Opie & Anthony!?!?!?

Question

First of all, the ONLY reason i have XM is to listen to the Opie and Anthony show. Whether a fan or not, what is being done to them, and radio hosts alike, is a shame. An embarrasment to our society.

Here's what other's have to say:

"O&A had a homeless gentlemen on their "pay service" XM show on Weds, the person maybe some off color remarks about having sex with Condoleezza Rice and Laura Bush... Now they are under fire for something that they DIDNT even say. XM has confirmed today that O&A have been suspended for 30 days, and other sources say they have been 'unofficially' fired."

"The attack on free speech has gone far enough. First, its FCC regulated "free" radio hosts being fired for what they were paid to do. But, now unregulated pay services are sucumbing to pressure from special interest group's attacking speech they don't like. This is where we draw the line in the sand."

This needs to be stopped before it goes too far. Now it's radio talk shows, what's next? Television? Music? YOUR freedom of speech?

What's your opinion?

I love the fact that XM stock has plumeted since the suspension of O&A. I wish Imus had this much support from his fans when this happened to him. If you call XM to cancel your subsciption, the first thing they say: " is this due to the O&A suspension?" I'm hoping XM gets the hint. I'm no fan of Howard, but if we can save O&A, maybe we'll save Howard's show as well, because if they get cancelled I can only assume they'll go after Howard next.

The reason behind the suspension was not what was actually said. After the dilema, O&A signed a contract that they would not talk about the situation on air. Unfortunately, they did, very vagely and briefly, and that is the reason for the suspension.
I find it irionic that they're still on CBS after this mess... After all, CBS canned Imus... In the middle of a charity drive for cancerous children none the less... This is all ridiculous, unfair and unsettling.

Answer 1

It sickens me what is going on with Freedom of Speech, this is a freedom of speech issue, they never said that she should be raped, Homeless Charlie said he would liek to f*** her and punch her but they never said they were going to or that someone should, there are no threats there to clear it up for the person who said i wasa threat.

It sickens me that the PC police want to tell me and you what we can listen to like we are not smart enough. It sickens me that there is a new age witch hut going on, Imus, JV and Elvis, now Opie and Anthony are being singled out. I immediatly cancelled my subscription to XM because it is a sham, I pay for uncensored radio and they turn around and censor something I want to listen to, F*** XM! XM SUCKS!
I am going to make a stand, it is time we come together and protest to save free speech! I have an organized peaceful protest coming together in Boston and others should do the same in their cities before this goes to far, next they will go after more radio, comedy, music,TV and movies, why can others can control our entertainment? There is already talk about censoring music, there is talk about further cenroshing comedy. It is going against everything this country was founded upon, the first amendment is one of the founding principles of this country and it is being taken away slowly day by day and we must try and save it now. Like you said this is an embaraasment.

Answer 2

Look, yes, that is what XM is saying they are suspending them for. Bottom line, if they were generating income for XM they would still be there. Maybe they will be back, who knows.

Stern could have done the same thing and nothing would have been done. Why? Because he is a cash cow for Sirius.

O&A should have kept their show on XM exclusively. Maybe then, they might have generated money. Money rules the radio industry. If you can't generate it, you'll be out. Look at Imus. Same thing.

I am not for censorship of any kind. I just wish these companies would say it like it is. They should have just said, "O&A may have jeopardized the Sirius/XM merger, therefore, as an apologetic gesture to Condi and Mrs. Bush, we are letting them go."

They cant do that. The angle they are going is a way of not having to honor their contract. It's all about money. Not censorship.

Answer 3

Two main issues here.

First I think that XM was just waiting for an excuse to ditch O&A because they don't get along with Howard and Howard is seen as already filling the top shock jock niche after the merger.

As for the current attack on freedom of speech. Special interest groups have found another way to shake down big business and they are going to take every advantage of this. Business is going to cave and fire the target of the week until they find a better reason not to. In the mean time the hundreds of thousands or millions of people who's lives are made a little happier because these shows are a entertaining part of their day lose that. Personally I think these shows have a social value and the fake outrage of a few is not more important than freedom of speech. But business isn't about ideals.

Answer 4

I have to disagree with Answer Man up there. I don't listen to O & A, but they are NOT on terrestrial radio and NOT subject to FCC jurisdiction. I think it's a dangerous sign that XM has done this simply to garner political capital in their bid to purchase Sirius Radio. It was a message to Congress that they can and will police their talent.
What's sad though, is the fact that by doing so, XM is backing away from one of the features that makes purchasing XM attractive versus getting terrestrial radio for free, that being freedom from censorship. XM has always labelled the O & A show as adult, explicit content and has controls in place to prevent kids from listening to it. If the O & A listerners found the content offensive, let THEM decide to remove the show by not listening to it.

Answer 5

It is short sighted of all entertainers and broadcasters to believe that this trend will not continue. I have heard several say that this attack on free speech has to stop. However, I have heard several say that O&A should be fired, simply because they do not like O&A's brand of humor. It is important for individuals to recognize the long term ramifications.

I am an Opie and Anthony fan. However, I do not really appreciate the content of the clip that got them into trouble. I am an adult and I know how to turn the dial. In addition, I pay for the service and expect that XM will not treat me like a child and censor what I am listening to.

The special interest groups have a choke hold on entertainment right now. Please don't ignore the potential damage this will have to the right of freedom of expression, even if others don't like it. It is time to band together and ask that free speech be preserved.

Answer 6

I've been a huge fan since the AAF days and this is not about censorship. This is all about looking good for the merger. They have said worse things on their show, but the moment something was said about Rice and Bush, they were suspended.
I do think that we are a nation of whining little PC babies. People have their feelings hurt way too easily. Come on America!!! Grow some thicker skin.

Answer 7

XM wants to do it because of the climate the after the Imus thing and due to their upcoming merger with Sirus, for which they need to kiss the butt of the FCC.

What stinks is the listeners are the ones gettng punished by not being able to listen to their favorite show.

Answer 8

You are exactly right. This is the tipping point. I encourage you and everyone that is a XM subscriber to cancel immediately. Let XM know that you aren't happy as a consumer with your money for restricting your freedom to listen to an excellent talk/comedy show that was supposed to be uncensored. peopleagainstcensorship dot org

Answer 9

I feel the same exact way - and there is something you can do about it. Join www.peopleagainstcensorship.com and e-mail everyone at XM (e-mail addresses can be found on foundrymusic.com). Let's make sure the O & A get back on the air!

Answer 10

I'm also a fan and have XM to listen to them.
Sure it wasn't nice, what they said, but ... I really don't think it was that big of a deal. And I'm really surprised that XM suspended them. I guess they caved in to pressure.