L.A.'s Beloved Talk Radio Personality
It was so wonderful to hear Al Rantel's voice on the air again. In January 2008, the popular AM 790 KABC talk radio host learned he had a treatable form of lymphoma. For the next few months, Al endured grueling treatment, including hospitalization and chemotherapy. Finally in May, Al was back to work with a hopeful prognosis and sounding stronger than ever. Unfortunately, his return to the air waves was short-lived. In August 2008, Al suffered a serious fall in the parking lot at his apartment complex and was sidelined once again. Now comes word that Al Rantel is retiring from radio. His final KABC broadcast took place on Thursday, June 25. Although his lymphoma is in remission, Al is experiencing chronic pain from the fall and will be moving to Vancouver for focused therapy and rehabilitation.
In a statement to LARadio.com's Don Barrett, Al Rantel explained his decision: When I'm in a seated position for a long time I start getting a burning in the muscles and in the rotary cup. I told the doctors that even with the Vicodin and Celebrex and all this crap they have me on, I'm still in pain. I don't want to take more pain medication. I was in so much pain I had to go on anti-depressants because it was so debilitating, which I've never had to take because I'm such a sunshiny guy, if I do say so myself. So in fairness to my fans and the brand that I've built over the years, I've decided to step away for now.
Over the past few months, several guest hosts have covered for Al, including John Phillips, Marc Germain, Peter Tilden, Tammy Bruce, and Curtis Sliwa. KABC has announced that John Phillips will now fill the slot on a regular basis.
In a statement to LARadio.com's Don Barrett, Al Rantel explained his decision: When I'm in a seated position for a long time I start getting a burning in the muscles and in the rotary cup. I told the doctors that even with the Vicodin and Celebrex and all this crap they have me on, I'm still in pain. I don't want to take more pain medication. I was in so much pain I had to go on anti-depressants because it was so debilitating, which I've never had to take because I'm such a sunshiny guy, if I do say so myself. So in fairness to my fans and the brand that I've built over the years, I've decided to step away for now.
Over the past few months, several guest hosts have covered for Al, including John Phillips, Marc Germain, Peter Tilden, Tammy Bruce, and Curtis Sliwa. KABC has announced that John Phillips will now fill the slot on a regular basis.
790 KABC
Al Rantel
A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia
Rantel is one of the few personalities in the industry to host two shows daily, Monday through Friday.Rantel has characterized his program with several trademarks: live on-the-spot promotions of products and services (unusual in talk radio), frequent presentation of unusual and unknown news stories, and citation of analogies and adages, many of which are his own. Soundbites are rarely used, and bumper music is marginalized; segments sometimes begin with the word "all right", the time, or a linkage to the words of the continuity announcer. On the two Friday programs, different bumper music is used; Rantel calls the music clip "the Friday announcement." As a non-syndicated local radio personality, Rantel has a unique manner of announcing his broadcast station, KABC (he formerly elongated the letter "K" and currently inserts the phrase "real radio, live and local").
Rantel has also been known to do vocal imitations of various people. He frequently does so when criticizing statements of George W. Bush on illegal immigration. In return, Brian Whitman does a dead-on impression of Rantel whenever he is a guest on Rantel's program.
Al Says:
I like to challenge listeners, not be a switchboard operator answering calls. I believe that people want someone who is real... even if they don't agree with you.
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Talk show host Al Rantel to leave KABC - Entertainment - OCRegister.com
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Al's Book Store
Recommended Reading
Tales from the Left Coast: True Stories of Hollywood Stars and Their Outrageous Politics
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 12/26/2009) 
Off with Their Heads : Traitors, Crooks & Obstructionists in American Politics, Media & Business
Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)
Twice Adopted: An Important Social Commentator Speaks to the Cultural Ailments Threatening America Today
Amazon Price: $18.24 (as of 12/26/2009)
American Soldier
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 12/26/2009)
Hollywood, Interrupted: Insanity Chic in BabylonThe Case Against Celebrity
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/26/2009)
What's the Buzz on Al Rantel?
Here's What Bloggers are Saying About Al Rantel
- Top local radio stories of 2009 | radio, news, year ...
- KABC/790 AM shook things up in the past year ? gone were Larry Elder, Al Rantel, Doug McIntyre ? all popular personalities who departed for different reasons. The end result was ? whether you agreed or not with the changes ? the ...
- Wayne Root media appearances
- ?The Al Rantel Show? KABC Radio, Los Angeles, CA KTFA Public Radio Berkeley, CA FOX NEWS Channel (TV) Neil Cavuto Pacifica Radio Network National Radio ?The Ian Collins Show? National UK Radio ?The Charles Adler Show? National Canadian ...
- SoCal Media Scoop: Al Rantel says good bye
- After ten years behind the mic at KABC, Al Rantel will broadcast his last and final show with us tonight at 7pm. Tune in as he bids KABC and his listeners a very fond and heartfelt farewell. Al will be joining John Phillips tonight and ...
- SoCal Media Scoop: Al Rantel to leave KABC
- Al Rantel will retire from KABC 790 this Thursday night. Rantel is a survivor of lymphoma but continues to suffer the consequences from a fall. He will be moving up to Vancouver to receive further therapy for his chronic pain. ...
Here's my favorite link:
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- Eddie Eddie Jun 24, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
- Al Rantal and Doug McIntyre are the best. Now were stuck with Sean Hannity and Mark Levine. We"ll just have to find the other half of the truth somewhere else now. It would be nice if we could get someone else who is honest about both sides. The only one I can think of is Curtis Sliwa! Those on the right can listen to hannity and Levine, and those on the left can listen to Oberman. Those who want some accuracy can tune in to McIntyre and hopefully Curtis Sliwa if he can get the spot! Al is one of a kind, but I hope we don't get another hack to replace him. Al Rantal, I wish you the best of luck in your life, in everthing you do. Good luck from all of us.
god bless you,
Eddie
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 5, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
- Many people share your view...
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- Carrieann Carrieann Jun 5, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
- I listened to Al - ever since he came to CA - but, when he voted for Obama - THAT was the last straw --- I haven't listened to him or KABC since!!
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