Countless famous radio hosts have been fired over the years.
It’s not a particularly unusual occurrence.
After all, stations are constantly evolving, looking for new talent and creating new shows.
As a result, some choose to take their content in a different direction by hiring different moderators. Others let well-known hosts go because they no longer represent the bigger brand.
Some of the world’s most popular radio hosts are known for their distinctive personalities. Radio presenters, moderators or “disc jockeys” cultivate a fan base through their unique tone.
Some are best known for being intelligent, authoritative thought leaders. Others connect with their audience through humor and playful antics.
When a radio host’s personality suddenly clashes with the brand they represent, chances are they won’t be around much longer.
Let’s look at some of the most famous radio hosts who have been fired from stations across the US – and what they did to earn the chopping block.
1. Don Imus
Don Imus was one of the better known radio personalities in the US, but he was a shock jock who got into trouble over sexist and racist comments.
He has worked with various broadcasters since the late 1960s. Imus first got his first radio job at KUTY in California before landing a morning broadcast position at WNBC.
While Don was temporarily fired from WNBC, other layoffs drew more attention.
The “Shock Jock” made massive waves on the radio landscape when CBS announced it was nixing him Imus in the morning show.
According to CBS, Imus was fired for his racist and sexist commentary on a predominantly black varsity basketball team.
Imus had already developed a reputation for aggressive comments, giving him a somewhat controversial personal brand.
However, the CBS incident meant he lost the support of many of his former fans.
2. Star and Buc Wild
Star and Buc Wild were radio hosts best known for broadcasting on NYC radio. They even had their own morning show.
Although the details of why these individuals were removed from their positions are dubious, most believe they were fired for mocking the death of Aaliyah, an R&B singer.
The couple played an on-air Soundbite with a woman screaming from a big crash. This prompted her co-host to storm off the tap, demanding a response from the producers.
The couple ended up on another show with Power 105.1 a few years later. Despite this, they were fired again after making offensive comments about record producer DJ Envy’s daughter.
3. Charlamagne Tha God
Charlamagne Tha God, also known as Lenard Larry McKelvey, is a radio host and television personality in the United States.
McKelvey is no stranger to being dropped from radio shows. He has been fired from numerous positions over the years, usually due to his troubled personal life.
McKelvey has been arrested for drug possession in the past and charged with sexual assault.
In 2009, Charlamagne was fired the beat in Philadelphia after airing an interview with Beanie Sigel, who previously released a diss track about Jay Z.
Luckily, he managed to rebuild his career as a co-host of The Breakfast Club between 2010 and 2016. Today he writes books and produces his own podcast.
4. Diana Ploss
Dianna Ploss, often seen as a relatively controversial radio host, was best known for her position at New Hampshire’s WSMN station.
The conservative presenter and ardent supporter of Donald Trump filmed herself berating a man on the street for speaking Spanish at work.
According to news reports, Ploss was on her way to work when she overheard a landscaper speaking Spanish. She decided to film herself harassing the workers, and the interaction quickly turned somewhat racist.
After the video aired, WSMN announced that Dianna Ploss would no longer be affiliated with her broadcaster or parent company.
Despite her firing, Ploss continued to share her opinions via her Twitter account.
5.Donnell Rawlings
Donnel M. Rawlings was best known to many fans for appearing in frequent skits Chappelle’s show. He has also acted in numerous films and television shows including Spiderman 2.
When Donnell was fired from Power 105, no official reason for the termination was ever released. Both Donnell and the broadcaster suggested that the parting of ways was due to the show moving in a new direction.
While this may be true, some fans have suggested that Rawlings may have been fired for his somewhat controversial statements on certain shows.
Listeners have in the past resented the presenter’s remarks, particularly regarding his skits Are you smarter than an Asian?.
6. Sean Salisbury
Both American football analyst and NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury has always had a passion for sports.
After breaking into the entertainment world on the Comedy Central show BattleBotsSalisbury became an NFL analyst for ESPN.
In 2006 he began broadcasting for ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. He also took part in various guest appearances on a classic ESN comedy show.
Unfortunately, Salisbury was axed from ESPN in 2008, and very little information about the departure was revealed.
It wasn’t until 2010 that Salisbury admitted this United States todaythat he had been suspended for showing a colleague a picture of his genitals.
He initially denied doing so, but later admitted his wrongdoing.
Since then, Salisbury has continued to invade the radio landscape. In 2017 he became the host of The Sean Salisbury Show on BeIn Sports.
A year later he moved to a position as the afternoon presenter for KBME Sportstalk 790.
7. Assault on Limbaugh
Few radio hosts are as well known as political commentator Rush Limbaugh.
He was best known as the host of The Rush Limbaugh Showwhere he shared several controversial conservative comments over the years.
Limbaugh was fired several times during his radio career. In 1973, he was removed from his role at WIXZ after “personality conflicts” with the directory.
In 1983 he was recruited to the KMBZ in Kansas City and later released.
Once in 2003 when Rush was working as a football analyst for ESPN Sunday NFL Countdownhe fell into the hot water after some racist comments.
Although he wasn’t actually fired from the network after the comments, he said he “resigned” after some media reaction.
8. Rob Lederman
New York-based 97 Rock radio host Rob Lederman was also fired for making racist comments.
According to a spokesman for the channel’s parent company, Cumulus Media, the host was “quickly terminated” after an exchange of words with his co-host.
During the conversation, Rob had made some unsavory remarks comparing the skin color of famous black women to different toaster settings.
The broadcaster said his comment went against its principles.
After his release, Lederman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. After a while, however, he shared an apologetic statement, saying he was “appalled” by his behavior.
9th Garrison Keillor
Known for hosting the popular Prairie Home Companion Show, Garrison Keillor was fired from Minnesota Public Radio for allegedly inappropriate behavior.
Although Keillor had already “officially” retired from the show, he continued to produce content for syndication.
Keillor broke the news that he himself had been fired and told the press that his ties with the Minnesota Public Radio team were severed over a complex story.
The broadcaster argued they made the decision following allegations that he behaved inappropriately towards a colleague.
No further details were given by either Keillor or the station about the alleged wrongdoing.
10. Mark lye
Mark Lye, best known for SiriusXM PGA Tour radio station, was fired for his problematic comment about women basketball players.
In a episode of scorecard Show, while commenting on the LPGA tournament, Lye said he’d rather “shoot himself” than watch female basketball.
Lye was quick to comment on the situation on his Twitter account, stating that he apologized for his comments in the next segment.
He went on to say that he used to hate watching women’s golf before he had the opportunity to get into it.
The professional golfer hasn’t returned to radio since, but is still active on social media.
11. Craig Silverman
The reasons behind Craig Silverman’s firing have caused controversy in recent years.
According to the host, he was hosting his self-proclaimed show on Denver’s 710 KNUS station when his broadcast was abruptly cut short.
Silverman said the program director told him he was fired while he was in the middle of a segment about Donald Trump.
Silverman noted that he previously had trouble with the channel for criticizing Donald Trump. He said he was frustrated that he wasn’t able to speak about the facts surrounding the impeachment trial at the time.
However, KNUS said Silverman was never fired but chose to move to a competing network.
12. Ray and Beck
Finally, two radio hosts in upstate New York were fired after making racist comments during a live broadcast.
Kimberly Ray referenced a viral video of men attacking a couple within the segment. She asked her co-host Barry Beck if the group was acting “n-word-ish.”
Beck noted that the men were acting “like thugs,” and the show’s producer Pat McMahon stepped in, asking her not to continue her comment.
After the broadcast, listeners urged iHeartRadio to end the couple immediately.
The organization acted quickly, hoping the incident would serve as a “clear example” of the need for more diversity in Rochester’s radio stations.
