Randi Rhodes is coming back... via the Dark Side.
Premiere Networks has picked her up. the company is a subsidiary of Clear Channel and the home of Rush, Sean Hannity and Glennn Beck.
She'll broadcast live from Washington DC, weekdays starting May 11.
There's a problem for Seattleites: KPTK. writes on their site: "Rest assured, as soon as Randi is doing a daily radio show again… you will hear it right here, each night, on AM1090." But according to someone who should know, it won't be easy for the little CBS robot station to deliver the audience that her new status demands -- at least in the evenings. "There's a whole lot of push-pull going on right now. How to get her into drive-time without pushing Ron Reagan under the bus?" (We're not sure why they're so reluctant: he's been pushed before).
Rumors we made up that she'll be heard on Clear Channel's KJRAM are entirely false, we' re told.
Randi will be heard, Premiere says, on KTLK-AM/Los Angeles, KKGN-AM/San Francisco and KPOJ-AM/Portland.
Despite that it's belly of the conservative beast, PRN is simply the most prestigious and successful distributor in the business.
“Right now, America needs a voice that reflects its hopes and concerns. It will be my privilege and pleasure to provide vital information to the public about everything that is possible in the 21st century, and also have a few laughs along the way,” commented Rhodes. “Premiere is an incredible family of radio pros, and is truly the most talented and experienced radio syndicator in the nation. I’m exited about this decision and Premiere’s enthusiasm for this partnership. It’s truly a dream come true.”
Her journey from Air America to PRN via Nova M is remarkable. Clear Channel is anxious to get the liberal earballs according to Charlie Rahilly, president and chief executive of Premiere, "It's all about getting audience we don't have."
He told the WSJ reporter Sarah McBride that Ms. Randi was very successful in drawing listeners in past stints on Clear Channel stations.
Randi is a ratings juggernaut. Ron Reagan is a sardine. Ron is out...Randi is in. This is not a tough call.
Posted by: mrogi | April 23, 2009 at 10:49 PM
If that's true, there goes the "live and local" bit.
Posted by: joanie | April 23, 2009 at 11:21 PM
If Randi replaces Ron Reagan, I will move back to my iPod.
Randi can be entertaining and sometimes informative on occasions, but is way too bombastic for me.
Ron seems like Dave Ross was about 5 years ago before he became bored with it all.
Posted by: ExPatBrit | April 24, 2009 at 07:21 AM
I liked Ron's shorter show a bit better. Now he's off of politics a lot and into less interesting subjects. He's a good host but I have trouble staying interested for all 3 hours.
Posted by: keitho | April 24, 2009 at 08:11 AM
I will still listen for Randi, even though she did jump the shark with her rant about Hillary, but Ron's show is much better than I expected. My vote would be for her to replace Ed Schultz.
Posted by: LucasFoxx | April 24, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Ron Reagan is not a lolive and .ocal show. he is a national syndicate like Medved who does his show locally. He hates local radio.did not do it even when he was on locally in Seattle, Hate to put down Reagan and Michael Hood's friend Tina his producer, but Reagan's show has been met with not-surprising yawns from coast-to- coast. He's just another AAR over-intellectualized time-filler. He's easly replaced. Liberals like this kind of talker, but they don't get excited and they are not loyal the way right-wingers are.
Clear Channel is big, so is premiere but they have also been having very tough days. with lots of lay-offs, sell-offs and other shrinkage.
Posted by: Mark C. | April 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM
What's the backlash Premiere will take over this from Limbaugh. I remember a few years ago Randi said she was talking with here employers in Florida(she was describing this as pre-Air America) about the possibility of them letting her go national, and they said Rush said if they did, Rush said he would leave, and they were afraid he would take all the money they made with his show, with him. I do not know if it was Premiere at the time, but this would definitely be harder to do today, Rush is even bigger today.
Posted by: EvergreenRailfan | April 24, 2009 at 03:01 PM
The KPTK website has posted that she will be returning to her 6-9pm slot that has been filled with reruns of Thom Hartmann. Nobody will be affected by this--she is just going back to her usual time.
I think I will try to stream her at work at 12 when it is live to hear what she has to say about the last couple of months.
Posted by: sparky | April 24, 2009 at 04:45 PM
How sad.
Posted by: bigstick | April 24, 2009 at 05:09 PM
How sad? That's she's being delayed?
So funny.
I like Ron but he is having a tough time filling his time and he still stutters a bit too much. And the mailbox idea isn't my favorite.
I'm all for gay marriage but he's taken that one to the airwaves at little too often. Kind of a one-note johnny. Mix it up.
For all that, I still like him and hope he continues.
Dave does sound bored, doesn't he?
Randi, welcome back!
Posted by: joanie | April 24, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Randi is back to give credence to the "Lord of the Flies" Administration that folds, spindles and multilates the Constitution to its own liking.
Aside - I liked John Dingle's (D) comment about Cap and Trade. "Most of the public does not consider it to be a tax. It will be the biggest tax there is !"
Posted by: KS | April 24, 2009 at 09:29 PM
I think that Ron R has improved 1000% from his debut on KIRO. But he is so affable, it is hard to put him down. That being said, I normally only catch his last hour, which I think he tries to make "light" by talking about less serious topics. It is 1000% better than R & D.
God love Dave, but I can identify with his position in life.
Posted by: AprilMayJune | April 24, 2009 at 09:35 PM
At this point in Dave's career he is just looking for a soft place to land. Dave has less passion than a bowl of lukewarm tapioca.
Posted by: mrogi | April 25, 2009 at 01:55 AM
Yeah, mrogi, I agree and I still love him. Even bored, he's one of the best. I wonder how much longer he'll do it? Well, as long as they keep paying him mucho buckos, I guess he'll show up for his three hours of banality.
Posted by: joanie | April 26, 2009 at 09:44 PM