Pentagon Attack A Laughing Matter For Randi Rhodes

BUMPY RHODES

Air America Host: 'I Saw A Bird Fly Into The Pentagon Once'



Can Air America Radio endure a fresh set of headaches caused by Randi Rhodes, loose cannon network talk show host?

After past infamous on-air incidents that included a violent anti-Bush skit, it's hard to believe the struggling network can afford to lose additional advertisers. Seemingly unable to rein in Rhodes, Air America now faces the latest: a sad, fresh low on Wednesday's broadcast, where she appears to make light of 9-11's Pentagon victims.

If family members of terrorism victims were listening, perhaps they could let Rhodes know how her careless words felt.

Today, the Radio Equalizer heard from Mark Braukhoff of Colorado, who was twisting the dial and flabbergasted after hearing Randi's bizarre monologue.

We've examined the archive and created a brief transcript:

Randi Rhodes Show
5 October 2005
Hour One- Segment Two

(Context: Rhodes believes Bush is responding to the threat of Avian Flu reaching America only through military, rather than medical means. She thinks the focus is incorrectly on societal control during an epidemic, rather than prevention and treatment.)


(continuous laughing)

"I don't understand this, why don't the Republicans ever have a plan? I mean even if they're as smart as everyone thinks they are, wouldn't they have stolen the Democrats' plan?

"Cause you know, we do have one, our Senate Democrats are going to Asia, they're going to talk to the best scientists, they're going to find out (laughter) everything they can about Avian Flu and they'll bring that knowledge back. We'll be fine.

"Except Bush appropriates $4 billion for flu prevention, but gives it to the Pentagon. I don't get it.

"I saw a bird fly into the Pentagon once, it wasn't a chicken, it was a commercial airliner.

"Actually, I didn't see it. But I heard about it."

After listening to this segment several times, it seems Rhodes may be trying out standup material. Weak attempts at Seinfeld-like mannerisms are noticeable during the segment.


Actually, that's no coincidence. Take a look at this October 3 Billboard story:


Air America Radio afternoon host Randi Rhodes and New York-based concert promoter John Scher are working on a deal to put Rhodes on the road as part of a touring show that would mix comedy, music and political talk.

Rhodes tells Billboard Radio Monitor Scher came to her with the idea for the show, which would open in New York and move to other cities. She will emcee and do some stand-up comedy. The latter is something she says she's “scared to death” about, but Rhodes says she's being coached and is “getting my stage legs together.”

The show will also give some Air America writers and political satirists such as Barry Crimmins and Bruce Cherry an opportunity to perform. “They're genuinely A-list on their own and I want to showcase them,” Rhodes says. “I want them to be able to show people what they really can do.”

The middle segment of the show will feature music. While no acts have been confirmed, Rhodes says they will likely book artists with “a political conscience.”


In the Bush-Avian-9-11 segment, which the Radio Equalizer urges you to hear yourself, it's the tone and delivery that are especially distressing. To make a point about terrorism, there are ways to appropriately address the Pentagon attack, but this wasn't one of them.

For one thing, a certain level of reverence considering the death and destruction, would be productive. On Randi's show, there's no sign of it.

As reader Braukhoff puts it:


I think her statement and demeanor were pretty outrageous, considering the left has attacked just about every reference a conservative makes to 9/11.


Even more alarming, where one really wonders if the network is paying attention to its programming, Rhodes sounds especially disconnected during the segment. Speech is slurred at times, she's having trouble getting the words out and is quick to move into tangential subject areas.

Later in the program, Rhodes sounds clearer, more alert and in focus. Was she tired, did she grab a cup of coffee, or did the high wear off?

At this point, there really aren't many Air America advertisers left to scare away, but the network must wonder about Randi's true price tag.


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