Tuesday Evening

AAR'S HARSHEST CRITICS?

And: Denver Readers Resist Frankenfluff



Especially from the "progressive" network's supporters, it's funny to see how carefully scrutinized our Air America coverage has routinely become.

What's not mentioned, however, is how AAR's harshest critics are increasingly on the left.

Originating with Marc Maron's on-air protests concerning his upcoming "Morning Sedition" removal, a deep liberal divide has recently begun to emerge concerning the network's future.

Normally, a radio talk host marked for termination doesn't stick around for two months to complain about it. Nasty as it may seem, standard procedure is an instant programming schedule disappearing act.

But this is Air America, run by radio outsiders, where rookie mistakes are simply par for the course.

And from the ranks of the liberal radio network's small but rabid fan base, eliminating one of their favorite shows isn't going over well. With Rachel Maddow already tapped to replace Maron, many listeners are not sold on the changes.

Even Maddow is said to be somewhat reluctant to potentially bite off more than she can chew. There's a big difference between hosting one early hour and taking over the entire morning drive. Instantly, Maddow will be expected to perform in their most important time period.

In a two-part series that began earlier this month, the lefty WFMU blog outlines why the moves are disturbing to fans:

It looks like Air America is about to lose one of their best on-air personalities, Marc Maron. There's been no official announcement, but on his show, Morning Sedition, Maron has repeatedly said he's probably on his way out. And yesterday he said it's unlikely he'll be part of the Morning Sedition air team (with radio veteran Mark Riley) after this month. And they're promoting their live remote at O'Neal's in the Upper West Side this Thursday as their "last live appearance."

Why would Maron leave? Or why would Air America let go of the funniest guy on their talent roster? Best guess-- deadlocked contract negotiations.

When Air America went on the air over a year and a half ago, a lot of us in radio were dismayed that a new talk network would go on the air with so many air personalities and writers who made their mark in television instead of radio.

Not that media cross-pollination in general is such a bad idea, but just that when a start-up radio network was trying to do something SO new (a national liberal talk network) AND they were also attempting to reinvent the medium at the same time by leaning so heavily on TV talent instead of loading up the schedule with radio veterans.

In part two, even more criticism is levelled:

While Maddow's talents would undoubtedly translate to good radio no matter which slot she might occupy at the network, it seems unwise to completely dump one of the most dynamic programs on Air America, especially the ONLY one that always delivers laughs, in order to give Maddow more air time.

Let's not forget that the 9am to noon slot is occupied by the radio non-talent Jerry Springer, who sounds as if he's explaining the issues of the day to a room full of middle-school kids, AND controversial talk monster Howard Stern is about to abdicate his morning throne and head off to Sirius Satellite Radio.

While some of his fans will fork over the dough for the equipment and subscription fee to follow Stern, a lot of his other listeners will be scanning the radio dial for topical comedy talk, and if it were around Maron's Morning Sedition might be a viable magnet for the coming Howard Stern radio diaspora.

Oddly, this is the same reasoning Maron himself recently used to justify remaining at Air America: that he was best suited to grab Howard Stern's listeners upon the latter's upcoming exit for SIRIUS radio.

It's baffling to think Stern listeners could be potential Air America converts.

While the Radio Equalizer has been aware of the impending morning changes for some time, this site has chosen to instead focus on a bigger issue: the network's dire financial situation.

Now, however, the issues have become intertwined: moving Maddow into morning drive saves Air America a bundle.


Meanwhile, Denver Post radio critic Dick Kreck seems surprised not everyone in Colorado is on board with Al Franken's rhetoric:

I need to hang around a better class of commentator. Al Franken is making "a joke" out of me.

I interviewed Franken last week ahead of his visit to Boulder to broadcast his Air America Radio show live (10 a.m. weekdays, KKZN 760-AM). It's said nothing gets reader response like writing about (a) abortion and/or (b) gun control. To that, I would add Al Franken, a lightning rod for the right.

Whether it's fear or revenge for his comedy-laced attacks on Rush Limbaugh, I can't say. But I can share some reader responses, which ranged from political to, well, scatological:

"I cannot begin to conceive the amount of outrage you libbies would raise if Rush Limbaugh's New York affiliate were involved in getting money from not only a Boys & Girls Club but terminally ill, mentally challenged, and the list goes on!" - Kevin Morin.

"History reveals the truth but, then again, 'truth' escapes the liberal mind as they wouldn't want anything to get in the way of keeping an 'open' mind." - 1patriot. (Multiple samples of President Clinton's actions against Iraq attached.)

"Apparently, Al believes he is relevant." - Bob St. Clair.

In fresh radio ratings for Dallas-Fort Worth, Air America's local outlet is still showing a 0.0 doughnut hole. Ouch. Conservative radio at WBAP and KLIF were both way, way up this month.


Michelle Malkin's WRKO "Pundit Review" interview from Sunday is now posted at their site. Listen here.


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Hello Kitty Tackles Frankenfluffy by Pete at IHillary.