Talk show host bailed as assault probe rolls on

| 11/03/2014

(CNS): The host of Cayman CrossTalk was interviewed by police Tuesday and bailed to return at a later unspecified date, the RCIPS said this evening. Facing allegations of an alleged assault on a female friend and damage to property following a melee at a private residence in Governor’s Harbour at the weekend, Austin Harris is also on suspension from his job. Harris’ headphones at the Rooster studios in Grand Harbour, George Town, are currently being worn by his former talk show pal and latterly ousted politician Ellio Solomon, who made his first comeback appearance today – a situation that according to Harris’ boss, Randy Merren, will continue until Harris' issues are resolved.

With no indication how long the enquiry will take to resolve, with or without charges, it could be sometime before Rooster listeners will be hearing from Harris.

While the return of Solomon to the airwaves may be welcomed by some, the failure of the independent members to turn up to the station this morning shows the degree to which Solomon polarizes opinion. The former UDP backbencher during his five years representing George Town incurred the wrath of almost the entire opposition benches of the House at one time or another and, sources tell CNS, members of the government as well.

The former fourth elected member for the capital also reportedly drove the current premier to punch him during a break in the Legislative Assembly proceedings in 2011 in the parliamentary tearoom as a result of what those present at the time said was significant provocation.

Nevertheless, despite his rocky relationship with the members of the current administration, Solomon is also understood to be employed by local cable company WestStar TV as a government liaison for the firm.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    This talk show at best is a joke but with Solomon replacing Harris it has gone from bad to worse.

    • And Another Ting says:

      Well It's Saturday night at the movies and we see true colors shining through who would have thought it. And there will be many more things.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I am not a fan of Mr Solomon and didn’t vote for him, but the hate for him is not justified, yes he has blown up a couple of time but let’s be honest, he did more in 4 years than alot of the other MLAs that have been there for years. Just the amendment to pensions helped hundreds of Caymanian…
    Regarding the show with lizard and McLean is ridiculous they always they they represent the people, well guess what they don’t have the balls to show up to toy he show….

    • Anonymous says:

      LOL. First you criticise people for "hating" Ellio then you go on to call one of our MLAs "lizard". I have no doubt that you are either Ellio himself or one of hisclose supporters.

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh yes, the amendment to the pensions law that will help people be dependent on social service handouts later in life.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Randy, you must be loving this and the Talk Show ratings must be going through the roof. Amazing how many people listen even if they comment positively or negatively…

    What most don't realize that this is media and the radio station's opportunity to spark it's ratings. It has been a while since there has been any changes so this kind draws attention to the show again…and this type of business negative or positive comments don't matter, it's the ratings that do and that is what sell the commercials…

    It would be interesting to see if the call levels have dropped this week because of Elio.From what I can gather it really hasn't changed…

  4. Boy says:

    well, it's time to put the Jordanian running the crosstalk

    • Anonymous says:

      The Jordanian certainly feels at home again.

    • Anonymous says:

      At least the Jordanian is a voice for you Caymanian people. He is doing something you all don't have the balls or guts to do…. speak out publicaly of your incompetent Governments.

      Even though he is a little over- bearing with his constant calling, but he is getting the message through!

      Most of you don't like him because he is a foreigner, some don't like him because he speaks the truth, that is understandable, because you don't like yourselves…anyway.

       

       

      "A born Caymanian"

  5. Trutsaya says:

    Thank God they didn't pick the Ezzard. 

  6. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if the same six regular callers will still call in to spread their negativity

  7. Anonymous says:

    I thought politicians appeared because they are paid by the people and the people deserve to hear their views on important issues – but I guess their fear or dislike of a host is more important than that duty.

    Poor locals – what sad representation.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ignorant comment. As a defeated political foe who has had major personal and political clashes with these same MLAs it is obviously inappropriate for him to host a show where they will be his guests. Anyone with a lick of sense understands that. Every MLA should boycott that show while he remains as host. Corporate advertisers should also pull their ads. I suspect that Gilbert will also leave the show if it continues with Ellio permanently.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ezzard and Arden if this is the case, then you are no better than the haters on this thread. Get your butts back on that show, you guys are the best.

      Show these un-Godly people how Caymanians lived in the past, let bye-gones be bye-gones!

      You made peace with the Jordanian..which was good…. that's the old Caymanian spirit.

      We never had this level of hate when we were growing up in the 50s,60s,70s and 80s

      God help us!

  8. Knot S Smart says:

    So if Gilbert leaves the show now – will the new team be Ellio and Joey?

  9. Anonymous says:



    Who cares! There are more important things to worry about than a 2nd rate radio talk show on a third rate radio station which is now hosted by a first rate fool…..

  10. anonymous says:

    this just shows how stupid Ezzard and Arden are….use any opportunity to get your message out…It could be McKeeva hosting show…your voice would be heard. Now you are silent up in the east.  Let's hope you do something now for us up here!!!

    • Anonymous says:
  11. Anonymous says:

    How to destroy your ratings in a day, Just place Foolio back on the air and next folks we will have despot Tuesdays with Bush and the Jordanian Ambassador. More crap to replace the H&H Tuesdays from Ezzard and Arden.  It shows the lieners that the owners of the station have no conscience and have now lost all credibility.

    • Anonymous says:

      NEWSFLASH – You have a choice – if you don't like the host then don't listen.  Problem solved.  Its a silly talk show that allows the same 15 people ranting every morning anyway.  Trust me – you'll feel much better without the daily negativity.

    • Anonymous says:

      I didn'nt realise we had so much hate in this little country,until i see all these thumb-up, supporting hate at certain people. You all are a disgrace to the human race.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, wait, I say on the Lord

  13. BORN FREE says:

    FREE of "HARDEN & HAZZARD" on Tuesdays 'complaints day' on Rooster but now stuck with foolio for a while (hope it is only short term)

    • Anonymous says:

      the uniposter is back.

    • Anonymous says:

      Man you got a cronic sickness, called hate, you need to get help! can you say exactly what Ellio did to you, why you hate him so much?

  14. Anonymous says:

    I have no problem with Mr. Solomon, but this was a foolish move. They needed a less controversial host who is able to command the respect of both sides of the political devide. Now, the show will die.

  15. Anonymous says:

    the good news from all this…is that crosstalk will die a death……

    soon no more austin, gilbert, ezzard, arden, foolio………. yeayyy!

  16. Anonymous says:

    WTF how is Foolio a government liaison for anybody are West Star as bonkers as Hurley's entertainment?

  17. Be Quiet Elio says:

    Hahahahaha I hear that Rooster's Tuesday "H & H" show with Hazzard & Harden will no longer be on air because they absolutely refuse to associate in anyway with the FOOLio! That's rather quite sad really, but thankfully we will no longer have to listen to all the negativity LOL

    • Anonymous says:

      19;27

      I would hope this is not the case. It would be childish of them to stay away from the show because they did'nt see eye to eye with Mr. Solomon.

      And for all you ass h@@@s putting Mr. Merren and Ellio down, you know what you can do…. when you are doing it, i hope the scent is not too unbearable!!!