Al Rantel

Alfred Anthony Quarantello Jr. (born October 14, 1955), better known by his professional name Al Rantel, is a conservative talk show host. Rantel's most recent contract was with KABC radio, Los Angeles, California. He retired for medical reasons in June, 2009. Rantel is unusual in being an outspoken conservative who is openly gay.[1] He worked in Florida for many years prior to moving to KABC, and has appeared as a pundit on television news and discussion programs. Rantel received the opportunity to work in Los Angeles at radio station KABC due to the encouragement of another East Coast transplanted talk host, Tom Leykis. Rantel previously worked for Los Angeles station KNX and Florida stations WINZ, WNWS, and WFTL.[2]

Al Rantel
Born
Alfred Anthony Quarantello Jr.

(1955-10-14) October 14, 1955
United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRadio show host

Guests

Rantel frequently features guests on his program, coordinating a weekly simulcast with British talkSport host Mike Mendoza (despite the fact that Mendoza has compared homosexuality to pedophilia[3]) and often conversing with conservative author Ann Coulter. When Coulter appears, she usually does so in the first segment of the evening program. Democratic strategist Bob Mulholland, Republican strategist Michael Wissot, public-relations guru Michael Levine, and columnists John Leboutillier, Gustavo Arellano and Bruce Bialosky often appear on the program; former California governors Jerry Brown, Gray Davis, and Pete Wilson have made occasional appearances. Despite the numerous appearances of conservatives such as Ann Coulter, the program often features guests with very different opinions than the host. In addition, many guests are authors or leaders of a particular organization.

On the morning program, Newsmax Media writers often appear to discuss various issues with Rantel. Prior to February 27, 2006, his evening show usually ended with a brief conversation with Mr. KABC; this tradition ended with the expanded syndication of Mark Levin on KABC and WABC.

During the California recall election, Rantel referred to then-Governor Gray Davis as "Governor Lowbeam." He has since not described Davis by that name; Rantel has also remarked that he respects Davis as a former statesman and values his commentary.

When Rantel is absent, Carol Platt Liebau, Rob Nelson or a KABC colleague hosts the program. Rantel, for his part, occasionally hosted The Larry Elder Show when Elder was absent.

Political views

Rantel is a political conservative and is a supporter of the policies and presidency of Ronald Reagan.[4] He is distinctively critical of what he perceives to be political correctness, very supportive of Israel, and irritated by antisemitism, outsourcing of tech support, excessive body weight, and certain statements of Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and Madeleine Albright. Primarily in regard to differences with the Bush administration over illegal immigration issues, Rantel was noticeably at odds with specific policies of George W. Bush and Republican members of Congress.

On same-sex marriage

Rantel has been critical of same-sex marriage.[1]

Health issues

On Jan 23, 2008, Larry Elder read a statement from Al Rantel on the air at 6:30 PM announcing to his listeners that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy for it. Al's fill-in host Tammy Bruce also made the same announcement in her segment of the show. On May 27, 2008, Rantel returned to the air on KABC.[5]

Rantel suffered another health emergency in August 2008 when he slipped and fell in the parking structure of his apartment building, necessitating hip and shoulder replacement.[6] After yet another extended hiatus from the airways, on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, it was announced, Rantel would be retiring from KABC at his doctor's request. On Doug McIntyre's morning show, Al shared that he would be moving temporarily to Vancouver, Canada, to rest and recuperate.[7]

Other information

Rantel had supported College Republican groups by coordinating live broadcasts on college campuses in Southern California. He was formerly an Advisory Board member of the Bruin Alumni Association,[8] resigning after expressing displeasure with the direction of the group.

On the night of the 2008 presidential election, Rantel announced that he had voted for Democrat Barack Obama, citing his anger with the Republican party and its nominee John McCain as the reason for doing so. Shortly after the announcement, fellow KABC talk show host Larry Elder has referred to Rantel as one half of the Marx Brothers, stating that he believed Rantel didn't believe in the conservative principles he professed and that by voting for Obama, he demonstrated more Marxist leanings.

Controversy

During a discussion on US airport security on September 10, 2007, Rantel allegedly said that if his mother had to take her shoes off during a security screening, "... then why shouldn't a Sikh be required to take off the hat that looks like a diaper ...?" The alleged remark angered the Sikh community, which reportedly planned some public protests.[9]

References
  1. Rantel, Al (February 11, 2004), Gay Talk Show Host Opposes Gay Marriage, Newsmax.com, archived from the original on December 22, 2007, retrieved 2007-10-18
  2. Al Rantel, AlRantel.com, archived from the original on September 3, 2007, retrieved 2007-10-18
  3. "Talksport rapped over gay jibes", BBC News, August 20, 2007, retrieved 2007-10-18
  4. Rantel, Al (June 14, 2004), Hindsight on Reagan Years Provides Lessons for This Election Year, Newsmax.com, archived from the original on March 1, 2009, retrieved 2007-10-18
  5. "Rantel to return to the airwaves". Quick Takes. The Los Angeles Times. 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  6. "Talk show host Al Rantel to leave KABC". The Orange County Register. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  7. "Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  8. Maclachlan, Malcolm (January 26, 2006), "Morrow resigns from Bruin Alumni Association Board", Capitol Weekly, archived from the original on September 28, 2007, retrieved 2007-10-18
  9. "Comparing turban to diaper angers US Sikhs". The Times of India. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
Television appearance transcripts
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