Bill Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Bill Cunningham is an American
talk radio
host. His full-time job is hosting The Big Show with Bill Cunningham, a local show on 700 WLW
in Cincinnati, Ohio
. Cunningham now hosts Live on Sunday Night, it's Bill Cunningham, which is syndicated to over 300 stations by Premiere Radio Networks
. He is also a regular guest on Fox News Channel
's Hannity
. Cunningham won the National Association of Broadcasters
Marconi Award for Large-Market Personality of the Year in 2001.
baseball
games. In the late 1990s, Cunningham's show was moved to early afternoons, which put his show directly opposite that of one of his favorite radio stars, Rush Limbaugh
, whose show is heard on sister station 550 WKRC.
(yet will often distance himself from that label in reaction to what he views as poor Republican politics), and his political views are mostly conservative
sometimes libertarian
. To the guests or callers whose statements or views Cunningham respects and appreciates, he will often dub them "A Great American." While Cunningham will spend a majority of his show blasting liberal politics, he will often remark about his disfavor of Republicans who do not practice conservative values by calling them "RINO's
" (Republican In Name Only). Cunningham's topics include a variety of subjects, but usually focus on national and local (Greater Cincinnati) news and politics. His efforts to discuss conservative sensibilities often lead him to make "edgy" assessments, sometimes resulting in backlash. However, Cunningham will usually attempt to justify (or at least clarify) his points as they relate to local or national issues, typically at the conclusion of his on-air discussions.
s over the police killing of an African-American teenager who was fleeing their pursuit, Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Nathaniel Jones
blasted Cunningham in a speech at a local YMCA
, calling the show “trash, and filth and profanity.” (Jones is a former civil rights
lawyer who worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
; Cunningham has been a frequent critic of the organization and civil rights activists in general, particularly Rev. Jesse Jackson, who Cunningham nicknames the "Rhyming Reverend.")
In December 2003, Cunningham drew more fire for making fun of Nathaniel Jones (not to be confused with the aforementioned judge), an African-American resident of Cincinnati who died after violently resisting police outside a White Castle
restaurant; video of the incident again inflamed the local African-American community. Jones, who weighed more than 350 lb (159 kg), was found to have died of an enlarged heart, and various narcotics were found to be present in his body while violently resisting arrest at the time of his death, which may have contributed to his reaction to police efforts to subdue him. Cunningham made fun of Jones' obesity and apparent drug use in a skit on his show, which prompted various local civil rights groups to call for his resignation or firing.
On February 26, 2008, Cunningham created another controversy when he spoke at a campaign rally for Republican
presidential candidate John McCain
at Cincinnati's Memorial Hall, repeatedly referring to Democratic
presidential candidate Barack Obama
by his full name of "Barack Hussein Obama" and calling him "a hack, Chicago
-style Daley
politician." Cunningham also told the crowd that the media would eventually "peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama" and reveal his connection with indicted fundraiser Antoin Rezko and the "sweetheart deals" Obama received in Chicago. After the rally, McCain repudiated Cunningham's comments and stated that he wanted "to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about" Obama.
Cunningham later, unrepentantly, called John McCain
John "Juan Pablo" McCain, accusing him of "(throwing him under the bus
), the Straight-Talk Express."
show airing Sunday nights 9p-1a on 320 radio stations, including his flagship station WLW
, which will occasionally preempt the show for special sports programming and does not broadcast the fourth hour (which is pre-empted for the local hour of America's Trucking Network
). The show also airs in its entirety on XM Satellite Radio
channel 165
.
, airing exclusively on Tribune's O&O
s, stations owned by Local TV, LLC and Raycom Media
-owned WXIX
in Cunningham's hometown of Cincinnati, prior to making a nationwide launch.
The series offers a tabloid
-style format, but with a no-nonsense conservative approach from Cunningham. During the program's trial run in 2010, Cunningham and the show's staff allegedly verbally abused some child beauty pageant contestants, along with their mothers, and encouraged the audience to do the same. The incident was one of five taped shows that was supposed to have a test run, but was not telecast, after the guests sued the show and Tribune for physical abuse during the taping.
After Phil Donahue
and Jerry Springer
, Cunningham is the third syndicated daytime TV talk show host to come from the state of Ohio. The program is produced in New York City
, with co-production from ITV Studios America.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
host. His full-time job is hosting The Big Show with Bill Cunningham, a local show on 700 WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Cunningham now hosts Live on Sunday Night, it's Bill Cunningham, which is syndicated to over 300 stations by Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming...
. He is also a regular guest on Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
's Hannity
Hannity
Hannity is a television show on the Fox News network, a replacement to the long-running show Hannity & Colmes. It is hosted by conservative political pundit Sean Hannity....
. Cunningham won the National Association of Broadcasters
National Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
Marconi Award for Large-Market Personality of the Year in 2001.
History
Cunningham's first regular show on the station was at night, generally from 9:00 p.m. until midnight; this meant that his show was not heard during the summer months, when WLW broadcasts Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
games. In the late 1990s, Cunningham's show was moved to early afternoons, which put his show directly opposite that of one of his favorite radio stars, Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, whose show is heard on sister station 550 WKRC.
Talk-show discussion
Cunningham is a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
(yet will often distance himself from that label in reaction to what he views as poor Republican politics), and his political views are mostly conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
sometimes libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
. To the guests or callers whose statements or views Cunningham respects and appreciates, he will often dub them "A Great American." While Cunningham will spend a majority of his show blasting liberal politics, he will often remark about his disfavor of Republicans who do not practice conservative values by calling them "RINO's
Republican In Name Only
Republican In Name Only is a pejorative term that refers to a member of the Republican Party of the United States whose political views or actions are considered insufficiently conservative or otherwise not conforming to party positions...
" (Republican In Name Only). Cunningham's topics include a variety of subjects, but usually focus on national and local (Greater Cincinnati) news and politics. His efforts to discuss conservative sensibilities often lead him to make "edgy" assessments, sometimes resulting in backlash. However, Cunningham will usually attempt to justify (or at least clarify) his points as they relate to local or national issues, typically at the conclusion of his on-air discussions.
Controversy
In 2001, shortly after race-related riotRiot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s over the police killing of an African-American teenager who was fleeing their pursuit, Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Nathaniel Jones
Nathaniel R. Jones
Judge Nathaniel R. Jones has served as a lawyer, jurist, academic, and public servant. He was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit before his retirement in March 2002...
blasted Cunningham in a speech at a local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, calling the show “trash, and filth and profanity.” (Jones is a former civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
lawyer who worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
; Cunningham has been a frequent critic of the organization and civil rights activists in general, particularly Rev. Jesse Jackson, who Cunningham nicknames the "Rhyming Reverend.")
In December 2003, Cunningham drew more fire for making fun of Nathaniel Jones (not to be confused with the aforementioned judge), an African-American resident of Cincinnati who died after violently resisting police outside a White Castle
White Castle (restaurant)
White Castle is an American regional fast food hamburger restaurant chain in the Midwestern United States and in the New York metropolitan area, and the first of its kind in the US. It is known for its small, square hamburgers. Sometimes referred to as "sliders", the burgers were priced at five...
restaurant; video of the incident again inflamed the local African-American community. Jones, who weighed more than 350 lb (159 kg), was found to have died of an enlarged heart, and various narcotics were found to be present in his body while violently resisting arrest at the time of his death, which may have contributed to his reaction to police efforts to subdue him. Cunningham made fun of Jones' obesity and apparent drug use in a skit on his show, which prompted various local civil rights groups to call for his resignation or firing.
On February 26, 2008, Cunningham created another controversy when he spoke at a campaign rally for Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
presidential candidate John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
at Cincinnati's Memorial Hall, repeatedly referring to Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
presidential candidate Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
by his full name of "Barack Hussein Obama" and calling him "a hack, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
-style Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
politician." Cunningham also told the crowd that the media would eventually "peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama" and reveal his connection with indicted fundraiser Antoin Rezko and the "sweetheart deals" Obama received in Chicago. After the rally, McCain repudiated Cunningham's comments and stated that he wanted "to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about" Obama.
Cunningham later, unrepentantly, called John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
John "Juan Pablo" McCain, accusing him of "(throwing him under the bus
Throw under the bus
To throw under the bus is an idiomatic phrase meaning to sacrifice another person , who is usually not deserving of such treatment, out of malice or for personal gain....
), the Straight-Talk Express."
Current talk show
On October 7, 2007, Cunningham took over the Matt DrudgeMatt Drudge
Matthew Nathan Drudge is the American creator and editor of the Drudge Report, a news aggregation website. Drudge is self-described as being conservative and populist. Drudge has also authored a book and hosted a radio show and a television show.-Early years:Matthew Drudge was raised in Takoma...
show airing Sunday nights 9p-1a on 320 radio stations, including his flagship station WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
, which will occasionally preempt the show for special sports programming and does not broadcast the fourth hour (which is pre-empted for the local hour of America's Trucking Network
America's Trucking Network
"Steve Sommers" redirects here. Not to be confused with Steve Somers, a New York radio host.America's Trucking Network is a nightly terrestrial and satellite radio broadcast based in Cincinnati, Ohio that was formerly syndicated across the United States...
). The show also airs in its entirety on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
channel 165
Talk Radio (XM)
Talk Radio, often branded on-air as Talk Radio 165 , is a talk channel on XM Satellite Radio featuring terrestrial radio show simulcasts from around the country, most of which come from Premiere Radio Networks...
.
TV talk show
The Bill Cunningham Show is Cunningham's current attempt to host a first-run syndicated television talk show. Cunningham serves as co-producer. The show debuted on September 19, 2011, and is produced and distributed by Tribune EntertainmentTribune Entertainment
Tribune Entertainment was a television production and syndication company owned and operated by Tribune Broadcasting in the mid-1980s. Many programs offered from Tribune Entertainment have been broadcast on the company's television stations....
, airing exclusively on Tribune's O&O
Tribune Broadcasting
The Tribune Broadcasting Company is a group of radio and television stations located throughout the United States which are owned and operated by the Tribune Company, a media conglomerate based in Chicago, Illinois and named for the flagship Chicago Tribune newspaper.- History :Tribune Broadcasting...
s, stations owned by Local TV, LLC and Raycom Media
Raycom Media
- History :Although Raycom Media dates its birth to 1996, the core of the company was formed in 1992 when Atlanta native Bert Ellis formed Ellis Communications. He eventually controlled 13 television stations and two radio stations....
-owned WXIX
WXIX-TV
WXIX-TV channel 19 is the Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio. The station's city of license is Newport, Kentucky, across the Ohio River...
in Cunningham's hometown of Cincinnati, prior to making a nationwide launch.
The series offers a tabloid
Tabloid talk show
Tabloid talk shows are a genre of American television programming talk shows that achieved peak viewership during the late 20th century. Airing mostly during the day and distributed mostly through broadcast syndication, this genre originated with The Phil Donahue Show and was popularized by the...
-style format, but with a no-nonsense conservative approach from Cunningham. During the program's trial run in 2010, Cunningham and the show's staff allegedly verbally abused some child beauty pageant contestants, along with their mothers, and encouraged the audience to do the same. The incident was one of five taped shows that was supposed to have a test run, but was not telecast, after the guests sued the show and Tribune for physical abuse during the taping.
After Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue
Phillip John "Phil" Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, also known as Donahue, was the first to use a talk show format. The show had a 26-year run on U.S...
and Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer
Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer is a British-born American television presenter, best known as host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show since its debut in 1991...
, Cunningham is the third syndicated daytime TV talk show host to come from the state of Ohio. The program is produced in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, with co-production from ITV Studios America.