The Randi Rhodes Show
Genre | Talk show |
---|---|
Running time | 2 hours (4–6 p.m. Eastern) |
Country of origin | United States |
Home station |
WIOD (1992–1994) WJNO (1994–2014) WBZT (2010–2014) |
Syndicates | ProgressiveVoices.com - Dark Horse Broadcasting |
Starring | Randi Rhodes |
Recording studio | Palm Beach County, Florida |
Original release | 1992 (local); March 31, 2004 (national); Online July 5, 2016 – present |
Website | randirhodes.com |
The Randi Rhodes Show is a talk radio show that was hosted by Randi Rhodes. The show combined her progressive political commentary with listener participation and live interviews. It was broadcast on Air America Radio, Nova M Radio, and Premiere Radio Networks. The show ended on May 16, 2014.[1][2]
History
The Randi Rhodes Show was a local program on WIOD in Miami in 1992 and moved to WJNO in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1994. On March 31, 2004, the program made its national debut on the Air America Radio network. In 2005, the Anti-Defamation League reprimanded Rhodes for comparing Hurricane Katrina refugees with Holocaust victims.[3][4] The show ran for four hours until September 2006, when it was reduced to three hours.
Suspension
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.[5]
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.[6] One of her affiliates, KKGN in San Francisco, California, immediately announced that they would continue airing her show.[7]
Nova M Radio (2008-09)
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."[8] The Randi Rhodes show returned to the airwaves on April 21, 2008 on 23 affiliate stations,[9] compared to Air America's 60 affiliates.[10] 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.[11]
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.
Premiere Radio Networks (2009-14)
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.[12] The show was based out of Washington, D.C. and can be heard on XM Satellite Radio's 'Talk Radio' channel 168.
In March 2010, WJNO replaced Rhodes with The Schnitt Show, and WBZT began carrying the Rhodes show live in her local West Palm Beach area.[13] WJNO continues to play Randi Rhodes on tape delay in evenings.
The Randi Rhodes Show ended on May 16, 2014.[14][15]
Dark Horse Broadcasting (June 2016)
As of February 11, 2016, Randi Rhodes started a Kickstarter campaign to return, this time her show appears to not be returning to radio, but live streaming on the internet. Her Kickstarter campaign raised $152,064. According to her Kickstarter page entry on May 5, 2016, the Randi Rhodes Show will return on Monday, June 6, 2016.[16] Construction of new studios in South Florida delayed her first broadcast to Tuesday, July 5 2016. The Randi Rhodes Show can now be heard and seen live weekdays from 4 to 6pm ET via Progressive Voices Network with their app and Randi's - YouTube, Facebook, Tunein pages, and is also available as a paid podcast to subscribers.
Music
- Main theme: Compilation of audio soundbites from various figures
- Into Break Bumper: "El Phantasmo and the Chicken-Run Blast-O-Rama" by White Zombie
- Out-Of-Commercial Bumpers: Varies
- Occasional Rush
- Friday Theme: "Bounce Your Boobies" by Rusty Warren - at the top of the show, after main theme. (After playing it at the beginning of her December 9, 2011 show, she announced that after an estimated 15 years she was "so over" the song that that would be the last time she would play it.) She continues to use the song every Friday to open the 2016 show.
References
- ↑ http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/128895/premiere-randi-rhodes-show-to-end-may-16th
- ↑ radioink.com A statement from a Premiere spokesperson said: "I can confirm Randi Rhodes has decided to end her national radio program."
- ↑ Brenna, Susan (November 13, 2005). "They Look Nothing Like Rush Limbaugh". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ↑ "ADL Letter to Air America Radio". Anti-Defamation League. September 26, 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ↑ "Transcript of ''Larry King Live'', April 10, 2008". Transcripts.cnn.com. 2008-04-10. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ↑ "LTR - The alternative media resource: Rhodes coming back, with or without Air America". Ltradio.blogspot.com. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ↑ "Green 960 Online & Radio: My Progressive Community". Green960.com. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ↑ , April 14, 2008 (requires paid subscription)
- ↑ Nova M Radio Affiliates, April 15, 2008
- ↑ Air America Stations, April 15, 2008
- ↑ Shea, Danny (April 10, 2008). "Randi Rhodes on Larry King via Huffington Post". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ↑ "Premiere Radio Networks Syndicates 'Randi Rhodes'". Premiere Radio Networks. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
- ↑ "Rhodes Off WJNO, Continues On WBZT". All Access Music Group. March 4, 2010. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/128895/premiere-randi-rhodes-show-to-end-may-16th
- ↑ radioink.com A statement from a Premiere spokesperson said: "I can confirm Randi Rhodes has decided to end her national radio program."
- ↑ Kickstarter Entry from May 5, 2016 "The Randi Rhodes Air Force will launch the first offensive on June 6, 2016 just one day before the final primary in California."
External links
- Official Randi Rhodes Show website
- "Randi Rhodes, liberal talk show host", Buzzflash.com, January 3, 2003
- Washington Post Magazine article on Randi Rhodes: Radio Waves
- Washington Post follow up article: The Liberal Rush Limbaugh?
- Randi Rhodes Suspended by Air America Radio for "Ad Hominem" Comments Made Regarding Hillary Clinton, Air America Radio, April 3, 2008