The Los Angeles Times is reporting on the return of Tavis Smiley after sexual harassment allegations forced him out of PBS in 2017.
An internal investigation into claims levied against Smiley found “uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS”. A judge also ordered him to pay PBS $2.6 million for his indiscretions.
Now he is back and formed a Black talk radio network called KBLA 1580.
He managed to snag some of the hottest names from the Black-owned radio station owned by music legend Stevie Wonder along with Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles head Melina Abdullah.
Dominique Diprima, a well-known activist, pushed aside the allegations and was one of the first to announce her new show on Smiley’s station. Don Amiche also joined the station but departed in January saying, “Leaving KBLA – amazing ride…..always indebted to Tavis Smiley…..Lock me in! #DonAmicheLIVE otw. ❤️‼️ hit the subscription button‼️❤️” but stopped short of providing a reason why. Diprima’s former intern, Avi Bernard, joined KBLA last month, after 13 years with KJLH.
DL Hughley also brought his popular podcast to the upstart station.
Since his return, Smiley has been on the receiving end of high-profile interviews with LAPD Chief Michael Moore right before he was handed an additional five-year term and he also hosted a highly coveted debate between former Sheriff Alex Villanueva against Robert Luna, who was elected to the role last Nov. Embattled Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was also in attendance.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Ridley-Thomas “endorsed” the new station three months before he was indicted on federal public corruption charges and he was invited onstage to speak during a rally the station had before Karen Bass was sworn in as mayor of Los Angeles.
Smiley was not credited with being in attendance for an ecumenical prayer service held on March 5 for MRT nor is he listed as a contributor to his legal defense fund.
After Luna’s election, Smiley was the first and only Black-focused radio station he has spoken to.
Now the Los Angeles Times has focused its sites on how Smiley has been able to stage a comeback.
Smiley doesn’t pay to know what his ratings are but still manages to rake in advertising dollars from local government entities.
Several payments have been made from Inglewood taxpayers for advertising during his show.
“On this side of the PBS drama, what you hear in my voice is a sincere depth of gratitude to be back in the game, back in the business, to be in this space,” Smiley said recently in a lounge at his Crenshaw Boulevard studio, in one of the few interviews he has given in the last five years. “The sweet spot for me has always been talking to people. These three hours on the radio are the best part of my day.”
The Times basically uncovers that PBS is suing Smiley to get their $2.6 million, the transfer of the station’s FCC license has stalled because a loan he applied for from the Small Business Administration still hasn’t been funded, and his business partners include Bill Maher and Ice Cube.
If I didn’t know any better, it seems as though the newspaper is questioning if Smiley is being paid by a funding source close to Mark Ridley-Thomas for favorable coverage of him in the Black community, along with snagging reputable “on-air talent” which should ultimately confirm the station’s value to receive his SBA loan.
Coincidentally, The Times failed to cover the last two days of Ridley-Thomas’ trial but Smiley has hired a legal correspondent to cover the trial delay, for the trial which is expected to last a month.
To read the full article on Smiley’s comeback click here.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist for 2UrbanGirls.com and contributing writer for the Los Angeles Wave newspaper.
