Off topic -- Louis Rukeyser Is Removed Early as Host of 'Wall Street Week'
[This was not clear to me. But -- who cares ...]
March 25, 2002
Louis Rukeyser Is Removed Early as Host of 'Wall Street Week'
By DAVID CAY JOHNSTON
Louis Rukeyser was removed last night as host of "Wall
Street Week With Louis Rukeyser" by the president of
Maryland Public Television, Robert J. Schuman.
"We were very surprised and saddened that he chose to use
his last Friday to air his view of the contract dispute," Mr.
Schuman said. Maryland Public Television co-produces the
show.
Mr. Schuman's remarks came shortly after Mr. Rukeyser
complained in an interview yesterday that video and audio
clips of his opening commentary were not posted on the
program's Web site.
"Apparently, the very classy executives at Maryland Public Television were astonished that I would actually level
with viewers about what really had happened," he said from his home in Greenwich, Conn. "They didn't understand
that leveling with viewers is precisely what I have done for 32 years."
Mr. Rukeyser, 69, was told last week that he would have a diminished role in future broadcasts.
Mr. Rukeyser told his audience that "another weekly program with me as host and commentator will be on
television."
"The woods are full of smart television executives who are wonderfully excited at the prospect of producing and
distributing the new Louis Rukeyser program," he said.
Mr. Schuman said that Mr. Rukeyser "had been an excellent host for over the past three decades," but that his
remarks were his last.
"Louis said goodbye and violated the journalistic standards of the show in
promoting his own venture," Mr. Schuman said.
Asked why Mr. Rukeyser was allowed to return to the show, given his earlier
public comments that he has been treated shabbily, Mr. Schuman said "we had
his lawyer's and his assurances that he would proceed in a professional way."
Mr. Rukeyser said his commentary was professional.
Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company |
