Jay Marvin put out to pasture by WLS in Chicago:
suntimes.com
Jay Marvin 'happy to be out' as WLS talk show host
December 29, 2004
BY ROBERT FEDER
Jay Marvin, the liberal firebrand who offered a semblance of balance to the conservative spin on news/talk WLS-AM (890), was forced out Tuesday as midday host at the Disney/ABC-owned station.
Eileen Byrne, who had been Marvin's co-host from 9 to 11 a.m. weekdays, will continue solo when she returns from vacation.
John Gallagher, president and general manager of WLS, said the decision to cut Marvin was made because the show "hasn't produced what it was designed to achieve." It was unclear whether the issue was a lack of ratings or a lack of chemistry between the two hosts.
Gallagher denied that politics had anything to do with Marvin's departure. Asked to name anyone else among the station's full-time hosts whom he considers liberal, Gallagher mentioned only Roma Wade, the wife and co-host of morning personality Don Wade.
Marvin, 52, who was on his second stint at WLS, had held various time slots since rejoining the station in 1999.
"They wanted to go one way, and I wanted to go another," he said Tuesday. "There was no place to put me. It was a rough 2-1/2 years on that air shift. I'm glad it's over, and I'm happy to be out from under it. I wish them the best."
Marvin will be paid through the end of his contract in March. |
