Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Chris,

I just called a friend at XM. O&A have not been fired,
just suspended for 30 days.

This is difficult water to tread because at any point my
own personal opinion may violate forum rules. Let's
see how far we can discuss this without having to close
this thread....

What is happening now in radio is absolutely appalling.
To see that any special interest group with a "letterhead"
can go after radio stations and their content is downright
scary.

With movies that depict racial stereotyping and cartoons
on Comedy Central that use the "N" word, suddenly RADIO
has been selected as the media that must be "nice." In fact,
in addition to the stringent FCC rules that forced Howard Stern
to go to satellite (in addition to a huge paycheck), there is now
a manual being issued to radio stations on hurtful words that can
no longer be said on the air.

I have been a loyal Opie and Anthony listener for years and I
have to say that over the past months, by no fault of their own,
their radio show has gone down the tubes. Instead of being able
to concentrate on the shocking humor that many of us tuned into
them for, their efforts have now turned to going after people
and groups who are trying to censor radio. Every day the duo
spends at least an hour of their CBS show railing against Al Sharpton
and these special interest groups. There's hardly any comedy to
be heard because quite frankly, the guys don't know what sort of
material is going to be deemed inappropriate.

I heard the particular O&A segment last Wednesday that got them
in trouble. It was aired from XM and featured a homeless guy that
was pulled off the street. The homeless guy essentially made rude
sexual comments about Condoleeza Rice and The Queen
of England, with O&A chuckling on the sidelines. Mind you, this was
completely horrible dialogue, but it was clear that it was being done
for humor.

I listen to Howard Stern on a semi-regular basis as well. That
show has its share of racist material and the frequent sprinkling
of the "N" word. All of it is done under the context of humor.

And Chris, you are dead right when you say it's odd that O&A
would get in trouble on satellite radio rather than their CBS show.
O&A have been saying for weeks that they expect to be fired from
CBS for something they may utter, but will at least have XM to
fall back on. Funny how things turn out.

Opie and Anthony cannot survive on CBS radio in the same way
that Howard Stern felt he could not.

What bothers me here is that now satellite radio is being put
under the microscope. This was the one venue I thought would
be completely immune from any sort of censorship, and I'm very
surprised that at least on Monday's show, Howard Stern didn't
even address the issue. This concerns his show as much as it
does the Opie and Anthony show. I heard someone talking the
other day about the FCC looking to possibly regulate satellite,
though somehow, that seems impossible (or does it?)

Personally, I'm tired of regular radio. I tune into Opie and
Anthony because I want to hear people say things that are
shocking, intriguing and funny. Suddenly, however, radio
stations are caving into special interest groups and the rules
as to what you can and cannot say are being updated on a
daily basis pending on who gets fired for saying what.

There is so much more to be said about what is going on here
and I wish I could really talk about the real issues. Unfortunately,
that would cross boundaries of discussion we don't allow here.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Bravo Ron, excellent post. I tried to get on wackbag but it's been completely bogged down. I've heard from a few "pests" that people are cancelling over this but if you don't want to do that you can ask that you get a refund for the month they were suspended. Personally, my wife and I subscribed to XM simply to listen to OnA. My wife 98% of the time has OnA on her radio and nothing else. I think the only way to send a clear message is to cancel. I have 5 radios on my account and I subscribed for the same reasons you did, radio freedom.

You can also express your displeasure to these people:

XM RADIO

1(800)XM RADIO (give your radio ID when you call)

1500 Eckington Place, NE

Washington DC 20002

www.xmradio.com

Eric Logan, Exec VP Programming (202)380-4365 eric.logan@xmradio.com
Gary Parsons, Chairman, gary.parsons@xmradio.com
Steve Cook, EVP, steve.cook@xmradio.com
Joseph J. Euteneuer, CFO, joseph.euteneuer@xmradio.com
Chance Patterson, VP Corporate Affairs, chance.patterson@xmradio.com
Carolyn Turner, Corporate Communications, carolyn.turner@xmradio.com
Dan Turner, Programming dan.turner@xmradio.com

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Well said Ron. The biggest issue seems to be one that cannot be discussed here.

Here's what Patrice O'neal had to say Monday night on Fox News. Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjIuPSuYSOY

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Supposedly, this isn't a censorship issue per se. Supposedly this suspension occured not because of what was said on that paticular show, but because they signed an agreement that they would not discuss it further on the air and XM felt that they broke that agreement.



Of course, the recent radio firings have pretty much all started out as suspensions. There are some apparently promenent member of Wackbag who are claiming that per "very reliable" sources they have been fired from XM. Of course, it's unconfirmed, but the possibility is not outlandish either, especially with the pending merger.




Is it truly surprising? Howard doesn't care about anyone else (including when it comes to free speech. He basically admitted that when Sean Hannity asked him about the gag order he had placed on them when they were at WNEW) but himself. As long as this does not bite him in the ass, I'm sure he is delighted about what happened to Imus and what is happening to O&A


And he gets away with it because his sidekick is black and she laughs at all the racist stuff.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

He talked about the situation. I happen to agree with his assessment - which was that the bit was unfunny and that should be the overriding concern. That's what you guys should be concerned about - instead of attacking HS. There's a layer of satire that Stern's bits contain that I think other radio goofs just don't have. When the "N" word is used, it is usually in the context of exposing racist attitudes of guests, celebrities or staff members. The same goes for sexist content, it is about delving into the psyches of the person saying it, not the comment itself. Robin being black has nothing to do with it and I find that a little racist to bring up, frankly. That homeless guy on O&A just wasn't funny and they weren't trying to find out why he would say something like that - that's where true comedy can come into play.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

According to Zagman at Wackbag, OnA have indeed been fired from XM. Not confirmed though.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Well call it what you will but I think Robin's presense has not hurt his ability to get away the racial humor he's done through the years. Would you think it's racist to think that, for example, hip hop artists get away with glorifying violence, promiscuity, drug use, misogny and using the N-Word because most of them are black? Maybe, but it seems that it's just the way it is.


The more I think about it, the more I am concerned that this is a real possibility. XM, of course, will deny that they have been fired until they have officially announced it. So just because they are sticking to the suspension story, doesn't necessairly make it so. All these radio firings recently were originally suspensions (O&A have said several times that it is pretty much S.O.P. to "suspend" the offending talent until all the termination red tape has been settled.) They are working on a controversial merger and don't need more controversy. They have a mostly lukewarm, at best, relationship with most of XM management. The person who will be the head of the merged company if it does indeed happend hates O&A and so does his #1 talent at his current company.

I hope I'm wrong because thought it appears that their CBS show is still on, it is only a matter of time before they are fired from there for God knows what.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

No apology necessary, Chris. In fact I didn't have the full story either.

The last I heard was Monday's show as I am off from work.
I usually download their shows to an iPod and listen to it a day or
two later. On Monday, they were indeed railing against XM. None
of us, at that point, had any idea that the boys signed a gag order.

This morning I received this email:


Had I known of this late yesterday I would have gotten in my car
and gone up to NYC in support of O&A. Instead, I am going to fire
a letter off to the company.

As far as some of the additional comments....

I hope that Robin being black hasn't anything to do with the racial
humor that Howard gets away with. I listen to Howard when I can,
and there is constant amount of racial humor going on within that
show. Most of it comes through Fred who plays "turkey in the straw"
music when a black person calls in or "chicken cluck" noises for a
Mexican. Personally, I don't mind it because I know it's being done
as humor. Every ethnic background gets made fun of on these shows.
Howard Stern should be VERY concerned about what is now happening
to satellite radio, and I would bet you anything that he's going to be
stepping on eggshells from now on.

I understand now that O&A were suspended/fired because they broke
a gag order saying they would not talk about their XM situation. For
those of us that know Opie and Anthony, perhaps they knew they
would lose their jobs but decided it was more important to speak
their minds on this issue.

Just reading through these comments above....

WilG, I agree that if XM and SIRIUS merge that O&A
will probably be dropped because of Mel Karamazin. However,
it's important you know that O&A are currently the biggest
subscriber draw on XM radio, even beating out Oprah Winfrey.

I agree whole-heartedly that O&A breaking a gag order by
railing against XM on Monday's CBS show is terms for dismissal.
O&A probably knew the risk they were taking in doing it, so
perhaps it was part of their game plan.

On the other hand, there is a much bigger picture here to be seen.
All of this started weeks before this incident when Imus was
fired from CBS radio. Instead of defending their talent that had been
on the air for 40 years, CBS caved into media and advertiser pressure.
A few weeks later, two more DJs are fired from making an asian
prank phone call. Suddenly, the FCC puts out a guidebook on
Words that can be hurtful which prohibits broadcasters from
talking about certain topics/groups. Radio has become so sanitized
that there is very little out there other than these ghastly morning radio
shows that play music and feature dopey, phony radio personalities.

What happened with Imus has totally changed radio forever.
For CBS to empower people like Al Sharpton and these special interest
groups is just plain dangerous. Furthermore, if satellite radio now has
to follow the same rules of being "nice radio," then we really have much
to fear.

It is complete hypocrisy when certain ethnic groups cannot say words
that others can. It is complete hypocrisy when the "N" word can be
littered all over HipHop music and SouthPark cartoons, but can't be said
on the radio. If you are going to sanitize radio, you need to equally apply
the same sanitization to everything and everyone else.

I also feel (and here is where I get real careful) that this country is
getting more sanitized by the minute and it's not coming from the majority
of the population but rather from the vocal minority that puts in the extra
effort to get their voices heard.

James, thanks for the YouTube link. Perfect!

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

So we have three accounts, mine, my wife's and my mothers(XMas present). When I first bought my Honda (2004) it came with XM and I thought it was awsome. Because I work in the entertainment industry I got to meet Lee Abrams and Gary Parsons in 2004. It was good dialogue and I firmly believed that XM was going to be huge. Now I agree with the article (Downfall of satelite radio) that was posted elsewhere. This just puts a capper on it. Back in 04 the play lists were very varied plus you heard bands and songs you may not have heard anywhere else, there were no commericals and cencorship was far from anyones mind.
Today we canned all three accounts. Funny thing was as soon as we said we were canceling we were immediately transferred to a supervisor. We were offered not one but two months free service on all three and then they tried to offer us reduced rates at the end of the free period.
Nighty night satelite radio...they are desperate.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Maybe. Personally, when you have an agreement with your management over something, you should follow it. I think XM was well within their rights to tell O&A that they did cross some lines and to then talk about it afterwards after you agreed not to talk about it wasn't very professional. To be honest, this seems to be a ploy to get out of their agreement with XM.

It actually sounds similar to the Eddie Trunk incident a couple of years ago. For those who don't know, Eddie has a show on Da Boneyard, at that time on Saturday evenings, where he plays music and has guests on. Well, at the time baseball player Mike Piazza was on the show and they were talking about music, and Piazza went off on the content of the station (which Trunk really wasn't involved with). He tried to control the situation, but listeners got in on the act and were calling in saying the same thing. After that show, Trunk ws put on indefinite hiatus and was eventually fired. Course, since then, the PD responsible was let go, and when a new one was hired, Trunk was rehired.

Course, in that case, Trunk wasn't trying to get fired.


Are you really surprised? Fact is, on OTA radio, the listeners aren't the customers. It is the advertisers who are the customers, buying advertising time based on ratings we provide. We are part of the product. Course, when the product gets too distaseful, advertisers get skittish.

Ultimately, CBS doesn't care much about free speech as they do about the money they get. But, none of this really has much to do with this situation, since XM doesn't work off of that business model.


Problem is, you are comparing cable to broadcast. If the "N" word was being said regularly on network TV, then you'd have an argument. But, it isn't. If it was, you'd see a similar uproar there. You see that occasionally with shows that have questionable content. Some affiliates won't play such shows.

As for HipHop, almost guaranteed that most broadcast radio stations run edited songs. It shocks me when I do hear an unedited song, like Dire Straits "Money For Nothing", because I've been used to the radio edits.


The sanitation has been there a long time. It started way back in the 80s with the PMRC and that's when the idea of sanitised albums came from.

Jason

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Yes, apparently this is true. However, in light of this merger they may be seen as a liability no matter how poplular they are on the platform.


True, but the broadcasting companies fold way too easilly and quickly at little more than the first sign of trouble. And ultimately, this just encourages others who do not like what they hear. If CBS had decided to ride out the Imus situation, I would bet his ratings would have gone up and the sponsors who jumped ship would have been back after the dust settled or replaced by new sponsors. If they found that they could no longer sell his show, then get rid of him.



Cable may not be subject to the FCC but the use of the N word was never an FCC violation. Cable may be subscription based, but millions of households subscribe. If you are talking about terms of numbers of viewers with Broadcast vs. Cable. You may have a point about objectionable material more likely to get a response on broadcast. However, you still don't see advertisers running from South Park, or MTV. Why don't they care when those two networks regularly air material more objectionalbe than anything Imus or JV and Elvis did. There is very reason that radio should be held to enormously higher standards than cable.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

I called and canceled all 5 of my radios today, and they were trying to throw in free months but I said no.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

i am going to get xm next week because of what happened.
i don't know if i will get a boombox or listen on line but i do want to support xm at this time.
i know there are a lot of people out there that love listening to opie and anthony but there comes a time when you need to listen to your bosses.
and not to blame them.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Chris,

Excellent article. Appreciate you posting that link.

I agree that this is a decision that XM will eventually learn
to regret.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Although, the article does miss the point somewhat by suggesting that it was solely that broadcast that got them suspended and not the violation of the agreement they signed with XM not to talk about it. I'm not defending nor condemning XM for the suspension. But the story has been a bit misleading that the suspension was becaise of objectionable content rather than insubordination.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

This article will bring a smile to your face.

The more I think about this, the more I praise Opie and Anthony
for going on the airwaves and slamming XM radio. If it cost them
30 days or perhaps their jobs, it may well have been worth it.

XM made a major blunder here. Like CBS radio, they caved in
to special interest groups -- the same groups that are now causing
firings of DJs on a weekly basis.

....but the folks at XM should have known better. They are unregulated
radio supported by paying subscribers. They caved in to a group
that was purposely listening to the show for the slightest slip-up.
XM should have held their ground and defended their talent and the
fact that they are on subscription radio. Instead, they were more
afraid that this fiasco would possibly hurt merger plans.

The big picture here is that satellite radio actually caved into
the same bullshit happening to regular radio. XM let it happen --
and I almost can't blame O&A for making a point to voice their
opinions of it.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

It sounds like XM loses no matter what they do. If they did nothing, it just proves that they have no control over their own employees, and if they do something they are painted as the enemies of free speech, which doesn't seem to be what this is about.

Where XM is probably making a mistake is keeping silent on this. They should be out there doing damage control on this, but I haven't heard any official word on this.

Personally, I don't really care. I was never a fan of O&A, or Stern, or any of there ilk. So, it doesn't change my feelings about XM either way.

Jason

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Here is another great, great interview on the subject of XM
and censorship....

Click Here

It really puts the situation into proper perspective.

I have put a lot of thought to this, and I'm going to cancel my XM
subscriptions later today. For XM to advertise themselves as
UNCENSORED RADIO and pull a stunt like this, makes me quite
upset.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Not me, I won't cut off my nose to spite my face. Such an act will hurt me too much as far as my listening pleasure.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Robert,

I'm in a different situation than you.

I am a fan of Opie and Anthony. Have been for years.

I think based on that, I should make the same point as
thousands of other subscribers who canceled.

I'm certain that in a few months when all this blows over
I will resubscribe.

Glad to hear you are enjoying XM.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Or, maybe just a month, if it is just a suspension.

Jason

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

I am happy that this incident is causing such a reaction (Guess this really proves that O&A are failing) And if I did drink coffee, I would be switching to Nashville Coffee.

However, I have not done anything to cancel my subscription because I don't really take the incident so much as blatant censorship. It's not really like the call was dumped out of and then XM cut to Van Halen music. This suspension was more political in nature. The incident happened to come at a very bad time when XM cannot afford to piss off powerful people in Washington. Apparently an agreement was signed for O&A not to talk about the incident further and XM feels that they broke it. As much as I don't want O&A to be suspended, I can't fully blame XM for dicinplinary action when their employees broke a signed agreement (although, I am happy that O&A didn't back down from talking about what they felt they had to). And for the record, this was not the first time XM forbade O&A from talking about something on the air. There have been other incidents in the past. I guess I don't believe that O&A got suspended simply because of that paticular phone call with Homeless Charlie, so I'm not getting out a pitchfork and torch just yet. If O&A are not back uncensored after this 30 days, then I will have to rethink.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

I'll be the first to admit that O&A are failing. In the past few weeks
their FM show has been "unlistenable." Instead of concentrating on being
funny, every show that they do is filled with tirades on censorship
and how radio has changed to the point that they have no idea what
they can and cannot say.

In the beginning, I loved the fact that they were standing up and
badmouthing their companies and the special interest groups that
were attacking them. Now, after weeks of the same complaints,
it's getting rather old.

On the other hand, O&A are failing because they can't do the kind
of radio that once brought them ratings. They can't be edgy anymore.
There are so many more words they cannot use and ethnic jokes that
they must avoid. They are being forced to do NICE radio. In fact, a
recent columnist for THE NY DAILY NEWS complained that the show
was no longer filthy enough for him.

On the XM side, their show is very dirty. However, this recent
incident may very well change the manner in which the boys can
conduct the satellite portion of their show.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

Guess that remains to be seen, but I really hope not. I just hope that this was a case of bad timing and insubordination than a new direction for XM where talent is going to have a leash on.

But come to think about it, people are pissed at this suspension and accusing XM of censoring their talent. However, there were always things that they "couldn't" do even on Satellite. For example, if they killed a live animal on the air, even if was for the purpose of eating, that would probably cause some trouble. If they did stuff that was maliciously racist, I don't think that would go over very well.

There has been a time or two when a bit was cut out of replays. The infamous Opie and Jimmy fight comes to mind. It was cut from replays later in day, one of the theories being that certain things about management were brought up. So this is hardly the first time.

But, this is the first time that they have ever got into this kind of trouble with XM and I really hope this does not set some kind of new precident for XM and satellite radio in general (and that's even if they really are going to be back)


I suppose that it would be hypocritical for me to say that this was not problematic. Especially since alot of my respect for Stern waned during the time when he was constantly wailing against the Bush and the FCC (Although I still think he was way more over the top with his railings, going so far as to state that George Bush has a personal vendetta against him ) I did appreciate hearing their thoughts and support when the whole Imus thing was going on at first. But I do lament that they now seem to be going down the same road as Howard. Part of me actually hopes they will "Walkout" from CBS in the wake of all that has happened. But, I suppose at this point that would not be the best move for them since their future on Satellite is hardly secure pending the merger and Mel possibly running things and now even with XM and this (as of now) suspension.

CBS, Clear Channel etc. are really shooting themselves in the foot. They're quaking over Satellite and even lobbying to get it regulated. But for years they have been the ones driving people to it. Even if O&A are fired from XM, as much as I would have some loathing for myself, I'm not sure I could bring myself to cancel. I just could never go back to regular radio.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

If they leave XM for whatever reason, I doubt their CBS show would be anything that would retain their core fan base. perhaps O&A could do an subscription internet based radio show. free from rules, being their own bosses, no one else to hold accountable. Although, if Net Neutrality ever turns for the worse, it could be the nail in the coffin on that idea.

Re: Censorship_ON O&A Suspended 30 Days by XM

I hate the fact that edgy = dirty. Fact is, you can be edgy without swearing. Usually, the guys who stand the test of time are those who are funny, rather than those who are outrageous. For example, you don't hear people talk about Sam Kinnison anymore, who's think was yelling into a microphone.

It doesn't mean that swearing or talking about questionable subjects shouldn't be allowed. What it means is that such things should actually be used in the service of comedy, not as some sort of shock value. It seems when O&A get themselves in trouble, it is for those reasons, when they are trying to shock the audience.

Personally, if you are funny, you will be funny in a clean enviroment as well as an unrestricted one. While the unrestricted one will give you more range in topics, it won't make you more funny.

Sometimes, it is the restrictions that make us more creative, because there are limits. Certainly, in movies, there are some lines of thought that while CGI has made more things possible, it doesn't mean that they should, or that it was better than when we had limitations and directors had to find creative ways around those limitations.

Just some thoughts in this whole thing.

Jason