« October 2005 | Main | December 2005 »
AAR CEO Goldberg: less comedy, more Mark Green
More barely audible whining about Marc Maron being removed from Morning Sedition ensues, this time from Jonathan Larsen, who apparently used to work on the show in some capacity. He was let go in September, and now he's available on his blog to tell-all:
[Air America Radio CEO Danny] Goldberg's claim that he's dividing the morning-drive slot into two shows of radically different sensibilities rather than retain a sharp, critically acclaimed comedian at a time when fans of Howard Stern (some of whom had already discovered us and joined the ranks of our listeners) would be looking at alternatives, is both laughable and transparently false. The reality is he dislikes Air America's comedic elements. Rather than more of Sedition's comedy, Goldberg wanted the show to interview former NYC mayoral candidate [and Public Advocate] Mark Green.
How long until the Bavarian Illuminati - or whoever it is who really calls the shots at AAR - pulls the plug on Goldberg?
And, in related news, don't forget to enter the "Help Save Air America Radio Contest".
Posted in AlsoRans at 11:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hypnotick to see Al Franken live in Dallas
A blogger I've never heard of before plans to see Al Franken when he broadcasts live from Dallas on December 2. "Hynotick" describes himself as a:
30-something politically active Gay hypnotist gamer with two kids, two cats, one boyfriend and one straight wife
And, he says that:
[Al Franken is] not my favorite host on Air America. Randi Rhodes is my favorite. Something about a smart, funny woman who knows what's she talking about. . . Hmmm, it reminds me of The One.
I thought you might care.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 03:32 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
MSM: New Air America morning lineup; more BoreAmerica ideas copied
The MSM reports that Air America radio has a new morning lineup, something we reported yesterday.
Billboard informs us that the new lineup will actually be starting on Jan 3, and not next month. And, they say that the two new shows will be called "Air America Mornings".
"Air America Mornings"? Hey, I guess "Coffee with Tony" was taken, as was "Oprah in the Afternoon".
Disgraced and bedeviled AAR CEO Danny Goldberg chimes in:
"HIstorically [sic], AAR hasn’t done as well in mornings as other dayparts [sic]... Drive time morning is such an important time, and with the pending election, we felt this was the right time for a change."
As for Marc Maron, AAR's Prez Gary Krantz promulgates the following voluntary confession:
"We are committed to generatinig at least one show in 2006 from Los Angeles to connect us more closely with the progressive creative community there, and thus to offer our affiliates a widening menu of politics, comedy, information and entertainment"
In related news, CBS totally rips off my concept, titling a Nation column as "Al Franken V. Antonin Scalia". Er, cough, "Franken v. Scalia decided strongly for Scalia", cough. If you're going to rip off my idea, at least give me credit, OK?
Posted in Meta at 11:28 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
The "Help Save Air America Radio Contest"
Air America Radio is in trouble, and needs your help. They're caught in what I might refer to as a "shame spiral", as they reel from scandal to scandal, from depressing ratings to even more depressing ratings, and from disastrous decisions to even more disastrous decisions.
But, you can help.
What I need you to do is come up with common-sense, practical ways that AAR could turn itself around. Sometimes people on the outside can see things that those on the inside cannot see, and you probably have insights that AAR can put to good use.
And, the best thing about this is... it's a contest! The top five best ideas will win something to be determined by our judges who also remain to be determined.
Please leave your idea(s) in the comments. To get the ball rolling, here are a few of my tips. But, bear in mind, these are not eligible to win the contest, and you can probably do better anyway:
IDEA: Jerry Springer gets an additional hour.
IDEA: A daily, one-hour show from former Labor Secretary Robert Reich (hat tip: Stuart Smalley)
IDEA: Introduce an AAR "Super Affiliate" program. For a donation of $1000 or more, affiliates receive: 5 bumper stickers (1 for you, 4 for your friends to help with that viral marketing thing), 2 - yes, two! - totebags (in case you buy in bulk at the co-op), and an autographed photo of Randi Rhodes with the AAR Christmas tree
Please, help Air America and leave your ideas in the comments.
Posted in Satire at 05:31 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Marc Maron, Morning Sedition cancelled
Air America Radio has canceled Morning Sedition and Marc Maron will be leaving on December 15, it has been reported. I guess I was wrong. This is just the latest in a long line of brilliant moves on AAR's part, as, even though I've never heard him, Maron is supposed to be entertaining or something.
His current co-host, Mark Riley, will have a solo show from 5-7AM. Rachel Maddow will move to 7-9AM.
Maron might be given a one-hour show from L.A., but what exactly that means isn't clear. And:
I can't wait for the next e-mail I get soliciting membership money from AAR. They'll get the response they deserve.
According to this:
If they think they're gonna take on rightwing clowns like Limbaugh with a snoozefest, they're insane.
Yeah, and? A site notices a lot of PSAs during MS. A blog blames AAR CEO Danny Goldberg. James Wolcott has issued a "Call to Arms" (being liberals, the arms will be Molotov cocktails and legislation).
At Randi Rhodes' site, the post announcing the news has just one reply.
However, at AAR's site, "Robespierre" thinks of the higher and common good:
At least AAR seems solvent for another year. Face it folks, the commonality of "us" is to move the nation forward, to ensure a better life for our children and grandchildren, and that hasn't been altered one iota.
However, "artnorton" has a different take:
fuck goldberg or whatever his name is. I mean HOURS of randi rhodes ragging on and on, irratating me who agrees with her point of view but jesus! I can't stand her voice- and then they take away the most brilliant radio I've ever heard? Funny, informative, inviting- did I mention brilliant? Fuck'em!!! I hope Mike Malloy and Marc end up on another network- They're the only thing worth saving- Sorry, I forgot to mention Rachel's bright mind also
They're also trying to assemble "Morning Sedition Memories".
Back in October, I asked, "Is Air America falling apart?" Add another data point to the pile.
Posted in AlsoRans at 12:07 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
"Unintentionally" funny Al Franken headline
I know Jay Leno does something similar, and I thought I'd rip him off and show you this "unintentionally" funny headline. I assume this is a rare instance of a headline writer slanting things to the right:
Posted in StuartSmalley at 05:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Al Franken to Visit Lesbian Capital of United States
Last year Stephanie Miller visited that city, and Al Franken will also visit there on Wednesday, Nov. 31, the local paper reports:Question: Ever been to Asheville before?Oh boy is he in for a surprise. In other news, Smalley reports that he makes "nutritious candy" and that he'll be at Air America for "a while".
Answer: I’ve always wanted to go there. My brother spent some time there (and) loved it. All that I know is that it has a great music scene.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 10:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Franken v. Scalia decided strongly for Scalia
Al Franken tangled with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Monday, and came out looking like the lightweight he is:...When [Norm] Pearlstine opened the floor for Q&A, Franken stood up in the back row and started talking about "judicial demeanor" and asking "hypothetically" about whether a judge should recuse himself if he had gone duck-hunting or flown in a private jet with a party in a case before his court.However, the DUmmies chime in here. On the other hand, this links to this PDF with Scalia's earlier comments on the Cheney matter.
Franken was clumsily referring to the fact that Scalia had gone hunting and flying with Dick Cheney before the 2000 election.
First, Scalia lectured Franken, "Demeanor is the wrong word. You mean ethics." Then he explained, "Ethics is governed by tradition. It has never been the case where you recuse because of friendship."
Time Warner chairman Dick Parsons later told PAGE SIX: "Al was not quite ready for prime time." Franken was a "Not Ready for Prime Time Player" on "Saturday Night Live" long before he began hosting a radio show on Air America.
UPDATE: The idiots at the HuffPost weigh in. Scalia is a "bully and a fascist" who looks like a "Mafia boss... [b]ut in a bathing suit", etc. etc.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 01:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Did Katherine Lanpher jump, or was she pushed?
Speculation is still swirling around the blogosphere about Katherine Lanpher leaving Al Franken's show.
She left around September 30, saying she had to get a book out by January 2006.
Now, her publisher has extended the publication date of her book... until October 2006.
Did she or her publisher decide to extend the deadline, or was this the plan all along and the January deadline was just a face-saving excuse for one of the parties?
Pretty much everyone agrees that Stuart Smalley is even more annoying without her, even though some didn't like her mannerisms. Was this yet another bad move on AAR's part, or was "January 2006" just an excuse she used to flee the sinking ship?
Speculating...
Posted in StuartSmalley at 12:06 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Calling all Jerry Springer on the Radio fans!
"The Professor" from the blog of the "freeform" radio station WFMU describes "Air America's Next Big Mistake (part 2)". Obviously, he left out a few parts, but he recommends keeping both Rachel Maddow and Marc Maron, while trimming Jerry Springer's time or just buying him out completely. He also points out, as I have, that few listeners are enthused about Jerry Springer.
Posted in PureClass at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Today's "Is there a connection?"
Someone named Ron Jackson Suresha writes a letter to the editor of New London CT's "The Day". It reads like it was written by their PR department, but it wasn't. As it turns out, he's the author of, among other works, "Bears on Bears: Interviews & Discussions".
Posted in Meta at 08:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Al Franken to broadcast from Missoula Children's Theatre
In January, so you have time to buy your (minimum $50) tickets for the human rights fundraiser.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 09:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Air America to settle Multicultural Radio Broadcasting lawsuit
Multicultural recently sued AAR relating to the very first AAR scandal, way back when they were pulled from their Chicago and Los Angeles affiliates because they didn't pay their leases. Now, that lawsuit has been settled.Do you remember those lazy, hazy days of the first scandal? AAR leased time on two of MRB's stations, but, in April 2004, they apparently forgot to pay $100,000 for the time. As Evan Cohen said at the time:
Air America Radio is temporarily unable to be heard on WNTD in Chicago and KBLA in Los Angeles, but Chicago and Los Angeles listeners can still hear our broadcast on the web at airamericaradio.com and on XM Satellite Radio (channel 167).Now, Multicultural is reportedly "very satisfied" with the terms of the settlement.
"MultiCultural Radio Broadcasting's conduct in this matter has been disgraceful. To shut off a broadcast that listeners rely on without warning and in the middle of discussions is the height of irresponsibility and a slap in the face of the media industry. In addition, it is a clear violation of their contractual obligations, and we are seeking legal remedies against them in court.
The NY Sun article provides a rundown of the various interlocking AAR scandals:
In May 2004, Air America's board members learned of alleged financial improprieties and mismanagement by the network's director, Evan Montvel Cohen. This prompted board members to transfer ownership from Radio Free America and Progress Media, owned and controlled by Mr. Cohen and his partner Rex Sorensen, to Piquant LLC, the network's current owner. According to Mr. Mastro, the transfer of ownership was a "sham" intended to maintain the network's assets while deceiving its creditors, including Multicultural.
In November 2004, the New York Supreme Court ruled that the prior owners of Air America, Radio Free America, owed $255,000, plus interest, to Multicultural. According to the complaint, the new owners of Air America, Piquant, had not paid the old debts.
In the suit filed in May 2005, Multicultural sought to claim its damages from Piquant, charging it had conducted a "fraudulent conveyance" of ownership. They sought a maximum of about $1.5 million in damages, which included the outstanding airtime lease payments for both the Chicago and Los Angeles stations, rent for studio space and equipment, lawyers' fees, and interest.
As part of the now settled suit, Mr. Mastro referenced an ongoing probe by the city's Department of Investigation, in conjunction with the state attorney general's office, into allegations of "inappropriate transactions" by the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx that included the transfer of $875,000 to Air America.
At the time of the transfers, Air America was run by Mr. Cohen, who simultaneously served as the development director for the boys and girls club. Mr. Cohen and Air America cut ties in May 2004. In September, Air America wired money into an attorney-controlled escrow account to be handed over to the boys and girls club when the Department of Investigation completes its inquiry and authorizes payment.
Posted in Meta at 12:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sheldon Drobny calls out all rich liberals
If I were a Hollywood billionaire, and I had had one of my PAs read Air America Radio founder Sheldon Drobny's latest column to me, I would immediately put him on the "watch list". As in, "make sure he never comes within 100 feet of me"....[mentions his book "Road to Air America"]...
...[he met Clinton and Gore but they didn't cough up any dough]...
...So we had only our own money and some of our traditional investors to start up Air America Radio. We ultimately had to sell the company reluctantly in November, 2003 because we could not raise the 40-50 million dollars necessary to complete the funding. The buyers actually did get the network on the air but they also ran out of money. Perhaps the buyers thought that they could do better with some of the Hollywood mega-millionaires. Although they got a lot of promises, they also were unable to raise money from the progressive elites. We unfortunately realized that ego and power are not limited to the right wing.
In May of 2004, after the buyers defaulted on their commitments to us and other investors, Anita and I were called upon to help reorganize and save Air America Radio. We were the first ones to loan $500,000 to the company to pay for back salaries and health insurance...
...[claims that AAR reaches "almost 70% of the radio audience". Even Al Franken only claims 63%, and both figures are misleading and includes things like uninhabited areas. Hey, someone might be backpacking with a radio or something, so...]
[...includes long, unformatted excerpt from a friend's website...]
...Anita and I have been traveling throughout the country visiting the local affiliates of Air America Radio and have been received by literally thousands of appreciative people in our presentations. Almost everyone thanks us for having the courage to take a chance with almost all our resources to change the media direction of this country. And yet almost no one in Hollywood knows about who we are and what we have done that could have easily been done by the billionaires and millionaires in Hollywood who could have funded the project without making a dent in their life styles or fortunes. Instead they invested their tens of millions of dollars in lost campaigns to get on stage with the prominent Democratic candidates. A small fraction of those campaign contributions could have helped Air America Radio and other projects like Democracy Radio.
...[says he can only get on CSPAN, and calls out friend-of-Arianna Bill Maher for not having him on...]
My message to all the rich and powerful on the progressive side is to put your money where your mouth is even if it is not your idea or does not put you on stage with a prominent candidate. Anita and I will be glad to let you know how you can help with this David and Goliath battle to take back broadcast media... [provides his email address]
Posted in Sheldon Drobny at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Al Franken promotes book to ignorant college students
Stuart Smalley recently visited two colleges in order to promote his book, and got highly complimentary write-ups in the school rags, no doubt from "journalism" students. However, in both cases the headlines appear to be unintentionally less-than-flattering.
From Hahvahd comes "Franken Promotes Book", something which sounds vaguely similar to the previous entry. Hint: I was being a smartass, OK?
And, from Tufts comes "Al Franken all 'Truth' without too many jokes". Now, I don't know exactly which state Tufts is in (New Jersey? Alabama? Georgia? Arkansas?), but I believe their headline could be split in to two parts. First, they claim he only provided the truth, as opposed to no falsehoods. I find that extremely difficult to believe.
Secondly, they claim there weren't too many jokes. All together now: "that I believe!"
That article also claims that Stuart is "the founder of Air America Radio". I thought that was Al Gore?
That article has Stuart's standard shtick about Iraq as well as his standard bit in which he fails to understand why many people are opposed to gay marriage. And, he also smears conservatives as OK, just misinformed unlike high-minded liberals such as him.
In the Harvard story he expresses his peaceful liberal tolerance for Rush:
Franken remarked that his "dream" was that his film about alcoholism "Stuart Saves the Day" was screened for Limbaugh when he went to rehab.
And:
He added that liberals had cornered the market on moral issues like education and poverty, but the Republican Party had hijacked the message.
Man, I just can't wait for his Senate campaign.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 05:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Additional Al Franken joke noted; scandal spun
Stuart Smalley will be in Denver later today, doing his show live from KKZN AM-760 and signing his book at a bookstore. He also provides some of his trademarked side-splitting "humor":
"The best way for us to start getting out is for the president to finally admit some mistakes... Just say,'OK, we kind of cherry-picked, exaggerated and misled people. Saddam was just a bad guy. We thought there were weapons of mass destruction there, and that's the only way we could get in. My fault. Sorry... This would be a several-hour apology. If he did that, I would say, 'Way to go, man!' and help him."
He just cracks me up!
Props to reporter Dick Kreck, because he was also asked about that minor scandal:
The $875,000 loan is being paid back, he says. "We have been asked (by the New York Department of Investigation) to put the money in escrow until the investigation is complete. What Michelle Malkin and those people didn't explain was that (the boys and girls club) are the ones under investigation. That's usually left out. Secondly, this guy (Evan Cohen) was kind of a crook ... But we've been taking care of it."
So, because of the actions of AAR's former CEO, a charity helping poor kids in the Bronx is being investigated? And, can't Stuart at least spell our name correctly? "Those people" indeed. We have names, you know.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 03:55 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Today's New York Times / Air America Radio scandal
Remember the NYT article "They Look Nothing Like Rush Limbaugh", featured here in the post "New York Times finds new way to promote Air America"?
As it turns out, the idea for that article appears to have come from an AAR PR flack named Jamie Horn, who pitched the NYT on the concept. Details here. Additional comments here.
To be frank, there doesn't appear to be anything that overly underhanded here. I send emails to various source suggesting that they cover a story, and I'm sure that very many bloggers send links to their posts to other bloggers hoping they'd be linked.
Of course, in light of the NYT's obvious pro-AAR bias - including largely ignoring a major scandal at a source that they helped and continue helping to promote - this is a bit more than just the usual thing that PR people do. Would Limbaugh or Hannity have the same success at pitching their stories? I think not.
And, can't you just imagine the conversation in the NYT "newsroom" if Michael Savage wanted press? What would that result in? "Evil Right-Wing Hate Radio Hits Rock Bottom".
And:
While the New York Times Ethical Journalism Standards Guide doesn't appear to directly address the issue, Section 134 does discuss potential "favoritism" conflicts related to arts and entertainment coverage. And restrictions against helping others promote "artistic, literary or other creative endeavors" apply, according to Section 135.
P.S. This site welcomes news tips from AAR insiders.
Posted in Meta at 01:35 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Alan Skorski on Joseph Farah Show November 15
The author of Pants on Fire: How Al Franken Lies, Smears And Deceives will be on the Joseph Farah Show Tuesday sometime between 3pm and 6pm Eastern. You can stream it here.
Posted in Meta at 03:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Al Franken in Cambridge on Tuesday Nov 15
And, no one except for the Boston Herald cares about his appearance at WKOX (WTF?) and WXKS. The link is a standard blurb about Franken's new book, complete with the news that he's still moving back to Minnesota, from whence he'll continue to consider running for Senate. It also contains the following absolutely nonsensical bit from the book:
George W. Bush wants to amend our Constitution to make it illegal for gays to marry. But evidently, he has no problem with terrorists getting married. America can't afford a president who is soft on terrorist marriage. Because unlike gays, terrorists can breed.
If you were a "liberal", that would make sense.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 08:58 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Al Franken gets splogged
A "splog" is a spam blog consisting of programmatically-obtained bits and pieces from other sites, which are reconstituted and extruded into posts on the splog. Blogspot is full of these type of things, including a whole chain dedicated to Stuart (for some reason). Here are eight of them, all apparently from the same person (or machine). Put blogspot.com after one of the words and type it into your browser bar to see what it looks like:
ty0alf
alf5x
xr7p25alf
lwaa32alf
alf8pq
xr7p25alf
alf251zrc
lwaa32alf
Congrats to Al on the honor.
Posted in Blog at 11:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The deck chairs are NOT being shuffled on HMCS Air America
Marc Maron is not - I repeat - NOT on his way out on Air America. Unfortunately, the "liberal" blogosphere is all a-twitter about the NYT story about Randi Rhodes and Rachel Maddow which included this:
The network is expected to announce imminently a move by Ms. Maddow into a more prominent morning drive-time role.
Neither Maron nor Jerry Springer have anything to fear. Rumors of Marc Maron being fired are just a practical joke designed to prop up AAR's sagging ratings. I'm almost 99% sure of that, and you liberals shouldn't worry about things like this.
Posted in AlsoRans at 08:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Air America's move to Canada: what really happened
It's been over a week now since Air America Radio announced the shocking news that their entire operation - including hosts and support staff - was moving to Canada to restart business "up north" in Napanee, Ontario, Canada. They will sell the remaining time that they purchased on stations in the U.S., and use that revenue to purchase time on cheaper stations in Canada. "Plus/touts, with/avec, the exchange rate/la rate d'echanger, we will save money/nous allons sauver l'argent", AAR CEO Danny Goldberg said.
But, what's behind the move?
According to Goldberg, him and all of the hosts renouncing their American citizenships was one of the harder decisions they've made, but they realize the payoff could be better than if they'd stayed in the U.S.
Firstly, they realized that their brand of liberalism stands a better chance of being heard and fully appreciated in a more civilized country like Canada.
Secondly, Al Franken realized that his becoming a Senator from Minnesota was nothing more than a sad joke, and he's now set his sights on becoming a Senator ("or whatever they have up here") from one of the Maritime Provinces ("the sunny one", Franken jokes).
And, thirdly, they all had a sudden epiphany that it was just the right thing to do after reading the review of
"The Truth (With Jokes)"
Posted in Satire at 08:11 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
New York Times finds new way to promote Air America
The NYT has found a new way to promote AAR, the New York Times reports in Susan Brenna's "They Look Nothing Like Rush Limbaugh".
The "they" are Randi Rhodes and Rachel Maddow (who's "sunny"), and they're contrasted and compared in the article. (Note: In order to read the article, you need to first sign in to the NYT's special little world.)
We're informed that Randi is the "more political, more acidly caustic voice" who offers:
"You're a pig!" she cries at whatever male conservative broadcaster has angered her that day.
Then, in a bit of a backhanded tribute to the truth that the NYT refused to acknowledge for a few weeks and still has not adequately reported on:
...the network has added and lost stations, dipped in the ratings, then slightly risen again, while lagging far behind conservative talk radio in popularity. Its New York station, WLIB, was ranked 24th in the city in the most recent Arbitron ratings report, compared with WABC, the conservative talk home, at No. 8. Air America's reputation was also shaken by revelations that a founder, now departed, had borrowed $875,000 from a Bronx Boys and Girls Club to finance the network. In a statement, the network's current management said that it had repaid the loan into an escrow account, "where the money will remain until the city has completed its investigation of the club."
Well I guess that settles that! Say, what about the Air America Associates program?
As for its current financial outlook, Mr. Goldberg said, "We pay the bills any way we can." Earlier this fall the network started an online fund-raising drive similar to a public radio campaign.
That's a very kind way to put it. OK, well what about that so-called famine in the Ukraine? Oh, I'm sorry, that was that other New York Times reporter.
Posted in Meta at 01:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Air America Radio: anti-Finn, anti-Polka, anti-Senior, anti-American
Air America's latest outlet is WELY 1450 AM in Ely/Hibbing Minnesota. Let's take a look at some of the programming AAR will be replacing with Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy, and all the rest. WELY calls itself "End of the Road Radio", and it will indeed be the end of the road for some of their American shows:SUNDAY (Times are CST) 7 AM - 9 AM Aamuhetki Finnish American Show (nordic music) 9 AM - 12 PM Sunday Morning Together 12 PM - 7PM Big Band Ballroom Stardust 7 PM - 8pm Birding with Bill 8pm - 10pm Oldies MONDAY ... 9 AM - 10 AM End-Of-The-Road Trading Post 10 AM - 12 Classic Folk ...1 PM - 2 PM Classic Folk 2 PM - 6 PM Rock Mix 6 PM - 7 PM Brandenburg Images in Sound 7 PM - 8 PM Boundary Waters Blues Jam 9 PM - 10 PM Off The Beaten Path 10 PM -6Am Oldies ...WEDNESDAY ...7 PM - 8 PM Radio Kids ...10pm-12 The Feast ...FRIDAY ...10 PM - 12 AM Reggae Mix SATURDAY 7 AM - 12 PM Polka Pal Don Show 12 PM - 3 PM Big Lake County Blue Grass Show 3 PM - 4 PM Wood Songs 4 PM - 6 PM Midnight Special 6 PM - 7 PM Rock Mix 7 PM - 8 PM Boundary Waters Blues Jam 8 PM - 12AM Rock'n Roll Request Show 12AM-7AM OldiesIn their own "liberal" way, AAR is like the WalMart of screeching: moving in to a small town and replacing fine local programming with their loony leftie hosts.
Perhaps what's needed here is an anti-AAR movement similar to that that opposes the giant retailer. I know all the people who oppose what they did to KCTC would be eager to join.
Our slogan: "Stop the Walmartification of American Radio!"
Posted in Meta at 11:52 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Democracy Radio unilaterally shut down
As previously discussed, the head of Democracy Radio, Mr. Debbie Stabenow aka Tom Athans, has joined Air America as their head of distribution. (Of course, that might just be cover for his real job: raising money).
As the first link discloses, Athans is shuttering DR.
Apparently they had just two major shows: Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller. Schultz - who's a progressive, I swear - sold his soul to the man who brought us Rush Limbaugh, so he appears to be no longer in DR's fine stable of fine hosts.
Of course, this move may or may not affect a certain also-ran:
The Stephanie Miller Show was launched in September 2004. It is produced by Democracy Radio, the Pioneer of Progressive Talk, and WYD Media Management. Jones Radio Networks distributes the show.
Posted in Meta at 09:57 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Ed Schultz on American Forces Radio; debate in Congress
According to this, Big Dumb Ed will soon appear on the Armed Forces Radio Network, but "soon" has not yet been defined. Backstory on this issue here.Now, we can argue about whether AFRN has "relented" as the Denver Post says or not, but there's a much more ominous news story behind all this.
That's described in "Inhofe debates defense radio". On Tuesday Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) squared off over AFRN in the U.S. Senate. As previously discussed, Harkin wants to legislate "progressive" radio onto the air. He wants to appoint an independent ombudsman to make sure that AFRN's programming is "fair and balanced":
...Harkin said the airing of conservative views without any competing shows is "unfair. This is censorship. This is propagandizing our troops."
Inhofe, a Tulsa Republican, said the network has a policy that it won't consider airing talk show programs unless they are syndicated and have at least 1 million listeners.
He said the Defense Department had recently agreed to add liberal talk show hosts Franken and Ed Schultz to their programming because the two had reached that threshold.
But Inhofe said he had talked to troops in Iraq about the current programming and that they were satisfied with it.
He also said Limbaugh's show represents only 3 percent of the weekly scheduled programming, but that National Public Radio is aired 24 hours a week.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said he could understand why Inhofe didn't object to the network's programming since it favored his party, but he argued that National Public Radio is neutral programming that doesn't offset conservative shows.
"National Public Radio doesn't balance right-wing talk," Dorgan said.
Inhofe offered an amendment that would allow the Defense Department to hire an ombudsman to monitor programming, but his language was nonbinding, meaning it didn't have the force of law and didn't require Pentagon action.
Inhofe's amendment passed by a vote of 55 to 43. The Senate then rejected Harkin's amendment by a vote of 54-44.
Posted in Ed Schultz at 01:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Talkers Magazine: Rush Limbaugh beating Franken by only 12.5 million listeners
There's only a 12.5 million gap in listenership between Rush Limbaugh and Al Franken, Talkers Magazine reports in their "Fall 2005 estimates of the weekly cume ratings".
Limbaugh gets at least 13.75 million weekly cumulative listeners, while Al Franken is hot on his heels at 1.25 million.
Other Air America or "liberal" radio stalwarts are coming close to Rush too: Ed Schultz with 1.75 million, and Stephanie Miller with 1 million.
It will just be a matter of a few short decades before liberal radio has the same figures as the right-wing icon, sources inside AAR report to this reporter.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 02:40 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Breaking: Al Franken still considering Senate run!
This story is hot off the presses: Air America's Al Franken is still considering running for the Senate three years from now, Reuters is now prepared to report.Reuters tells us that Franken is still moving back to Minneapolis, and is still continuing to move his lowly-rated show there.
Now, for the bias:
The heavily researched book tackles topics like Social Security reform...Normally, a news report would make that a claim rather than a statement of fact, but, well...
Then, Franken reveals what a class act he is:
"In other words, given proper treatment, there was no reason Terry Schiavo couldn't live out her lifelong dream of being a Rockette," Franken quipped.Oh, what a joker. Say, did he try to beat anyone up? They don't report on that, but:
Some critics say the "humorist on a mission" might be getting too serious for his own good. The new book, said a Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram review "is heavy on condemnation … and light on laughs." But a New York Times review says Franken's book "does keep its promise to be funny about extremely unfunny matters."Yes, and I'm sure those who watch his next USO tour will not have read this article.
...Franken [said?] he learned to do a balancing act partly by doing comedy shows for soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. "You don't stand up and say 'Your president is lying to you and you are dying for no reason.' I don't do that joke."
Posted in StuartSmalley at 05:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
"Pants on Fire: How Al Franken Lies, Smears And Deceives" Part 2
As previously discussed, the book "Pants on Fire: How Al Franken Lies, Smears And Deceives" enumerates just some of Stuart's various deceptive statements. And, in that post I said:
order it through Amazon now before Soros-funded groups start trying to get it pulled
Well, here comes the enemy! Namely, the George Soros-funded Media Matters for America discussing an appearance by author Alan Skorski on The Situation with Tucker Carlson. They try to say Skorski was wrong about BLS statistics.
But, as it turns out they're the ones who are wrong. Of course, it's awful hard to find MMFA being right about something, so don't get too excited.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 07:57 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
Connie, Maury, Lizz, and you
Former co-host of Air America's Unfiltered, Lizz Winstead, will be producing a new MSNBC show featuring Connie Chung and her husband Maury Povich.
MSNBC will air the as-yet-unnamed show on the weekends, and it will have guests.
Connie sez:
"Maury's been on my case to get out of the house and get back to work, but I didn't want to until he came up with this idea... The question is not whether the program will last. ... The question is, 'Can our marriage survive?'"
No, the question is indeed just how many weeks the program will last.
Please leave your best suggestion for the title of this show in the comments. My top choice so far: "Is anyone watching?"
Posted in AlsoRans at 05:39 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Al Franken serviced by Portland Tribune, St. Petersburg Times
I'm sorry for any unfortunate imagery the title might have engendered, but, well, that's just the way it is. Here's the Portland Tribune's fawning tribute, and here's the one from the Florida rag.
Both share quotes and the news that Stuart is moving back to Minneapolis and that he's still - still! - considering a Senate run. And - I don't need to tell you this - neither mention that little unpleasantness involving that little loan, the paperwork Franken signed saying that he knew about that loan, and all of that resulting in the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club losing their membership in the parent organization.
Why doesn't he just release one big set of standard answers and let "reporters" build a pretend-interview out of that? It'd be the same thing. Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait for Pat Paulsen's Al Franken's Senate run for the real questioning to begin.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 03:54 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Marc Maron cancellation: just a practical joke
It's unfortunate to see so many people getting so excited about the so-called "cancellation" of Marc Maron of Morning Sedition. Here's Marc "Crispin" Miller, here's the DUmmies, and here's a petition.
I'm pretty sure that this is just a publicity stunt and/or practical joke. While it's interesting to see more than 3000 signatories to the petition, I wonder how many of them are coming from inside Air America themselves, just trying to gin up some controversy. Oddly enough, unlike other online petitions, I don't see too many fake signatures, and the last thing I want to encourage anyone to do is to go over there and leave a few salient remarks about AAR. No, sirree!
I'd suggest just ignoring this desperate attempt at attention. Don't give Air America Radio what they want.
Posted in AlsoRans at 02:21 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Inside Bunker Garofalo
University of South Carolina student Maggie Brock contacted Janeane Garofalo from inside her very special bunker and got answers to a few questions:
...The right wing machine, for the last 40 years, has successfully cowed the media into thinking there's a liberal bias, which there isn't, and then WAY overcompensating the other way. There's a reason they have to spend so much money and time pushing these narratives into the marketplace and manipulating the masses. It's because right-wing ideas and right-wing cruelty is not the norm -- it isn't. That's why they have to steal elections, that's why they have to use the threat of terror, that's why they have to gay bash, and manipulate your emotions. And what right wing radio hosts do -- they capture the people's lesser nature. It's very easy. The Bush campaign also brought out the worst in people. People's lesser nature is easily tapped into. You make people loyal when they're sitting in fear, in a heightened state of anxiety or anger. That's what the right does because it's easy.
Asked about the Washington DC ratings, she replies:
Well, I actually don't care at all about that. In the summer, typically, talk radio ratings go down for everybody across the board. Ratings for Air America are quite good. No other network has risen so far and so fast in the history of talk radio. The reason the right wing must concentrate on these kinds of things is that the administration they've supported is a failure, so they have to. They try not to talk about the issues. Like Rush Limbaugh talking about how good Tom DeLay looked in his mug shot...
Obviously, she's completely out to lunch. As far as the WWRC ratings, they've been off the charts three out of the last four periods. It's not just a summer thing, it's a structural thing.
Posted in Janeane at 06:18 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Al Franken vs. Affirmative Action
Over the past fifteen years, what percentage of African-Americans would you expect Al Franken to have hired? Certainly no less than 20%, or at the very absolute lowest 10%, right? Try 1%. How many people total has he hired anyway?
Those facts and more are reported in the Amazon best-seller "Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy" from Hoover Fellow Peter Schweizer.
Ted Kennedy has fought for the estate tax and spoken out against tax shelters. But he has repeatedly benefited from an intricate web of trusts and private foundations that have shielded most of his family's fortune from the IRS.
But, wait, there's more! One of those trusts was set up in Fiji. Think he's preparing an escape route if it hits the fan?
Continuing our exotic tour:
[George] Soros says the wealthy should pay higher, more progressive tax rates. But he holds the bulk of his money in tax-free overseas accounts in Curacao, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Posted in StuartSmalley at 10:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
AAR has syndication division; husband of Debbie Stabenow to head
Tom Athans is the husband of Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). He also co-founded Democracy Radio and developed both the Ed Schultz Show and the Stephanie Miller show. Now, he's joined Air America Radio as their executive VP and the head of their syndication division.
Yeah, I don't care either. But, feel free to speculate on their upcoming syndicated content in the comments.
Posted in Meta at 02:15 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
