KSFO Relieves Me of My Job

Movwe America Forward ^ | October 3, 2005 | Melanie Morgan

[yoe]

Dear Friends:

You may have heard that this Friday, September 30th I was suddenly relieved of my duties as the morning host of the "Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Show" on KSFO 560 AM - San Francisco.

Needless to say this turn events has been quite shocking - especially given the fact that it was something I was not expecting.

Here's the details of what happened...

My contract with KSFO was set to expire on Friday. My agent had been in negotiations with the station manager of KSFO (an ABC owned and operated station). We had already worked out the 'big issues' - I had agreed to a very small increase in salary and did not have any major demands. I thought everything would be routine. During my time at KSFO we have emerged as one of the highest rated local radio programs in the nation. Certainly the station had to appreciate that!?!

But, for some reason, the negotiations hit a brick wall and I was asked to accept a number of bizarre compromises. My agent tried to work through the issues but I was told that for some reason the station was playing hardball. I was told on Thursday that Friday morning would be my last day of employment. I was to turn in my ABC card key that allowed me access to the building.

Given what happened recently to another prominent ABC radio talk show host (Michael Graham of WMAL-Washington D.C. was just fired from his job) I obviously have been quite uncertain about what my fate will be.

My agent and I have been in contact with the station management. Since I announced on the air on Friday that my employment with KSFO was over the station has been flooded with phone calls and emails. I am hopeful that in the coming week we can come to an agreement on the issues that remain. Until then I will be off the air.

What's important for all of you to know is that this will in NO WAY impact my position as Chair of Move America Forward.

In fact, if anything, I will now have even more time to devote to Move America Forward - and as I have expressed to you I am determined to grow MAF into the nation's largest grassroots organization.

I derive my satisfaction in talk radio from a passion I have for the issues that we discuss. Right now the war on terrorism and the support of our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan is the single most important issue that faces this nation, and I have such a strong love and respect for our soldiers and Marines... there isn't anything that will stop me from my work to support them.

I hope you will stand by me in continuing to support Move America Forward. There is much work that needs to be done. Somehow we have to grow this organization into a force that is powerful enough to counteract the negative anti-military message being espoused by the old line media monopoly.

We know our troops are winning the war. We know their cause is just. And its our job to convey that message to every American.

I will commit to you to work harder and with even more dedication to this cause, and I ask that you please do the same.

I've never accepted ONE CENT in compensation for my work with Move America Forward - nor has MAF's founder, Howard Kaloogian.

We have devoted all the money we've raised into the efforts we've pursued and this is how it shall remain.

To that end, I ask that you join with me to show the media, to show my former employers at ABC and to show the people of this nation that our voices will only grow louder - America can never cave to the anti-military crowd of Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore. We cannot back down one inch to the demands or the agenda of the terrorists.

Thank you for your support - both with Move America Forward and for the kind words so many of you have offered to me during these uncertain times with my professional career.

Your support gives me the inspiration to keep 'moving forward' and doing the work I feel must be done to support our troops and help preserve America's legacy as the last best hope for mankind.

Sincerely Yours,

Melanie Morgan
Chair, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org

[CheneyChick]

Melanie was the only reason I would tune in to KSFO for the morning commute. Now it will be the guys on 910.

[EggsAckley]

I agree. And the reception of KNEW is much much better for me. Maybe they will pick her up. It would be a good move for them.

[SweetCaroline]

If she's as good as she says she is, she'll get another gig in no time.

....My husband, a strong conservative, listens to her every morning on his way to work and says she's great!

[RexBeach]

Quite right. If my numbers went down, so did I(I worked in a larger market than SFO). When my numbers were good, everyone in station management loved me. Simple as that.

But you know, no matter how big or good you get, sooner or later, in broadcasting, especially in radio, you stand an excellent chance of getting the "bum's rush".

Nearly everyone, on air, that is, gets fired. It's show biz. That's just the way it is.

[RabidBartender]

Send her out here to Kansas City to replace that horrid Darla Jay on 980, leading into Rush.

I've resorted to listening to Mancow (I can't get 710 and Tony Snow in my office for some reason).

[RexBeach]

See? There you go right there!

Thanks for your note.

[NormsRevenge]

Farewell KSFO. I am no longer a listener.

LOL

.. But how ya gonna listen to the Oakland Raiders on the radio in the Bay Area now? (ducks under the table)

KSFO bumps either David Gold and the Babe in the bunker off the air on weekends, too, fwiw.

[Grampa Dave]

"Friday, she said the contract talks had failed at the highest levels. I think that means at ABC, or maybe even at Walt Disney!!!"

So she was fired by Mickey Mouse and his goon, Goofy!

[EQAndyBuzz]

KSFO believes that they can be successful with a lib program instead.

Wonder if they will replace the show with the highly success Err Amerika show "The Morning Sedition" /sarcasm off

[SierraWasp]

Hey FReepers... We're talking about the MOTHER of CA's historic RECALL election... We're talking about the person responsible for crippling SMOG CHECK II and the criminal introduction of insidious M.T.B.E. in CA's boutique gasoline that poisoned half the water wells at Lake Tahoe, the jewel of the Sierra!!!

I don't like seeing my friend Melanie Morgan smacked around by anybody!!! She's done more good than most genuine conservatives I know of!!! I think she's under attack for countering Cindy Sheehan with this action and we need to help her by calling the KSFO "Comment Line" like Mrs. Wasp did last Friday!!!

Now... Get on it! Go to the KSFO.com website and get the number and CALL, NOW, PLEASE!!!

[monday]

"I'm sorry for her, but no whining allowed aloud. "

I am not sorry for her. I couldn't care less but I didn't detect any whining. Shes off the air and explained why. She has a right to do that.

[dersepp]

What a brilliant bunch of business people running KSFO.First they lose Savage to an upstart KNEW and become also also rans in 17-20th place in evening drive time.

Now these geniuses kill the second place drive time morning show in the nation's third biggest market (up against a 50,000 watt regional news station).

They can now call themselves KRSH, because Rush is all they gots left. Right?

[RexBeach]

That's why I left radio. It is ALWAYS all screwed up and it doesn't matter who owns the station or the network. Sooner or later you'll get an idiot for a boss, and that will be the end of you. Why get up at 2:30 AM for that? Ugh.

Don't worry about Mel. She'll be just fine.

[EQAndyBuzz]

My wife was a news director for a radio station. I lived through all of this already.

[RexBeach]

Yup. It'll drive you crazy, and that's for sure.

The happiest people I've met in radio are the ones just leaving it. But then, you already know that.

Cheers, and thanks for you note!

[Varmint Al]

I live in the Bay Area and can get a “scratchy” KSFO signal. Since the frequency is so low, 560 KHz, the FCC will only allow them 10KW of signal, where as KMJ out of Fresno on 580 KHz is a full 50KW blow torch.

Barbara Simpson and some guy were on this morning on The Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Show were so boring I fell asleep trying to listen. Even Officer Vic was not on this morning.

One other fact that I haven’t seen mentioned it that Melanie was the person that started the Recall Gray Davis campaign. When she sets her mind on an action, she can exert a lot of pressure.

Good luck Melanie Morgan and I will be looking for you on the radio and maybe with more that a piddly 10KW of power.

Good Hunting… from Varmint Al

[MrLee]

"Getting canned when you least expect is all part of the radio biz. Believe me, I know. "

Yup, I too can testify to that!! One of the reasons I got out of "radio"-NO security. And, it didn't matter how popular you are/where.

[BlueNgold]

No great loss....
Just my opinion.

[Grampa Dave]

Hopefully, MM will go to 910 and leave Lee at KSFO.

KSFO starts fading out here about 30 minutes before sunset, and about 5 miles north or east of here.

[KC_for_Freedom]

She may be an activist, but as on-air talent, she was weak at best

Melanie was a perfect "sidekick" for the real show host. Lee carried the show, but Lee has a predictable position and rant these days and as he has his fortune made he takes off one day eacy week. He will likely retire soon and the show will have to start over. (Since I already retired, I cannot throw stones, but it will be a while before the conservative movement finds new talent to compare with this trio.)

But with Melanie, the morning show gradually moved up until it took over first place in the SF Bay Area. (Imagine a conservative show being number one in that market and you will see how really good the show was.)

This is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts and taken piecemeal the people each have drawbacks. It will not be as good a show without Mel. I have been listening on line since I left the Bay Area and hit the road. Trust me, there are very few conservative shows with the informational content and impact of Lee, Mel, and OV. And I am sad that ABC thinks they can do better. Much more likely a left wing "kill" signal went out when they realized they could punish Mel for her activist work.