Drudge Coast To Coast On ABC

Matt Drudge, the controversial internet gossip columnist, has signed up to host a two-hour weekly talk show on ABC radio--despite the objections of ABC News President David Westin.

Drudge, who has been doing a local show on WABC radio in New York, will have his national debut this Sunday on ABC-owned stations. He's the creator of "The Drudge Report" on the internet and he also hosts a weekly television show on Fox News Channel.

ABC News, like the radio networks, is a division of ABC Inc., which made the final decision to hire Drudge. "Matt Drudge is an entertainment brand. He is considered separate from the news side of things," said Michelle Bleiberg, spokeswoman for ABC Radio Networks.

The show will consist of topical commentary and listener call-ins, ABC said.

Drudge's web site was credited with first publicizing the story of President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. But many journalists consider him more of a gossip columnist than a news reporter.

Drudge was sued for defamation by former White House aide Sidney Blumenthal over a false report about Blumenthal's past. Drudge quickly retracted and apologized hours after sending out the item on the Internet.

ABC News President David Westin was overruled in his strong objection to Drudge's hiring, according to a network executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Westin was not available for comment on Thursday.

Drudge was also not available for comment on Thursday. He told The Washington Post the criticism from Westin "doesn't bother me at all. Hopefully one day I can become an apple of his eye."

Drudge's show will have its national debut on ABC-owned stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver. The radio network is also syndicating the show to other stations.