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ENTERCOM Active Rock KRXQ (98 ROCK)/SACRAMENTO has pulled locally-based syndicated morning show ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN off the air for the rest of the week after they aired a bit WEDNESDAY (4/17) in which the hosts spoke about making a "top 5" list of reasons to hate BOSTON.

The hiatus follows criticism from crosstown CBS RADIO Sports KHTK-A (CBS SPORTS RADIO 1140)/SACRAMENTO morning host DON GERONIMO, who ripped the trio for the bit and for spending some of TUESDAY's show asking whether it was too soon to joke about BOSTON.

On ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN's website, the show posted a statement criticizing KRXQ for taking the show off the air, calling GERONIMO "a SACRAMENTO radio host who would love to call himself a 'competitor,' but who instead is just another bottom-feeder looking and hoping for ways to better himself by disparaging and defaming us, our show and others in the local media market. Outrageously, he came out claiming that we in some way intended or were being insensitive or callous to the victims of the BOSTON tragedy. We refuse to stoop to this individual's despicable level, but instead want our listeners to know and understand that we did not, would not, and under no circumstances have intended in any way to have been insensitive, callous, dismissive, disparaging or otherwise to or of the victims of the BOSTON tragedy. To the contrary, of course we are and have been sickened, disgusted and angered at whomever the cowards (are) who carried out the senseless and disgraceful terrorist acts and the terrible injuries and harm caused to innocent victims."

The statement added, "For reasons unclear to us, our SACRAMENTO carrier, 98 ROCK (KRXQ), allowed itself to be bullied and misled by the local radio host who so grossly distorted truth and facts, and in 98 ROCK's ill-judgment, it informed us late WEDNESDAY evening that we are pulled off the air until MONDAY. We understand a radio station's desire and instinct to protect itself for economic and political purposes, but this is absurd. Our SACRAMENTO carrier has elected a knee-jerk reaction to a fabricated and manufactured smear campaign by a local thug who is more than happy and willing to politicize and sensationalize the BOSTON tragedy for his own short-term gain. To this, we at the ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN SHOW say, you're a sad, pathetic character, shame on you, and shame on 98 ROCK and their parent company, ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS.

"We encourage our faithful listeners and all other truth-seekers to call in and e-mail. As always, thank you for your support -- and you may hear us again in SACRAMENTO MONDAY!"

Entercom's Response:

ENTERCOM VP/MARKET Manager SEAN SHANNON explained the decision to take ROB, ARNIE and DAWN Show off 98 ROCK with the following statement: "This MONDAY in BOSTON was a tragedy. There is nothing funny about it. We disagree with how ROB, ARNIE and DAWN treated those events and thus took their syndicated show off the air. We prefer the focus to be on our friends, colleagues and the city of BOSTON in this difficult time."

Geromino's Response:

While 98 ROCK stuck with music in the show's absence, GERONIMO opened THURSDAY's show by playing clips of WEDNESDAY's ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN show, including joking about the "top 5 list" (with ROB saying that "that's how we express our solidarity with the people of BOSTON" and ARNIE adding that he'd never been to BOSTON, and claiming he could come up with nine things), discussing how a man whose legs were blown off while watching his girlfriend run could "hold that over her head forever," and asking whether it was too soon for jokes about BOSTON (with one of the three saying "no" while DAWN said "yes").

The hosts were also heard criticizing the NEW YORK YANKEES for playing "Sweet Caroline" ("that's disgusting") and OAKLAND A's fans for chanting "let's go BOSTON" in support of the stricken city (ROB saying "I'd have been standing with my hands in my pockets saying 'really?'") and PHILLIES centerfielder BEN REVERE for taping the words "Pray for BOSTON" on his glove.

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