Questions Raised About Laura Ingraham's Radio Future

TAKING A WALK?

Laura Ingraham's Radio Absence Creates Speculation







After an unexplained radio absence and a cryptic message from one of her producers, speculation is building that syndicated radio talker Laura Ingraham may have at least temporarily stepped away from her program. It has been carried on hundreds of stations across the country.

Worried listeners have already begun to email your Radio Equalizer, while attempts to confirm her possible departure from the Talk Radio Network- distributed show are met with a peculiar silence. Will Laura return at some point, or has she already moved on?

When yours truly contacted a number of people who might have information on her status, some seemed caught off-guard, while others would neither confirm nor deny the news.

An email sent directly to Ingraham was not met with a response and her own website doesn't even admit that she's been away from the program in recent days.

Because Ingraham faced cancer in the past, one might be quick to wonder if this is health- related. But given her frequent FOX News Channel appearances this week, that doesn't seem likely this time.

One theory is that there is some sort of contractual dispute with the Talk Radio Network, a syndication firm based in Oregon. Could Ingraham be ready to depart for another network, or move directly into television?


A key clue has actually come from a roundabout source: a guest who was scheduled to appear on her program this week received a cryptic email from her producer. Donny Pauling then posted the email from Ingraham assistant Tom Elliot on his own website:

From: Tom Elliott
To: Donny Pauling, Craig Gross
Date: Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Subject: Tomorrow

Hey, guys –

Bad news. We’re going to have to take a rain check on tomorrow’s segment. I’m unable to provide a lot of detail, but the short story is that Laura will not be hosting the Laura Ingraham show for the foreseeable future. This just developed over the weekend, so I apologize for the late notice. Could someone please contact Ron, or should I? Whatever’s easiest. (I don’t have an email address, and don’t really want to bother him on a Sunday.)

I do hope we’ll still be able to air this segment; it likely will just have to wait a little while.

Thanks,

Tom

Tom Elliott
Executive Producer
The Laura Ingraham Show

A check of Ingraham's staff roster confirms that Elliot serves as her executive producer.

Meanwhile, fill-in hosts including Tammy Bruce have temporarily assumed the slot.

As soon as we hear anything further, this post will be updated.


JOHNNY DOLLAR has video of Laura's appearance with Greta on FNC.


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