Do Talk Show Hosts Have Freedom of Speech?

[frankberry]

I was employed by Infinity back when Howard got 'busted' by the FCC. Mel stood by Howard. Together, they decided to record and sell a CD which contained the offensive material.
After CBS purchased Infinity, Mel remained at the helm of the CBS/Infinity Radio group.
When Mel made the decision to leave CBS Radio and go to Sirius, he began negotiations which would eventually allow Howard to move his morning show to Sirius.
In a sense, Mel Karmazin was Howard's protector. He could have fired Howard. In reality, it wasn't Howard who caused the FCC citation. It was Howard's guest, Al Lewis, who spoke the words.

 

[davideduardo]

Since you are such a stickler for precise wording, I will point out that Howard moved to Sirius, not XM. Mel was at Sirius already, not XM.

You're correct. I use the names interchangeably here since the moment that Mel was in the house, the move towards merger was on. The merger was actually announced only 2 years after Mel moved from Chez Redstone to satellite.

"Other(sic) of fealty and leige homage." C'mon! And what was Mel "protecting" Howard from?.

The word is "oath" and not "other". In the interest of precise wording, of course.

Throughout the Infinity and CBS experience, Mel shielded Howard from lawyers, suits and the religious right. It's overly well documented.

Right, the affects of all those complaints to the FCC and any actions they did or might take in response - including but not limiting to reactions from his affiliates or Infinity (not CBS then - remember, precise wording) management.

But Mel came into the CBS family because he headed Infinity, which was the way larger part of what is CBS Radio after the merger. And Mel kept the kvetching off Howard's radar and was thus his protector.

People who did not even hear Howard in that era complained... and Mel would keep them from interfering with the positive listener response from Howard's fans.

As in, " It happens sometimes that one little defect in these people, as wonderful and talented as they may be, will make them look completely bad to other people. A tiny spot of evil casts doubt on their good qualities and ruins their reputations." *

* "No Fear Shakespeare" Hamlet with modern era phrasing.

 

[TheBigA]

But Mel came into the CBS family because he headed Infinity, which was the way larger part of what is CBS Radio after the merger. And Mel kept the kvetching off Howard's radar and was thus his protector.

Howard's contract had a line in it that said he couldn't use Mel's name on the air. So Mel became the "Zenmaster."

 

[FredLeonard]

What did the I-man call him?

Did Howard have line in his W-NNNNN-BC contract that he could use Kevin Metheny's name on the air, either?

 

[frankberry]

I think that the 'contract story' is fiction. Imus called Mel 'The Zenmaster.'
I once asked Mel about this very thing. He told me that there was a Gentleman's Agreement to keep his name off the air when possible.
Both Howard and Don honored the agreement ... rarely mentioning Mel by name.
Of course, it's possible that the "Gentleman's Agreement' was put in writing as part of their contracts.

 

[Ravens]

Interesting how they babble about this stuff on the radio, but stick to straight reporting on TV.

You must be watching a different ESPN and NFL coverage on other networks than I have. I've seen nothing but lectures up until the second the ball is snapped. Especially last Monday night's game.