirAmerica and made him President it has gone down south for AirAmerica.

Now that Mark Green is a diehard Clinton supporter his is taking out Clinton losing to Obama to any host that is critical or that says anything bad about Clinton.

I was Mark Green against Ed Schultz is CNN/MSNBC and you can see that his support for Clinton has him so comsummed that he is not thinking right anymore.

I will write to my local station here in LA, AM1150 to bring Randi back in the meantime I will listen to her beginning Monday on http://www.green960.com/main.html

[nylefty]

Charlie Kireker bought controlling interest in Air America last month. Kireker is an Obama supporter and fundraiser and is bringing in another Obama supporter, Richard Belzer, to take over the old Randi Rhodes slot for at least a week, starting next Monday.

It was Kireker whom Randi Rhodes was referring to when she blamed Air America's "new owners" for her departure from AAR.

[A Meat Beetle]

Ed Schultz? What a putz! My father raised me in the belief that the only thing dumber than playing golf was watching it on TV. Ed proved him wrong. There is something dumber than watching golf on TV: Talking about it on the radio. All the worse considering that his show is supposed to be a political talk show.

If I want sports talk, we have a couple of stations in Portland that could fill that need. Being a heterosexual male, however, I have no interest in sports.

[timinhi]

Along with what "nylefty" says, I'd like to add that if your ("KINGS") reasoning were correct, than why haven't Thom Hartmann and Rachel Maddow, who have been critical of Hillary, and who support Obama (definitely in Rachel's case, and seemingly in Thom's case), been sacked? It's because the difference between them and Randi is that they know the meaning of CIVIL discourse. You don't have to be coarse, degrading and obscene to make a point when discussing politics. Moreover, they have humility, which Randi completely lacks. She's absolutely full of herself, and is the first and last person to keep reminding you of how great, intelligent and insightful she is. She's rude to her callers, even the ones who agree with her, and never lets anyone else get a word in edgewise. And what she bases her attitude on escapes me. As far as I've read, she holds no academic degree, and basically got to where she is by starting at the bottom and slowly working her way up in the radio biz from being a volunteer country music jockey. Both Thom & Rachel are established academics and intellects (Rachel a Rhodes Scholar) and their shows are pleasant and entertaining, as well as enlightening.

[rhs47]

I live in Portland, OR and listen to Thom locally and on the national program. He has not endorsed either candidate. Thom continually says that both are qualified and far superior to Senator McCain.
My personal opinion is that anyone on Air America might be forced out if they criticize any of the Clintons. I may be wrong, but Mark Green is a Clinton supporter which may influence his decisions. I am curious how he feels about HRC and President Clinton's on-air relationship with FOX News?

[northeast73]

Had a similar comment been made about Obama at a Clinton rally, the media would be crusifying her still.

Rhodes used to say she loved the Clintons....called them the "big brains" of the world and such. Now, since she has fallen into the Obma tank, like most in Obmanation, she looses all sense of reality and dinity in a desparate need to defend him.

[Hardguy]

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the Clintons alientated her? They did me.

[StillAmused]

Get on the mic at a company dinner and call ANYBODY a "fucking whore"... then watch how fast you get "alientated" from YOUR job.

... unless they get really mobbed at the carwash, decide to give you a pass and put you on nozzle maintenance, where you have no contact with the public.

[escapee]

notheast73:

I'm an Obama SUPPORTER who doesn't think Randi was right in what she said. In fact, I don't know any Obama supporters who feels that way or even think in that way. You're just wrong, Sweetheart!

[editorjuno]

Ms. Rhodes was not defending Obama during the SF incident -- she was profanely characterizing Senator Clinton and Ms. Ferraro. The event at which this happened was not a political rally -- it was a stand-up performance at a paid admission event sponsored by the local AAR affiliate and an advertiser. Therefore, there is no parallel whatsoever in your bogus scenario of "a similar comment (been) made about Obama at a Clinton rally."

[Hardguy]

Randi will build up Nova M just like she built AAR. Hypersensitive detractors will just have to live with it.

[ljfrommin]

And who will their sponsors be? Chavez, maybe?

[sufi66]

No, it's really about her ego.

[googlymoogly]

Randi Rhodes is a big time um, ah, and you know, moron. You know, um, ah, you know what I mean, you know?
She can't have a conversation without all the you knows and filler speech. What are the first two words she said in the video?
How ponderous and boring, will someone please take away her microphone forever....

She only has herself to blame because she doesn't know how to talk.

Larry looks like some old guy space alien in a red shirt. A real Mr. Dork Boob McNutt.

[lakephillip]

No you are the mornon.

[demlover1]

I'm glad to hear that she's gone. Maybe if "Air America" will get some more thoughtful, less abrasive hosts (like Al Franken and the guy who replaced him) who appeal to all Democrats rather than just some, maybe some of it's former listeners will start tuning in again.

[Hardguy]

You mean that appeal to YOU. Randi's my speed. You prefer blandness. Don't limit me.

[vietveter]

Franken thinks he is funny, and can sing

Barf

[DesertLight]

Al Franken, Now that is a real hero for you.

[luckyoldson]

Al Franken is an intellect.

Deal with it.

[A Meat Beetle]

DesertLight:

I agree with you; Al Franken is GREAT!

[editorjuno]

Franken's replacement, an irritatingly pedantic left-libertarian ex-lawyer who goes by the name "Lionel," makes Randi Rhodes at her "abrasive" worst sound like Venessa Redgrave reciting Shakespeare -- he's purely and truly gawdawful. The only thing "thoughtful" about that guy is how much he thinks of himself -- at least Ms, Rhodes achievements (she was by far the most popular and highest-paid AAR host) at least somewhat justify her admittedly lavish self-image!

[nylefty]

Franken's replacement was Thom Hartmann, not Lionel. Hartmann IS "thoughtful."

[MoeSart]

I want to hear Dennis Miller call Obama or Clinton what Rhodes said, and let's see how forgiving you all are.

ESPECIALLY, if he were to call Saint Obama names. You guys would be screaming for Miller's head and would be looking for his house.

Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy are both whiny hacks and not even entertaining ones. Good riddance.

[peskyliberal]

One, I can't care less about what that Unfunny Dennis Miller thinks.

Second you may think Rhodes and Malloy are hacks, but can you provide when they out and out lied to their listeners?

[A Meat Beetle]

pesky:

1) I like Malloy.

2) Not exactly a lie, but Randi, on her March 12 show, did say that the 81% of white Democrats who voted for Clinton in the Mississippi primary were racist.

[JohnKerr]

Dennis Miller? Who cares about Dennis Miller? Oh, I suppose it might be interesting to review his early rants to see if they pandered to right-wingers before the national sensibility seemed to trend toward conservatism. And I've long wondered if Miller and Coulter would produce such venomous rock-ribbed blather if not for the huge flock of sheep eager to buy their books. In other words, I suspect their foaming-at-the-mouth conservatism is mostly a function of their opportunism. Just a hunch.

Back to the Randi issue: If Air America conspired to drive her off as she alleges, then it was a sound business move. It was hard enough to listen to her brutalize friendly callers, talk over everybody and put herself forward as the ultimate authority on virtually every issue. When she started attacking the Clintons everyday, that's when I opted out; I got the feeling lots of other Air America listeners did, too.

[piezoid]

Well said, JohnKerr.

I could never understand why she would even berate FRIENDLY callers who simply tried to add additional perspective to her breathless absolutist monologues.

Sad, actually. She coulda been a contender...

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Sound busieness move?!!? They got rid of their best rated host, alienated thousands if not millions of people still pissed about them ccanning Malloy, and as she leaves, she's taking many affiliates away from Air America. We now have only 2 shows. Both run late at night and delayed. Our affiliate picked her up due to overwhelming listener feedback. I fail to see just how Air America comes out a winner here. You know she's broadcasting from her original Palm Beach station where she regularly kicked Limbaugh's ass in his own back yard. Sure enough she has enough moxy to be on a stations that is fullof right wing talkers. If you think we don't need people like Randi to beat back these idiots on the right, you are nuts! Abrasive or not, she kicks their ass!

[editorjuno]

Dennis *who*? You mean that new quiz show guy?

[samuraijack]

Sepaking truth to power. It always gets one into trouble.

[Swift2]

If calling Hillary a whore is your idea of speaking truth to power, you don't need a president, you need therapy. If she wants to criticize Hillary for anything whatsover, fine. If you can't HEAR political discourse unless it's spiced with anger and spite, then I feel sorry for you.

[editorjuno]

In politics, calling someone a "whore" simply accuses the target of being bought and paid-for -- does anyone seriously contend that it's inaccurate in regard to Senator Clinton given her gazillionaire/corporate-financed campaign?

[luckyoldson]

Someone please tell me where one could be employed and say what Rhodes said...and NOT get fired.

C'mon...a brothel perhaps?

[BarryChamplain]

luckyoldson:

Simple answer to your question:

Any American comedy club, post-Lenny Bruce*.





(* = note to theocrats: Lenny Bruce died for MY sins.)

[luckyoldson]

Unfortunately Air America was sponsoring her stint.

That's what changes the dynamics of the comments.

[KINGS]

But it did not happen at her place of employment luckyoldson. Randi was at a private function that has nothing to do with AirAmerica.

To naswer your question, it happens and worse things has been said the Fox Noise radio hosts as far as I know none has been fired.

[Swift2]

Her airfare was paid by AAR. She was billed as "Air America talk show host." That means she was a representative of Air America, and the company had every reason to demand an apology. If Obama did something she disagreed with, would she call him a "lazy n-word"? If she did, she'd have been out on her ear, and I'd agree with that too.

I used to listen to Air America, but I no longer do since they have gone on a 24/7 Hillary attack. Why would people listen to that, unless they agree 100% -- and if they do, they need some Xanax.

[StillAmused]

Thanks for the demo, Cletus.

If you concentrate on NOT READING, the world's yer oyster.

The article's still hanging up there...

Go for it. Yes, you can!

[ljfrommin]

Another intellectual critique of Fox. The tollerance and open mindedness is refreshing.

[danceswithyids]

Hi, Randi allow me to introduce you to Personal Responsibility.
Personal Responsibilty meet Randi.
I'm sure you'll have plenty to learn from each other.

[editorjuno]

Randi Rhodes took "personal responsibility" -- she refused to apologize and walked away from a contract that had a no-fire clause. Iow, she could have legally collected her paycheck while staying on management-imposed suspension until that contract expired, but she instead chose to take her show and her audience elsewhere. Good for her!

[notMcNuts]

It's too bad some folks don't know that the first amendment applies to government suppression of free speech-not private business !

[BarryChamplain]

Has anyone else noticed how overjoyed the wingnuts are, since their propagandists began advancing the talking point to them that "freedom of speech" doesn't mean shit, if it's not the government who's censoring you?

Finally!! That whole pesky "free speech" thing... SOLVED! Thank GOD for right-wing radio!! :-)

[mrdontplay]

Randi you did the right thing.

Fok Air america.

The only thing that scares me now is the fact that your not on the AIR daily now.

There is a huge information void now. We need you to get back in service ASAP!

Sam sneeder is cool but he's no Randi.

Good luck to you in your next opportunity!

GO to XM!

[samuraijack]

Rachel Maddow sucks too.

[BarryChamplain]

I take exception to Huffington Posts' characterization of this as "Huffington Post HAS LEARNED..."

You don't "LEARN" something which the opposing party might characterize as "getting spin from the executives who tried to screw Randi". You GET PLAYED BY THEM.

By saying you've "LEARNED" something means that you have determined that you've just, somehow, miraculously, been made privy to the naked truth. Not quite: this spin went straight from Mark Green and Charlie Kireker's mouths, into Danny Shea's electronic stenographer's pad.

To retain journalistic credibility, at this point, HuffPo is *absolutely obligated* to interview Randi DIRECTLY and get HER TAKE on what Green and Kireker... the "anonymous" sources, even if by proxy!.. have tried to promote, through their connections at this website.

[bushfoozled]

Nova-M radio ,check it out, been a fan when Malloy showed up over there, now Randi too .......very nice....... you can have AA

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

What happened to the left as the Defender of the First Amendment?

I may disagree with what you say, but defend to the death your right to say it.

etc.

[Bystander]

Randi exercised her Constitutional right to say what she said. That right doesn't innoculate her from criticism about or consequences resulting from what was said or how it was said. The First Amendment proscribes the government from restricting free speech...it does not proscribe the private sector from criticising or sanctioning the speaker. Air America exercised it's right to sanction Randi for her coarse and vulgar language. She could have emphatically expressed the essence of her criticism in other language, but she chose profanity and personal attack...fine! But the Constitution doesn't guarantee her a pulpit or a megaphone to express her thoughts, reprehensible as they are. She can continue to spew her gutter language-laced comments any time she wants.

[luckyoldson]

I defend one's right to free speech, but when you're working for an entity that represents itself as a news and information source, you can't have your people calling women who are running for President or have already been on the ticket..."whores."

Do you actually believe you could come into your office and call out fellow employees as whores and continue to work there?

Unless you're employed at a brothel...I doubt it.

[Shorty155]

Defend her right to say it? Not when she's representing her employers. Get real. She can't have it both ways---her trip paid by the company and representing the company, and then saying whatever her ugly mouth wants to say. I'm been somewhat of a fan, although I tend to grimace every now and then with her self-importance and vulgariy. But she has gone too far, and I'm particularly satisfied that she's off Air America, and then her line now about the fact that her employers wanted to fire her anyway doesn't hold water. If that's the case, she gave them a darn good reason. I'm really tired of all this offensive, hatemongering. Let's appeal to our higher selves, can't we?

[Swift2]

Free speech stops short of slander.

[vixen23]

Glad to see that left wing hate speech has some consequences. One less captain of the left wing hate machine - at least for a few weeks.

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I'm not surprised how ill informed you are based on your comments regarding hate speech. Hate speech is Michael Savage's blatant homophonia. Hate speech is Bill O'Reilly threatening to send Fox Security to your house. Hate speech is Ann Coulter, pretty much anything she says. What Randi said was off color comedy in a night club, not intended for mass consumption. She's never used words like that on the air. And by the way, she's been picked up nationally by everyone.

Ha! Left wing hate machine! I'll tell you what we hate, bigotry, intolerance, lying, anti-semitism, homophobia, and right wing conservative hacks who can't keep their facts straight.

[JohnJames]

Great post. The wingnuts are always trying to turn the tables wanting people to believe liberals are equally intolerant because they know their hatred of everyone who isn't a white heterosexual Christian has become a real political liability.

[Swift2]

I'm sorry, appealing to the REASON you slander and insult doesn't matter.

[ljfrommin]

Apparenty, HATE is in the eye of the beholder.

[JohnKerr]

The left wing isn't the wing noted for its hate machine.

[ljfrommin]

I guess this website is really just a bad dream then.