Te "O'Franken Factor"

[fencesitter]

I'm sure it's old news to y'all, but I read this in todays paper about the dubut of AirAmerica.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/8155696.htm

"Air America, the left-leaning radio network anchored by Al Franken, will launch March 31"

Won't be here in my town, but I sure am wondering how it will go over.

[K-W]

1. I wish franken would take it more seriously,

but just the same, I desperately look forward to hearing it.

[thebigidea]

3. you're asking a humorist not to be amusing?

[K-W]

5. Not what I meant

I just think that he makes himself look petty by defining himself through fox news and bill oreilly.

[thebigidea]

6. oh, you mean the stuff that made him a #1 bestseller?

[K-W]

9. Tell the same joke over and over again,

see if people laugh every time.

Making the O'Franken joke as part of publicity is one thing. Naming his show that is another. I think people will see him as a one trick poney and not tune in for what will probably be a much broader spectrumed show.

[thebigidea]

10. The continual needling of Bill O'Reilly is a good thing

its a catchy title too.

[K-W]

12. But this isnt about needling O'Reilly, this is about a new radio network

Franken is making it look like the network is just a gag.

[thebigidea]

13. he's a COMEDIAN. What do you expect?

The Insufferably Dry and Dull Franken Hour?

[K-W]

16. A multi faceted show, that gives witty politcal satire and commentary

The title makes it look like the show is a one joke gag on O'Reilly. I know that isnt what it actually is, but they need more than just me to listen to them.

[thebigidea]

20. ok, here's your chance. Come up with a better title.

[StClone]

17. You're correct

Rush named his show 'Rush Limbaugh' and it sure isn't funny even after the first airing.

And FAUX's 'Fair and Balanced' is their motto not name but it isn't funny either.

:-)

[Doctor Pedantic]

7. That was exactly my reaction

Enough already, Al. Let's hear what you have to say, without continuing this stupid, personal feud.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

11. "The Franken Factor" would be more reasonable.

[HootieMcBoob]

29. Reasonable maybe but funny? Not so much.

The O'Franken Factor is funny!

[fencesitter]

2. Oops, THE O'Franken Factor"

I can't type somedays.

[flakey_foont]

4. Could it be that

we are now in the 'true' Al Franken decade?

[Jack from Charlotte]

15. "Yes. It's all about me..... Al Franken." LOL (NT)

[forgethell]

8. don't want to sound pessimistic

but we should start a pool on how long it lasts. I don't think that the people who think liberal will be intereted for long. And conservatives won't listen to begin with.

[fencesitter]

19. I thought about that..

Liberal folks I know just are not the type to listen to talk radio each day. they just are not that tunnel focused. If there is an issue being discussed on a program I'm interested in, such as health care, I'll tune in for awhile then move on. I think the conservative crowd needs the constant bashing, anger and righteous indignation like a drug.

[americanstranger]

22. Preaching to the choir is not the idea.

In the markets that AAR is launching, the airwaves are saturated with right-wing screaming heads - Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly. In NYC, for instance, Randi's show is going up against Hannity, O'Reilly, and a long-time local right-wing crank named Bob Grant.

The has simply been no alternative for people to listen to.

I think it's about culling some of the smarter sheep away from the Clear Channel herd. They've been hearing one side of the story for years - I think that if they're exposed to the other side of the story, people would stop drinking the right-wing koolaid.

-as

[forgethell]

27. I give it 6 months, tops.

It won't be a factor in the election. This is just wasted money. I think it could be better spent on educational materials for the voters, but that's just me. Besides, that may be illegal now??

[HootieMcBoob]

30. I'm going to listen n/t

[caledesi]

14. It's not just Al Franken...Air America Radio is launching

liberal radio on Mar 31th in
NY
Chicago
SF
LA
Philly

Air America Radio, a progressive talk radio network, announced today it will hit the airwaves on March 31st. "Air America Radio is launching in the top U.S. markets with leading talent that will provide compelling and entertaining programming on the radio, on satellite feeds, and on the web," said Mark Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Air America Radio. “We aim to build an important new media franchise that delivers results.”

The network’s on-air personalities represent today’s top political and popular satirists, commentators and activists. Comedian, and best selling author Al Franken, who was recently taken to court when Bill O’Reilly and Fox News were seeking an injunction to halt distribution of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," and is known for fact-based, drug-free satire, will host a weekday show on the network called “The O’Franken Factor.”

“I’m so happy that Air America Radio will be on in three battleground states, New York, Illinois and California….no wait…those aren’t battleground states. What the hell are we doing?” said Franken.

Air America Radio has signed actress and comedienne Janeane Garofalo, hip hop icon Chuck D, radio personality Randi Rhodes, and political humorist Sam Seder to join Franken at the network. Environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., “The Daily Show” co-creator Lizz Winstead, and business-of-the-media analyst on the public radio program “Marketplace” Martin Kaplan will also join the network.

The network has unveiled its current weekday and weekend line-up:

Monday-Friday
Uprising: 6:00-9:00am

This is a fast paced morning show that will entertain and engage audiences with wit and political satire. It will feature the latest news, offering up to-the-minute interviews with newsmakers, analysis and strong opinions.

Host: Marc Maron
Co-host: Sue Ellicott
Co-host: Mark Riley

Unfiltered: 9:00am- 12:00pm
Air America’s midmorning program is a showcase for conversation about the political and cultural state of the union. Unfiltered introduces listeners to fresh new voices not available in mainstream media today.

Co-host: Lizz Winstead
Co-host: Chuck D
Co-host: Laura Flanders

The O’ Franken Factor: 12:00-3:00pm
Relentless, pure satire, delivered by the leading political humorist of this generation. With his partner, longtime radio host Katherine Lanpher, this will be three hours of fearless barbs, sketches, and interviews with newsmakers and characters who have lived, up until now, only in Al’s fertile imagination. He’s no policy wonk, but this best-selling author and veteran of Saturday Night Live, is devoting his energy to fighting back against rightwing propaganda with hard evidence and facts.

Host: Al Franken
Co-host: Katherine Lanpher
Producer: Billy Kimball
----------------------------------------------------------

Go to http://www.therandirhodesshow.com/todays_show.html
for the lineup


This is big! And yes, they will be streaming Randi's show.

[DieboldMustDie]

23. Anyone know what station they'll be on in Philly?

:bounce:

[caledesi]

24. Randi mentioned it yesterday, but I forgot.

Go to: http://www.therandirhodesshow.com/main.html

It might be there, or call her today. (It's her last day in Florida)

[theorist]

18. Has anyone here thought that he might change the name after a week?

The name of the show is clearly a joke, and I think he'll change it soon after the debut.

[DieboldMustDie]

21. I'm not so sure he's going to use it even at the outset...

I've heard him use that line before.   I suspect he was joking, but the reporter just didn't get it.

[qb]

25. As I recall, they have been planning to use entertainment and humor

as a major draw. I think it's brilliant. People will tune in for the laughs and get hit with cold hard facts to boot.

Imagine someone who is politically indifferent- would they rather grumble with Limbaugh or laugh with O'Franken?

On edit - Franken is also probably trying to taunt O'Liely until his head explodes.

[AgadorSparticus]

26. the name is a continual affront to the ridiculous right wing.

i LOVE it! to think Al has reduced his purpose to a personal agenda is a reach. and it's not just about o'really. he's far more astute than that. o'reilly is just the ticket that brought him to the forefront. so he's capitalizing on it. smart man.

for the record, he goes after hannity, coulter, and the rest of the hatemongers with the same zeal. his book is nothing but facts. the man knows his shit.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

28. I'm in Massachusetts-and there's no liberal talk hosts here

our homegorn fascists-Howie Carr and Jay Severin-are just as bad as the Hannitys of the world. I'm sure the state that voted 65% for Al Gore will be happy that their views will be represented for once. I'm so happy that Air America chose Boston for one of their markets!