Atlanta Radio: Claudia Jordan OFF The Rickey Smiley Show

Rickey Smiley, Claudia Jordan

Recently fired from the cast of Housewives of Atlanta, Claudia Jordan has now lost her job as co-host on the Atlan-based Ricky Smiley Show, heard on WHTA Hot 107.9 FM.

 Ricky’s politically correct statement was “ Our girl Claudia Jordan is moving on after a year on ‘The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,’ and we will miss her. Just want to thank her for her time with us and we wish her nothing but the best.”

Claudia followed suit, for the most part, in addition to mentioning in her statement that she is the second woman to be let go of within a year and that she will pursue other opportunities that will allow her to “better showcase her talents.”

The Atlanta Constitution reports the radio show’s ratings on Hot are up year over year overall and among 25-54 year olds but have fallen among younger listeners. Last month, it ranked in a tie for 13th overall with a 3.7 share overall compared to a 2.6 share in June, 2014. Among 25 to 54 year olds, it’s up to a 4.4 share from a 4.2 share a year ago. Among 18 to 34 year olds, it fell from a 7.2 and second place in June 2014 to 7th place with a 4.6 last month.

AC quotes a source saying Smiley, in a huff, had stopped talking to Jordan a couple of weeks ago. With ratings down in many markets, the source said Smiley was looking for excuses. (His show is syndicated in more than 50 markets, including St. Louis, Miami, Detroit, Dallas and Chicago.)

“Claudia was an easy target,” the source said, although whenever they made public appearances, fans flocked to Jordan. That may have bugged Smiley, too, the source said.

“She’s the most interesting person on the show,” the source added. “Rickey couldn’t have that.”

She plans to relocated to the West Coast.