Rush Limbaugh Poised To Return To The Dial

http://www.mediapost.com/dtls_dsp_news.cfm?newsID=224935 ^ | November 05, 2003 | Paul J. Gough

[AlwaysLurking]

Rush Limbaugh will return to the radio airwaves Nov. 17, MediaDailyNews has learned. The move follows the conservative radio talk show host's well- publicized stay in a treatment center for substance abuse.

Limbaugh recently celebrated his 15th year in radio and is also the industry's biggest star, garnering top ratings for many of the 650 stations that run his three-hour afternoon talk show and boasting 20 million listeners every week. But in early October, the radio commentator suffered professional and personal reverses. First, he quit ESPN's "Sunday Night Football" after a controversial on-air stint where he took Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to task for his on-field performance. And then, as rumors circulated that Limbaugh was being investigated by authorities in Palm Beach County, Fla., in a drug probe, he told listeners that he was addicted to prescription pain medication. Limbaugh said he was going to check himself into a rehab hospital for treatment of drug addiction.

The talk show host's name came up Tuesday morning during a conference call discussing third-quarter earnings at Clear Channel Communications, the huge radio station owner that also owns the Premiere Radio Networks unit that produces Limbaugh's show. A Clear Channel executive said that Limbaugh should be out of the rehab hospital within seven to 10 days and that a full recovery is expected.

A Clear Channel spokeswoman told MediaDailyNews late Tuesday that Limbaugh would return to the airwaves on Nov. 17. Guest hosts have been filling in while Limbaugh was away.

John Hogan, chief executive officer of Clear Channel Radio, said there hasn't been much of a financial fallout since Limbaugh has been away. No stations have left the fold and no advertisers have dropped either, Hogan said.

"During his absence, we have maintained 100 percent of our affiliate base, and we have maintained our advertiser base," Hogan said. "This is an unfortunate turn of events for Rush, but our advertisers and our affiliate base have remained firmly behind him and we look forward to his return in the near future."

[AlwaysLurking]

Great news!

Great advertisers!

Great DittoHeads!

Stuck with Rush 100%!!!

[BlessedBeGod]

Cool!

[anniegetyourgun]

Glad to hear it.

[InvisibleChurch]

the liberals can't understand how Rush hasn't lost any support, except of course that the world is full of mind-numbed robots (hee hee)

[aardvark1]

It's interesting to note how the rhetoric about McNabb has subsided since Rush's comments. Say what you will, I think Rush was right so the reports have been more realistic since.

[trustandobey]

Thank you Clear Channel for bringing us Rush and all the other conservative hosts. We appreciate it and we listen. Rush, we Love you!

[John123]

Just in time to comment on Schwarzenegger's swearing in as the next governor of California! :)

[Kentucky]

I sure wish I could hear Rush's response to the election yesterday. We are celebrating here in Kentucky!

[RandallFlagg]

YEEE-HAAAA!!!!

[RandallFlagg]

Sorry. I just lost it for a bit.

BTW, any bets that Rush's return show will be in the Guinness book as most listened show ever? I predicted that 2 days after he went off. Let's see if it holds true.

[jazzlite]

YES!! And, all of us should go out and buy everything we can from the great advertisers who have been faithful to Rush and to us during these difficult days. Also, the folks who have filled in for Rush should be applauded..They have done a wonderful job of carrying on.

[AlwaysLurking]

I hear you!!!

it is great news!

And it will be a blockbuster day!!!

[Captiva]

Brilliant post follows:



Yeaaaaah! Can't wait!

[JoeSixPack1]

Rush was right! Rush was also politically incorrect in a PC venue.

IMO, this realization brought Rush to rehab. He has had better control in the past when dealing with prime time TV as in his old TV show, but this one slipped out and they went after him in a frenzy.

Right or wrong concerning McNabb at this point means nothing. What is allowed and isn't allowed outside of EIB means everything.

Rush still won't need but half his brain to whack the libs, but he needs the second half to stifle himself on his next prime time venture.

Being Rush Limbaugh means 100% of the DNC is out to get you. That is a great honor! <|:-)~~

Dittos

[Ferret Fawcet]

Fantastic! Can't wait... praising God for answered prayers!

[Loyal Buckeye]

Maybe he could start off with something a little controversial, such as Donovan McNabb's QB rating.

[ConservativeMan55]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump for Rush!

[CWOJackson]

Congratulations and welcome back Mr. Limbaugh.