Dr Laura Schlessinger Interview: Part One

'IN THE FIRING LINE'

Dr Laura On Politics, Radio and Her Controversial Past




*** Exclusive To The Radio Equalizer ***

By Brian Maloney


Part One


When you think of Dr Laura Schlessinger, what comes to mind?

It might be safe to say that the word controversy would emerge early in that particular thought process. Over the last twelve years or so, Dr Laura has found fame and notoriety for being unafraid to stand by positions that others would likely abandon quickly under public pressure.

For that determination to stand her ground, she's faced astounding opposition from well- organized, funded and nasty opponents, from gay & lesbian fringe activist groups for her position on homosexuality, to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for her advice to a 16- year- old on whether to visit a local mosque. After an on- air lesson in Islamofascism that outraged pro- muslim organizations, Dr Laura refused to back down.

More recently, she's taken on an additional role as columnist for the Santa Barbara News- Press, using the space to confront feminism, among other topics. That has UCSB campus activists in a tizzy, which also caught the attention of FOX News.

While things have quieted down slightly in the controversy department in the last year or so, the next flap never seems very far away.

But what is this famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) radio host really like? Your Radio Equalizer recently spent time trying to get answers.

One thing that's immediately clear: unlike most hosts who are very different in person than when they are performing their on- air act, the Dr Laura you know from the airwaves is the real thing. As she freely admits, "there's no schtick with me." At the same time, it's obvious she cares very much about others, the "tough love" approach sometimes seeming to mask deep concerns for those who seek her advice.

Not only has she continued to write best- selling advice books, but she has also branched out into a one- woman stage show, which arrives in Detroit this week.

What is also clear is that not only have you not seen the last of Dr Laura, her career again seems to be on the upswing, especially when looking at radio ratings.


In part one of our interview, we focus on her personal and professional lives, while in the second half (coming Thursday morning), we'll get her take on President Bush, politics and pop culture. What advice would she have for Bush? Watch for that tomorrow.


Part One: Personal Life


Brian Maloney: You've had a challenging five or six years, haven't you? Between gay-rights groups going after you with a level of venom I've rarely seen elsewhere, to controversies involving your past and professional difficulties, what has been the toughest to deal with personally?

Dr Laura: Hearing people repeat things I did not say. When you give opinions, you are in the firing line. Many people respect my opinions - and a few don't.

We have over eight million people nationally and more internationally listening to me on the radio give advice each day and thanking us for the program. This is unbelievably rewarding to me and my staff.


BM: Is there anything you would have done differently through these very public flaps?

Dr L: I would have clarified my statements more often and defended my reputation more vigorously, although it would appear that ideological passions often lead people to discount facts and truths that don't fit into their mission.


BM: Can you give an example of where you think you've taken the high road against adversaries during challenging situations? Were you satisfied with the results?

Dr L: See my previous answer.


BM: At the same time, would you say that you're a happier person today than in years past? If so, why?

Dr L: I am very happy today. I have a great family, a great job, and I continue to expand my horizons almost daily.

I am blessed.


BM: Have you ever come very close to making a big mistake, but somehow came to your senses just in time to avoid major trouble? Had you gone down this particular path, what impact do you think it would have had on your life and the direction it has ultimately taken?

Dr L: We all make mistakes every day. We are human. We are not God.

I am very thankful for many of the mistakes I have made in my life because I learned much from them that I can use to help others accept themselves and do better in their lives.


BM: I've seen differing reports on your religious views. Could you please clear up any confusion on this? Are you still an Orthodox Jew, or did you leave that behind for good in 2003?

Dr L: I am no longer an Orthodox Jew.


Professional Life


BM: You've been in radio for over thirty years, so you must have seen it all by now. In what way do you think the business has changed the most?

Your show has also experienced its own share of highs and lows. After September 11, it was faulted for not being sufficiently political, yet the truth is that you had adapted very quickly to the new landscape. But it cost you a number of affiliates and you were even bad-mouthed by a few. Do you think you were treated fairly?

And, a couple of the shows that replaced yours are now struggling to generate ratings. How does that make you feel? Did these stations make a mistake?

Dr L: The radio business has changed drastically.

One major trend I see lately is that even when you have excellent ratings and you have the top program for a given station, you still might not get the best time slot and investment from the affiliate for your program.

I don't understand that. I guess there is internal politics everywhere. I believe that when you earn it, you should get it.


BM: Let's talk about ratings: even though your program isn't heard on as many stations as it once was, it's generating stellar numbers in the cities that carry it. You're generating huge audience shares in Los Angeles at KFI.

In San Francisco, KSFO actually beats KGO during the first hour you are on there. From my analysis of the ratings, that's the only time of day when KSFO approaches KGO's numbers. And you're miles ahead of Rush, whose program precedes yours.

In Portland, you're beating all of your timeslot competition in a market with many stations. And in Dallas, you had the top-rated show on KLIF, before being yanked off the schedule a couple of months ago.

Yet, I believe this news would be a surprise to many, including those in the talk radio business. Some have written you off and been quite nasty about it. What happened and why is the perception so different from reality?

Dr L: Our numbers are terrific!

I believe my overall ratings across the board are up about 21% while the industry numbers are down. The numbers don't lie and we are very excited about it.

We are currently talking to all of our affiliates across the country about our excellent numbers and also seeking new affiliates across the country as we think the timing is right to grow not only nationally, but internationally.

As to why the perception is so different from reality, see my previous answer.



BM: Do you think it would reasonable to say that overall you may be the most controversial talk show host ever? If I were to ask ten random people on the street about you, I would no doubt get strong reactions, whether pro or con. What puts you ahead of the political talkers in this category?

Dr L: Whereas political talkers deal with externalities, I talk to people about how they lead their lives, their decisions, behaviors, attitudes, etc.

This is, unlike generalized political talk, up- close and very personal.

This sometimes gets people defensive, until they are willing to introspect, own up, and do become better.


BM: Over the past three years, millions have been spent on yet another attempt to make liberal talk radio succeed. Clearly, it hasn't, but that hasn't stopped feminist newcomer GreenStone Media (backed by Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem, among others) from spending millions more on a women's talk network that really appears to be heading down the same path. Will lefty radio ever succeed? If so, how?

Dr L: I wish them luck.

I have been the leading female talker on national radio for over a decade and a half - and I reach as many men as I do women.

I don't think about competition, I only think about the job I'm doing.


BM: In 2006, we've seen yet another round of station consolidation that has placed more outlets in even fewer hands. Veteran talk programmers have been shown the door, as music and sales people are told to run the news / talkers to save money. Stations now have relatively little local content, even in the biggest cities.

Now, these companies are lobbying the FCC to have ownership restrictions loosened even further. Do you think that consolidation helps or hurts our business?

Dr L: I think competition is better for business.


COMING THURSDAY: our attempt at getting Dr Laura to open up on her political views. Will we succeed? Watch for part two.

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