Posted on 06/10/2008 12:21:39 AM PDT by 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.
Sesame Street radio.
Yes, but Sean is “using his god given talents” to rise as high as he can, because he is “endowed by the creator.” Laura thinks “that’s just disturbing.”
Two theories:
1) Laura just adopted a girl from Guatemala and maybe she wants to spend some time with her.
2) Laura’s flagship station in DC, WTNT, is in the process of being sold, and maybe she’s moving to another radio station.
Glenn Beck would gather a bigger audience if she takes over for Hannity since they would not be in the same time slot, and She can go head to head against that RINO irritant Medved.
Sounds like a win-win to me for the true conservative message.
Slow down there, Silvie. Did you read the article?
I “skimmed” through it. My personal opinion is that I think that Laura is in the process of moving to another radio station parent company.
BTW, you have FreepMail.
I utilize FR’s message alert popup. So I know immediately when I get posts and freepmail. Got your message. Thanks!
Wow and I thought I was the only one who thought Hannity sucks.
I really hate it when he has Newt on, I turn the show off at that point. Come to think of it I’ve never listened to a complete show.
Sean Vanity is all air and lip service. He promoted Rudy as a conservative and calls liberals his friends and great Americans. He is a RINO.
I wonder how many critics of single women adopting children are going after Laura for this? There is usually a pretty good outcry against this practice here on FR.
His listenership must be way down. Or, the only people listening are women in SUV's and liberals too lazy to change the station.
It would not be suprising that in the event Sean leaves, it will either be Laural or it could end up that TGO, Mark Levin could end up in the afternoon if he wants an extra hour to do his famous classic rants.
It would not suprise me if Laura or at least Mark ends up with the 3 to 6 PM time set up after El Rushbo on WABC AM.
This is why when it comes to the nationals, talkradio wise, I stick with Rush and Mark. They are the best of the best right now. Their threads prove it. Otherwise I do local talkradio.
Laura Ingraham Alert!
Whew — Laura is OK health-wise! Whatever evolves will evolve. We can only sit and wait.
I like Hannity. His attempts at voice imitation are annoying, and when he uses that ?cute? voice when he goes to a caller it drives me batty. BUT — there is no one like him when he is in ‘pit bull’ form. He doesn’t let anyone spin, nor get away with not answering a question. He can be egotistical, but when he has to make a point -—he does, and he usually has his facts straight.
Good luck to them both.
Whatever Laura’s reason for being missing from the airwaves, her silence is incredibly inconsiderate to her fans.
I’ve lost a lot of respect for her.
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