Christopher Rude, recovering from cancer, returning to 680/The Fan Feb. 15
Chris Rude, 680/The Fan’s morning host of the Rude Awakening, is scheduled to return Monday, Feb. 15, after treating a cancerous tumor behind his throat.
The show, which also includes Perry Laurentino and Leo Mazzone, announced his pending return this week. Buck Lanford, a sportscaster from WAGA-TV, has subbed in.
Rude went through chemotherapy and radiation to battle the tumor. He told listeners about the situation last August and eventually left the show in the fall during radiation treatment. He has been recovering ever since. He clearly did not want to come back on the air until his voice was close to 100 percent.
“I’m sure he can’t wait to get back to some normalcy in his life and do what he does best,” said Rude’s boss David Dickey. “I can’t be happier for Chris. I’m grateful he beat it and can resume his life.”
Rude’s agent Norm Schrutt said they talked about Rude returning Feb. 1 but decided to err on the side of caution and pushed it back two weeks.
Schrutt said Rude’s voice is improving every week and he doesn’t think listeners will be able to discern any difference by the time he comes back next week. Dickey, he said, did not pressure Rude to come back and has been completely understanding about the situation.
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97 comments Add your comment
Jim
February 9th, 2010
9:43 am
It will be good to hear Chris back on The Fan, he’s been missed, but more importantly, he’s a cancer survivor. Congrats Chris!
Buck Lanford did a great job filling in, very insightful.
Robert J. Nebel
February 9th, 2010
9:44 am
What a great, creative guy. I had the pleasure to interview him years ago: http://bobnebel.tripod.com/rude.html
Eric
February 9th, 2010
10:45 am
Wow – Topside Loaf…that brings back some memories, Bob!
It’s going to be great to have Rude back on the air. Just hasn’t been the same without him…
Roger T
February 9th, 2010
11:12 am
It will be great to hear Chris again and I hope he’s made a full recovery…way to go. By the way can they get rid of Leo…that guy is so out of touch with the 21st century and his laugh is so annoying. I change the channel every time he comes on.
alan
February 9th, 2010
11:12 am
From one cancer survivor to another, congratuations and the best continued good fortune in the future. You can’t let it beat you. I remember you from the old 96 rock days.
I spent my FEMA money on superbowl tickets
February 9th, 2010
11:13 am
Atlanta sports talk radio sucks
sportstalkfan
February 9th, 2010
11:18 am
Leo’s laugh is annoying? Have you heard Buck Belue? Seriously? That laugh is the WORST in radio history.
extremerightwing
February 9th, 2010
11:25 am
it will be be good to have rude back. glad he has beaten the cancer.
Mickey Montana
February 9th, 2010
11:28 am
Great to hear Chris Rude is coming back!
I spent my FEMA money on superbowl tickets
February 9th, 2010
11:36 am
The Falcants are losers.
RegGuy
February 9th, 2010
11:40 am
Glad to hear Chris is coming back. I’ve listened to him since his early 96 rock days.He has a great radio voice.Glad to have him back.
JPW
February 9th, 2010
11:45 am
Congrats to Christopher Rude from one survivor to another. We look forward to your on-air return. Buck did a great job in your absence.
Fred Tokars
February 9th, 2010
11:56 am
Can’t stand 680 the Fan, try listening to 790 the Zone. Better on air talent, and better substance except for the stews who blow chunks and are unlistenable! But glad that Rude beat cancer-Good Luck!
mrj
February 9th, 2010
11:57 am
Congrats on the BIG Win, Ru-Ru! It’ll be great to have you on-air mediating discussions and stirring the pot to get Perry going again. Entertaining radio in the a.m.
Commenting on other posters… Agreed, Buck L did a great job as fill-in.
Who cares what these guys laugh is like? Seriously? Judge their opinions, knowledge… but their laugh?
Buck B is a good guy to listen to on sports with his background in HS FB, NCAA FB, Dogs, baseball. And he’s entertaining. (NOT a UGA fan btw, but appreciate his strengths on air)
Leo… love your knowledge and passion of baseball and specifically pitching and the Braves. BUT, you need to get back in the game soon because you are not a radio type of personality. And that is not a slam. MOST people would not be good radio folks.
cha-ching, my two cents dropping.
I spent my FEMA money on superbowl tickets
February 9th, 2010
12:00 pm
Everything in Atlanta sucks.
Barf
February 9th, 2010
12:04 pm
790 has better on-air talent? Hahahahaha!!!!! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year. The Zone has more tools than Home Depot, led by Tubesteak and Chris “Oh by the way, May I? May I?” Dumino. I actually pulled my advertising off 790 because I couldn’t stand to listen to them anymore.
Barf
February 9th, 2010
12:06 pm
Oh….congrats to Rude. Looking forward to hearing you again!
washedup
February 9th, 2010
12:11 pm
Certainly glad that Rude is coming back. . .big gap when he’s gone. Don’t care much for Leo on radio, his laugh is annoying and his views are too “old school”. But at least with Chris back, the whole show will be more entertaining. Buck Lanford did a good job. .wouldn’t mind him taking Leo’s place, for that matter.
John
February 9th, 2010
12:11 pm
Glad to hear that he is doing better and I hope he has a full and longterm recover.At the same time, that show is 100x better with Buck on there instead of Rude. I found myself enjoying them more and more with Buck replacing Rude.
bigdawg01
February 9th, 2010
12:18 pm
Glad to have you back Rude!!!
Here is what I wish for. Chuck and Chernoff to be on from 12-7. They are entertaining. I am a Dawg and alumni, but Buck Belue is the WORST person on the radio. He is annoying as all hell, and he is incorrect on a regular basis. The way he talks and says “raaaiders” or “Laaakerss” drives me crazy. I no longer listen to them on the ride home.
Not to go on forever, but glad you are back and healthy Chris.
TAKE BUCK BELUE OFF THE RADIO!!!!
Hef
February 9th, 2010
12:25 pm
Glad to hear C/Rude beat Cancer,however sports talk in Atl has been 2nd rate for years. I don’t listen to local stations anymore.
RUDE FAN
February 9th, 2010
12:28 pm
COME ON PEOPLE! THIS IS ABOUT CHRIS. SAVE THE TRASH TALKING FOR ANOTHER TIME. WELCOME BACK CHRIS!
Boom Dizzle
February 9th, 2010
12:32 pm
Glad to have Ru Ru back……..
Claudel Washington
February 9th, 2010
12:36 pm
The show should now be Rude, Perry and Buck. I don’t need to hear Leo tell another Maddux, Smoltzy or Glavine story. He tells about 10 per day and he’s overlapped them countless times. He did an interview with an NFL player and referenced Glavine and Smoltz twice…it was emabarssing. David Dickey needs to pull him off the air ASAP. It was a good try, but it’s not working.
Rude…can’t wait to hear you on Monday. I love your entertainment buzz and pop culture you bring to the show. Welcome back!
Rude Fan
February 9th, 2010
12:43 pm
Cant wait to hear you Rude!
Nick
February 9th, 2010
12:56 pm
Glad Rude is doing well and coming back. Can’t wait until Monday.
bandmom
February 9th, 2010
1:01 pm
Glad Chris is doing well.I loved him on 96 Rock back in the day. Good luck Chris!
P F
February 9th, 2010
1:03 pm
I’ve been a Rude fan since the FM days here in the ATL. He has been sorely missed. Perry has done a great job filling in as the #1 seat on air. He went from full time instigator to 80% time moderator. And the addition of Leo has been great in my book. Old school is still “cool skool” as far as I am concerned. Keep up the great work guys!
ryanhiott
February 9th, 2010
1:09 pm
GREAT to have him back, he’s an Atlanta institution. Born in 1967 and raised here, I grew up listening to Rude on 96 Rock and have enjoyed his quick wit ever since. While Buck has done a good job in the interim, there is no substitute for his continuos stream of funny! Congratulations on winning your battle and a sincere “Welcome Back!”, my mornings will be better because of it!
Kenbud
February 9th, 2010
1:09 pm
SOOO happy Rude is coming back. …. it’s quite obvious over the last few months he’s the heart and soul of that show. Now if he could just get Leo to be more objective about the Braves …….
Mike Hunt
February 9th, 2010
1:12 pm
Mr. “I spent my FEMA money on superbowl tickets” – you can go crawl back in that cespool we all call New Orleans. This is a Chris Rude returning thread which is nothing but good news whether you care for Atlanta, talk radio, etc.
Mel
February 9th, 2010
1:12 pm
RU-RU. You need to come on back. Perry don’t know nothing.
Leedawg
February 9th, 2010
1:18 pm
Glad to hear Rude is doing well and coming back. Maybe they could hold on to Buck Langford and cut ties with Perry. He’s irritating. But Perry is still better than Buch Belue. Kincaid is pretty good but I can’t listen to the 3-7 drive because of his partner. I’m a Georgia fan and an alum, but I can’t take up for a fellow Dawg in this case. Belue is teeeeeeeeeeeerrible – Mr. Cliche’. Is that his real voice?
street smart
February 9th, 2010
1:18 pm
I have been listening to the Rudester back when he was on 96 Rock. Neither morning shows 96 or 680/The Fan can do without him. One of Hotlantas most valuable natural resources. Ran into him once in the halls of 96 Rock as he was leaving and he seems to be a down to earth type of guy. Congrats on your victory over the Big C Chris and best wishes.
jarvis
February 9th, 2010
1:18 pm
Mike, is that a silent “H” in your last name.
Just wondering?
Esteban
February 9th, 2010
1:20 pm
I am so glad to hear Rude is coming back. By far the best radio personality in Atlanta. Perry without ru-ru has been painful. Congrats and good luck on a successful recovery.
CDawg42
February 9th, 2010
1:20 pm
Glad you’re back, Rude! God speed!
74Dawg
February 9th, 2010
1:28 pm
Congrats and best wishes to Chris Rude, one of the most entertaining guys on air in Atlanta and one of the good guys in radio.
frankie fritz
February 9th, 2010
1:34 pm
hey fema money , take your arse back to new orleans you won’t be missed.
Mike Hunt
February 9th, 2010
1:37 pm
jarvis – just don’t have them page me at crowded bar.
how2fish
February 9th, 2010
1:37 pm
Congrats Chris and welcome back on the air…your the Skinny Bobby Harper of my generation !
KB
February 9th, 2010
1:39 pm
Welcome back Ru-Ru….we’ve missed you man! Glad you’re feeling better. Looking forward hearing you again on 2/15.
Steak Shapiro
February 9th, 2010
1:40 pm
Oh-oh!!!
ozzfest
February 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
….YEAH, BUT WHEN IS PALE WHITE SAUSAGE HAVING THEIR REUNION TOUR?
cbgb
February 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
Glad to hear Rude is coming back. I remember him from the old days at 96 Rock, too. Missed you, man!
blord
February 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
I will listen Monday with hopes that Mel calls in to welcome Ru-Ru back.
KANG
February 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
EMMM… glad to have you back Rude.
Chernoff`
February 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
Emm Chuck get your hand off inner theigh
Dump Leo
February 9th, 2010
2:04 pm
Glad Rude has recovered and on the way back. Looking forward to it.
And I second Roger T.’s sentiment: PLEASE get Leo Mazzone off the air!!! He sounds like my crazy, drunk uncle and has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about. That laugh is skin-crawling. And what are those noises he makes?
Keep Buck Lanford. Lose Leo.
dangerousdan87
February 9th, 2010
2:05 pm
I agree with Rude Fan– the guy beat cancer — save your baby trash talk for another day. Way to go Chris–now if we could get 680 on HD-RADIO – for better clarity – like 790.