Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Jerry Springer, Randi Rhodes, Air America

WHERE WERE THEY?

Libs Are Convention No-Shows, Springer Moderates Image




*** Exclusive to The Radio Equalizer***

Missing a major opportunity to make a case for their network's future, why did nearly all of Air America Radio's hosts and executives skip this year's all-important New Media Seminar in New York City?

Held just a short distance from the liberal network's Manhattan studios, attendance would have likely provided one final chance for the floundering talk radio operation to lobby for affiliates.

What could possibly have been more important?

If you've been following our New Media Seminar reporting this week (both here and at InsideRadio.com), it should be clear the event was well-attended by many of the industry's biggest personalities. This year, Sean Hannity, Dr Laura, Alan Colmes, the Reverend Al Sharpton, Dr Joy Browne, Sally Jessy Raphael, Neal Boortz (lower right image), Star Trek/ Howard Stern's George Takei, Michael Medved and Tom Leykis were among those taking part.


While Air America's primary hosts, including Al Franken, were busy working the room last year, only Jerry Springer and one network executive, Gary Krantz, were seen in the convention hall this time.

With Air America busy losing affiliates faster than LaRouchian weirdo Sheldon Drobny can purchase stations to replace them, a critical opportunity to repair their fast- sinking ship was lost.

Have they given up? Is this a signal to the industry that it's all over? Your Radio Equalizer asked a number of attendees what they thought of the absences of Franken, Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Maddow and others from this year's event.

More than once, we heard the view expressed that liberal talk was simply last year's "flavor of the month", with the business now recognizing that Air America just isn't going to generate the ratings and affiliate growth necessary to succeed.

Another person speculated that Franken was probably hesitant to return after last year's room- clearing convention fiasco.

Considering that those who run the talk industry are overwhelmingly liberal and have whined about "right- wing radio" for 15 years, that's probably not an easy admission to make.

The same folks who have made millions from Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity must now realize nothing is going to save what they'd always secretly wished would exterminate conservative talk for good.

During the panel discussions, the words "Air America" and liberal talk were almost never uttered, as though they didn't exist.


Even Springer, the one host who did show up, was careful to distance himself from Air America. Given that he's a key part of their lineup, that's a curious move, don't you think?

During a well- delivered speech entitled "The Fine Line Between Journalism and Showbiz", Springer said he wasn't sure exactly where, or if, he fit in at the liberal talk network. "While I may not be a Bush fan, I don't think he's the devil, either," said the notorious television trashmeister.

One frustrated company executive, who still supports the concept of liberal talk, told the Radio Equalizer shortly after Springer's speech that his own words should be a signal that it's time to give up on talk radio.

According to the obviously annoyed corporate suit, "he's the worst thing they've got, and he's bringing down the whole operation and ruining progressive talk radio for everybody else. Why doesn't he realize he needs to quit?"

After hearing his speech, we couldn't have agreed more. In this setting, he's very impressive, in a way we've never seen on television and certainly not on the radio, where Springer is a nightmare.

While we didn't agree with everything he had to say, Jerry kept our attention with wit and self- deprecating humor.

Joking about being sent downstairs upon his death, he also asserted that he could easily be elected mayor of Hell, Michigan!

In addition, Springer warned attendees, "may you never be on my (television) show." Admitting he'd done almost everything in his life that an evil person would do, he said the only thing left "would be to sell used cars."

Claiming that conservative talk radio was society's reaction to the very clear fact that liberals had permanently won America's culture wars in the 1960s, Springer was quick to stereotype right-leaning listeners.

On the radio, where is this Jerry Springer? During his talk shows, we've never heard even a trace of any of these qualities. And on television, he lets the flying chairs do the talking.

Given recent comments on the death of Zarqawi, as tracked by Bill O'Reilly, we're not so sure how easy it will be for Springer to truly moderate his image, however.


As for the network as a whole, we don't know why the YearlyKos tinfoil convention in Las Vegas and other weekend events were deemed more important, but Air America has now forfeited what is very likely its last chance to make a case for the future.

Have they given up the fight for good?

WELCOME to National Review Online, Shot in the Dark and Memeorandum readers!


ELSEWHERE: Former KOH/Reno talk host and current Washoe County Judge Chuck Weller continues to recover this morning, after being shot by a man apparently angry with his ruling in a family custody dispute.

--- Welsh Christians protest the Cardiff opening of Jerry Springer: The Opera.

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Some images by David A Lunde and Pete at IHillary, Hell: Reuters