Abrupt Exit for Randy Price

A 7NEWS co-anchor since 1998 and Boston media fixture for more than 27 years, Randy Price marked his abrupt exit from WHDH without fanfare following his final 7NEWS broadcast on Feb. 4. And viewers barely had time to adjust to Price's departure when word began to spread that weekend news anchor Brandon Rudat has also been let go from the station, leaving WHDH less two openly gay newscasters.

While Price, the nation's first out newscaster, called his departure "disappointing," he said that the decision to eschew a dramatic swan song was entirely his choice.

"It would have felt a little too insincere," says Price about the notion of an on-air farewell. Speaking by phone from the Maine home he shares with his spouse Mark Steffen on Feb. 7, Price was upbeat and positive. Rather than bemoan the end of a professional era, he's chosen to focus on rest and rejuvenation, at least until his contract with WHDH expires this summer. And while he says he sent out a gracious e-mail to his station colleagues at his departure, thanking them for "a great dozen years," he would have felt dishonest addressing his at-home audience as if he had chosen to retire.

"I'm not saying goodbye to viewers," says Price. "I'm not thanking them for watching me all those years because I did not make the decision to leave. ... To play a charade that appears to be a retirement party? Uh-uh."

That said, Price has no regrets about his time with the station.

"They made the decision and I respect that as their decision to make," says Price, whose departure came after a meeting with station owner Ed Ansin about differing views on the station's direction. "I'm not unhappy with where I am, because I'm very honored with the dozen years of mostly success that we had there. But more importantly, I've had great relationships with people I admire, relationships with viewers and organizations that are important to all of us."

Price's language is at odds with other news reports that the anchor independently intended to retire from the news, and WHDH has been tightlipped on the details of Price's departure. According to a station source speaking on condition of anonymity, WHDH intended to make Price's departure public the week following his final broadcast; those plans were preempted when several news sources - including an early report from Bay Windows -- picked up on the chatter of Price's leaving by last weekend. Calls and e-mails to Price's colleagues, a WHDH spokesperson, and the office of Chris Wayland, WHDH vice president and general manager, inquiring about the nature and details of his departure, were unreturned by deadline.

Rudat, an Emmy-winning broadcast journalist, told Boston.com that WHDH management told him he "was not a right fit for the station" and let him go on Feb. 11. The exit of Rudat, who did not respond to an interview request by press time, marks the ousting of two openly gay news personalities from the station in the space of one week.

Price declined to comment on the specific conflicts that led to his exit, but spoke in certain generalities about his experience. "When I look at those 12 years, man, we had some really high flying, phenomenal times," recalls Price. "When things are going great, you can have an objection to certain things but also say, 'Hey, if it works, don't try to fix it.'

"When you reach the point where things aren't working well," he continued, "I felt an obligation to weigh in [with an opinion]. I reached the point where I objected too much. And in recognition of the other point of view, maybe if you're the station owner or the designated point people [you think] I reached the point of not being a team leader. I have dual roles: I'm an employee, a person who should be doing the work of the station as they see fit. I also have a role as a public person, and a person who has a relationship -- although indirect -- with viewers. So I'm very strong willed about what I want to do and what I think is right."

Price preferred not to discuss specific objections and conflicts, though in a Feb. 8 WRKO interview with Howie Carr he was more forthcoming about "primary philosophical differences" with station management and the "non-stories," "alleged news," and sensationalized coverage, often from outside the Boston market, that he felt was being increasingly carried on WHDH: "Raccoon running amock! Coyote on the loose! Alligator snapping fingers... in Florida!" laughed Price.

But Price told Bay Windows he has no sour grapes. "I was stunned when we had the conversation," he said of his exit. "But once you get past that initial sting, I walked out of there and I'm like, 'Hmm... this feels good!'"

One thing he will miss, even if only temporary, about life as a public figure is the cache it provided to support organizations he holds dear. Since he came out publicly in In Newsweekly in 1990, Price has become an active public figure in New England's LGBT community through work with Boston Pride, Gay Officers Action League, Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, and numerous other organizations. In 2007, he married Steffen on the steps of the Massachusetts State House to commemorate their 30th anniversary together.

"I am disappointed because I feel I have a responsibility to do serious work with these organizations and causes," says Price. "I might step away and do something totally different that's not public, but my relationship ends in that sort of public way with those groups, and I regret that. I regret that it has been forced to an end."

Ultimately, though, Price views his departure as an opportunity for "rebirth." He is happy with his home, his husband, and the freedom to entertain what the future holds. Most of all, he has no interest in engaging in a "pissing match" with his former station.

"I've made a vow and tried to conduct my life in a certain way," explains Price. "I don't want to go out moaning. I don't want to say it's a fond farewell; it's not a fond farewell.

"It's just farewell."