Rush Limbaugh

Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (born January 12, 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri) is a popular American entertainer and radio talk show host. A commentator with a conservative point of view, he discusses politics and current events on his show, The Rush Limbaugh Show. For over 15 years (and continuing as of 2005), Rush Limbaugh has been the most listened-to radio talk show host in the United States and the world, and has an audience estimated by Arbitron at 20 million listeners weekly, the second largest overall radio audience after Paul Harvey.

Public life

1970s

After dropping out of Southeast Missouri State University and getting his draft waiver, he moved to Pittsburgh and became a Top 40 music radio disc jockey on station WIXZ.

Related Topics:
Southeast Missouri State University - Pittsburgh - Top 40 - Disc jockey - WIXZ

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In October 1972, he moved to KQV, using the name Jeff Christie. It was in Pittsburgh that many of Limbaugh's trademarks developed, such as a claim to use a "golden microphone" (which eventually became true in the 1990s on The Rush Limbaugh Show.)

Related Topics:
October - 1972 - KQV

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After several years in music radio, Limbaugh took a break from radio and accepted a position as director of promotions with the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

Related Topics:
Music radio - Kansas City Royals - Baseball

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1980s

In 1984, Limbaugh returned to radio as a talk show host at KFBK in Sacramento, California.

Related Topics:
1984 - KFBK - Sacramento, California

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After achieving local success, he moved to the top radio market in New York City (and his current flagship station, WABC) in the late 1980s.

Related Topics:
New York City - 1980s

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On August 1, 1988 he became syndicated nationally though Premiere Radio Networks which is owned by the publicly-traded Clear Channel Communications. (Limbaugh refers on-air to the "Excellence In Broadcasting Network", or "E-I-B"; however, this is merely an on-air signature, as there is no organization with that name.)

Related Topics:
August 1 - 1988 - Premiere Radio Networks - Clear Channel Communications

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1990s

The program rapidly grew in popularity and moved to stations with larger audiences.

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Guest host

Limbaugh's first television exposure came with a 1990 guest host stint on Pat Sajak's late-night program on CBS. After a confrontation with ACT UP gay activists in the studio audience, protesting what they perceived as anti-gay hate speech (such as "AIDS updates" that some perceived as celebrating the deaths of people with AIDS), the studio audience was removed so that Limbaugh could finish the show.

Related Topics:
1990 - Pat Sajak - CBS - ACT UP

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Author

In 1992, Limbaugh published his first book, The Way Things Ought To Be, followed by See, I Told You So in 1993.

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Subject of books

The first book about Limbaugh appears to be the 1993 Rush Limbaugh and the Bible by Daniel J. Evearitt. One reviewer said "Dr. Evearitt is very uncomfortable sharing the label 'conservative' with Limbaugh." and notes that it contains chapters like "No Wife, No Kids -- Is This Man an Expert on Family Values?" http://www.rtis.com/reg/bcs/pol/touchstone/april97/arn2.html

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Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) complied a list of forty-three errors Limbaugh allegedly made during various shows. Limbaugh responded to about half of the original claims; FAIR then rebutted his rebuttal. And the rebutted rebuttals continued. For the full text of the original, the rebuttal and the rebuttal of the rebuttal, see http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1895, http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1906, and http://www.fair.org/press-releases/fair-limbaugh-rebuttal.html, respectively. Critics such as L. Brent Bozell's Media Research Center have charged that FAIR is liberal and partisan http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/bozell200407080856.asp.

Related Topics:
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting - L. Brent Bozell's - Media Research Center - Liberal

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In 1995, FAIR published an entire book, The Way Things Aren't: Rush Limbaugh's Reign of Error: Over 100 Outrageously False and Foolish Statements from America's Most Powerful Radio and TV Commentator, alleging errors by Limbaugh. His defenders claim that because Limbaugh talks unscripted for fifteen broadcast hours a week the number of alleged factual errors is, under the circumstances, very small.

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Television show

Limbaugh's second attempt at television was a syndicated half-hour show running from 1992 through 1996, with Roger Ailes as executive producer. The television show discussed many of the same topics as his radio show, and was taped in front of a live audience, which he facetiously claimed had to pass an intelligence test in order to be admitted. Reportedly, Limbaugh ended the show due to disappointment that it was aired too late in the evening in many markets (in many places it was aired at 1:30 AM or even later) and because of the immense amount of time required to prepare for the show.

Related Topics:
Syndicated - Roger Ailes

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Al Franken and weight

In 1996, Al Franken released a book and CD titled Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations which, among other political humor from a liberal perspective, included harsh criticism of Limbaugh and his allegedly meager fact-finding efforts. The "Fat" portion of the title of the book was a jibe at Limbaugh's weight and alleged rudeness on the radio during the time in which the book was first published. Sometime afterwards, Limbaugh began to go on various diets. On November 20, 1999, he appeared on CNBC's Tim Russert show describing his weight loss: "I got to 325 at my highest. And ...I lost the weight in two stages, and I'm now at 215. So that's--yeah, 110 pounds." He claimed his secret to weight loss is pasta.

Related Topics:
Al Franken - CD - Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations

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2000s

Deafness

By September 2001, Limbaugh's listeners had noted changes in his voice and diction, changes that Limbaugh initially did not acknowledge. However, on October 8, 2001, Limbaugh admitted that the changes in his voice were due to complete deafness in his left ear and substantial hearing loss in his right ear. He also revealed that his radio staff was aiding him in continuing to accept calls on his show, despite his rapidly progressing hearing loss by setting up a system where he could appear to hear his callers. The system worked remarkably well, but did not convince all listeners, some of whom noted a long delay between a caller ending his point and Limbaugh responding, and occasionally speaking over a caller.

Related Topics:
September 2001 - October 8 - 2001 - Deafness - Ear - Hearing loss

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In December 2001, Limbaugh underwent cochlear implant surgery, which restored a measure of hearing in one ear, and his voice and enunciation improved.

Related Topics:
December 2001 - Cochlear implant

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According to Limbaugh's doctors, Limbaugh's deafness was caused by an autoimmune disease. When Limbaugh revealed http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/10/10/rush.limbaugh/ in 2003 that he was addicted to pain killers, some doctors drew a link between his deafness and his drug addiction that resulted from the medication Limbaugh was prescribed to alleviate his chronic back-pain. http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/515577.htmlhttp://www.reflector.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/drue/515577.html Nonetheless, no linkage between hydrocodone and deafness has been scientifically substantiated, although the House Ear Clinic, who performed Limbaugh's cochlear implant surgery, issued a public statement warning of the possible correlation between habitual use of pain killers containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen, and permanent hearing loss.

Related Topics:
Autoimmune disease - Hydrocodone

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ESPN commentator

On July 14, 2003, ESPN announced that Limbaugh would be joining ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown show as a weekly commentator when it premiered on September 7. Limbaugh would provide the "voice of the fan" and was supposed to spark debate on the show. http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0714/1580436.html

Related Topics:
July 14 - 2003 - September 7

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Limbaugh certainly succeeded at the latter. On September 28, Limbaugh ignited a controversy http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627887 with his comments about Donovan McNabb, the Black quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles:

Related Topics:
September 28 - Donovan McNabb - Quarterback - Philadelphia Eagles

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:"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

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McNabb was the highest paid NFL player in history at the time http://www.bet.com/articles/1,,c1gb4043-4730,00.html, and defenders of Limbaugh's comments point out that McNabb had the worst start of his career in the 2003 season and was the NFL's lowest-rated starting quarterback. McNabb's defenders say that to his credit, McNabb was a runner-up for the year 2000 league Most Valuable Player, a member of three Pro Bowl teams, and led his team to two straight NFC championship games. McNabb had suffered a broken leg during the 2002 season, and had been slow to recover.

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The Reverend Al Sharpton, a Democratic Party candidate for President, encouraged Limbaugh's firing from ESPN, threatening a boycott of all Disney companies, including the American Broadcasting Company, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World. Presidential candidates Howard Dean and Wesley Clark joined in the criticism, as did the NAACP. Limbaugh responded by saying that he must have been right; otherwise, the comments would not have sparked such outrage.

Related Topics:
Al Sharpton - Democratic Party - President - Boycott - Disney - American Broadcasting Company - Disneyland - Walt Disney World - Howard Dean - Wesley Clark - NAACP

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On October 1, 2003, Limbaugh resigned from ESPN with the statement:

Related Topics:
October 1 - 2003

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: "My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated. I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret. I love NFL Sunday Countdown and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it. Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen."

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Limbaugh insisted that his comments were aimed at other members of the media, and not at McNabb or African Americans. It has been suggested that Limbaugh's fellow commentators on the program, some of whom were African-American former football players, may have played a role behind the scenes in ending Limbaugh's career as a football commentator. After Limbaugh's resignation, Sunday NFL Countdown co-host Tom Jackson, who is African American, said on the airhttp://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=Culturerchive€310CUL20031007b.html:

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: "Let me just say that it was not our decision to have Rush Limbaugh on this show. I've seen replay after replay of Limbaugh's comments with my face attached as well as that of my colleagues, comments which made us very uncomfortable at the time, although the depth and the insensitive nature of which weren't fully felt until it seemed too late to reply. He was brought here to talk football, and he broke that trust. Rush told us the social commentary for which he is so well known would not cross over to our show, and instead, he would represent the viewpoint of the intelligent, passionate fan. Rush Limbaugh was not a fit for NFL Countdown."

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Painkiller addiction

In early October 2003 and in the same week as the McNabb controversy, the National Enquirer reported that Limbaugh was being investigated for illegally buying prescription drugs. Limbaugh's former housekeeper, under investigation for drug dealing, alleged that Limbaugh was addicted to prescription opioid painkillers such as OxyContin and Lorcet (a combination of Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and hydrocodone) and that he went through detox twice. Other news outlets quickly confirmed the beginnings of an investigation. The highly addictive painkillers function similarly to and belong to the same drug group as morphine and heroin, or a stronger form of codeine.

Related Topics:
October 2003 - National Enquirer - Drug dealing - OxyContin - Lorcet - Paracetamol - Hydrocodone - Detox - Morphine - Heroin - Codeine

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On October 10, 2003, Limbaugh admitted to listeners on his radio show that he was addicted to prescription painkillers and stated that he would enter inpatient treatment for 30 days, immediately following the broadcast. He did not specifically mention which pain medications he was addicted to. Speaking about his behavior, Limbaugh went on to say:

Related Topics:
October 10 - 2003

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: "I am not making any excuses. You know, over the years, athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great role models and examples for others. Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds and never resort to such escapes."

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: "They are the role models. I am no victim and do not portray myself as such. I take full responsibility for my problem. At the present time the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete."

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Following Limbaugh's admission of drug addiction, his detractors reviewed prior statements by him about drug addicts as examples of hypocrisy. Several statements from the 1990s were found, in particular, on October 5, 1995:

Related Topics:
Hypocrisy - October 5 - 1995

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: "There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. Drug use destroys societies. Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods which become consumed by them. And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up."

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and in 1998:

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: "What is missing in the drug fight is legalization. If we want to go after drugs with the same fervor and intensity with which we go after cigarettes, let's legalize drugs. Legalize the manufacture of drugs. License the Cali cartel. Make them taxpayers, and then sue them. Sue them left and right, and then get control of the price, and generate tax revenue from it. Raise the price sky high, and fund all sorts of other wonderful social programs."

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An article in the January 12, 2004 issue of Human Events (The National Conservative Weekly) presented its reaction to the media attention of Limbaugh's addiction, calling it a 'Network War' against Limbaugh. It charged network anchors with engaging in exaggerated and inflammatory rhetoric by implying Limbaugh was involved in "drug sales" or "drug gangs." Timeline

Related Topics:
January 12 - 2004

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An investigation into alleged "doctor shopping" is ongoing in the state of Florida.

Related Topics:
Doctor shopping - Florida

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Limbaugh's attorney Roy Black alleges that the chief county prosecutor investigating Limbaugh, an elected Democrat, is politically motivated. The ACLU, an organization often lambasted by Limbaugh, has come to his defense, claiming that the district attorney violated Limbaugh's constitutional rights by "fishing" through his private medical records. This investigation has, as of 2005, brought no criminal charges.

Related Topics:
Roy Black - ACLU - As of 2005

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Limbaugh states his addiction to painkillers came as a result of long-term back pain he had been suffering for several years.

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American Forces Network controversy

On May 26, 2004, Eric Boehler wrote in a Salon.com article that American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) airs The Rush Limbaugh Show, but no corresponding liberal-leaning political show. Melvin Russell, director of AFRTS, defended Limbaugh's presence, by pointing to Limbaugh's high ratings in the US: "We look at the most popular shows broadcast here in the United States and try to mirror that. is the No. 1 talk show host in the States; there's no question about that. Because of that we provide him on our service." Limbaugh himself pointed out that AFRTS aired many hours of National Public Radio, which he asserted was liberal programming. The Howard Stern show, which draws eight million listeners a week, was absent from AFRTS.

Related Topics:
May 26 - 2004 - Salon.com - American Forces Radio and Television Service - The Rush Limbaugh Show - National Public Radio - Howard Stern

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Anti-war protesters and the media

On August 15, 2005, Limbaugh compared the actions and news coverage of Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war protester and mother of slain soldier Casey Sheehan, to that of alleged document forger Bill Burkett: "The fact is that they are too eager. I mean, Cindy Sheehan is just Bill Burkett. Her story is nothing more than forged documents. There's nothing about it that's a (sic) real, including the mainstream media's glomming onto it. It's not real." http://mediamatters.org/items/200508220003 Afterwards he said that he was not questioning the authenticity of her claims, but he meant her response was a staged media event. http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_081805/content/truth_detector.guest.html

Related Topics:
August 15 - 2005 - Cindy Sheehan - Casey Sheehan - Bill Burkett

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