Whoopi Out, Forman Back In Mornings At WLIT/Chicago

Going And Coming

WHOOPI GOLDBERG's syndicated show has lost its CHICAGO affiliate. ROBERT FEDER reports in the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES that CLEAR CHANNEL AC WLIT (LITE FM) is axing the show after 14 months on the air. GOLDBERG, whose show has been a disaster in the ratings for LITE FM, will air for the last time TODAY.

Starting MONDAY, mornings again will be hosted by MELISSA FORMAN, who'd held the job for five years before GOLDBERG started in AUGUST, 2006. After six months off, FORMAN was rehired to host afternoons last FEBRUARY. Under a new two-year deal signed THURSDAY, she will be heard live in mornings and voicetracked in afternoons.

I obviously made a mistake in replacing Melissa a year ago, and the ratings have suffered.

"I obviously made a mistake in replacing MELISSA a year ago, and the ratings have suffered," said CLEAR CHANNEL RVP/Programming DARREN DAVIS. "To be frank, I simply underestimated CHICAGO's love for MELISSA. But CHICAGO has spoken, and CHICAGOLAND clearly wants to hear MELISSA on the LITE every morning. I'm just thrilled to have MELISSA back where she belongs."

She "can't wait to dust off that alarm clock," FORMAN said. "You have no idea how much it means to me to be back on mornings at the LITE. I have missed the listeners and waking up with them every day. The statement management has made is a lesson in grace and class. I am so incredibly humbled by the support and outreach of so many amazing listeners."

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