Elle Duncan is out at V-103
Elle Duncan at the Doggies on the Catwalk fundraiser at Grady High School in January, 2011. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Loading ...Two sources affiliated with V-103 have told me that Elle Duncan’s contract was not renewed and as of last week, she is no longer employed at the R&B/hip-hop station.
She has been wiped off the V-103 website. And on her personal Facebook page, she has placed her employment at the station in the past tense.
I am awaiting word on whether she will be replaced or not as a sidekick to Ryan Cameron, who is now on vacation.
Duncan’s history at the station has been a bit checkered.
She started at age 20 with the 2 Live Stews, then joined Cameron in 2004 as a sidekick. In early 2009, she took over for Porsche Foxx as mid-day jock. Eighteen months later, she grabbed Miss Sophia’s slot in mornings and became a sports/entertainment person with Frank & Wanda.
That arrangement lasted only about nine months. She was moved back to Cameron’s show in late March of 2011, spelling Rashan Ali.
(Foxx, Miss Sophia and Ali are no longer in radio to my knowledge.)
The craziest moment for Duncan happened when she got into a row with then afternoon producer Nina Brown over some sweet potato pie. Brown left the live button on and listeners heard Duncan cursing at her. Duncan was suspended but returned on air. Brown left V-103 and ended up working at 11 Alive.
Duncan is also a sideline reporter for the Hawks.
I left messages with Duncan via text and Facebook seeking comment. I’ll update this if I get anything. I also emailed her boss Rick Caffey for any comment though in these situations, he typically does not.
Cameron’s contract is up early next year, but he is a well established name in the community, arguably one of the most popular radio personalities in Atlanta. Given the stagnancy of radio market revenues, even at a station as big as V-103, how his stature (and high ratings) will impact negotiations is a big question.
For now, Crash Clark, who worked with Cameron in the 1990s, has taken a greater role on Cameron’s show as both traffic guy and a sidekick.
Cameron Monday morning posted this quote on his public Facebook page:
We often judge people without knowing theirs stories. Take a breath today and be joyful and not judgmental.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
184 comments Add your comment
kayman23
December 19th, 2011
4:59 pm
@J, V-103 has played most of the aforementioned artists that you listed with a few exceptions. The middays, Quiet Storm, and “R&B and Soul Sundays with Terry Bello” show has spin songs from those artists frequently.
Now on to Elle, I felt she didn’t fit the station from jump. I hope she is working on finishing her Bachelors’ after she mentioned it this past summer on-air @ GSU. She’ll land on her feet on either at another station or in TV doing sports reporting. She will be fine in the long run.
Also the line-up with mornings with “Frank & Wanda in the Morning” is getting long in tooth. However, the station is frequently listed as the highest-rated radio station in Georgia (even beating stations in Columbus, Augusta, and Savannah in overall ratings).
V-103’s issue is they haven’t figured out how to execute an exit strategy for F&W and moving Ryan Cameron to mornings (with a line-up of co-hosts to follow). Also they don’t know whom will replace him in the afternoons with this move (either Kenny Burns or some unknown person at this time). V has done a great job fending off Kiss, Majic, and Hot on the urban radio front. V-103 has to take on all of the above, and has carefully dayparted their musical programming to protect themselves throughout the day.
@Epson, I can’t remember the last time there was a ‘gangster rap’ song actually on V-103 spin on V-103 between the hours of 6AM-2PM because they know whom their audience during that time. 25-40 year olds, whom work professional jobs but want to listen to R&B, soul, and some hip-hop. Now after 2PM, V-103 will spin any and everything because they know 18-24 year olds love listening to that music and will stay tuned for more
To the posters talking about Tom Joyner (TJMS), Rickey Smiley, and Steve Harvey (SHMS) being better, that is a damn lie to say the least. All other shows are just as whack as F&W on the “shucking-and-jiving” on the radio. Steve Harvey has expressed he is a piss-poor radio personality that just got into a good situation when Radio One took over the TJMS and forced most of its stations to switch, and Atlanta is one of the few exception markets because Cox signed a long-term contract with TJMS & Reach Media to lock it on Kiss 104.1. Overall all of these morning shows including F&W on V-103 are whack as all get out. However, that is radio in this ‘bean-counter’ economy where ‘dollars count’ and ‘talent comes at a premium’.
KeeKee
December 19th, 2011
5:08 pm
That’s too bad. Especially at Christmas. I’m sure she’ll land on her feet somewhere else.
My question is why Crash D is accepted so easily? A chubby white guy using fake, black, urban dialect? I find it very insulting and disingenuous.
6AAAA Fan
December 19th, 2011
5:11 pm
Wanda Smith wouldn’t even pay her son’s football dues when he attended Tucker High School! that’s a damn shame
MICHIGANMAN
December 19th, 2011
5:11 pm
honestly..i think the state of black radio in atlanta has always SUCKED!!!…even the syndicated shows……i dont like steve harvey or tom joyner either…steve talks wAAAYYY 2 much and often 2 low 2 hear…2 many commercials…..tom joyner and j ant.brown think everything is funny…(which its not)…frank and wanda SUCK!!…dont even mention that ignorant mess on 107.9…….elle will be fine…..im not really tryin 2 hate…but i guess i am…..jus trying 2 give an honest opinion….
empower
December 19th, 2011
6:06 pm
to all haters, frank and wanda has had exceptional ratings for about 15 years.they have a huge listening audience thanks to you idiots. frank is a great asset to the black community,because
he says things that are hurtful but true to people who want to progress and succeed in life.
most people hate frank because he is a successful black man that was raised,educated and
empowered by his parents different from most black parents ,think about it.same old tragic problem
in the black community,anybody with wisdom and knowledge superior to yours you hate
if you stop hating first,you can listen and learn from anybody that can empower you.frank and wanda
have been blessed for yrs thanks to you listening haters..most black women want a ignorant,low
self esteem,passive,vulnerable little boy with a lot of money so they can take advantage of him at will
meanwhile they praise the other cultures without judgement…
Life in the Fast Lane
December 19th, 2011
6:30 pm
GA DOT should hire Elle Duncan……”
sSilkytoto
December 19th, 2011
7:14 pm
Now if the execs at V103 would not renew Frank Stank Wannabe, Wanda Can’t Be and Ryan Think He Be contracts now that would be wonderful. Unless the execs are ignorant themselves.
Shad Ccotttttttttttttttttttt: ex 680, 790, ESPN radio employee
December 19th, 2011
8:23 pm
Please hire me! I love black people, especially Cam Newton!
You can find me under the I-85 overpass at Steve Reynolds Boulevard.
ALL IN, FAMILY
Shad Ccotttttttttttttttttttt: ex 680, 790, ESPN radio employee
December 19th, 2011
8:24 pm
oh yeah…. FLY DELTA
mikayla
December 19th, 2011
8:48 pm
personally, i think elle will be fine. when they started moving her around to different time slots, i kind of felt like the next step would be for her to leave, whether through her own decision or theirs. she’s young and will bounce back if she already hasn’t got something in the works. trust me, she’ll do fine whereever she goes.
i think frank ski needs to go to talk radio, that way he can do what he loves to do which is talk and voice his opinion about any and everything under he sun. i never known anyone who has been there, done that and know all these people the way he portrays himself to be. but i really don’t think he and wanda are going anywhere anytime soon.
Mel
December 20th, 2011
1:21 am
I’m gonna miss Elle. She was funny and she has a lot of talent far beyond radio. I do wish her well and hope she lands firmly and professionally on her feet.
As for those at V-103, she has more talent and personality than any of the other women on right now. She shines brighter than any other women on that station. I think she and Rashan would have been a wonder duo if they could do a show together. Both are smart, funny, multi-dimensional characters with layers of intelligence. And it was EVIDENT on air and off. I don’t get that from the other women. I tune them out. Damn. Sorry Elle. I do hope you are on to bigger and better things.
listener from out of town
December 20th, 2011
3:37 am
I do feel bad for Elle, I agree hopefully she’ll land on her feet, and she works with the Hawks, right? So that at least one part of some income coming in for her. Now I will say she did get on my nerves at times with all her yelling and loud over talking, but she was a great fit for Ryan along with Rashan as well . I agree both ladies could of been great & hot in the afternoon together and Ryan could move to the morning w/ Romona.
I do like Ryan, but at times he get too silly and I just have to turn away for a moment, but he’s a brand with name value. Also I like Frank, and I know there’s alot of haters, but Frank is really a smart man and is lawayer behind the scenes and lawyers think differently than the average person. Like one poster said he tells the truth, and some people don’t always want to hear the truth. They rather have it coated with honey.
The real problem is Wanda Smith; and I agree she’s loud, ghetto at heart, but the only time I like her is when she shows compassion, because she does have a heart. However she needs to tone it down, and she set women back 500 years+ with all that foolywang she brings to the table. If Frank Ski had a better co-host than things wouldn’t be so shucking and jiving. However I do listen to Morning Show/Afternoon Show.
However management will not change things unless they’re force too. I do believe within the next year or two Frank or Ryan either one will be forced out, because they simply can’t afford the bloated salary of these two. You see Frank has a restaurant so that gives my the indication they if he’s ask him to take a paycut he would rather walk. In this day in age where technology is king, and it’s cheaper to keep a young person on payroll vs. a veteran.
game-on
December 20th, 2011
6:40 am
@Epson Thats some real talk buddy. You hit it on the head! The station cant afford to bring in real, big name talent so they settle for what they can get. Been in Atlanta about a year now and most adults my age 35-45 say the same thing about the v103 morning duo. Its a kid station. I work in one of the largest office buildings in downtown Atl and over 90% are anti-V103. And these are people from all walks of like, ethnic backgounds and cultures. And the shocker is the building is about 55% black. You hear alot of 95.5, 98.5, 107.5, because its more professional, informative and comtemp. you learn better, you do better. These two actually do “act their wage”. They actually spent 4 hours talking about Real house wives of Atlanta one morning…It was torture.
Netradiojock
December 20th, 2011
10:19 am
It’s about time. In fact, V-103 need to do a complete overhaul of their programming. Like Cutty said, you can’t talk about community issues in the daytime and then play rap music about sex & drugs at night.
Jmichaels790
December 20th, 2011
12:41 pm
Ive known Elle since her days at the Zone, and I wish her nothing but the best in the future. Trust me she will be fine, and will land somewhere soon.
TheLazyComic
December 20th, 2011
1:05 pm
Like this really matters. Tomorrow, you’ll all be saying Elle who? (Some of you are already saying that today)!! It’s just the nature of people. (The attention spans of gnats).
Ted Williams
December 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
Hire me
Maybac Marvin
December 20th, 2011
2:38 pm
I really like the Ryan Cameron Show. Although, I’m not a huge fan of Elle I thought the chemistry between her and Ryan was great. Hopefully, they will reconsider and offer her a new contract. I use to listen to V-103 in the mornings, but I just cannot deal with that overly opinionated, know it all, two faced, gay bashing, over all hater, and womanizer Frank Rodriquez (aka Frank Ski). Wanda is just okay but truthfully she is sidekick material. Rick Caffey should revamp the morning show and leave the afternoons alone. @Maybac Marvin on Twitter
patrick
December 20th, 2011
2:43 pm
I knew Frank Ski cheats regularly or is he a down low brother?
atllibran
December 20th, 2011
3:13 pm
Elle will be fine. This is only a minor setback for her. Her experience at V will only help her move on to bigger and better opportunities.
Former V Employee
December 20th, 2011
3:14 pm
Elle was a rude,snobbish chic who felt herself a little too much.Good Riddance to her. The whole CBS cluster is falling apart. Look at what they did to Dave FM… its a mess… You have to cut off the head and start over…
lisa
December 20th, 2011
5:20 pm
Soooooo glad that bird is gone!!!! she had a nasty personality!!! She will not be missed at all!!! Hurrayyyyy! V-103!
Nino Black
December 20th, 2011
10:53 pm
All of you on here need to stop hating,Wanda should be fired she is ugly,loud,rude and ghetto! Elle Duncan would have been a better fit for the morning show with Frank Ski!
Nino Black
December 20th, 2011
11:14 pm
I met Elle Duncan once and she is a very attractive,smart, funny and genuinely very nice female! I am so sick of hearing other females hate on Elle because she is very attractive! Elle i wish you the best and i am going to miss hearing that sexy ass voice of yours!!
jay
December 21st, 2011
3:32 am
I’m done commenting on these ajc.com message boards. Too many keyboard warriors to contend with on each article.
Shelly
December 21st, 2011
10:41 am
I wish Elle all the best and much continued success in her career. She’s young, beautiful and now experienced…move on to bigger & better Elle!
On a side note I concur with many others that it’s time for change with the morning show!! Wanda NEVER adds values nor substance to any of the shows. As stated by others the duo acts if their listening audience is ignorant. It’d be nice to have talent that represents & showcase the true success of educated, successful, and intelligent African-Americans of Atlanta.
It’s time for the “People’s Station” to listen to the voice of the people. I hope Rick Caffey is reading your posting;-)
DuncanHines
December 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
I loved Elle with Ryan. I thought they played off each other really well. Those two with Crash cracked me up. I really will miss her. I thought she had just been on vacation the past week. Good luck to you, Elle!
ELLEian
December 21st, 2011
3:22 pm
Elle, I hope you find work soon on TV, where you deserve to be. Love your personality. Don’t worry about the haters on here. Most the haters are probably swamp donkey looking broads, you know how jealousy will do a person. V-103 is falling off anyways as much of the radio in Atlanta. I will be looking for you when you reach the top. Good Luck lady
Kimmy
December 21st, 2011
4:40 pm
I use to say the same thing EVERYTIME I heard Elle’s voice. She added NOTHING to the 2-6 show. She was very annoying and ran off of her looks. For a minute I thought there was a parrot, Ryan and Crash D because all she did was repeat things behind Ryan and laughed. When crash came on I thought he suited Ryan better. The had more chemistry together.
As far as the morning show whom I rarely listen to. I don’t to much like Wanda. I think her “jokes” are very inappropriate. Frank, he needs to go run his restaurant. I think Kenny Burns and Wanda make better chemistry. I got hooked to Kenny Burns when he came on a morning and my co worker said to listen to the morning show. I never heard him on his time slot which if it ain’t 2-6 “Ryan Cameron” i wouldn’t know.
Good riddens elle. you’ll be good, Just not with Ryan.
1baddman
December 21st, 2011
5:32 pm
I’m not a big fan V-103 lately, but i do agreed and disagreed on some of what you’re saying outthere whether you like Elle or whoever or not the hating and name calling needs to stop, is really stupid what are you in elementary or high school if you don’t like V-103 change the channel go to internet radio; as far as V-103, i do miss the old days with Mike and Carol,Jerry Smokin B,Magic Man(with Miki Howard, for a short time she was on there she was great, they need to bring her back) Melissa Summers,and Joyce Littell (you’re missed on the Quiet Storm).
bigrog6395
December 21st, 2011
8:50 pm
Sucks they got rid of Elle she worked well with Ryan and Crash but did anybody notice that even though they got rid of her bio, her picture is still up there with all the DJs
2011 Atlanta radio year in review: Randy & Spiff, Jimmy Baron, Elle Duncan, Herman Cain | Radio & TV Talk
December 22nd, 2011
5:01 am
[...] so many tries: Elle Duncan lost her job just before Christmas on V-103. She had two stints as Ryan Cameron’s sidekick, 18 months at mid-days and nine months as a [...]
Frederick
December 22nd, 2011
9:09 am
She is a lost to V103 she was bright and very smart I will miss her.. I pray that she land somewhere soon… I also pray that anyone that is going through a Job lost find something soon as well.. God Bless!!!
JJ
December 27th, 2011
1:08 am
@ Kayman23 Not sure of your age range but Wanda is very ghetto and quite frankly, an embarrassment for the City of Atlanta (only adding to other things). I travel frequently and often ask locals of the radio station that appeals to me. If someone comes to Atlanta and ask that question, they’ll likely be pointed to V-103. Do you really want Wanda being a representation of our city? I am going to venture and say that you are probably not from Atlanta like me. I still say that the show is poor taste. TJMS, Ricky Smiley and Steve Harvey shows does blow V-103 out of the water and then some. The substance may be the same but at least you get served with a laugh in the deal instead of big egos and ghetto fabulous”ness”….