Laura Ingraham Radio Absence Still Mysterious: AWKWARD MOMENTS

Radio Equalizer ^ | 06/09/08 | Brian Maloney

[raccoonradio]

Ingraham Takes Award, Doesn't Explain Radio Silence *** WITH IMPORTANT UPDATED DETAILS ***

Less than a week after her sudden absence from the radio airwaves, syndicated talker Laura Ingraham found herself in a truly awkward position while picking up a radio industry award Saturday evening.

And today, the mystery over her program's fate has only deepened.

During the 2008 New Media Seminar, a talk radio convention held in Manhattan, Ingraham received the "Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Woman to Talk Radio".

Touching on her past accomplishments in talk radio, Ingraham gave a brief speech to attendees, which included your Radio Equalizer. But she had not a word to say about her broadcast disappearing act.

Standing just a few feet away was Talk Radio Network honcho Mark Masters, whose firm syndicates Ingraham. Regardless of any potential conflict that may have emerged between the two parties, neither said anything during the ceremony. Nonetheless, one could feel a certain amount of tension.

During the convention, many attendees approached your Radio Equalizer looking for information about her fate. But the biggest clue to date has come from Ingraham herself, with this note now posted on her website (UPDATE-- it's been removed from the site):

IMPORTANT NOTE TO LAURA LISTENERS

Due to contractual obligations, for the present time I am unable to reveal why I am not currently hosting The Laura Ingraham Show. Rest assured, this absence is not of my choosing, nor is it health or family related. I am ready, willing and eager to continue the conversation we started seven years ago about politics and the culture. (Heck, if cancer couldn't keep me off the airwaves for long, nothing will.)

Keep checking the site for a schedule of my appearances on the Fox News Channel. All queries regarding my on-air status should be directed to Talk Radio Network's management at 541 474 2297 or send an email. Thanks for sticking with me, and...Power to the People!

Earlier this evening, your Radio Equalizer contacted a reliable industry source who backed up Ingraham's version of events. Discounting earlier rumors that Laura had abandoned her own show, possibly to take a Fox News Channel slot, the insider said "she didn't walk off anything".

As to the reason for the possible lockout by her network, others speculate it's related to rumors she's been shopping her program to other syndicators in advance of her contract's upcoming expiry date.

Stay tuned for further details.

UPDATE: according to an industry source, Ingraham may have brought some of her troubles upon herself by possibly violating the terms of her contract: "Laura was 'locked out' because she's been negotiating secretly with individual Citadel-ABC program directors to get on their stations in the event they lose Sean Hannity. She's looking to make $4 million a year, far more than her show currently generates in terms of revenue.

"She was operating behind the back of Mark Masters and the Citadel-ABC people have been talking to her. She does not want to quit radio, quite the contrary. She really wants TV, too," said the insider.

Ingraham is apparently looking to move her show into a live midmorning slot on key ABC talk stations should Hannity leave the company, as many expect. This scenario would see hosts from WABC, WMAL/ Washington and WBAP/ Dallas slide into afternoon drive slots.

[bluerose]

Geez, tell us how you really feel. Sean is a patriot and is the first to support our troops.

[littlehouse36]

Rush & Levin — agree!

I normally listen to radio via rewind so only have time for one show per night. So I alternate between the two — and it’s a tough choice!

[NucSubs]

The problem with that argument is it is a 100% pure appeal to emotion. It is also begging the question.

This is not about whether the child is better off. I will ask you the same question I have asked others. How would you feel if this were two (or one) homosexual men who did the adopting? Certainly the child is better off being raised by to flaming liberal gay men than where she was right? What about all the illegal alien kids here in America. They are clearly better off no?

It is exactly the “its for the children” argument that is one of the biggest evils of liberalism and has gotten us into so much trouble.

Look, I’m sorry, but as a man and a father I have seen the role of fatherhood and a strong male in the family marginalized to the point of meaninglessness in our society. Laura CLAIMED she too saw this problem..and said that it was a problem...a major problem..and then she went out and validated the choice! can you not see how one could see this as cognitive dissonance and hypocrisy?

I am a man and a father. I see this woman making a statement to the whole world that in the successful raising of this child no man is required. No father figure is necessary.

So one more question, if I may - how can anyone ever again take her comments on fathers in society seriously?

[montag813]

Hanraty is such a lightweight next to Ingraham. And next to just about everyone else too. It’s amazing such a mediocre doofus and pathetic debater makes such coin. I don’t think I have ever seen him win a debate on his Hanraty and Corpse show.

[bluerose]

Really, you thought you were the only one? So if he sucks why listen?

[montag813]

I cannot stand Monica either, but what is wrong with Tammy Bruce?

Tammy Bruce and Glenn Beck are the best talk show hosts in America. Delicious sarcasm.

[bluerose]

No, he doesn’t give conservatives a bad name, hence his ratings.

[montag813]

Monica Crowley

I cannot stand her prim and prissy voice.

[NucSubs]

Opinions vary. The view has great ratings too.

[bluerose]

“Opinions vary. The view has great ratings too.”

I wouldn’t know about The View but you enjoy it.

[bluerose]

I love Mark Levin, saw him in person, but not everyone can take 3 hours of screaming and yelling and hanging up on people. He’s extremely intelligent and I love his show when I can catch it but he needs to tame it a little bit.

[NucSubs]

You wouldn’t know? You have no newspapers or TV where you live? You have never seen or read mention of the show’s ratings in your travels through FR? You have no idea how many women are plopping their butts down to allow these bitter libs to force feed them leftist drivel on a daily basis?

Either your lying or your really uniformed.

I don’t “watch it”, but I have seen snippets and I am aware that it is a successful show. I find it’s always a good idea to see what the enemy is up to.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Your spouse is one lucky woman, I guess. Does she live in a windowless cellar?

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Thanks, J! How’s Dennis Miller doing these days? Do you get a chance to listen to him often?

[NucSubs]

No. Did you for a time? It would explain the hostility and bitterness.

[NonValueAdded]

Schnitt!

[Auntie Mame]

You can’t hold that against her. Sheesh. She has reasons. You don’t know what they are yet.

If I didn't show up for work and didn't even bother to call in and explain why, for going on TWO WEEKS, I don't think my boss (or my listeners) would be very happy.

"She has reasons?" Yeah, right, she's probably holding out for another million or two. That's more important than the people who actually listen to her. I hope losing her listeners is worth it to her. I listened to her EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am appalled at the contempt and disrespect she is showing toward her listeners.

News flash Laura: If you don't have listeners you're worth NOTHING.

[NonValueAdded]

From the Schnitt show Web page:

It’s time to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and begin drilling our own resources… Now!

• That’s why we’re rolling out, “Operation Drill Bit”…
• Here’s what we need to do…
• Go to Lowe’s or Home Depot or whatever mom & pop hardware store you like, and buy a drill bit to send to your congressman or woman…
• In fact, buy at least 3…
• One for your Representative in the House
• And one for each of your two United States Senators.
• Tell them you are sick and tired of gas prices, and of watching this great country borrow money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudi’s
• Click here to find the address for your senators and congressman.
• Click around on their web pages until you find their Washington, D.C. office… Don’t send anything to a local or district office.
• Include the message: IT'S TIME TO DRILL OUR OWN OIL NOW!
• Let’s flood Washington with drill bits to let them know it’s time to drill ANWR, the Gulf of Mexico and other domestic resources.
• We’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore!!!

I love it!!!

[littlehouse36]

I used to get offended by Mark’s hanging up on people; now I think it’s hilarious (in a Gong Show kind of way.)

[Past Your Eyes]

Your patience and your loyalty are overwhelming.