Regulators had nothing to do with Chrissy Love show being cut off

As of Thursday, September 29, 2016

Christina 'Chrissy Love' Thompson

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE removal of popular radio talk show host Christina “Chrissy Love” Thompson from the airwaves during her “Reality Check” broadcast on Tuesday had nothing to do with any regulation violation, according to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).

The authority’s acting CEO, Stephen Bereaux, said yesterday URCA has not had any correspondence with the management team of Guardian Radio, the show’s host station, the producers or Ms Thompson herself.

Mr Bereaux said URCA has no investigation pending with respect to the show and was not involved in any way with the show being pulled.

Several audio and video clips have since surfaced on social media, recording the escalation and abrupt

conclusion of Tuesday’s show. In the clips, Ms Thompson could be heard addressing the cancellation, voicing her anger at the radio station’s officials.

Speaking to a guest featured on the show, Erin Ferguson, Ms Thompson could be heard asking whether or not the show went to break without her being notified.

After concluding that the show had not gone to break, and had in fact been pulled, she remarked that she was being forced to “pull files in Washington”, where the show was being broadcast live in Washington, DC, to observe the opening of the United States National Museum about African-American history.

“Because you know I try not to pull files and people always try to mess with me when they know that I can pull ... files,” she told her guest.

In response, Mr Ferguson said: “You know them people you bothering with watching.”

Ms Thompson went on to criticise station officials back in New Providence for their decision to have the show taken off air and threatened to file a sexual harassment lawsuit in response.

According to sources, the show was pulled off air because of Mr Ferguson’s appearance. Sources said the station’s management had previously advised Ms Thompson that Mr Ferguson was “banned” from appearing on the station and had told her not to have him on the show again.

When contacted by The Tribune, Guardian Radio Station Manager Dwight Strachan said the matter was an internal one and refused to comment on the issue.

The station played a previously broadcast programme in the time slot reserved for the “Reality Check” talk show yesterday.

Although station officials would not comment, there is speculation that Ms Thompson’s contract may be terminated as a result of the problem. Ms Thompson could not be reached yesterday.

Rhetoric 7 years, 6 months ago

PETTY

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

This is a Gestapo state .............. you cannot speak out in this intolerable society ......... even the Tribune censors free speech

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago

Not sure about this one. It was clear Guardian didn't want that guest to appear on their station for whatever reason, I don't understand the rationale to fly in their face to put him on or if the possible repercussions had been thought through. That's what emotional intelligence is all about, knowing yourself and others and planning your actions for the best outcome.

Several hosts have banned obnoxious callers before so it doesn't seem unfair for the station to ban what they might deem an obnoxious guest. The host and the station have rights to set rules in the realm they control.

I see they're still playing reruns so maybe it's a suspension, I hope* the show isn't cancelled, I think things would have blown over fairly quickly if the fb stream hadn't been so nasty. Hopefully both sides can get past this

John 7 years, 6 months ago

The fact that she has survived so long on the talk show industry proves that she has talent. She is educated, and her shows were informative and entertaining. But if you listen to her shows from 10 years ago the underlying message is the same: everything is broke and needs to fixed and something is wrong with everyone else except Chrissy. Too much negative energy. Even when she has guests who are very positive and very informative she overrides them, over talks them. But that is her style, that is Chrissy. Many people like her, some don't. But she shouldn't complain about everyone else and not follow rules. Hope they work it out.

ohdrap4 7 years, 6 months ago

Erin Ferguson used to have a TV show. i think he alienated many sponsors. The speech may be free, but airtime is not. He should choose a medium where he does not need sponsor money.

I used to listen to her show but i stopped after those 'health shows' just keep selling new products and diets. I stopped listening when she brought on a fella who said 'cane juice' does not raise blood sugar. she used to promote raw food, vegan diet, smoothies ,now she turned into ketogenics.

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago

You too? I stopped listening about two months ago, the show just got too dark. And those people with the iosa(?) tea are borderline, they make all kinds of health claims and nobody checks them. I wondered where the ministry of health was, if URCA wanted something to control that was definitely it, can't make all those claims with no supporting studies. They practically tell people to stop listening to their doctors, take their "whatever" concoction and they'll be cured of diabetes, high cholesterol or even cancer. They could never make those claims in the US. All the reps seem to have the same spirit, "fast talkin'"

killemwitdakno 7 years, 6 months ago

So why can't Erin Ferguson, a great young bright mind, be on air?

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago

Cuz it's their station(?)

thephoenix562 7 years, 6 months ago

LOL. This made my day

Publius 7 years, 6 months ago

indeed

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

Erin Ferguson and Erine Greene need to do their own show via internet, islandlucktv or whasupp ......................... That is where you find most people these days

Alex_Charles 7 years, 6 months ago

Wait, wasn't Erin Ferguson was BANNED from Guardian Radio for a long time? That wasn't something new or hidden from the public eye either. that was pretty public. I take it that him being on the show wasn't something they liked, plus Chrissy Love was in hot water anyway.

Also they don't like Erin after he put several politically affiliated people on blast... ever noticed that his show is gone?

Welcome to the Bahamas.

While I've always felt Chrissy's show lacked substance and most of the time was nothing but rambling, I don't think it warranted the abrupt ending nor her treatment. But we can only comment from the outside, I'm positive that there is another side to this story. We shall see

C2B 7 years, 6 months ago

All the dubious health products sold by uneducated snake oil salesmen making sweeping assertions about well being, served to undermine the credibility of the show.

ohdrap4 7 years, 6 months ago

and, the few who had some semblance of credibility left the show.

she will be ok. she has held her show in many stations and will find another one. in the meant time she can sell mung bean hamburgers to diabetics.

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago

No more reruns, show is cancelled I guess, that's too bad, there are people who like the show. Wishing her well.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

Well she brags that she has TWO passports ........... she can use the other one now ...... CYA

birdiestrachan 7 years, 6 months ago

The Guardian itself is not open to comment on their news articles like the Tribune, which I do thank for allowing me to comment. Those two Bahamians over there do not really believe in free speech. something is not quite right with them. It may not be them, It may be their bosses

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

You actually have a point Birdie

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago

"The Guardian itself is not open to comment on their news articles like the Tribune..."

That's not true. The Guardian has a comment section just like the Tribune, no one uses it. I get really annoyed when "free speech" is hijacked because someone just wants to do as they feel, e.g. "save the puff".

The station has a right to set the rules for what is transmitted on their airwaves, if you get on ZNS for example, and start talking about Carnival wasting money, and the PM being delusional, you better have your bags packed. As an employee, if you can't live with the rules it's best you remove yourself for your own sanity.

I like Chrissy I think she's funny, but the show had descended in the past few months, constant personal attacks not issue driven, the departure of The Pitch, and the inclusion of cohosts who just talked over each other like those cartoons where the woman is just babbling on the phone.

Putting Erin on was a bad move pure and simple. The FB rant was even more "unexplainable". Erin has never been on the Fitness and Wellness segment even when she broadcast from his business, so the argument that she thought it was ok to bring him on because the ban only applied to in studio appearances falls flat. Don't put this one on the Guardian. I'm actually still wishing they could resolve it and take her back, but this was her doing. They could be the worst bosses in history, but she gave them a legitimate reason to let her go.

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