Several outlets are reporting that longtime Tom Joyner Morning Show sidekick J. Anthony Brown has walked off the show.
Urban Insite announced that the comedian/personality quit the show over a pay dispute.
Sources revealed to Urban Insite that the situation stemmed from Brown receiving a 50% pay cut. The site reasoned that the issue was “directly related” to Brown’s attitude and disappearance from the long-running radio show.
Reach Media reportedly replied to online publication with a transcript of an off-air conversation that took place between Brown, “TJMS” creator and co-host Tom Joyner and their fellow co-host Sybil Wilkes.
Brown mentioned that he was not alright after Joyner checked on him and added that he was “quitting.” Thinking that Brown was joking, Joyner and Wilkes responded with laughter.
Brown then replied that he was serious and ultimately walked out of the studio with no further response. Joyner’s attempt to reconnect with Brown several times as well as efforts to reach out to the comedian personally and professional proved unsuccessful as he and Wilkes were surprised Brown actually left the studio.
After the end of the first break, at 6:10am CT, the hour the following exchanged occurred –
ON AIR – 6:10 am
(Tom Joyner taking the show to break)
Tom Joyner: Ten, ten past the hour
OFF AIR
Tom Joyner: Player, you feel alright?
Anthony Brown: Huh?
Tom Joyner: You feel alright today?
Anthony Brown: No, I don’t feel good. Uh, in fact I’m quitting. I’m quitting today. (laughter from Tom and Sybil) You guys can have it, man. I’ve had enough of this, seriously. Bye
(more laughter from Tom and Sybil)
Sybil Wilkes: (chucking) Bye? What’s the matter?
Tom Joyner: I don’t know. Did he just cut the mic? Player?…Player?
Radio Facts leaked audio of the sudden departure, which reportedly took place Wednesday morning.
Urban Insite reports that Brown is currently under contract with Reach Media Inc. and the “TJMS,” adding that there is a plan underway to discuss what happened off-air with Brown.
Though Tom Joyner has assured listeners Brown will be back, Brown’s social media accounts have been re-Tweeting people congratulating him on his new move and promoting his own weekend radio show.
Information from Eurweb.com, Urban Insite and Radio Facts and Twitter.com contributed to this report.
