Bill Maher and WKLH

UPDATE: Marquette Warrior has the latest from WKLH.

John McAdams writes:

The verdict? Sort of a non-verdict, actually. Joerres stated that all of the station’s contractual obligations to Maher’s promoters have been satisified, and the issue is now moot. There is nothing “left to be done,” he said. He said it was “a moot point” and “behind us.”

It may be moot, but as of 5:55 PM today, WKLH is still listed as Bill Maher's sponsor at the Riverside's site.

Nothing left to be done? Not exactly moot.


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John McAdams has an update on WKLH's sponsorship of Bill Maher's July 24, 2008 show at the Riverside in Milwaukee.

WKLH sent him the following e-mail:

Hi John,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the Bill Maher show. I’ll call you shortly, but first a little background about our promotional involvement.

Our agreement with Pabst/Riverside was a term agreement whereby we partnered to promote several shows within a calendar window.

We are involved in actual artist booking & recommendation ONLY for those shows that benefit station-specific events or charities such as our Christmas for Kids benefit or Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin fundraisers.

At the time of the arrangement Mr. Maher had not made his insensitive remarks, although we will not hide behind that circumstance as an excuse.

The vast majority of shows we have promoted have been well received and non-controversial, including the many that have supported our Dave & Carole Miracle Marathon for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Christmas for Kids.

Mr. Maher’s comments have obviously offended many people. While we usually let the market dictate the success or failure of a given show, we will reconsider our promotional involvement with this show.

Thank you for sharing your comments.

Bob Bellini
Program Director
96.5 WKLH Milwaukee

Bellini certainly is playing up WKLH's charity efforts. The station deserves credit for all it does for the community's children. To be sure, it's God's work. It stands in stark contrast to Maher's message.

McAdams writes that "the people who run WKLH will be meeting later today to decide what to do about this situation."

He suggests:

A call to 414-978-9000, or an e-mail to Tjoerres@mkeradiogrp.com (station manager Tom Joerres) with a civil statement about how the station should distance itself from this kind of bigotry would be in order.