*** BREAKING ***
*** UPDATED BELOW ***
Do you have your BS detector ready? Need a moment to fire it up?
OK, here goes: Vay Cay Jay Severin, he of the long holidays, mega-salary and recycled jokes, has apparently been suspended “indefinitely” for remarks deemed offensive to Mexicans, according to the Globies:
Heidi Raphael, a spokeswoman for the station, said Severin had been suspended indefinitely. She declined to comment further.
George Tobia, Severin’s lawyer, said it was not clear how long his client has been suspended.
“All we know is it’s indefinite,” he said. “We’re just learning of it, and we’re dealing with it.”
Tobia said the station’s manager had received a flood of complaints in recent days about Severin’s comments about Mexicans and the swine flu.
“It would certainly be unfortunate if someone was suspended because some people didn’t like what he said, rather than it being warranted for being over the line,” Tobia said.
This story is bizarre on so many levels, it’s hard to know where to begin:
— WHAT exactly did Severin say? WTKK owner Greater Media won’t tell us.
— After so many previous credibility-crushing incidents that left him unscathed, why would he go down in flames over this?
— Why the sudden interest by the Globies in a talk radio story? It’s a subject they often avoid. One clue: it provides an opportunity to bash Republicans, since Severin claims to have been a consultant for the party in the past (although he makes it clear on the air he’s a “libertarian libertine”). Take a look:
It’s not the first time Severin, a former political consultant for the Republican Party, has faced criticism for derogatory comments about minorities. On a 2004 broadcast, he compared US Muslims to a fifth column, and when a caller suggested the United States should befriend Muslims, Severin responded: “You think we should befriend them; I think we should kill them.”
— Why remove a host over a “controversy” unknown to almost everyone in the region? Usually this kind of event is the culmination of a public termination campaign, but that’s clearly not the case here.
— Is this really about a company that can no longer afford Severin’s huge ($1,000,000+ per annum) salary and would rather not admit that? New PPM ratings have Howie’s camp crowing, including new promos calling him “number one”, a position once held by Severin.
UPDATE: the Herald’s Jessica Heslam provides important details missing from the Globie coverage:
The Spanish-language daily newspaper El Diario la Prensa in New York City, reported earlier this week that Severin was using the flu to attack Mexicans and immigrants.
“For Severin, Mexicans are ‘criminaliens’ and primitives who export venereal diseases to the United States,” the paper reported. “The shock jock referred to the strain of flu as ‘swine-aka-Janet Napolitano flu.’ ”
“That’s not the end of Severin’s anti-immigrant rants. Immigrants are leeches and their children, he warns, don’t speak English, will retard schools, add to crime and spread disease. Amid all of this, Severin has the audacity to state, ‘I don’t mean to hype the story,’ ” the paper said.
Severin bug eyes image: Stuart Cahill, Boston Herald
Someone on Free Republic says that JS called them “criminaliens” and referred to hospital emergency rooms as
“condos for Mexicans”.
Quoth the dying broadsheet:
If using the term “crimaliens” is grounds for suspension, then they’re going to have to put IIIIII AAAAAAAAAAAMMM MIIIIIIICHAAAAEEEEL GRAAAAAAAHAAAM on ice for a while, ’cause that’s his terminology. (or is it the similar “crimmigrants”?)
How about “suspected carriers of Tijuana Pig Plague”?
Sounds like nothing new. He’s been saying this stuff for years.
Typical of the pro-illegal immigration crowd: if you voice any disagreement with open borders and the tossing aside of our national sovereignty, you are by default a racist.
Just like if you criticize Obama, you’re also a racist.
Just like if you’re against “affirmative action”, you’re also a racist.
Jay has been lackluster ever since his sydication thing bombed and he returned to his old slot with his tail between his legs. I think he has been on autopilot and perhaps WTKK was looking to scuttle him and this provided the excuse (like WRKO did with DePetro). Either way, I think WTKK should consider someone new. They’ll have to buy out Jay’s contract but Severin seemed unhappy to be at WTKK anyways.
What Severin said was something to the effect that “the only good thing Mexicans export is disease, crime, etc.” There were other anti-Mexican things he said but I think it was those comments that caused people to contact WTKK. Anyway, my take is that something else must be up with Severin and Greater Media. Could have they wanted to buy his contract out? It seems far fetched considering his show still gets pretty good numbers. Who knows though.
Hey WTTK…grow a set and stand up for something! This is your golden opportunity… instead of siding with the whiney PC left. Severin’s no genius, but he’s touching on an issue that has pissed off a LOT of people regarding illegal immigration from our southern border. Ground zero for swine flu: Mexico City. Janet Napolitano is clueless! No wonder your ratings are in the crapper. Must be that Peter Smyth is a Liberal and was offended…or scared off like a little girl. At least RKO has the sack to stay out of the way when Howie, Rush, Laura, Savage, and Doyle essentially say the same stuff about Mexico, Obama, “criminaliens”, et al.
Come on Mike Andleman, show your clout with management and help your friend out.
LOL.
I almost never agree with severino the “III” I can’t even bare listen to his show.
But, this time I agree with him.
Charity begins at home.
Countries have boarders for a reason…
Ya, I don’t listen to him but I agree 100% with his comments here.
It’s been my experience that “these people” have absolutely no respect for U.S. but have plenty of contempt.
…and that’s from a LIBERAL!
This is a charade.
During last night’s show Severin spoke about an untold Don Imus story that was not even known to “the people I work with”. He claimed on-air to be the better person in the Imus v. Severin feud. Despite teasing the story for a minute or two he would not release the details only to say it would be “damaging”.
He’ll be back the day after Cinco De Mayo.
Wile E., if you’re going to be a nativist, at least learn our language.
“bare” -> “bear to”
“boarders” -> “borders”
Mexico is one of our largest trading partners. Obviously, they want things we want to buy, and we make things they want to buy.
Severin is a jerk; I’m guessing WTKK is looking for an excuse to find someone better and/or cheaper.
Illegal Aliens in this country are Criminals.
But in Obama’s regime, they have more rights than American’s exercising free speech.
A socialists fascist state will shut down any opinios that don’t agree with the. Jay called it and I am boycotting WTKK.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
My nick-name implies that people be allowed to speak on the air with as much time as they can obtain … how dare they cancel somebody’s program and not even tell us why.
I’m amazed that this is happening to a big name, too … They erased Jay Severin … !!!
The story originated in the NY(Spanish) press. Don Imus’ sticky fingers are all over this.
Jay knew this was coming out but didn’t point finger at I-man on the air this week. He held back. Let the fireworks begin.
Burlgurl ~ Spelling and gramma has never been or will ever be my strong suit … Boston Public Schools … But, I don’t blame’em …
It’s all about the big contract he got when times were good … and more folks believed the lies told on republican/conservative radio.
Jimmy Severino III (a.k.a. Gump ; a.k.a. Scott Lehigh’s personal pinata ; a.k.a. Don Imus’s beyatch ; etc.) has lots of career options now.
All of them in his imagination.
Jimmy Severino III (a.k.a. Gump ; a.k.a. Scott Lehigh’s personal pinata ; a.k.a. Don Imus’s beyatch ; etc.) has lots of career options now.
All of them in his imagination.
Someone got a bad case of the PPM’s.
This is nothing compared to other remarks Severin has made in his show’s history.
This has everything to do with the last ratings book. Jay Severin has committed the mortal sin of radio: he became boring.
His frequent absenteeism has not helped at all. His show once was appointment radio for me, no longer, I never know if he will be there or not. At least I know now.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Severin ended up with Howie on WRKO…
Well, well, well…It looks like the Obama camp is behind this to me. As soon as Napolitano gets criticized, suddenly Jay is gone. These are very scary times for all of us. While I do not always agree with Jay Severin, at least he has the COURAGE to say what he feels is right. I feel like those of us who believe in protecting our rights and our country have lost an important voice in the media. Hey loonies, If you don’t like what he says, turn the channel, it’s that simple.
Ah, yes. What’s that smell? Teen spirit? No. Hmmmm. Something’s rotten in Denmark. Sure smells like a rotten rating is skinkin’ up the joint. Hey, Gumpy will love it. He can kick back and enjoy. Afterall, “It’s a Bug’s Life”, right Ms. Jay?
Now when are the lovebirds, Magpie and Big Bird gonna come out? And after the next quarter’s ratings (if Ms. Jay’s and WTKK’s little charade doesn’t improve them) will they have a public “split” to boost ratings?
And what about McFlea? Will she get knocked up by one of Boston’s finest, only to find he’s already married with kids? But decides to have the love child and protect Baby Daddy and his identity? Will she have those stretch marks removed by Dr. Whatever’s name using cool-lipo.
But, I must give credit where it’s due. McFlea’s voice actually hurts my ears, but she did an ad for some company in Watertown, and she sounded 100 X’s better than the Magpie trying to spit out an ad. The sales people must hold their breath when they hear Magpie begin an ad. How on earth could she sell anything? I thinks she forgets midway thru what product she’s supposed to be selling. She has to ask Jim what’s the word she’s looking for, you know, the opposite of “hard”. “Soft?” Jim replies. Good Gawd. Was that some kind of innuendo between them? Or is she just mushy in the gray matter?
Sorry, ADot. I know my rants about Magpie are not taken well by you. By the way, what are you doing? Holed up with a bottle of Purell and wearing a mask, afriad to touch the fridge because it’s home to a lb. of bacon? Come on out, little pork chop. You can’t get sick from Porky Pig.
Jay has said much worse and so have many other radio show hosts on both sides of the aisles. Jimmy Severino is an $1 million plus albatross around WTKK’s neck and they have just found the perfect excuse to dump his ratings challenged butt! Either that or its a stunt to bolster his ratings by giving him press but I think its the 1st scenario.
With all the free time Jay will have on his hands, maybe he can actually learn how to play guitar instead of pretending he does on his show.
No Pirate,
If you ask me, Jim and Maggie are a thing. If you Google her and patiently look, you will find pictures of Big Jim and her with others to be fair at Maggies Brookline diggs. There are pictures of them together that seem to suggest that they are more than dreadful radio partners. Check them out.
Pat, just post the links for those pics.
Without Jay Severin, is there any reason to listen to 96.9 anymore?
Imus needs to be put out to pasture. Michael Graham is annoying as can be, Eagan and Braude are just awful, Mcphee (no idea how to spell her name, don’t care to look) is unlistenable…
Nope. Time to remove the station from my presets.
Don’t get distracted with whatever comments Jay made. Follow the ratings, follow the salary obligations. This isn’t hard folks. Jay may have got DePetroed.
PL,
Yeah, I agree, they are a “thing”, however I think they’re trying to keep their “thing” private. And I did see the pic of the two lovebirds at Magpie’s digs.
I don’t agree their show is dreadful, however I think their private thing has affected their show. You could have blown me over like a feather when I heard they were “together”. Magpie’s involvement, no surprise. She just seems like she’s gotta have it, no matter what other type of relationship (professional?) it affects. Jim, I’m surprised because I consider him to be bright and anyone with a brain understands the risks of getting intametly involved with a co-worker….especially when they share an on air radio show!!
Pirate,
I know Jim fairly well from my time at WMEX and other stations. He is very bright and a good guy. Like many of us, he has his moments when he gets a little too full of himself, but in media that ain’t rare.
You are right about having a thing with your co-host. Hell, look what happened to Lucy and Rickey, and OMG look what happened to Sonny and Cher!!!!
Baker dumped Imus in favor of D&C at WEEI 10 years ago. WEEI was still struggling ten year ago. WTKK was just getting off the ground. Now, compare the audience growth and sales charts for these two stations today.
As Alec Baldwin once said in a movie, as you all know, first prize is a Cadillac eldorado. anybody want to see second prize? second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired.
Baker ain’t no fool. One way to generate income for your bosses is to bring in talent that you can actually sell around. He is all about sales and closing deals. Looks like Jay by The Sea will be getting the third prize.
I’d love to believe that WTKK saw the light and dumped him for being a rascist, lying weasel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Severin
but the truth is his most recent ratings have dropped him to 14th in the market in the most important demographics. They were just looking for an excuse to dump him and his salary.
here you go, Softy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melmashman/194227458/
what’s Magpie drinking out of, a jelly jar?
Pat,
My personal fav, The Captain and Tennille.
I hope my opinions here are not misconstrued to be judgment calls. Years ago my niece made a comment to me from some cartoon thing. I asked her the reason she was doing something and she came back at me with this sweet little voice from (Smurfs?), and answered, “A baby’s gotta do, what a baby’s gotta do”.
People do what they do for whatever reasons they do them. Words I like to live by: “walk a mile in my shoes before you judge me”.
I’m not judging Magpie and the BG, but I do question their own judgment.
My bet is foreplay for Magpie includes begging Jim talk to her in Topo Gigio voice and/or an Oy Vey during any given “session”.
Pirate,
I’m nobody’s judge either, but speaking from experience, dipping ones pen into company ink can lead to problems. I was once a high school teacher and dated two other faculty members without the knowledge or consent of either. It really got tense.
This experience spawaned my words to live by. “What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
There are some celeberty couples that made it though. That said, to find them you need to go back to George and Gracie or Ozzie and Harriet. Not to mention Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
24. piratetoby ~ Hehehehehehehhehehheehehe…
“Hey loonies, If you don’t like what he says, turn the channel, it’s that simple.”
The only channel Liberals/ Progressives have had to turn to for years is OFF!
Yet, I support severino’s III right to brodcast . . .
PL,
Couples, without any celebrity, have a tough time surviving these days. I worked together with my ex-spouse and THAT was difficult (and we were not any kind of celebrities, well maybe in my mind!).
Try as you might, it’s difficult to leave the “business” at the office. It ends up permeating one’s life to some degree 24/7. And in a career where ratings are everything, that just adds to the mix.
Well enough of this, for now.
Anyway, Magpie was solo for a bit today, and she is better, too, solo. TKK should really give them their own shows. Together, they’re terrible. (Well, ON AIR they’re terrible….)
Thanks, Pirate. You are da man.
Beep beep…..Roadrunner. Thx Coyote. Glad to give you a chuckle! Bing…bing…bing….
ADot? Still among the lost? Lost little lamb? Wait, did I say “pork chop”? Sawy….I meant “lamb chop”……no? “veal chop”? wrong again? “chop sticks”?
Ok, again, sawy. I’ll stop my silliness. Nothing a little “retail therapy” can’t cure.
Softy,
My pleasure. I’ll keep lookin’, maybe I’ll find a sex tape they’ve made. ( a la Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee)
I’ll keep you abreast of my research.
“Severin bug eyes image: Stuart Cahill, Boston Herald” That’s priceless…LOL
How is poor Jay going to feed his family, that he has been acknowledging a lot lately, where as before he was so hush, hush.
I say good riddance. They gave him an inch on a continuous basis, and he just kept taking the miles.
The outcome will be interesting.
Pirate,
Should you find such a tape, please keep it to yourself..
In the words of Larry Glick, “Molto Grazie.”
I wonder how Jay Severin, a Jew, would react if a Mexican American had a radio show during which he vilified Jews, calling Jews vicious, nasty names and blaming Jews for all of America’s problem.
PL,
Well if found, I wasn’t going to share the tape(s) here…..I thought I’d just list them directly on Ebay. Guess THAT’s totally out of the question, right?
My response to your request, naturalmente!
AND……
Mr. Machine,
Isn’t Severino Italian? I think you’re wrong. Listen to him when he talks with the Andlemans or Braude. He doesn’t have that connection that is apparent in conversations between two male members of the tribe. Off the top of my head I’m not sure of the Yiddish word I’m looking for. Kabitz?
Well, whatever the term is, Ms. Jay doesn’t do it.
I don’t believe Severin is Jewish; James T. Severino III is Italian-American
I agree with staffer, my guess is he got a lethal dose of PPM and suddenly he was way overpaid.
Is that our old friend James Huberty (aka TOCF) there in the audience, now called Mr. Machine?
I agree with Stafer: Severino is toast. Poor ratings will do that to you. Jay, maybe you should have taken less vacation time and done more show prep work? Hmmm?
You guys are laughable! All these posts filled with contempt aimed at Jay!! The problem with WTKK isn’t Severin. The station’s problem is poor programming. They’re trying to please the libs AND the conservatives…but that’s like trying to mix oil and water. As a result, they’re only going to get half the audience they want at any given time. If they appeal to the libs (Air America) they lose everything. If WTKK appeals to Conservatives, they will win…but in their hearts, they’re Liberals and just don’t get it…so they continue to flounder…and blame Jay for their troubles. THAT’S laughable!
Jay Severin may have made his point using crude language and abrasive terms…but there’s no getting around the fact that illegal immigration is killing this country. If you want to direct some anger and frustration toward an individual or group…just look at what’s going on in Congress or the Senate, or the White House! Or better yet, take a close look at what your kids are being taught in our schools and universities, or what they’re exposed to on MTV, The Daily Show, Letterman, Hollywood, Video games…
The First Amendment exists for both sides…but not in Obama-World!
So, you libs…go ahead…have a good time slamming Jay Severin. But remember what Michael Savage says, “Liberalism is a mental disorder.”…and he’s on WRKO…the station that beats the tar out of WTKK.
bob, I am not a lib and I don’t care for Jay. His arrogance turns me off. The way he talks to some of the callers annoys me. I only catch him by accident because I have the station on. Once I hear what he is railing about I switch to Howie.
He is a faker, the Imus dust up showed what a wuss he really his.
My Dearest Circlet Soft,
Great minds think alike. When I read the post by Mr. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, my initial reaction was a distinct chill of the Irish variety up my spine. However, we are under an even greater threat than old Frosty posed. What threat, do you ask? Well, thanks for asking. The mortal threat is boredom.
B O R E D O M.
Once a boring pest finds a new site they settle in and infect otherwise interesting, thought provoking, creative and funny members. And they delude themselves into thinking they are so important that others stalk them from site to site, when in reality there is nothing further from the truth.
Oh, hi there Cricket……well, time for me to go. Must take precautions from being infected with the newest flu strain, BTT2. For those not up on the most recent medical lingo and are unaware of BTT2, Bored to Tears for the second time. And trust me, nothing will kill you quicker than being bored to death. Now off to Home Depot…..
Purell? Raid? Does either work on boredom?
Severino is a dumb dago..not a greedy Yid
Cricket…
I agree with you about Jay’s arrogance and a lot of the stupid things he says, especially about women and his “lust” factor. He talks like he’s the stud champion, but sounds like he’s trying to hide his gayness! However, on the immigration issue and WTKK’s poor programming, I stand by my words.
And for the record, I prefer Howie’s take on things anytime…even when some on this post think he’s boring.
Is there a Moonbat in the house?
I haven’t been to WTKK’s website for awhile. I just visited it and there’s no mention of Severin.
Well last I checked there was no schedule etc and it said “new website coming soon” but there was an ad for a contest involving Severin and it said “Jay Severin’s brain is on fire…” or something like that–oops–guess what! NO mention of Jay on there right now… Also no mention of Jay on
WTKK ON Demand
WOW…..don’t lie!!! I’m going to check right now. Hey, this could be it for VaCaJay and TKK. I hate to see anyone lose their job, however I am not bothered by Jay losing his (if in fact he has).
And before anyone gives me any crap about my statement, please note I did not say I was HAPPY about it. I do think he had it coming for a while. Overpaid and under-talented.
Hey coonskin cap,
I just logged into the TKK site and Jay’s show is still listed under the podcasts and streaming option.
Are you looking at a previously cached version? Not showing up for me
On matters of ideology, Severin is spot-on. What he says isn’t ‘wrong,’ it simply ‘irritates’ bleeding Lefties who don’t like ‘their’ world order on things being challenged. But where Severin does fall short and deserves every rock thrown his way is in his conceited ‘womanizing’ attitude (as if!!!) plus his ‘one-day-on-nine-days-off’ work ethic. I have no patience for someone who has the work ethic of a Public Works official or a toll-taker.
Interesting: WTKK’s Grace Blazer will receive the “2009 Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Talk Radio by a Woman” in June
Blazer
She now has to deal with the Severin situation. Would it be embarassing for her to accept the award next
month, as her station has a volatile situation with its pm drive host? We’ll see how this pans out. (Check
WTKK’s website tomorrow perhaps after Jay and his agent confer with GM…who knows, will it say
“3 pm The Michael Graham show”..? Time will tell.
Hmmm… “Blazer ” An award for programming radio that nearly destroyed America …
Now … I’m start’in to think it was the Mustache crack that did him in . . .
Another quote from Michael Savage as he refers to the dissolution and emasculation of America…”Diversity is perversity.”
With that in mind, why all the PC crap in the Greater Media disclaimer? Isn’t ‘equal opportunity employer’ enough?
“Greater Media is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a culture of inclusion and tolerance throughout the company. We believe our employees are our most valuable asset, and our success depends on respecting and valuing individual differences. We are actively seeking qualified applicants to help us build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.”
And as a Talk station, how can Greater Media be committed to tolerance…of illegal immigration, judicial activism, abortion, sanctity of family, war on Christianity, undermining parental authority, restriction of free speech (Severin)….??
The PPM’s revealed that Severin was unpopular. Also, he was costing WTKK about a million bucks a year. The result is he was canned. This is simple stuff.
It’s about time. I was wondering when this guy was going to get tossed. I don’t know who he thinks he impressing with the Ray Bans, the crew cut, the Black turtlenecks….Tough guy. Put another war movie in the DVD player and pour another stiff one. Keep living out the fantasy. Phony.
Staffer,
I’m sure you’re right. It’s quite simple. Low ratings, high salary = liability. He (Jay) just made it easier for TKK to can him.
“Interesting: WTKK’s Grace Blazer will receive the “2009 Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Talk Radio by a Woman” in June”
I wonder how many choices there were? (-;
Hey Cricket…
There’s Julie Kahn…oh wait…what outstanding contributions has she made to Talk radio? (insert crickets sound here)
# 64 Cricket, what point are you trying to make? Was you post indended as an insult to Grace Blazer? Or an attempt to be funny? Or a commentary on the lack of women making significant contributions in a male dominated industry? (ya, right) And those punctuation marks? You make an effort to type them? Are they indended to be some indication of the premise of your post?
Or is this just an indication you really have nothing to say, no one to say it to, and nothing better to do?
I think she is part of the reason E&B seem more silly than usual. It started when she changed their song to “It’s a Beautiful Day” and then changed the name of the show to “Jim and Margery” Next thing you know the show is way too fluffy.
ChrisNH, so you are one of the 127 “best and brightest” listeners to Jimmy Severino III? Wow. You are indeed in a select group! I, for one, never took Jimmy too seriously. Any talkmaster who has to screen out all dissenting callers cannot be much of a talkmaster. Plus, as Scott Lehigh pointed out again and again, Jimmy was was more style than substance. In face, there is no there there (as Gerty once famously said of Oakland).
In any event, it looks like Imus has indeed had the last laugh on ol’ Jimmy. Jimmy should not have pitched that snit-fit on the Imus show lo these many months ago. I guess he had to learn the hard way that, when you play with the bull you are gonna get the horns!
This writer, a former WBT program director, wonders if Greater is cleaning house. Severin either gone or _toned down_? He compares what’s happening with Jay to WBT letting Michael Graham and Jeff Katz go.
WBT’s GM re: the Katz ouster: ““People want facts rather than someone spouting an opinion…”
He thinks a bunch of factors are at work here–Severin’s salary vs. low ratings, and maybe even future govt. regulations about talk radio.
Would WTKK replace Jay with a more toned down host? Ha, someone on Boston Sports Media’s forum wonders if WTKK could replace Jay with the Andleman brothers, as a counter to WEEI’s sports/”guy” talk
Cricket,
You are aware the award given to Grace Blazer is for her entire CAREER in talk radio, not her short time as PD for WTKK, yes?
That being said, the silliness on Jim and Margery’s show is not because the intro. music was changed, or their names were reversed. The silliness is coming from the Magpie.
Blazer’s mistake is keeping them together on the air. At this point in their career on the air, both are better solo.
Softy,
Under any other situation, Ms. Jay would have welcomed the horns.
Ooops !!
thanks Pirate, I was not aware. I don’t like Jim or Margery solo though. Maybe they need new co-hosts or just to go back to less silliness.