Posted on 10/03/2005 8:18:38 AM PDT by yoe
Edited on 10/03/2005 10:48:22 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
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
Getting canned when you least expect is all part of the radio biz. Believe me, I know.
I'm sorry for her, but no whining allowed aloud. That's just the business. If she's as good as she says she is, she'll get another gig in no time.
True....but something tells me we haven't heard the last of MM.
ABC has at least left WABC radio alone.
Isn't she still married to the owner/manager of KSFO?
Are we playing "Guess my name?"
Whiners should find someone that cares.
This stinks, does she have a freeper name?
Rush was fired several times too.
As a whine might go, that seems pretty tepid.
Thanks for posting this. Her absence was a mystery, and I'm glad she's gone on record. (FYI, I don't receive San Francisco radio, so I wasn't a regular listener.)
She’d have to explain that before I’d consider this anything but SOP in Radio. When I worked in the area 8 years ago, KSFO was the most ultra conservative station imaginable.
Melanie is no Rush. She may be an activist, but as on-air talent, she was weak at best. She simply wasn't very bright and things flew right over her head on an all-too frequent basis. I suppose it didn't help that Lee is getting too old. They are all too part-time. The ex-weatherman guy has to do Mondays. He comes off as a wannabe. The traffic dude always has to try to cover for them and he isn't a strong enough personality. There is no consistency on the morning show. KSFO is probably gearing up to try to establish a true, reliable morning program.
KSFO's signal has become so weak here in the Monterey Bay area that I can barely listen to the morning show anymore. Without MM there's now no reason to even suffer through the weak signal. Firing her is insane; she and Lee were the main reason for the station's success. I predict that the station will fade back into their previous obscurity.
Farewell KSFO. I am no longer a listener.
Sometimes, all I can do is shake my head.
I didn't detect any whiny attitude in her statement. Lots of people were wondering what happened. She explained what happened.
She'll do fine.
Your contract was up, they did not want you back, if you are talented, get another job; don't look back, something better is ahead.
Its all part of the new democrat plan. If they can't win in the debate in the arena of ideas, they will simply silence the other side or make the other side illegal. Regain the MSM monopoly and power by any means, even if those means aren't democratic. But hey, to the dems its "fyuck the voters, if they were too stupid to vote for us, we will just make them irrelevant."
Friday, she said the contract talks had failed at the highest levels. I think that means at ABC, or maybe even at Walt Disney!!!
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