WMAL's Michael Graham Fired

[Joseph_Gallant]

The recent suspension of WMAL-630's Micheal Graham has turned into a termination according to this story from Radio and Records.com.

Graham got into "hot water" with station management after suggesting that the Islamic religion was a terrorist organization.

I noted this evening (August 22nd) on the section of WMAL's website that listed the station's programming that there is no host listed for the 9-11:45 A.M. weekday slot on WMAL. I suspect this was Graham's slot.

Would WMAL replace Graham with a local show, or would they consider turning those hours over to a syndicated program??

Were WMAL to turn late morning over to syndicated programming, it might not be solely for ecomonic considerations. Given the controversy the station endured with Graham, perhaps WMAL might feel that running a syndicated show might give them fewer headaches. In fact, should there be more controversial incidents in the talk radio world such as what happened with Michael Graham and WMAL, some talk stations may move to more syndicated programming simply to avoid having to face up to controversies created by such shows which could result in legal or other problems.

 

[MediaKing2]

> Would WMAL replace Graham with a local show, or would they
> consider turning those hours over to a syndicated program??
>
> Were WMAL to turn late morning over to syndicated
> programming, it might not be solely for ecomonic
> considerations. Given the controversy the station endured
> with Graham, perhaps WMAL might feel that running a
> syndicated show might give them fewer headaches. In fact,
> should there be more controversial incidents in the talk
> radio world such as what happened with Michael Graham and
> WMAL, some talk stations may move to more syndicated
> programming simply to avoid having to face up to
> controversies created by such shows which could result in
> legal or other problems.

SINCE WHEN DO TALK STATIONS want to generate less controversy for the station? I'm not saying every station wants to have an Opie and Anthony incident, but if there's a buzz in the community about hosts on a station, that's free advertising. KFI's John and Ken in Los Angeles are masters at generating controversy, often becoming part of news stories. WMAL would be crazy to go syndicated in that time slot. Who would the station tap from the syndicated market? It already clears Rush and Hannity live - who is available in the 9-Noon slot that is any good and not already featured on other DC stations? Local is the way to go in talk unless you can clear a big hitter (like Rush or Hannity). MAL would be moronic not to tap a person to host a local show. Frankly, I never liked Graham - his broadcasting style always made me switch the station. It's amazing to me that in the nation's capital, such crappy local hosts exist on the airwaves. When Chris Core is the best you can muster, you're in trouble. With that stated, DC needs some dynamic, good local political talk hosts.

 

[upstate29650]

He's Baaack...........

http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_08_24/firedtalk.asp

Fired Talk Host Gets Offer
From KFI/Los Angeles


KFI PD Robin Bertolucci has offered former WMAL/Washington host Michael Graham — who was fired from the ABC Radio News/Talker after calling Islam a terrorist organization — a shot to fill in at Clear Channel's L.A. News/Talker.

Bertolucci said the station was offering Graham the opportunity "because KFI still believes in free speech."

Morning host Bill Handel announced on his show this morning that Graham will, in fact, fill in for KFI evening host John Ziegler this Friday night.

G