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O&A Suspended

I’ve already spoken about Opie and Anthony [1]. Events have prevented that post from being the last word on the subject.

 

Paul Lamonica [2] likely won’t get that honor, either.

So much for satellite radio being a medium where shock jocks can get away with anything. XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) announced Tuesday that the network was suspending Gregg “Opie” Hughes and Anthony Cumia and ceasing to broadcast their “Opie and Anthony” show for 30 days effective immediately.

The two came under fire last week after they aired a segment that featured a homeless person saying he wanted to have sex with Condoleeza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth. The two even joked about Rice being raped and punched in the face. (We’re not going to link to their comments, but for those of you who want to hear exactly what they said, the audio can be easily Googled.)

Although the shock jocks apologized on Monday’s show, XM did not seem satisifed with their remarks.

“XM Radio deplored the comments aired on “The Opie & Anthony Show” last week. At the time, the company strongly expressed its views to Opie and Anthony, and they issued an immediate apology,” the company said in the statement.

“Comments made by Opie and Anthony on yesterday’s broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter. The management of XM Radio decided to suspend Opie and Anthony to make clear that our that our on-air talent must take seriously the responsibility that creative freedom requires of them,” the company added.

The bottom line, gang, is the bottom line. The duo may very well be right in terms of corporate America bowing to the PC Police.  But what O&A need to get a grip on is the reality that they serve at the pleasure of the XM folks…. just like any other corporation hires and fires.

This exemplifies how in a free market… IE,  unregulated… world, corporate pressure is as effective as is the power of government.