Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2006 > October > 26 > Entry
10/26: Eric’s turn to speak
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is from Eric Von Haessler of the Regular Guys. He was mad as hell and wasn’t going to take it after he got fired Monday but the reality is, he can’t afford it and even if he won, he would have spent more money fighting it than he’d get back. In other words, it’s a Catch 22. He is trying to fight off the bitterness of the situation and fans can only hope he can.
Here are his thoughts:
To whom it may concern,
I write this as a man who has just been mugged. Your faithful radio friend feels as if he’s just been run over by a Mac truck and left for dead in the middle of the road.
For reasons known only to themselves Clear Channel has decided to fire me with cause based on trumped up charges that have been fabricated out of thin air. They have also lent their moral weight to a lawsuit filed against me by the hosts of the Viva morning show- a lawsuit which also happens to name them as defendants as well. Seem strange?
It is strange and gets stranger with every passing day. First of all, how did I ever get to a point in my life where I’m being sued by guys named Yogi and Panda over jokes made about their bathroom habits? It’s all in the company you keep, I guess. But I digress…
My first reaction to all of this in the press was that I would fight to the bitter end. After all, I’m right and they’re wrong and justice should be served. But it turns out that justice is a murky and possibly prohibitively costly concept to secure.
Every lawyer I’ve consulted has assured me that I have the facts on my side and that for just a couple of Brink’s trucks full of cash they’ll be glad to present my wonderful case in a court of law. The problem is that it’s likely to cost more money to win than the amount of money I would actually win- if I won. In which case I would have simply wasted a number of years of my life tilting at windmills. Not a prospect I look forward to.
I’m sure the folks at Clear Channel reading this are all smiles, since rolling over the little guy is what they’re designed to do, but I’m beginning to come to terms with the fact that sometimes the bad guys win and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.
I’ve been ambushed and I don’t know that there’s any reasonable expectation that a person can beat an ambush. So I’m thinking that I’ll just hire no lawyers and defend myself until judgments are made and all of this gets moved into the past.
The sad fact is that I know I’m in the right but I don’t think I have much of a chance against these guys. That’s humbling and instructive, but true.
It is important to me that fans know that I’m not full of B.S. here. The ‘controversial’ on-air bit that sparked all of this was approved beforehand by management. I, as an employee, do not have the right, let alone the duty to overrule management and kill an approved segment. Clear Channel knows this to be true, but they also know how much it will cost me to prove it.
Clear Channel has also helped spread the idea that I was somehow involved with creating a hostile workplace for those working on the Viva staff. Which is interesting since I haven’t had a single conflict with any member of their staff at any level- sales, programming, promotions, or any other department, in the nearly two years since my return to the building.
What Clear Channel and the hosts at Viva are doing to me and my family is immoral. But I’m learning that morality and the law are kissin’ cousins at best.
Honesty and integrity are quaint notions that I choose to live by. But they don’t have much currency when you’re up against immoral people who know how to work the system.
Bringing honesty to a battle with Clear Channel is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. So I think I might just go have a beer instead.
The hardest part in all of this is keeping from becoming completely bitter about everything that’s going on. But that’s a battle worth fighting. I won’t give into bitterness because, if left unchecked, bitterness consumes and eventually destroys the soul.
I’ve been ‘blessed’ with the Chinese curse of an interesting life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My family and I will just huddle up with friends and loved ones and wait for the storm to pass.
It will pass.
They always do.*
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Gunnie
October 26, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Eric, well written, but don’t give up the fight man. A lot of people are with you! As U2 once said “Don’t let the B******* Drive Down”.
By WhatDoIKnow
October 26, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
Eric:
Thanks for sharing your side of the story. What Gunnie said! I certainly am going to miss your show on Saturdays. Lets hope that storm passes quickly and ends with an exceptionally large rainbow!
By the way, CC SUX!!!
By Worth the Fight
October 26, 2006 1:16 PM | Link to this
It literally makes me sick that Clear Channel can get away with this. They tell you to push the envelope for ratings and when you do, they cut and run. I would hope a lawyer would take your case on a contingency basis. A countersuit would at least make their conversion to privately held, a little sticky. Sticky enough to settle, I’d think.
By Ward
October 26, 2006 1:21 PM | Link to this
Eric,
Thanks for clearing this up - all this time you guys were all about truth, justice, and fairness. I had no idea. Wow, live and learn.
Now I just read Tim’s post and he would appear to be suggesting you guys were about farting, nose-picking, butt-wiping, and the like, cause that stuff is funny. But I’m glad this got cleared up, cause I respect you a whole lot more now. As REO Speedwagon might say “Keep On Keeping On” man.
By norcrossx
October 26, 2006 1:38 PM | Link to this
He is the victim now…how is this guy talking about what is moral or not when the main focus of his show is making fun of other people? Eric, you don’t deserve to be on the radio… good for Clear Channel!
By cindy
October 26, 2006 1:40 PM | Link to this
I have written to Clear Channel and the FCC about who monitors the Spanish Language channels. I have asked that transcripts in English be made available to the 90% of individuals who do not speak Spanish. Because as we all know Clear Channel and the FCC do not want anyone offended in any language.
By Robin
October 26, 2006 1:58 PM | Link to this
Well, not only have the Hispanics taken over our neighborhoods, but now they’re taking over our radio, too. I wasn’t too happy when these morons were brought in to replace the MJ in the Morning Show, and now because of them the Regular Guys are gone too? I guess it’s a choice between the Bert Show and Steve & Vikki. Someone shoot me now.
By Rusty
October 26, 2006 4:06 PM | Link to this
Eric don’t let those glorfied Taco Bell jockeys get to you. I hope there’s a lawyer who is a fan of The Regular Guys,who will take your case pro-bono. As far as I’am concerned Yucky and Panty Waste can go step on Down Power Lines.
By BrokenWind
October 26, 2006 4:33 PM | Link to this
Nuts. I knew by the Regular Guys repeats continuing into the second week Monday morning implied that Larry, Eric, et. al. had suffered yet another blow. Not to put my own misfortune first (but I will) but what the heck am I supposed to do now during an already mind-numbing hour and a half morning commute? Listen to Steve and Vicky puke out sugary “lite� commentary on issues as relevant as last night’s episode of you-name-the mindless network TV series. I’ll bet they’re what Katie Couric tunes in when in town. Or, perhaps I should listen in on the hip chat provided by the new gang (again) at the New (again) Morning X. Or is that spelled “Ex�? There, I can enjoy lengthy analysis of staggering importance, such as another in an endless stream of one-hit-wonder “new music� bands making some local appearance. From those lofty heights, Atlanta radio morning talent dives downward across the bandwidth. And the musical offerings? Please.
The Regular Guys had something to offer Atlanta morning drive. Problem was, they included too much worthless fluff of their own in the mix, I suppose in effort to rein in as much of their target demographics as possible, which, judging by the callers they put on the air, trended towards one very pointy end of a bell curve. Too many below the waist humor attempts, when their real talent was the discussion of world news and current events. Most politics and news-oriented radio programs are the spewings of one person’s opinion. The Regular Guys ability to provide two, three, or more (Porn Czar, Murray) on-air viewpoints on a socially significant topic was refreshing. There wasn’t the pointless argument encountered by the left-right confrontation format of most news-talk broadcasts, especially cable TV. It was sort of a masculine and common-sensible radio version of that mid-day TV tripe, The View, thankfully without the maddening estrogen-fogged frenzy of illogical thinking and him-gal subversive agendas.
Larry and Eric and crew need a broadcast home that will allow them the freedom to express their thoughts without the disgusting corporate expectation to stay the warm and fuzzy politically correct course. Offending people who choose to be offended is integral to the concept of survival of the fittest. Those less than fit offended persons and groups shouldn’t be artificially allowed to thrive and populate; it upsets the balance, and we all suffer the folly of kid gloves and eggshell walking. Not to mention being denied an entertainment source we’ve freely chosen. Until the balance is restored, all things Clear Channel will be best avoided. Where’s my nearest satellite radio installer?
By Denny Schaffer
October 26, 2006 4:37 PM | Link to this
You Know,Who’s Career Channel,You Know?
By Skeptical
October 26, 2006 5:04 PM | Link to this
His excuse for not suing just doesn’t fly. DJ’s in their position make low/mid six figures-I’m guessing around $250-300K based on what others have been reported to make. I assume he had at least a year to run on it. If he actually has such a great case and given the fairly limited set of facts involved there’s no way his legal fees going to make it prohibitive for him to chase after that much money. Now, it might be that he simply has no legal leg to stand on-his contract might have required his firing to be “for cause” but defined “cause” so braodly that the station had the right to fire him here, in which case a lawsuit would be useless and his remarks about what lawyers are telling him are pretty much hot air.
By Richard
October 26, 2006 5:17 PM | Link to this
Love you Eric and will miss you. You are very talented person, I know you will be fine.
By eric
October 26, 2006 5:39 PM | Link to this
LOL - you are a whiny lil beach. Eat your just deserts, punk.
By Brad
October 26, 2006 6:21 PM | Link to this
Eric— Keep fighting the good fight. Mad pundit forever. Yogi and Boo Boo will burn out after awhile.
By Norma Lee
October 26, 2006 6:48 PM | Link to this
Hang in there Eric! God never closes a door that a better door doesn’t open for good Guys Like Larry & You. TRG is loved by lots of people. You have lots of support. Look at the people that support you in this petition. Maybe this petition might not do any good with Clear Channel, but at least TRG will know how many people think they are wonderful.
http://www.petitiononline.com/TRG/petition.html
Hoping you can find a lawyer that will take the case on a contingency basis. Clear Channel better reconsider their action. Their ratings will go down after this.
God bless you my friend
By Skank Ho
October 26, 2006 6:56 PM | Link to this
Norma, quit being such a pest! Norma PEST Lee should be your name. Damn hillbilly!
By Barker
October 27, 2006 9:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, Eric, you really are pathetic. How can you bully people, and did get upset when they fight back? That doesn’t make any sense. Maybe you and your partner should grow-up, so you won’t have to deal with these problems.
By simon
October 27, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Poor whiny Eric. For years he’s praised everything conservative and Republican; mocked everything that’s liberal and Democratic. And now he complains that he’s getting tooled by Clear Channel—the 2nd largest purveyor of right-wing propaganda right behind Fox News. So how does it feel Eric? How does it feel to know that the right-wing hate machine has come after you? You would think you would have learned some sort of lesson after your first firing, but no. When you came back, you were just as arrogant as always—mocking anything that fell anywhere outside the rigid conservative agenda. Well guess what? The chickens have come home to roost. And now it turns out that you don’t even have the courage of your convictions. From “I’ll right this wrong until I go broke!” to “Gee, I guess I really don’t want to spend any money on a lawsuit” you’ve shown your true colors—canary yellow. Just like most of the right-wing bullies and cowards who can only bluster behind the safety of their microphones.
By Skipper
October 27, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
Simon - you rock - way to lay it out as it is.
I heard Eric talking about his Saturday show - so I tuned in a couple of weeks ago. What sort of ‘enlightenment’ did I get? I heard that Eric blabbing on and on about how he doesn’t like Democrats because too many of the women don’t shave their armpits. That was deep baby. For wisdom and insight like this you should be on the radio? Good riddance. I wonder if Larry and Eric would say they’ve been Swift-boated? I wonder if Bob Dylan would say ‘How does it feel?”
By The Pope
October 27, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
Even though the above comments are trying to use the Regular Guys downfall as an excuse to bash big business, the reality is that a ridiculous lawsuit brought on by minorities can force a large corporation to cave is the product of liberalism. Look at what happened at Coke. A man of God cannot even state the truth without being accused of being politically incorrect and this is the direct result of liberal minded thinking that everyone can be right and there is not real truth just perceptions of truth. Let me tell you hell is real people and this liberalism are making this country hell on earth.
By mytwocents
October 27, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
Simon and Skipper are both dead-on! Eric likes to pretend that he’s an enlightened Libertarian blazing a common-sense trail, but he’s just another high school dropout (like Sean Vanity) parroting back whatever talking points the Republican National Committee spits out. Have you ever seen his Mad Pundit web site? What a joke.
Good riddance Eric. And do me a favor will ya? Take a moment and think about all those down-on-their-luck souls you’ve mocked as you’re picking up your first welfare check.
By bud
October 27, 2006 1:46 PM | Link to this
Buck up and take it like a man, Eric. Get to work with a new partner and create a new path for yourself. Larry is a schmuck and you’ll be better off with someone younger and with more energy for the microphone. I guess we all whine sometimes, but don’t take this BS personally. At least you got dropped off of the Viva lawsuit!
Keep Rockin’,
Bud
By d
October 27, 2006 5:00 PM | Link to this
Eric… I LOVE YOU MANNNN…
By Eric Stille
October 30, 2006 4:55 PM | Link to this
We as fans should rise up and destroy these b******* who did this. Clear Channel is full of pussies and crying babies and viva whatever shoud be shot. I loved the regular guys and I hope to hear them agian wherever they end up I will find a way to listen to them and I will never listen to 96rock ever agian in fact I will boycott every clear channel station and I urdge true regular guys fans to do the same. I love Larry and Eric and please keep the website going and let us know where and if you will still be on the air on another station I hope you do I will find you no matter where you go and I hope it is soon
By Unclebuck
October 30, 2006 5:56 PM | Link to this
Two Words Satellite Radio. Atlanta Radio Blows!
By head
October 30, 2006 6:24 PM | Link to this
Keep ya head up brother Eric. You guys are heads and shoulders above any other radio show. It’s official: Atlanta radio SUCKS! I will no longer listen to 96 Rock and I know many others who feel the same way. When Clear Channel sees the rankings they will regret their actions. You and Larry shouldn’t have any trouble finding another gig, so please keep us “die hards” informed. Maybe we can listen to you online…it beats the alternative.
By Jay
October 31, 2006 5:07 PM | Link to this
Want to show your support, sell your CC stock (CCU and CCO) or make sure you do not buy any new. Don’t advertise on CC billboards or listen or advertise on any of the CC brands or affilliates. As a matter of fact, buy XM and Sirius stock if you really want to p** CC off.
By Rod
October 31, 2006 6:34 PM | Link to this
I’d like to give a big F.U. to Larry for airing such a perverse, piece of garbage like the voice recorder in the restroom bit. Just like a construction site or combat, the weird guy does something stupid and takes the good people with them. Eric, you’re better off putting Larry’s number on call block. I hope you’re back on air soon.
By Rods an idiot
November 1, 2006 8:07 AM | Link to this
Lighten up ahole!
By Jeff in Dallas
November 1, 2006 8:50 AM | Link to this
The regular guys should follow Howard Stern. What I wouldn’t give to have them on XM radio now! I plan to flush FM radio and go back to listening to my CD collection since I don’t speak spanish and don’t have the stomach for Steve and Vickie!
By Rick Jones
November 1, 2006 9:51 AM | Link to this
I haven’t made it a practice to email media hosts, but I have enjoyed the Regular Guys for many years and I think it is a shame what has happened. I know my opinion is probably insignificant, especially with all that is going on right now, but perhaps the best way to resolve this issue with a “net gain” on your part is to find employment at a radio station that is in direct competition with 96Rock and beat the pants off of them in the ratings! I for one will be very happy to follow you to another station. My mornings have been very boring since you guys left. Keep your chins up. Your successes have not gone unnoticed on the national stage. Just don’t “prostitute” yourselves to take the first thing that comes along. You can afford to be choosy. Hope this helps a little… Rick
By casey
November 1, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
First of all,If the negative people don’t quit posting on here,I will have to inform Clear Channel of you guys and they will take away your right to continue listining to Yogi and Panda.As for the Regular Guys,They need to stick together.They have made themselves the best morning show in Atlanta by being The Regular Guys.Not the Regular Guy.Eric,Get yourself busy and get your talented butts back on air.Speaking for all of your hardcore friends,WE love you guys and keep us posted.
By Lisa Rary
November 1, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
As usual…Eric takes the high road. Bravo my friend. And thanks for making ‘Fox On The Run’ never be heard the same old way again. Your version ROCKS!! And so do you…good luck. (I know you were sort of look on as guilty by association here, but any chance of TRG team on XM?) It was a good team. You kept things in check. Thanks for the memories…
By JOKERZWILD
November 1, 2006 6:28 PM | Link to this
ERIC, I BELIEVE ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON. THANK YOU FOR THE LAUGHS AND KNOWLEDGE YOU SHARED DURING THOSE LONG MORNING DRIVES. YOUR ARE AN INTELLIGENT, COMPASSIONATE, CREATIVE AND HAND WORKING GUY. I WISH YOU THE BEST.
By Angie
November 2, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
I miss you guys!!!! I will never listen to anothe rclear Channel station again (unless you come back)!!!! Loved your show!!
By Jay
November 3, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
It is so funny reading the Liberals’ comments. You guys want to paint all white conservative males as angry men, yet, when Liberals get their way,and a frivolous, race-baiting lawsuit takes down a couple of local right-of-center radio guys, they are so full of venom and vitriol. This is the group who says WE have no sense of humor. I have always contended that Libs have absolutely no ability to laugh at themselves, and only revel in the misfortunes of others, and this certainly bolsters that argument. Thanks for the validation, Libs.
By Nick
November 9, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
There’s no way I could put it any better than broken wind (about 5 or so comments down). Well said, sir.