| Genre | Talk show |
|---|---|
| Running time | 3 hours |
| Country | United States |
| Home station | None |
| Syndicates | Premiere Radio Networks |
| Starring | Randi Rhodes |
| Website | randirhodes.com |
The Randi Rhodes Show is a three-hour radio program in the United States hosted by Randi Rhodes combining live interview, call-in and commentary with a progressive bent. The show is currently syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks.[1] The show had previously aired over the now-defunct Air America Radio and Nova M Radio networks. The song "Bounce Your Boobies" is known for being played at the beginning of the show on Fridays. According to Talkers Magazine at the start of 2008, Randi Rhodes is the 40th most important talk show host in the United States in their "Heavy Hundred" 2007 list.[2]
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The Randi Rhodes Show was a local program on WJNO in West Palm Beach, Florida for many years before moving to New York for the launch of Air America Radio on March 31, 2004. The show ran for four hours until September 2006, when it was reduced to three hours.
Despite what Air America stated, Randi Rhodes contended that she was not suspended for comments made about Hillary Clinton. In an appearance on Larry King Live following her departure from Air America, Rhodes explained that the reason for her suspension was not really about the stand-up performance, but rather a ploy to force Rhodes to renegotiate her contract. Rhodes alleged that unless she renegotiated her contract to remove a right in her contract that did not allow Air America to fire her, she would never be permitted to return to the air. Air America suspended her until a settlement could be reached concerning the contract which was still in place and had an additional year to run. In the interim, Air America management decided to conduct market research to assess her value to the company. According to Rhodes, it was Air America who issued the press release that called attention to the video of her performance in San Francisco simply as a way to gauge her audience loyalty and her value to the network. According to Rhodes, Air America soon asked her to return to the air, with an offer of more money but still holding to the condition that she had to amend her contract. Rhodes refused and left Air America because of the stalemate over the new contract.[3]
On April 9, 2008, Air America Radio CEO Charlie Kireker issued a press release stating that Rhodes was leaving the network, in the aftermath of a brief suspension following a controversial live appearance in San Francisco.[4] One of her affiliates, KKGN in San Francisco, California, immediately announced that they would continue airing her show.[5]
On April 10, 2008, Nova M Radio announced that The Randi Rhodes Show would join its radio network, which also syndicated The Mike Malloy Show. During the first broadcast on April 14, 2008, Rhodes went into detail concerning the events surrounding her suspension. She described what happened as "a great radio story and I've heard some great radio stories in my day."[6] The Randi Rhodes show returned to the airwaves on April 21, 2008 on 23 affiliate stations,[7] compared to Air America's 60 affiliates.[8] As of May 5, 2008, the show was heard on 28 stations, including XM 167, the Air America channel on XM Radio.
She also reiterated in this same episode that the issue with Air America was primarily about Air America's new owners demanding her contract be amended to remove her walk-away clause, and that another issue was her high salary.[9]
However, Rhodes stopped broadcasting on Nova M on February 3, 2009, with shows hosted by Nancy Skinner until the closing of the network. A statement from one of the Nova M network owners appeared on their official website, but offered no explanation, claiming terms of Rhodes' contract. The Randi Rhodes Show Web site was temporarily inaccessible on February 16, 2009 but returned online later that day with the following statement:
| “ | 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 |
” |
Nova M ceased operations a few days later.
On April 23, 2009, The Randi Rhodes Show became part of the Premiere Radio Networks affiliate network. Premiere announced that Rhodes would be joining the network beginning May 11, 2009, and would air daily in the 3-6 PM Eastern time slot.[10] The show is based out of Washington, D.C. and can be heard on XM Satellite Radio's 'Talk Radio' channel 165.