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.
So am I. Sounds a little odd. But, talkshow hosts are not ordinary types to begin with.
Pinging the Laura Ingraham fans amongst you (radio talk show host related).
Plus, he is excellent in pushing support for the troops. Though I have never been to one, his summer Freedom Tours/Shows are great for the troops.
You've got to be kidding me.
You post at FR and you mean to tell me that you have never voiced a judgment about anyone or anything while here?
You have never made a principled argument for why something is wrong? Why liberals are wrong even though they think they are right? Why the Dems are wrong even though they know they are right?
Babbin is good.
The real story is that Ingraham has kidnapped me won’t leave until I agree to submit to her advances. I’ve been able to hold out so far but I’m weakening and don’t know if I can hold out.
lol
Step 3 of the plan to destroy conservative talk radio is to scramble the syndicated show schedules across the country, so that the shows don't air live in most markets. This will take away the direct link that live callers from across the country brings to radio. If the show is over by the time you hear it, what's the point if you can't contribute?
-PJ
Stay strong Doc!
PING!
Is she taking time off to be with her new adopted daughter?
Tammy Bruce’s voice to me sounds like a maniac swirling dozens of marbles in a large crystal bowl...insanity is a distinctly-possible result.
Tammy Bruce
Monica Crowley
Jed Babbin
Laura Ingraham
I like them all!
I was specifically talking about Laura’s life choices, to which the previous poster alluded to. I’m not going to turn this thread into a discussion or argument on the who, what, when, where & why of judging certain decisions made by female radio talk show hosts. *Yawn*
I’m just a middle-aged woman with a short fuse and there are bigger and better issues and topics to raise hell with. Ignore moi.
Not sure. She's, what, 45 years old or something like that? I wouldn't be surprised if she makes or career change or move in order to accommodate being at home with Maria, her daughter.
Have you been listening to Austin Hill in the mornings this week?
Yes and I like him.
He took Chris’ spot when he moved to the mornings? He’s good!
I agree wholeheartedly.
Sean has strengths and weaknesses just like all other human beings.
His interview with Sen. Voinovich on the eve of the senate vote on the SHAMnesty bill was —IMHO— one of the main reasons that bill went down. One of his best interviews ever, perhaps actually the best. And it was teriffic radio.
Austin is subbing for Chris this week while the latter is on an Alaskan cruise vacation with WMAL listeners. Normally, Austin has been the WMAL evening guy, covering the 8-10 p.m. slot since March. He's very Gen-X type and is awesome at mixing pop culture and politics, like Laura, and that's why I like him so much. After Chris comes back from the cruise, he'll return to his slot, and Austin will return to evenings, I would assume.
You seriously need to chill out. There are not too many people, conservative or not, that have a problem with Laura I. adopting a child that would otherwise not have ANY FAMILY! Quit being a dope, she’s done a good thing.
What was that about taking a chill pill?
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