Richard Belzer To Fill In During Randi Rhodes' Air America Time Slot

Richard Belzer will fill Randi Rhodes' 3pm-6pm time slot on Air America all next week, the Huffington Post has learned. Belzer is perhaps best known for his role on "Law & Order," where he plays Det. John Munch, but he is also a stand-up comedian as well as a Huffington Post blogger.

Developing...

Previously: Randi Rhodes Quits Air America Rather Than Apologize For Clinton "F*cking Whore" Remark: "There's Relief And Joy" At The Station

Comments

[MizLiz]

This is off-topic, but: Anybody remember that movie "The Bone Collector"? About the embittered paraplegic solving crimes? Denzel Washington never EVER should have been cast for that....Richard Belzer was born to play Lincoln Rhyme.

[BlackJAC]

If you want to truly get fanboy on THE BONE COLLECTOR's casting, howzabout how Angelina Jolie doesn't fit the physical description of Amelia in it: a 5'9" blue-eyed redhead like Jamie Luner or Emily Deschanel.

[MizLiz]

Oh, perfect ! I love Richard Belzer and his acid wit is always thought-provoking. They've had some real turkeys in that time slot lately...gabby men saying not much of anything, bland as can be.

I miss Randi.

But Richard? I'll go with that.

[PaMike]

I can't wait for Mr. Belzer to eviscerate McCain and shred the tarnished and pitted republican / conservative brand. Eight years of their ruinous control has destroyed any credibilty these criminals may have thought they had in foreign policy, national security, ecomonic policy, all domestic policy...draining the treasury seems to be the guiding light in this adminstration. Good Luck Belzer!

[FreedomLoverX]

I'm leaving with Randi. You folks who criticize her have never listened to her program. You also don't believe, that during a stand-up act she should have freedom of speech. To bad. Another right denied. Meanwhile, maybe you have a better name for someone who will sell out her country, lie and cheat, share responsibility for the death of a million, share the responsibility for a million lost jobs, do all sorts of underhanded things behind closed doors, and then expect to be paid - as much as 110 million dollars. I think Randi hit it right on the head.

[polish]

People that condone such remarks like the ones Randi made are just losers. She got what she deserved.

[justShareandbeNice]

"How DARE you say bad yucky words about that nice lady running for President!" you say.

THINK ABOUT what you are saying! The next time you say "Bush is a goddamn bastard" or "McCain is so fucked up" you better watch your back! I thought this country was all about being able to say what you want to.

And don't tell me this isn't about free speech. Yes, Randi was hired for her voice, her words... it is her job... but what if she had said "Hillary is a bitch" or "Hillary is a big, fat liar" or "Hillary stinks" or "Hillary is a shill for corporate America"??? Where do you draw the line?

And she said the oh-so-terrible word "whore" refering to selling out, not gender. And she said it in a drinking establishment to a small crowd. Think about it.

McCain called his wife a cunt, in public. Maybe he should apologize to his wife.

[Chris]

FreedomloverX,

You should reread the 1st amendment. It states Congress shall make no law....Tell me excalty how Ms. Rhodes right to free speech was infringed upon? There is no right for your employer to not infringe upon your free speech expcet in the case of whistle blowing.

But to folow your "logic" Imus should not have been canned. Opie & Anthony should not have been canned. There should be no FCC, no restricitons on movie viewing, signing a non disclousre agreement, standard pracitice in exit interviews etc.

[melann830]

I do not believe for a second she quit. The w h o r e got fired and what she deserved.

[melann830]

Randi, the dirty whore got fired? If she can dish it, she can take it as well.

[grayforester]

Last night on Mike Malloy's program (Mark Maron - once of Air America's "Unfiltered" - guest hosting) Randi explained that with a year left on her contract the new management at Air America sought to renegotiate terms not to hteir liking.

She pretty much stated outright that the whole controversy was actually started by the new owners of Air America to weaken her negotiating position. (The video of the San Francisco event had been posted on Green 960's web site for a week or more with nary a shudder from the blogosphere.) She said they told her they'd see how she handled the scorn and criticism of the public square. As they looked over new results of their research they found that her program was their number one dollar valued property and wanted to reinstate her with her contract without amendment IF she issued a formal apology for her remarks. As if she would ever do that.

Earlier this week Malloy used his show to talk about Randi's story and essentially invite her to join his network, which it seems she's now done. She'll resume her broadcast on Monday from her previous home base of West Palm Beach, Florida.

"It's Friday, ya b*st*rds!"

[nellie]

Maron was on Morning Sedition, but other than that, your post is perfect.

[cae]

Welcome, Richard Belzer. I always liked you and wish you well! But I like Sam too!

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Belzer is top notch. Give him the permanent Air America slot, if he wants it. I read "UFOs, JFK and Elvis" - a terrific read. He uses good old common sense when making his arguments which is so often lacking in people with an agenda.

[jkb246]

So we get to hear about UFO"s??? This program won't last long. Maybe the guided tour company of area 51 can sponsor the show

[Lunare]

Randi of course is now going to do the same time slot as before on Nova M. She has a silly story about how Air American released the video of her standup routine in order to somehow persuade her to change her contract, so she quit rather than meet their terms. I hope Air America hires someone good enough, in other words Sam Seder, to fill her time slot and compete with her.

[alexcharner]

Where is this info posted? I haven't seen or heard anything about this situation from her, directly.

Link to the silly story please.

[RealityBaseCamp]

She said it on Larry King tonight. The new AA owners saw the clause in her contract that they couldn't just fire her, and wanted her to let them change it. She's saying they recorded her appearance in March, and released it weeks later as an excuse to suspend her and use that as leverage to change her contract before they'd let her back on the air. Silly? Only if one didn't want to believe her to begin with. See the interview on King... apart from saying "Venomous Tirade" at the top of the show, Larry didn't really give her a hard time. I'm sure it'll be on youtube before long.

[kurd]

Rachel Maddow has the best show on AAR, i think. i believe Rhoads will be fine. i'm glad she didn't apologize---i'm beginning to hate that crap. what an a-hole business radio is---yuck! who in their right mind would want to be in that racket? good luck with the St. Hillary fans, Belzer! but really, good luck Richard! i think yer pretty cool!

[RealityBaseCamp]

She didn't apologize, and neither did Ed Schultz. I hope Belz lets loose with some true stuff and doesn't apologize.

[pizzmoe]

I agree with most of the posts, but I would not exclude Rachel Maddow from the discussion. I think Sam is great, and he deserves Randi's time slot, but Rachel's show is fantastic (personally, I enjoy her show more than Randi's show). AAR just seems to screw up everything, kinda like the Democratic party.

[nellie]

Rachel and Sam are the only two people left from the original group of amazing people. I miss the old AAR, but Rachel is doing a great job with her own show. She's excellent on TV, too.

[rosal]

If he starts praising Hellary, I won't listen. I like honest, truthful comments. There is nothing to praise about that woman.

[cfreedom]

Quite the open mind there rosy. But you don't have to worry. Belzer, like you, isn't too bright and is in the tank for Mr. Obama.

[MACinCHI]

Quite an open mind there cfreedom.

[DHC]

Richard Belzer, as they say, has a face for radio.

[cfreedom]

And a mind for acting. Lightweight royale.

[NightOwlCafe]

I've listened to AAR since they went on the air, bought XM radio for clear reception and then one by one the original hosts started leaving. Lionel is awful, can't listen to him. Randi, Sam, Rachel and Ring of Fire kept me interested. With Randi gone more changes will follow as Mark Green seems determined to kill liberal talk radio. Good luck Randi, listeners will find you. Sam, get out now, AAR hasn't done right by you and you're wasting your talent there. Belzer, think twice before getting into this.

[alexcharner]

I agree. I can't listen to Lionel past the catchy Gypsy Kings theme. He's irritating beyond measure.

[deweshk]

Richard what !! No way, Randi Now !!