Randi Rhodes replaced by Sean Hannity?

[Phoenix-Risen]

My god talk about giving the opposition fodder for ridicule.

UPDATE: Mike Malloy's producer - wife has issued a strong denial of indications it will affect his program:

"This also brings Mike Malloy's syndicated program to an abrupt end as well, at least for now."

Kathy Malloy here. Randi Rhodes' lawyers have no information about our broadcast status. Our program is most definitely NOT coming to an abrupt end, now or in the future. This is completely untrue. We have intact and continuing affiliate relationships that may be harmed by this lie on your website. I strongly suggest you remove it now.

Kathy Bay Malloy
Executive Producer
The Mike Malloy Show
www.mikemalloy.com

But how will the show continue in Nova M's absence? We're awaiting an answer to this question.

UPDATE: Anita Drobny has responded to our email:

brian...shelly suffered a nervous breakdown...we tried as hard as we could to bring another voice to our nation...i guess we failed...as far as randi goes, we couldn't meet one of her contract issues....i wish her well and hope for all of us to overcome this horrible economy we are faced with....thanks anita

In a follow-up, Drobny confirms that Malloy has found a way to continue broadcasting. Meanwhile, Rhodes flagship WJNO in West Palm Beach has temporarily substituted Sean Hannity's program in the afternoon slot due to the absence of her program.

Stand by for updates on this breaking news story.

I know Brian Maloney is a RW nut, but he is connected and more often then not is correct.

http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/

[Duer 157099]

1. and in related news:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3743639&mesg_id=3743639

no mention of this on Nova M's site?

[SharonRB]

2. This has more about Mike

Nova M Becomes On Second Thought
By Mike Stern

The finger pointing between host Randi Rhodes and her network Nova M is over, and so is Nova M. Network general manager Eric Reinert tells R&R that Nova M is no longer an entity and that a new company called On Second Thought LLC has been formed and is moving forward. Reinart also confirms that Rhodes is no longer associated with the group.

The new network will continue to offer host Mike Malloy along with new shows from hosts Nancy Skinner, who has been filling in for Randi Rhodes during the recent contract dispute, and Mike Newcomb, a popular local host in the Phoenix area.

Reinart declined to comment on a lawsuit recently filed by former network CEO John Manzo. The 16-page complaint alleges, amongst other things, that the syndicator breached Manzo's contract, failed to pay state and federal taxes on his behalf, defamed his character and cast him in a false light.

Another topic Reinart declined to discuss was the recent hospitalization of Nova M co-founder Sheldon Drobny. Sources tell R&R Drobny is doing well and will be OK.

Mike Stern
News Talk Sports Editor Radio & Records
Office: 773-857-2693
Cell: 312-735-0226
Fax: [phone]
IM: sternradiorecord

Format News, Topical Discussion, Facts You Can Use
Sign up now for R&R's News/Talk/Sports Daily email.
Just send me a note saying you want to subscribe.

[Sebastian Doyle]

20. Well, this explains Mike Malloy's comments last night.

He made references to his show being on the "I Don't Know What Network" or something like that. I'm sure Mike's gotta be conflicted about this. The Drobnys have hired him twice, have offerred him managment positions in both cases, though he declined, Randi had his back when AAR screwed him over, and he returned the favor when they stabbed her in the back, and he's also known Nancy Skinner since forever. Talk about being "caught in the middle". :(

[Spazito]

23. He is certainly handling this with dignity and professionalism...

and he seems to be the only one doing so in this mess, imo. I have a great deal of sympathy for the Drobnys, they have tried twice to do the right thing, give liberal/progressive radio a home and now they have lost both. Another poster wondered if the Drobnys have been caught up in the Madoff scam, ie lost a great deal of money, which would explain Mr. Drobnys' breakdown and other things.

[Baikonour]

3. Seems like all of this is within Randi's control.

I'm guessing she just wants more money than she's getting. Which is pretty absurd, considering this economy.

[Wiley50]

5. I'm thinking it was more to do with Manzo than Money

Poor Shelly! I can see him trying to hold it all together financially, then Manzo trying to take advantage by pulling a mutiny to crash the company and pull a takeover. (This is what I've heard on the forums at unfiltered news from many of the players posting bits and pieces) So the Drobneys saw through Manzo's shit and it all came to a head with them firing all of those involved with Manzo. Then Randi starts putting pressure on behalf of Manzo and with Randi off the air all week, Manzo files suit on Wednesday night. Pushed poor Shelly flat over the edge. Anita couldn't hold it together by herself and agrees to fold and turn the network over to new investors, apparently arranged by Malloy. Well, Manzo succeeded in crashing it but he didn't wind up with it (

I may not have guessed this senario 100% correct but I bet I'm close

[Spazito]

7. I think you are very close to what happened...

the timing of the Manzo suit and Randi being off the air is too close to be merely coincidence, imo.

[Phoenix-Risen]

9. Probably pretty close except that Sheldon Drobny

Was or is Chairman and Managing Director of Paradigm Group II, a venture capital firm in Chicago and may also be suffering some financial difficulties outside of Nova-M.

I have wondered if he might have been involved with Bernie Madoff.

[cancer]

17. not even close...

i feel bad if someone is actually in a hospital, as was claimed. but due sympathy aside, the drobny's are solely responsible for running nova into the ground. manzo was the last chance nova had to succeed. and the four former staffers and one current employee that i've spoken to say the same. "pulling a mutiny"..."pushed poor shelly over the edge"...not a chance. wild conspiracy theories are fun, but occam's razor says otherwise...

coverage & opining:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5065371&mesg_id=5067211

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2009/02/nova_m_meltdown_randi_rhodes_d.php

http://rhodesscholars.proboards.com

http://www.thejefffariasshow.com/community/

[Garbo 2004]

24. Alternate view from Sarge who was a frequent caller to Malloy & then had a show at Nova M:

He posted this on DU yesterday:

SargeUNN (51 posts) Mon Feb-16-09 01:55 PM
Response to Original message
20. Here is what I know that I will tell
I did a show on KPHX on Sunday Mornings and am one of the very few who actually quit and was not fired by Sheldon Drobny. The Drobnys have allowed the station rent at KPHX to go for months unpaid and then when it was time for cut off they found the money, and when we had very effective billboards here they failed to pay those which led to the end of the billboards just before the election.

Sheldon Drobny was on the ISDN line on Sunday Morning during my show and before theirs saying he was going to move the equipment to Dallas, change the locks on the station, and padlock the gate around the station. This obviously distracted my board operator Sean Ryan and instead of putting the callers on from his board, I took the callers from my side. This was passed on to Manzo who had not been informed of this until after this statement and the idea was stopped by the station owner according to my sources.

Manzo was fired after what I was told, asking questions about the founders club fund use, and while the station was actually showing profits for a couple of months, increase in advertising, and double the ratings, he was fired.

Next event was the firing of Jeff Farias which was misrepresented by the Drobnys, even in a phone call I got from Anita after I resigned from doing my show on KPHX, told me that Jeff Farias quit and was not fired that the only one that was fired was Kim, but I had heard the recording of Sheldon Drobny telling Jeff he was officially firing him. Kim's story is even more sad and shows a side of the Drobnys George W. Bush would have been proud of. Later, Sean Ryan, who in spite of the facts he had heard was fired for much the same stuff as Kim was.

The Monday that the story of Randi hit, the new station went down 6 hours here in Phoenix and since I heard before that day, that a note was on the door telling the management of the station that if the bill was not paid by Monday that the transmitter would be turned off, I can't help but believe that again the Drobnys played the we won't pay the bills game. They have fired almost everyone and have created a rift in a progressive community here that was working and growing very well.

I have heard that the situation with Randi is that the Drobnys failed to live up to their end of agreements and based on their record, it is certainly possible. What I have heard I will leave to others to reveal, but from my experience and knowledge, don't believe anything the Drobnys say because they aren't very honest folks.
Sarge of UnreportedNews.Net Radio Show

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5065371&mesg_id=5067211

[Doctor Panacea]

4. The radio mess

So the bottom line is that we are now stuck with the hideous Nancy Skinner for the bulk of the afternoon?

Oh, well, just some more money that I wasted on Sirus/XM. I actually have both, from the days when Air America went from Sirius to XM. Of course, Air America was relevant back then, as someone else recently put it.

The XM line-up right now from midmorning to late afternoon:

Stephanie Miller:
Seems like a good person. The show is not horrible but is still basically nothing but a silly show with all sorts of obnoxious sound effects. Who cares, Stephanie?

Ed Shultz:
Very good, the best on XM right now.

Nancy Skinner:
Appalling. She is not a right-wing "plant" as she keeps saying people are accusing her of being. No, she is an egotistical person who thinks she can give a microphone to right-wing tools and then "refute them" for the benefit of her audience. She is one of those idiotic liberals who think that the way to win is just to educate everyone. Let's hope they give her the hook really soon!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

10. RE Nancy Skinner

I listened to her in Chicago for years and if I ever needed to put a right winger in his place, with whipped cream and a cherry on top, I'd want Nancy to handle it.
That said, I've heard her filling in for Randi and she's sounded like she's been battling a cold-- she sounds a little tired and her voice is a little off.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. I like Nancy

:shrug:

[Baikonour]

18. On top of that, Sirius/XM is about to announce its bankruptcy.

Couldn't keep up with Stern's 500 million dollar salary, probably.

Radio, as a medium, is close to its death I think.

[Statistical]

21. XM/SIRI secured $400 million in new financing. Enough to cover debt obligations for next 2 years

[Baikonour]

22. Ah-hah, I just read that myself.

Actually looks like they have until 2012 to pay it back. But Jesus, at 15% interest?

Looks like good ol' Mel Karmazin is prolonging the inevitable.

[1776Forever]

6. Just posted latest on this - Listening to Jeff Farias streaming - Take a look.......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5075553

[Spazito]

8. I read that Jeff was part of the Manzo mutiny, is that true?

If so, I am not interested in listening to him and I really liked his show when he was on Nova M.

[1776Forever]

13. I don't know what the Manzo mutiny is but Jeff is really a good guy I think. Give him a chance!

I cannot believe how many progressives will not give our talk radio hosts a chance because of one thing or another. I had a problem with Randi Rhodes when she sided with Melissa Etheridge Warren support thing though so I guess I have to plead guilty there too. I do like Jeff though. He never spoke about the Nova M management until they gave up on Nova M. He is doing some great interviews today on "proposed" torture court hearings in Europe on the Bush Administration.

[Spazito]

14. I intend to continue to support liberal/progressive radio via...

'On Second Thought', formerly known as Nova M. If Jeff becomes one of their employees, he will have my support as well.

[1776Forever]

15. Someone was just on the show saying that all his fans should email the owner & request Jeff

is on the new station. I am trying to find out what the email is. I would be glad to do that. If you have any info please post it.

[Spazito]

16. I don't right now, the new station is still using the old Nova M links...

during the transition but I am sure they will have a new site with info soon. If I do find something I will definitely post it.

[SoCalDem]

12. The histrionics & drama of all this stuff, is why liberals don't have a "good" track record

when it comes to radio "shows"..

People just want to know that when they tune to channel ### at XX:XX o'clock, they will hear conversation about politics & news, hosted by "xxyyzz", and with invited guests..

They don't need (or want) the daily-drivel of "who's dissin' who", who's losing sponsorship, who's "not funny" or who's a "prima-donna", or how the exec-producerette had a nervous breakdown..

They just want to listen to the radio show and the politics, and they want it there every day..with guest hosts in their abscence...not 3 week old "best-ofs"..

right wingers understand how the "model" works.. find a format..use it every day..all day..

Liberals try to re-invent the wheel with every show, and invite highwire acts who love to operate without a net..and unfortunately, they have a balance problem..:(

[spiderpig]

19. This is what's posted on KKGN's (SF area) website.

(They carry/carried Randi & Mike.)

NovaM's bankrupt & Shelly Drobny attempted suicide.

http://green960.com/pages/blog.html?feed=313154&article=5025558