A blog's suggestions about AAR

[clbuck]

From http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/05/air_america_vs__1.html:

1. Ease Out Al Franken

That’s right. I know it’s blasphemy, but despite Franken’s success as a liberal author the rubber faced comedian doesn’t cut it on the radio. What’s worse is how expensive it is for Air America to keep the TV funnyman as their mascot. It’s been reported that Franken drains between one and two million bucks a year out of the Air America coffers, and with his production staff, writers and researchers the total cost for the Al Franken Show accounts for over half of Air America’s programming payroll. Bringing in a left-wing radio legend like Neil Rogers would have cost only a fraction of that amount, and obviously would have been a much smarter move. And now Air America has invested in a Minnesota studio for Franken as he explores a possible Senate run there in 2008. Why blow all that cash on somebody who’s likely to split in a year or two anyway? It’s absurd.

Outside of his books, nothing Franken’s done on his own has been overtly successful. Ever seen that Stuart Smalley movie? Me neither. However I have heard Al repeat the same lame jokes literally DOZENS of times on his show. While Franken has a great roster of regular guests, it’s still not enough to carry the show. The idea of putting a well-known TV comic turned lefty author on the radio might have looked good on the drawing board, it’s hasn't created much good radio and tp be honest it’s not been all that funny either. And without Katherine Lanpher to keep things rolling and hold Franken’s expansive ego in check, it’s been a painful listen at best.

The last thing I wanna do is throw myself into the knuckle-dragging hoards of Franken-haters. I hope he keeps writing books and fighting the good fight. He's still capable of some funny TV moments, and he might even make a good Senator. But really-- Air America should invest all that cash into the development of new programming and paying off their debts. If he’ll take it, give Franken a weekend yuk-it-up talk show and a drastically reduced salary, or cut him loose when the contract allows. Have mercy.

2. Put Thom Hartmann Into The Regular Network Lineup

The obvious replacement for Franken. Hartmann continues to grow as a talk host. He’s brilliant, knowledgeable, and runs a tight fast-paced show. Hartmann puts current events into historical perspective, and has an amazing memory and a sense of fair play that makes him the perfect foil for the challenges of right wing callers. Air America now owns his program, but offers it in syndication outside of their regular lineup. It’s always a pleasure (and often a relief) to hear Hartmann fill in for other hosts on the network. I’ve always assumed that the syndication deal put him in the bullpen to fill the next gap in their weekday schedule. I hope that’s true.

3. Cut Randi Rhodes Down To Three Hours, Please

From what I’ve heard, Rhodes has been the biggest ratings success so far on the network. That’s great. Before Air America existed, I listened to Rhodes on the internet and was happy to hear her taking on the right wing noise machine loudly and proudly. I’m not convinced that she’s actually changed, and perhaps my ears are burned out, but I don’t have the patience to take in her show every afternoon these days. And FOUR hours! That's just TOO much Randi.

Yes, she’s usually quite up to speed on current events and the issues and impassioned to be sure. But she’s also shrill and repeats her points so many times in one program that your brain can go numb. And no matter what the issue or topic, it becomes tiresome to hear Randi talk all about Randi whenever she gets a chance. She never mentions the 2000 election without noting that she was ACTUALLY in Florida during the vote controversy there. And if she’s ever met a politician, she’ll be sure to tell you about it every time their name comes up. And if some event coincides with some special day in the life of Randi, you’ll hear about it. Whether it’s a penchant for bragging, or just insecurity, it’s tough to hear Rhodes blow her own horn so loudly everyday. At least it is for me. I’ll admit, she is a pro, but I don’t need her to remind me anymore. C’mon, four hours is just plain overkill.

4. Make “The Majority Report” A Weekly Show, Or Just Get Rid Of It

When I first heard Sam Seder and Janeane Garofalo host this show, it hurt. I mean, it was basically a spasmodic rendition of a college radio political opinion show. I wanted it to get better. It hasn’t.

Okay, I kinda like the new wave-punk bumper music, and the fact that they feature some high-profile lefty bloggers and occasionally have interesting musical acts. But when the content isn’t formed around a good guest, this show is just a lot of panting and spewing and snarky repartee that never seems to grow up. An hour or two in a weekend slot could be bearable, but for the life of me I can’t understand why this show has lasted over two years like this.

5. Give Marc Maron A Prime Night Slot, Now!

Maron was the ONLY non-radio talent who really grew into the medium in the great experiment of Air America’s opening programming lineup. Morning Sedition, the show he hosted with Mark Riley evolved into a funny and unpredictable talk show that covered important issues, made you laugh, and never took itself too seriously. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, cancelling Morning Sedition was a bonehead move.

However, the HUGE internet wave of anger over this decision didn’t go totally unnoticed by Air America. No doubt that’s the only reason Maron got his own program at the Air America affiliate in L.A. And now The Marc Maron Show is not only the best weekday program in the Air America lineup, and it’s also the only one that's only on ONE radio station. The network keeps promising to put him on their network roster, but several roll out dates have passed by and Maron’s not happy that he's left languishing on one California station. Read the latest here.

I say it’s simple. Give Maron the Majority Report slot. What are they waiting for? The money would be better spent to pay out Garofalo for the rest of her contract then to let her psychoanalyze right wing losers and discuss the liposuction on her chin or the trying tooth bleaching procedures TV roles require. Please.

Well, what do you think about this?

There's some more things in that article, including the possibility of having former Clear Channel executive Randy Michaels joining forces with Air America, and the possibility of WLIB losing AAR in August. But I think this blogger does make some sense.

[liberalnurse]

1. I love the line-up the way it is.....

I sense you might do better listening elsewhere.

[NYCGirl]

2. Get rid of your highest rated program? Sounds like a plan to me.

:eyes:

[rniel]

3. Pretty close but way off on

The Majority Report. Sam Seder is incredible!!! He's a huge talent. Too bad I never get to listen to him cause the time slot is not on my schedule.

Other than that I think you nailed all the points accurately.

[eleny]

4. I like Franken but he probably will be running for office at some point

Hartmann would be great in that slot, nationally. He's a wonderful teacher.
Shorten Randi to 3 hours and
Give Sam the next slot for 3 hours on his own. Jeanine as an occasional co-host, perhaps on Fridays.
Then Malloy followed by
Marin late night.

Things always change and so will AAR. The nice thing is that there's plenty of depth in the liberal talk world. I'd like to see Bernie ward go national. He's one of the vary best. And Nate Clay in Chicago is wasted with only a late Saturday night show. Peter Werbe needs to go national again, too. He's so calm and offers that alternate personality. But he's very left wing and active.

[The Jacobin]

5. About 5

I never liked "Morning Sedition" I fact I kept listening to "Morning Edition". I am not in the mood for Yuck Monkeys in the morning. I want entertaining, relevant news. That's where "The Rachael Maddow Show" shines. I haven't heard NPR in the morning in months. She is the only "must hear" on the newtork for me, though I do make a point to hear Randi (even though she is time-shifted in DFW to make way for Ed Shultz).

[Mythsaje]

6. More Hartmann and less Franken?

I'll buy that for a buck.

Franken does some pretty good interviews, but his skits don't do anything for me. I've had to turn the dial in the middle of them because, well, they're not funny. Not to me.

Hartmann is stupendous. Brilliant, knowledgable, and on target 99% of the time. I'd rather listen to Thom than just about any of the others.

[MikeNearMcChord]

7. Thom Hartmann the perfect antidote

against Rush and far outclasses Franken! I would love to see Randi Rhodes as mid-day host or Marc Maron works there too(I tried with Ed Schultz, he is wanting IMHO) I wish Seattle would put Mike Malloy back at 7:00, the AAR streaming sucks.

[tridim]

8. I could listen to Randi all day long

So I disagree about cutting her show down.

Hartmann is okay, but he's nothing compared to Randi and Malloy. He's certainly better than Franken, which isn't saying much because Franken just isn't very good at radio.

Cut Janeanne (because she's admittedly burned out) and let Sam run The Majority Report.

All these moves would be a no-brainer if we had say AAR-II.

[The Jacobin]

9. AAR-II would be a good idea

Drop the "all or nothing" network requirement and package and sell the best of the bunch.

Given the success of Ed Shultz and Randi Rhodes, they at least would be picked up in many places.

[bananas]

11. There's a great photo of Randi at the blog

[bananas]

10. I miss Bronwyn.

[Mugu]

12. If I remember correctly, Al got all of his money up front.

So the first chance to save money by replacing him is when his contract expires.

When deciding which personalities to air they need to decide exactly what their objective is. Do they wish to convert undecided voters or are they shoring up the base? That choice alone should dictate what personalities are needed.

[Cosmocat]

13. Yeah ...

Al has his place ... He is repetitive, but come on, ALL radio people are repetitive ... They have a LOT of air time, and it just is inevitable that they are going to loop around a bit ... But, I like how Al takes some hard shots, and that he is not in the liberal mold - the right has a book on liberal's, and guys like Al and Colbert, with their off center framework, the Rs don't have programming for the sheep to deal with it ... He ebbs and flows, but when he takes a shot, it hurts ...

Hartmann is awesome, and I agree that he needs to be worked into the mix ...

Randi ... I would like to see her cut back a bit, but she speaks to so many ...

I agree that Seder is growing ...

And, I know some don't like him, but I like Schultz a good bit, too ...

The main question for me is Springer ... Someone mentioned, they have to know what they want to do ... Springer is so unstimulating to me ... But, he is so neutral that he can converse with the conservabots without blowing a gasket like everyone else ...

IF they wan to draw in some middle right types, I guess Springer might have a place ... But, if you want the strongest voices, you gotta have some mix of Franken, Rhodes, Hartmann, Shultz and Seder ...

[burythehatchet]

14. I want AAR to keep growing and be hugely succesful

as for me, I do't tune in anymore most of the time.

Randi - Maximum 6 minutes

Al Franken - I've heard every one of his jokes....85,000 times

Jerry Springer - Maybe when I'm 65

I like Malloy and I just have a major crush on Janeane. Rachael Maddow is the absolute best.

[AllieB]

15. I'm a Thom Hartmann fan also

I'd like to see him replace Franken when his time is up. I like Franken, but he's not nearly as informed as Thom or Randi, and dismisses that there was election fraud.

I love Mike Malloy, and I'd like to see Sam Seder have his own show sans Janeane. I also like Stephanie Miller.