The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

04 March 2006

Rachel Maddow, Talk Radio Seminar, John Depetro, WABC

CONVENTION TENSION

AAR'S Survival Strategy, Pressure In Boston, WABC Move




Especially to out-of-the-loop staffers, just how was Air America Radio planning to break news of its flagship New York City station's impending departure?

We're hearing some interesting theories: to either wait until another station had been secured, or simply hope for an extension to remain on WLIB-AM and say nothing.

With that first possibility, wherever they do land will be a major step downward, cushioning the blow only slightly. And a real longshot gamble would have been that second approach.

Meanwhile, while visiting the Radio & Records Talk Radio Seminar in Washington this weekend, Air America executives were reportedly laying low. Friday evening, the Radio Equalizer heard from one media attendee who'd all day been searching in vain for someone to speak with.

In an especially difficult spot today was Rachel Maddow, there for an on-stage interview with Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE):

Sen. Joe Biden will be the special guest for a live one-on-one interview with Air America Radio morning host Rachel Maddow at the upcoming R&R Talk Radio Seminar in Washington, DC. The special event, open exclusively to TRS 2006 attendees, will take place on Saturday, March 4.

Widely considered a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, Biden is one of the most visible members of the U.S. Senate and is recognized as one of the nation’s most powerful and influential voices on foreign relations, terrorism, drug policy and crime prevention.

Maddow hosts a daily 7-9am ET show for New York -based Air America. After years as a full-time activist for numerous causes, including prison reform and HIV/AIDS, Maddow joined Air America’s lineup upon the network’s debut in March 2004. She also appears nightly with Tucker Carlson on cable TV news channel MSNBC.


Add to this mess uncertainties over the future of Tucker Carlson's MSNBC show, where she is a permanent panelist. Moved to the 11pm graveyard, it's not exactly a ratings-grabber.

Given her strong lefty buzz, she may be rescued by another syndicator or station when Air America vanishes, but for now, things must be rather bumpy. Welcome to the biz.

Why wasn't the Radio Equalizer there? Given some of our recent reporting, we'd likely need a special security entourage. And after attending many conventions in the nineties, there's not a lot we haven't already heard many times before.

John in North Carolina has his own take on Air America's troubles.



Meanwhile, the controversy over Boston talk host John DePetro's recent comments on the savage murder of a New York City clubgoer hasn't died down.

The Radio Equalizer's hearing today that feminist groups, including NOW, are still demanding DePetro's head on a platter.

What's next for DePetro? We can't say.


While it's great to see WABC adding a local weekend show, why not hire an actual talk show host? Larry Kudlow's a terrific economist, with ideas that have happily carried weight at the White House, but a radio talker he just isn't.

How about somebody with real fire, or better yet, local topics?


So much for a brighter future in Kenya after Daniel Arap Moi. With a nasty television network raid, the new government is busy cracking down on the media.

Meanwhile, the country faces dire food shortages after a lengthy drought.

BareKnuckle Politics has the full story (and features this image) here.

Thanks for your continued and vital Radio Equalizer support, via Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of what you ultimately order! Because this investigative work is taking an increasing amount of our time, it's needed more than ever.

AAR Titanic: David A Lunde for the Radio Equalizer

3 Comments:

  • Brian’s Lies Watch – Day 11 Post 13
    The anatomy of a lie:

    1) Rush Limbaugh, on his Feb 14 radio show, in talking about the Ohio Hackett/Brown Democratic Primary, said:
    a. “And don’t forget, Sherrord Brown is black” – this was not a lie, but a mistake
    b. He then said, “There’s a racial component here, too”
    2) Rush was then informed by listeners via e-mails that Brown was not black, and was, in fact, white. Paul Hackett was white, as well
    3) Therefore, there was no “racial element” to the story at all
    4) Rush “corrected” his mistake that Brown was black, but DID NOT retract or apologize for the “racial element” remark

    He made up the “racial element” angle, obviously. This was Rush’s lie. His next lie:

    1) He said “I’m not gonna apologize, ‘cause I don’t think it’s an insult to be black”
    2) Of course, this is a lie, too, because he should be apologizing for making up the “racial component” of the story

    http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2006/02/rush-limbaugh-cincinnati-sherrod-brown.html (the link on Brian’s page is about to disappear forever)

    Brian Maloney then reported on the story on Feb 20. He related the story as if the only element was the “error” Rush Limbaugh Made about Brown’s race.

    Of course, the real story was the “racial component” that Rush made up and then refused to retract.

    Hence, Brian lied as well.

    The elements of the story as I’ve stated above are incontrovertible fact.

    But don’t believe me, and don’t believe anyone else - Research for yourselves.

    By Blogger TJ, at 05 March, 2006 17:54  

  • Remember when Franken and Co. used to claim that AirAmerica covered 60% of the country? Given the recent moves, they're down to 39.7%. And if they lose NYC, they'll be down to 33%.

    Tell me again how this is a "growing" operation...

    By Blogger BF, at 06 March, 2006 16:50  

  • I actually quite enjoy Kudlow when he guest-hosts for Bob Brinker on Moneytalk. Of course, that's a national show, so your point that maybe something with a local bent would go over better. In any case, since I live in San Fran I can't likely hear it anyway.

    Enjoy your blog.

    By Blogger Jeremy, at 06 March, 2006 17:16  

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