Rick Sanchez Replacement Hopeful Tony Katz Speaks Out

Shortly after the news broke that CNN had fired Rick Sanchez, radio talk show host Tony Katz of "The Tony Katz Radio Spectacular" launched a campaign to fill the vacant time slot. In this interview, he sets the record straight about his campaign, shares his thoughts on CNN and discusses what hiring him would do for them and their ratings.

One of the first things Tony wanted to clear up was that his 'campaign promises' were made in jest. Though it was clear on his radio show that he was kidding about promising to love Atlanta teams, he did not feel it was clear in the article written about his campaign launch, "CNN's Rick Sanchez Fired; Radio Talk Show Host Tony Katz Campaigns for the Job". He clarifies the matter by explaining that it's not a slight to 'the good people of Atlanta', "it's just that you must remember where you come from; you must remember your roots."

Though the 'campaign promises' were made in jest, Tony is quite serious about wanting to fill the vacant time slot for CNN, stating quite adamantly that if CNN called him today, "I'm ready to go today and tomorrow could do a two-hour show."

Tony described the show he would do for CNN as something different from what they currently have, and something to counterbalance Joy Behar. His show would include interviews with pundits, politicos and celebrities, but would take things a step further by reaching out to people reaching out to him. In much the same way as he does on his radio show via the chat room, his CNN show would make a concerted effort to reach out to viewers and to "truly get them to engage."

His passion is evident as he describes how he would accomplish this. He explains he would be "fully engaged with my audience every single day; to hear what they have to say and to comment on what they have to say." He expands on the thought by saying, "My conversation with my audience, my CNN audience, when I take over for Rick Sanchez, when I take that 3 p.m. Eastern time slot, will be about having a conversation about the issues that the audience can relate to; that they can comment on; that they can be a part of. And that's extremely important."

Tony is careful to point out that his show would be more than interviews. He wants to create a show for CNN that would address topics including politics, pop culture, football, new books and a general love of America, stating that his personal philosophy of "live big or go home" would be well-represented in his CNN show.

Beyond the reason of the different format, Tony Katz believes there are a number of other reasons why it would benefit CNN to hire him for the 3 p.m. ET time slot. Stating that he doesn't "see how CNN can go any lower" and that they need to own up to their failures, Tony suggests that hiring him would help them make the changes they need to in order to get their desired golden goose of ratings-something he states they have not had since the Gulf war. "When you see them give a show to an Eliot Spitzer, you see that they're desirous of ratings. They understand that ratings matter, but they go about it in the wrong way."

Tony Katz would bring some 'controversy' of his own to a CNN show. The Los Angeles Tea Party organizer is also the mind behind the Buy Arizona! Initiative. Both topics have their share of supporters, as well as critics. He explains his viewpoint in relation to the show he hopes to have with CNN and what they are currently airing, "First of all, I bring a much different point of view. My point of view is not to move forth a progressive agenda-my point of view is to move forward a conversation with the audience."

He goes on to add, "And the point of view is not about Right versus Left. That is the myth. That is the misnomer. It's about right versus wrong. And, when you have a right versus wrong conversation that honestly and truly puts American first, and doesn't allow people to bag on capitalism and doesn't allow people to just attack America because it's the fun, cool, hip thing to do. A conversation that demands you back up what you say with facts and logic and reason or you admit that you're a liar-when you get that show on CNN and you present it to the people, everybody will respond and they will be thrilled to be a part of it. It will be the biggest ratings success on CNN, ever, in the history of that show-bar none, I guarantee it, put it in the bank."

For Tony Katz, a CNN show would not be just about him sharing a viewpoint. "There are gonna be days where I teach them and there are gonna be days where the audience teaches me, and that's what makes it work."

The campaign launched by Tony Katz to replace Rick Sanchez has picked up momentum, even inspiring a fan-created poll.

The Tony Katz Radio Spectacular airs five days a week on All Patriot's Media from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

References:

Interview with Tony Katz (on air). October 4, 2010. http://allpatriotsmedia.com/2010/10/tony-katz-radio-monday-october-4th-2010/

Interview with Tony Katz (after show; private). October 4, 2010.