Earlier this month, AM 560 The Answer morning host Amy Jacobson exited as part of a cost-cutting move. For the first time, her co-host, Dan Proft, shared his sentiments.
Proft had been on vacation when Jacobson saw her position on Chicago’s Morning Answer eliminated. When he returned this week, he addressed Jacobson’s exit.
“It’s a business decision and a difficult one,” said Proft. “I mean, it’s not like everybody here didn’t like Amy, including a corporate. She was here for more than 15 years, so that speaks to it. But I know that there were people that were surprised, including Amy.
“The nature of the business is once a business decision has been made to take somebody off the air, it’s pretty rare when they get an opportunity to go out on their own terms and have their farewell. And I know that comes across as cold to people. I get it, it could happen to me at some point. Probably will. But that’s just the nature of the business.”
In the wake of the exit of Amy Jacobson, Dan Proft read a letter to AM 560 The Answer listeners from his departed co-host, who didn’t get the opportunity to share her feelings on the air.
Included in the letter was a portion that Jacobson wanted to make clear that Proft had nothing to do with her leaving the Salem Media Group Chicago news/talk outlet.
“Now, there are a few conspiracy theorists who suggested Dan Proft had something to do with my termination,” the letter from Jacobson read. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Dan and I were friends before I arrived at AM 560, and he remains one of my treasured friends. Though at times we might have disagreed or teased, our friendship has never diminished. I will count my years working with him as some of my most cherished.
“Dan is one of the smartest people I’ve ever known, and I will miss working with him immensely,” she continued. “Over the years, he has grown to be more like a brother. I feel I’m a better commentator and journalist for having worked with him. I will miss him terribly.”
Proft concluded his sentiments about Jacobson’s departure with words of admiration of his own.
“It’s been a long-running personal and professional relationship (with Amy Jacobson),” Proft shared. “And those are not some things that you discard very lightly. And I certainly won’t.”
After Jacobson’s exit, Proft is now hosting mornings on AM 560 The Answer by himself.
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That was a huge mistake letting Amy go. Dan is great but the 2 of them together was better. Please reconsider.
Thrilled Amy is gone – she was a master at stating the obvious and loved to carry on about herself. It was too annoying and repetitive. Enjoyed every minute of the program this week. Thank you!!
Sounds like you’re jealous.
The show has gone downhill! Big mistake letting Amy go.
I loved the balance the Dan and Amy had together. For my mornings, I don’t always like being serious all the time. It was nice to hear their light-hearted section one half hour segment, followed by a more serious one. Dan is extremely good and a great deep thinker. However, I think management has miss-read their morning audience here.
Sadly, I will no longer be listening to 560 in the morning. Amy and Dan made the news, stories and ideas a great way to wake up each day. Fortunately, WLS has a good morning show that can now count me in as a new listener.
Good luck Amy!!!
I am bummed. The show is not the same now. It was the interaction that gave this program its charm and appeal. I will not be tuning in regularly anymore.