Jay Severin
Encyclopedia
Jay Severin, is an American political talk radio
personality. Severin has signed a multi-year contract with Boston's
WXKS-AM Talk 1200 as an on-air personality. He had been heard on WTKK
-FM (96.9) for a decade, and briefly in syndication beyond Boston.
.
Severin worked in New York City for political consultant David Garth. In 1979, Severin started Severin Aviles Associates to direct strategy and produce media for Republican candidates including campaigns for the U.S. House. U.S. Senate, Governor, and President (George H.W. Bush and Pat Buchanan
(1996 campaign)).
Filling in for Gene Burns
starting in October 1994, Severin began work as a talk show host on WOR
, and worked there during the afternoon drive time slot until June 1996 when he was replaced by Bob Grant
. Severin accepted a late-night talk show position on WRKO
which lasted from April to July 1999.
Starting in late 1999, Severin began hosting an afternoon talk show on WTKK
.
In September 2005, CBS Radio announced that Jay Severin would host a show for select Infinity Broadcasting stations called "Jay Severin Has Issues". Severin returned to WTKK on 9 October 2006, after nine months in syndication.
) unsuccessfully called for Severin's dismissal.
On 30 April 2009, Severin said Mexicans were "the world's lowest of primitives," and said, "It's millions of leeches from a primitive country come here to leech off you and, with it, they are ruining the schools, the hospitals, and a lot of life in America." Severin was suspended until 3 June 2009, at which time he apologized by saying (in part), "My remarks were hurtful, unkind and wrong. For these remarks and for failing to meet the standards you are right to expect of me, I am sincerely sorry."
In March 2011, Jay said, "I slept with virtually every young college girl I hired to be an intern or an employee for my firm." Following this statement, Severin was fired from WTKK. Greater Media said, "Severin was let go because he did not maintain an appropriate level of civility and adhere to a standard that respects our listeners and the public at large....it had become clear at several points in the past two years that Jay was either unwilling or unable to maintain our standards on the air. It's for that reason we have made the decision to end our relationship."
On May 17, 1997, Jay Severin was married to Renee Melanie Klock in Sag Harbor, N.Y. They were wed in the Old Whalers First Presbyterian Church by Rev. Christine Rannie Grimbol. They currently reside in Manchester-by-the-Sea, in Massachusetts
.
Within his capacity as a conservative talk show host and while on air, Severin has described Hillary Rodham Clinton as "the devil" and Barack Obama as a "domestic enemy of the constitution".
for the Major Market Personality of the Year.
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...
personality. Severin has signed a multi-year contract with Boston's
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
WXKS-AM Talk 1200 as an on-air personality. He had been heard on WTKK
WTKK
WTKK is a New England commercial talk radio station, first broadcast out of Boston on 96.9 FM beginning in 1999. It can be heard in eastern Massachusetts, the northernmost area of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine...
-FM (96.9) for a decade, and briefly in syndication beyond Boston.
Early life
Jay Severin's mother was a writer and his father was a direct mail advertising entrepreneur. Severin studied at Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
.
Severin worked in New York City for political consultant David Garth. In 1979, Severin started Severin Aviles Associates to direct strategy and produce media for Republican candidates including campaigns for the U.S. House. U.S. Senate, Governor, and President (George H.W. Bush and Pat Buchanan
Pat Buchanan
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Buchanan is an American paleoconservative political commentator, author, syndicated columnist, politician and broadcaster. Buchanan was a senior adviser to American Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, and was an original host on CNN's Crossfire. He sought...
(1996 campaign)).
Filling in for Gene Burns
Gene Burns
Gene Burns is an American talk radio host. He hosts two programs which broadcast from the studios of KGO in San Francisco. The Gene Burns Program, a political and social commentary show, airs weeknights. Dining Around with Gene Burns, a food and wine program, airs weekly on Saturdays.-Early...
starting in October 1994, Severin began work as a talk show host on WOR
WOR (AM)
WOR is a class A , AM radio station located in New York, New York, U.S., operating on 710 kHz. The station has a talk format and has been owned by Buckley Broadcasting since 1987, after the station was sold by RKO. The station has conservative, or right-of-center hosts.Its call letters have no...
, and worked there during the afternoon drive time slot until June 1996 when he was replaced by Bob Grant
Bob Grant (radio)
Bob Grant , is an American radio host whose real name is Robert Ciro Gigante. A veteran of broadcasting in New York City, Grant is considered a pioneer of the "conservative" and "confrontational" talk radio format.-Early work:...
. Severin accepted a late-night talk show position on WRKO
WRKO
WRKO is a radio station based in Boston, Massachusetts, currently owned by Entercom. Its transmitter is located in Burlington, Massachusetts, next to the Burlington Mall.-1920-1940:...
which lasted from April to July 1999.
Starting in late 1999, Severin began hosting an afternoon talk show on WTKK
WTKK
WTKK is a New England commercial talk radio station, first broadcast out of Boston on 96.9 FM beginning in 1999. It can be heard in eastern Massachusetts, the northernmost area of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine...
.
In September 2005, CBS Radio announced that Jay Severin would host a show for select Infinity Broadcasting stations called "Jay Severin Has Issues". Severin returned to WTKK on 9 October 2006, after nine months in syndication.
Controversies and termination from WTKK
In April 2004, when a caller said United States citizens should "befriend Muslims living in the United States," Severin replied, "the vast majority" of those Muslims "... are not loyal to the United States and are ready, when the time comes, to take over this country." Severin added, "You think we should befriend them. I think we should kill them." On 25 April 2004, Severin said his comments were directed at terrorists, not Muslims in general, and stated, "I certainly regret any discomfort that may have been caused by the misunderstanding of my remarks." The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIRCouncil on American-Islamic Relations
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is America's largest Muslim civil liberties advocacy organization that deals with civil advocacy and promotes human rights...
) unsuccessfully called for Severin's dismissal.
On 30 April 2009, Severin said Mexicans were "the world's lowest of primitives," and said, "It's millions of leeches from a primitive country come here to leech off you and, with it, they are ruining the schools, the hospitals, and a lot of life in America." Severin was suspended until 3 June 2009, at which time he apologized by saying (in part), "My remarks were hurtful, unkind and wrong. For these remarks and for failing to meet the standards you are right to expect of me, I am sincerely sorry."
In March 2011, Jay said, "I slept with virtually every young college girl I hired to be an intern or an employee for my firm." Following this statement, Severin was fired from WTKK. Greater Media said, "Severin was let go because he did not maintain an appropriate level of civility and adhere to a standard that respects our listeners and the public at large....it had become clear at several points in the past two years that Jay was either unwilling or unable to maintain our standards on the air. It's for that reason we have made the decision to end our relationship."
Marriage and children
Jay Severin's first marriage was to Kathleen Cooney, one of his partners in the Severin-Aviles consulting firm.On May 17, 1997, Jay Severin was married to Renee Melanie Klock in Sag Harbor, N.Y. They were wed in the Old Whalers First Presbyterian Church by Rev. Christine Rannie Grimbol. They currently reside in Manchester-by-the-Sea, in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Philosophical and political views
Severin has been described as libertarian leaning and fiscally conservative.Within his capacity as a conservative talk show host and while on air, Severin has described Hillary Rodham Clinton as "the devil" and Barack Obama as a "domestic enemy of the constitution".
Awards
In July 2004, Jay Severin was nominated for a National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio AwardNAB Marconi Radio Awards
The Marconi Radio Awards are presented annually by the National Association of Broadcasters to the top radio stations and on-air personalities in the United States. The awards are named in honor of Guglielmo Marconi, the man generally credited as the "Father of Wireless Telegraphy." NAB member...
for the Major Market Personality of the Year.