While I appreciate the spirit of the inquiry, the point is somewhat moot. Air America was a terrible product that couldn't make a go of it except for the most liberal of localities (I know, I know, they got BOFFO ratings in... Oregon!).
The reason Air America was, to quote you "awful", was that the hosts were quite passionate and generally well informed but they were just not entertaining. They seemed to see themselves as crusaders rather than entertainers. Like fanatics in all areas, they attracted a narrow core following.
The opposite of "entertaining" in talk radio is "abrasive". That defines, in a word, Air America. It was often annoying.
I listened on occasion to Randi Rhodes, and she was often a "good listen". But I think she got drawn too deeply into the "mission" and forgot about having an enjoyable show.