Changes in Provo event led Hannity to back out

PROVO — Conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity says he agreed to appear at this year's Stadium of Fire — but pulled out when he felt show producers wanted to change the show's focus.

"I was invited back," Hannity told the Deseret Morning News Thursday.

"What I loved about the event was that it was about honoring the troops and patriotism and a celebration of America. What changed for me was when I heard they didn't want Ollie North back this year . . . because he was too political."

Hannity, heard locally on KSL Radio 1160 AM, said he loved being part of the two previous shows and had gone out of his way to ensure that they were patriotically inspiring — not politically charged.

"I cherish the honor to be a part of anything that's going to honor the troops," he said.

But Hannity said he decided to "pass this year" because he felt the show's new Los Angeles-based producers were moving away from that focus with a new format.

They wanted an event akin to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and Hannity said he preferred the traditional emcee-based program.

Organizers of the Stadium of Fire earlier this week told the newspaper that Hannity — who hosted the 2003 and 2004 shows — wasn't coming back because of feedback from some who saw the show's emcee as too politically outspoken.

However, Brad Pelo, a festival official assigned to oversee the Stadium of Fire, said Thursday that Hannity had indeed been contacted about coming — but there must have been some miscommunication, both about Hannity's invitation and his proposed role in the patriotic show.

Pelo said he invited the radio commentator to return — but not as the show's emcee.

For the 25th anniversary of the event, the major production of America's Freedom Festival at Provo, the new producers from California suggested that those who had been involved with the shows over the past 25 years be invited back to make appearances.

So Pelo extended invitations to former hosts Hannity and Larry King, along with Robert Redford, Wayne Newton, Andy Williams and other big names in the show's history.

"I had signed on for whatever role — signed on immediately," Hannity said. "But then it became more and more evident that (the event) had changed and they were going in a different direction."

As a result, Hannity's agent sent notice that he was going to focus on other patriotic celebrations that year.

Pelo said he heard nothing about concern over North's involvement in the event.

"The reason I was given for Sean not coming had to do with his schedule," Pelo said.