Page "Arthur Godfrey" Paragraph 44

On October 19, 1953, near the end of his morning radio show — deliberately waiting until after the television portion had ended — after lavishing praise on LaRosa in introducing the singer's performance of " Manhattan ," Godfrey thanked him and then announced that this was LaRosa's " swan song " with the show, adding, " He goes now, out on his own — as his own star — soon to be seen on his own programs, and I know you'll wish him godspeed as much as I do ".

Godfrey then signed off for the day saying, " This is the CBS Radio Network ".

LaRosa, who had to be told what the phrase " swan song " meant, was dumbfounded, since he had not been informed beforehand of his departure and contract renegotiations had yet to happen.

Stanton later admitted the idea may have been " a mistake.

" In perhaps a further illumination of the ego that Godfrey had formerly kept hidden, radio historian Gerald Nachman, in Raised on Radio, claims that what really miffed Godfrey about his now-former protege was that LaRosa's fan mail had come to outnumber Godfrey's.

It is likely that a combination of these factors led to Godfrey's decision to discharge LaRosa.

It is not likely Godfrey expected the public outcry that ensued, a result of the incident running directly counter to Godfrey's avuncular image.