KSFO Relieves Me of My Job

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.

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.

If you think that KSFO can do a better job than Lee+Melanie+Officer Vic then I'd like to hear who you'd have in mind?

I don't have anybody in mind as I'm not in the talent recruitment business.

I will listen when they come up with something and if they bore me or put me in a bad mood like most of KSFO's local talent, I will turn the dial, as I already did some time back.

I may agree with their basic politics, but they do not entertain me. This is a requirement if you want me to tune in.

KNEW gets crushed in the mornings by KSFO.

I'd like to see the trends. Remember that KNEW is relatively new. I actually enjoy the banter between these two guys. Unlike Lee (or Suss on Mondays) and Melanie, they actually make me laugh and put me in a good mood. They aren't too serious, but they demonstrate common sense. I suspect that they can win fence sitters over while Lee will simply push them away.

And it's because these 3 have a chemistry that is unreplaceable.

You must be observing something different than me. This "chemistry" may have been there years ago, but no more. Lee has gotten too grouchy. Melanie seems scared of him and often acts as if she doesn't like him. Lee is oblivious to her. It felt to me like the friendship ended some time ago. KSFO's morning show has felt like it was in its death throws for more than a year now. Lee is always gone. Melanie can't do the show by herself. Brian "The Sussman" is horrible and should go back to doing weather. Officer Vic can do the traffic and an occasional comment, but he isn't a primary personality.

I wonder if your comments are based on past love. There is no consistency in the morning show any more. Management probably recognized this and has new plans. It made sense to act on them while her contract was up. I wonder if the "bizarre demands" were things like "we can end your deal at any time" (as in when Lee's contract is up perhaps?).

>>>>I wonder if the "bizarre demands" were things like "we can end your deal at any time" (as in when Lee's contract is up perhaps?).<<<<

They'll probably then switch to Spanish Language Conservative Talk radio possibly?

I'll miss both as they are close to the best team I've heard in my internet surfing of radio station programs.

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