• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Air America Radio: An Appraisal

V

valkyrie777

AAR shines in some dayparts and crashes and burns in others. PD John Manzo needs to rearrange the furniture...soon:

Rachel Madow (5a-6a) is sharp-tongued and sharp-minded. She has a wicked wit and can stick the verbal knife in with panache and elan. She focuses like the proverbial laser beam on national/international politicos. She's fun to listen to and ANYone who pisses-off Limbaugh that much is a heroine in my book!

Listening to AAR's Mark & Mark (6a-9a) on WLIB/1190-AM, I think I know why they're having difficulties reaching out to middle America: they're schmoozers making inside-New York City smalltalk...including having obscure Bronx/Queens/Brooklyn public office-holders and/or seekers as guests. Note to M&M: 70's stoner humor was clever when done by Cheech & Chong. You two ain't them. The "Future Mark" on-going bit IS funny, though.

Jerry Springer (9a-12n) is smooth and passionate. When he's in full-throated high-dudgeon, he smokes. His use of Morning Jock funny bits and parody songs is well-done; his handling of callers who disagree with his positions or statements is even-handed and courteous. Superbly entertaining.

Al Franken & Kathrine (Noon-3p) is, unfortunately, plainly not funny at times and embarassingly amateurish at others. I'm sure the portion of the program that's called "The Oy, Oy, Oy Show" is Martian-speak to most people West of any Manhattan deli. Drop the Borscht-Belt yuks and get back to progressive programming.

When AAR is locked 'n' loaded with NeoCons in their sights...they rock. Other times...never mind.
 
> AAR shines in some dayparts and crashes and burns in others.
> PD John Manzo needs to rearrange the furniture...soon:
>
> Rachel Madow (5a-6a) is sharp-tongued and sharp-minded. She
> has a wicked wit and can stick the verbal knife in with
> panache and elan. She focuses like the proverbial laser beam
> on national/international politicos. She's fun to listen to
> and ANYone who pisses-off Limbaugh that much is a heroine in
> my book!
>
> Listening to AAR's Mark & Mark (6a-9a) on WLIB/1190-AM, I
> think I know why they're having difficulties reaching out to
> middle America: they're schmoozers making inside-New York
> City smalltalk...including having obscure
> Bronx/Queens/Brooklyn public office-holders and/or seekers
> as guests. Note to M&M: 70's stoner humor was clever when
> done by Cheech & Chong. You two ain't them. The "Future
> Mark" on-going bit IS funny, though.
>
> Jerry Springer (9a-12n) is smooth and passionate. When he's
> in full-throated high-dudgeon, he smokes. His use of Morning
> Jock funny bits and parody songs is well-done; his handling
> of callers who disagree with his positions or statements is
> even-handed and courteous. Superbly entertaining.
>
> Al Franken & Kathrine (Noon-3p) is, unfortunately, plainly
> not funny at times and embarassingly amateurish at others.
> I'm sure the portion of the program that's called "The Oy,
> Oy, Oy Show" is Martian-speak to most people West of any
> Manhattan deli. Drop the Borscht-Belt yuks and get back to
> progressive programming.
>
> When AAR is locked 'n' loaded with NeoCons in their
> sights...they rock. Other times...never mind.
>


Some good feedback. What about Rhandi Rhodes and Mike Malloy? And Sam Seder Show?
 
> AAR shines in some dayparts and crashes and burns in others.
> PD John Manzo needs to rearrange the furniture...soon:
>
> Rachel Madow (5a-6a) is sharp-tongued and sharp-minded. She
> has a wicked wit and can stick the verbal knife in with
> panache and elan. She focuses like the proverbial laser beam
> on national/international politicos. She's fun to listen to
> and ANYone who pisses-off Limbaugh that much is a heroine in
> my book!
>
> Listening to AAR's Mark & Mark (6a-9a) on WLIB/1190-AM, I
> think I know why they're having difficulties reaching out to
> middle America: they're schmoozers making inside-New York
> City smalltalk...including having obscure
> Bronx/Queens/Brooklyn public office-holders and/or seekers
> as guests. Note to M&M: 70's stoner humor was clever when
> done by Cheech & Chong. You two ain't them. The "Future
> Mark" on-going bit IS funny, though.
>
> Jerry Springer (9a-12n) is smooth and passionate. When he's
> in full-throated high-dudgeon, he smokes. His use of Morning
> Jock funny bits and parody songs is well-done; his handling
> of callers who disagree with his positions or statements is
> even-handed and courteous. Superbly entertaining.
>
> Al Franken & Kathrine (Noon-3p) is, unfortunately, plainly
> not funny at times and embarassingly amateurish at others.
> I'm sure the portion of the program that's called "The Oy,
> Oy, Oy Show" is Martian-speak to most people West of any
> Manhattan deli. Drop the Borscht-Belt yuks and get back to
> progressive programming.

Franken wouldn't have a show if he weren't famous, had some
real courage, and didn't use his celebrity status to grab
interesting interviews from time to time. While he is better
now than he was a year ago, he plainly has no radio chops.

>
> When AAR is locked 'n' loaded with NeoCons in their
> sights...they rock. Other times...never mind.
>

I mostly agree with this. AAR has proven its chops this year.

I would add that Randi Rhodes is one of the best hosts in the
country, period. She uses language in inventive, memorable ways.
Some of her interviews are classic. She has become the informal
"voice" of Air America Radio this year.

I think AAR has two general markets it needs to serve: The urban
market takes to Morning Sedition and Janeane Garafalo pretty well,
and the Rural market (mostly in red states), takes to people
like Springer and Franken pretty well. I think Randi Rhodes
is their only crossover show. I wonder if AAR could develop
some new specialized shows for one market or the other, and make
more inroads in each market than they are currently.

ff
 
> > AAR shines in some dayparts and crashes and burns in
> others.
> > PD John Manzo needs to rearrange the furniture...soon:
> >
> > Rachel Madow (5a-6a) is sharp-tongued and sharp-minded.
> She
> > has a wicked wit and can stick the verbal knife in with
> > panache and elan. She focuses like the proverbial laser
> beam
> > on national/international politicos. She's fun to listen
> to
> > and ANYone who pisses-off Limbaugh that much is a heroine
> in
> > my book!
> >
> > Listening to AAR's Mark & Mark (6a-9a) on WLIB/1190-AM, I
> > think I know why they're having difficulties reaching out
> to
> > middle America: they're schmoozers making inside-New York
> > City smalltalk...including having obscure
> > Bronx/Queens/Brooklyn public office-holders and/or seekers
>
> > as guests. Note to M&M: 70's stoner humor was clever when
> > done by Cheech & Chong. You two ain't them. The "Future
> > Mark" on-going bit IS funny, though.
> >
> > Jerry Springer (9a-12n) is smooth and passionate. When
> he's
> > in full-throated high-dudgeon, he smokes. His use of
> Morning
> > Jock funny bits and parody songs is well-done; his
> handling
> > of callers who disagree with his positions or statements
> is
> > even-handed and courteous. Superbly entertaining.
> >
> > Al Franken & Kathrine (Noon-3p) is, unfortunately, plainly
>
> > not funny at times and embarassingly amateurish at others.
>
> > I'm sure the portion of the program that's called "The Oy,
>
> > Oy, Oy Show" is Martian-speak to most people West of any
> > Manhattan deli. Drop the Borscht-Belt yuks and get back to
>
> > progressive programming.
> >
> > When AAR is locked 'n' loaded with NeoCons in their
> > sights...they rock. Other times...never mind.
> >
>
>
> Some good feedback. What about Rhandi Rhodes and Mike
> Malloy? And Sam Seder Show?
>


there were some rumors that Jim Hightower was going to join Mark and Mark.....personally Id rather see Rachel Join the team.....as an extension of her fantastic 5am show.....i think she would add spark......but Hightower is experienced in radio...maybe he could add a bit of midwestern appeal to the two east coasters...

I think you are not entirely correct about Springer....i think he needs a sidekick...hes a little flat to me....but that is not from listening a lot to him....i know he is trying to hit the midwest and south...and he might be working it better than i think he is...he is excellent with callers and that I want to say is is strongest point in my limited listening time to his show.

Al and Katheryn have more appeal that i think was stated.....i think the next step is to move to a live audience....every Franken show with audience absolutely rocks....i think if he did that ...even if he moves the show to Minn...that he will be fine

After franken leaves...personally Id like to see Katheryn get her own spot ....after Franken leaves...maybe Joe Conason and Lampher can team up.....but Randi should be the flagship show...afterward..when they subbed for Al while he was in Irag...it worked very very well between Joe and Katheryn.

Randi is simply the diva - i wont rehash why i enjoy the show..but its the best show on AAR..my opinion

Janeane regrettably is not doing as well as i thought she would...but Sam Seder has really improved and maybe he will develop further....they have good chemistry but Sam is holding up the show currently.....it can be hit or miss at times..but the guests are always great....

Mike Malloy is a throwback and I do enjoy him when i can stay up long enough to listen to him.....he is angry and opinionated....and he has some great callers.

Most people probably havent listened to too much of the new weekend programming..but credits go to the show Ring of Fire with R. Kennedy, Jr. and Mike Papolintinio (sp?)....its a strong two hours....should be expanded further

Politically Direct on Sunday has promise....but ill listen longer to see how it goes.
 
I must say that after 14 months of continual AAR bashing on most of the boards here, that it is refreshing to hear a balanced apprasial of AAR based solely on on-air performance, and not on ideology.

We on the west coast do not get Springer, although I do get to download his shows on Air Amreica Place. He definatly needs a sidekick, and I think he tried TOO hard to be unlike the Jerry-Jerry-Jerry! of TV.

Al and Katherine: Yes, a live audience not only would help on radio, it wuld help with the TV show as well. I heard a skit they did with Tina Fey, and Katherine was surprisingly funny as the too-ernest parody of herself.

Randi Rhodes: Will you marry me?

Janene and Sam: Actually, they are good if they would only take a chill pill and not try so hard.

Sedition: PS, CC...Morning Sedition...not THE Morning Sedition. Mark and Marc do need a sidekick, maybe Racheal to handle the more serious interviews.

No one mentions Laura Flanders, who does a most excellent show on weekends. Problem is that she is preemeted here in L. A. now. But check her out.

Thanks for some real objectivity on all this!

Don
 
> Sedition: PS, CC...Morning Sedition...not THE Morning
> Sedition. Mark and Marc do need a sidekick, maybe Racheal
> to handle the more serious interviews.

This morning's wall-to-wall coverage of the London bombings, with Rachel there all morning, was quite good. I missed the comedy bits, but for this matter, it was quite understandable.<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>
 
> > Sedition: PS, CC...Morning Sedition...not THE Morning
> > Sedition. Mark and Marc do need a sidekick, maybe Racheal
>
> > to handle the more serious interviews.
>
> This morning's wall-to-wall coverage of the London bombings,
> with Rachel there all morning, was quite good. I missed the
> comedy bits, but for this matter, it was quite
> understandable.
>

The AAR teams did well during the morning...and this was an area that had not been
handled well since they went online...much better in 1.5 years of work....I was disappointed with Stephanie Miller's crew..they provided very limited updates despite having the ability to cover with more enthusiasm/frequency...but it seems like that was a internal decision versus not being able to switch to the news.

I would advise her to provide updates of major news events more frequently as needed...when possible of course
 
> Janeane regrettably is not doing as well as i thought she
> would...but Sam Seder has really improved and maybe he will
> develop further....they have good chemistry but Sam is
> holding up the show currently.....it can be hit or miss at
> times..but the guests are always great....

I think Garofalo is burning out. She is MIA more and more on the show. All too often one or the other is gone. I am hearing the producer's voice more and more as well.

> Most people probably havent listened to too much of the new
> weekend programming..but credits go to the show Ring of Fire
> with R. Kennedy, Jr. and Mike Papolintinio (sp?)....its a
> strong two hours....should be expanded further

Kennedy is the Diane Rehm of AAR... a voice made for writing. He can literally be painful to listen to. AAR's weekend lineup is very bland to me. They need to liven things up a bit.
 
> I was disappointed with Stephanie Miller's
> crew..they provided very limited updates despite having the
> ability to cover with more enthusiasm/frequency...but it
> seems like that was a internal decision versus not being
> able to switch to the news.

Miller is not part of AAR. She is distributed by Jones.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom