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New AAR Morning Lineup December 16

T

tbetz

As nobody else has yet commented on it, I will.

This morning Marc Maron announced that starting Dec 16 (a Friday, oddly enough) AAR's morning lineup will start at 5AM with an as-yet-unnamed two-hour program hosted by Mark Riley, followed by a two-hour program hosted by Rachel Maddow.

Maron's comments included a statement that there would be no more scripted comedy bits in the morning; I don't know whether this means that Rachel Maddow will lose the services of Kent Jones, whose contract (I presume) runs out at the same time as Maron's and the rest of the Morning Sedition writers.<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>
 
> As nobody else has yet commented on it, I will.
>
> This morning Marc Maron announced that starting Dec 16 (a
> Friday, oddly enough) AAR's morning lineup will start at 5AM
> with an as-yet-unnamed two-hour program hosted by Mark
> Riley, followed by a two-hour program hosted by Rachel
> Maddow.
>
> Maron's comments included a statement that there would be no
> more scripted comedy bits in the morning; I don't know
> whether this means that Rachel Maddow will lose the services
> of Kent Jones, whose contract (I presume) runs out at the
> same time as Maron's and the rest of the Morning Sedition
> writers.
>
Who would want a split morning drive on their radio station?

I have no comment on the individuals involved; but think about the logistics: a radio station wants to promote ONE MORNING SHOW, not two.

Can someone explain what they're thinking at AAR?
 
Another Triumph for Political Correctness

AAR is an organization driven by political considerations, not programming or business considerations.

My guess: The dominant concern is keeping their various constituency groups happy (or at least equally unhappy). Diversity rules.

Reilly is an African-American Male, and a legacy from WLIB's owners (possibly he is protected by terms of the LMA between AAR and Inner City Broadcasting).

Maddow is a politically-connected White (out)Lesbian.

Reportedly, AAR has interviewed at least two experienced radio people with major market morning drive experience and successful track records. Unfortunately both the people were White Males and the top echelon backed off.

For some reason, management decided not to team Reilly and Maddow, possibly because neither had worked well as part of a team in their previous attempts (Morning Edition with Maron and Unfiltered). So, it looks like somebody invoked the Wisdom of Solomon and split morning drive in two.
 
> As nobody else has yet commented on it, I will.
>
> This morning Marc Maron announced that starting Dec 16 (a
> Friday, oddly enough) AAR's morning lineup will start at 5AM
> with an as-yet-unnamed two-hour program hosted by Mark
> Riley, followed by a two-hour program hosted by Rachel
> Maddow.
>
> Maron's comments included a statement that there would be no
> more scripted comedy bits in the morning; I don't know
> whether this means that Rachel Maddow will lose the services
> of Kent Jones, whose contract (I presume) runs out at the
> same time as Maron's and the rest of the Morning Sedition
> writers.
>

I get the feeling that this is a temporary solution. I really can't see this being permanent.

Sounds like they're doing a transition until they put together a stronger morning show.<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
Re: Another Triumph for Political Correctness

> AAR is an organization driven by political considerations,
> not programming or business considerations.
>
> My guess: The dominant concern is keeping their various
> constituency groups happy (or at least equally unhappy).
> Diversity rules.
>
> Reilly is an African-American Male, and a legacy from WLIB's
> owners (possibly he is protected by terms of the LMA between
> AAR and Inner City Broadcasting).
>
> Maddow is a politically-connected White (out)Lesbian.
>
> Reportedly, AAR has interviewed at least two experienced
> radio people with major market morning drive experience and
> successful track records. Unfortunately both the people
> were White Males and the top echelon backed off.
>
> For some reason, management decided not to team Reilly and
> Maddow, possibly because neither had worked well as part of
> a team in their previous attempts (Morning Edition with
> Maron and Unfiltered). So, it looks like somebody invoked
> the Wisdom of Solomon and split morning drive in two.
>

The founders of AAR obviously were partially motivated by political reasons, but these people are also businessmen, and with most businessmen, they want to see this thing make money.

The guard has changed at AAR since it started, and Danny Goldberg is a businessman. He slugged it out for decades in the vicious business known as the recording industry.

In short, I'm sure conservatives would like to think that people are shoveling millions of dollars into this as some sort of hobby, but I'm really quite certain that they think this thing can be profitable. And if done right, it certainly can.

<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
> As nobody else has yet commented on it, I will.
>
> This morning Marc Maron announced that starting Dec 16 (a
> Friday, oddly enough) AAR's morning lineup will start at 5AM
> with an as-yet-unnamed two-hour program hosted by Mark
> Riley, followed by a two-hour program hosted by Rachel
> Maddow.

It's a twister... to quote from Airplane, the movie.

This looks like a sort-of-return to the original thinking of Maddow following Morning Sedition, except then it was Unfiltered. Unfiltered suffered from poor ratings and clearances, and also a parade of pundits and barely interesting politically connected guests which really wasn't compelling. Morning Sedition doesn't work for anyone west of Albany. :)

For my money, Stephanie Miller is still the formula for success in AM drive if you don't want to do a local show.

The loss of comedy in a morning drive show on AAR would be a bad thing. Springer's version of "comedy" and bits is as disasterous as his TV show.
 
Re: PC Conspiracy Theory

> AAR is an organization driven by political considerations,
> not programming or business considerations.
>
> My guess: The dominant concern is keeping their various
> constituency groups happy (or at least equally unhappy).
> Diversity rules.

I don't see any evidence for this at all. It's all about ratings, and Morning Sedition doesn't see any and Maddow, who is a rising star, is on wayyyy too early. It sounds more like they are trying to accomodate Maddow.

> Reilly is an African-American Male, and a legacy from WLIB's
> owners (possibly he is protected by terms of the LMA between
> AAR and Inner City Broadcasting).

I don't see any evidence that Reilly is a draw for African American listeners. Chuck D does a far better job of that, but he's buried on weekends.

> Maddow is a politically-connected White (out)Lesbian.

Maddow's show has never been seen as a gay/lesbian program. She's a host who happens to be gay and freely admits it. I don't see any evidence there is a move on by the gay/lesbian community to force AAR to have a gay/lesbian show.

> Reportedly, AAR has interviewed at least two experienced
> radio people with major market morning drive experience and
> successful track records. Unfortunately both the people
> were White Males and the top echelon backed off.

Where was this reported and who were they? AAR wants ratings, not a PC award. They canceled Unfiltered because of ratings. Now it looks like the morning mess is being tinkered with again for the same reason.
 
> This looks like a sort-of-return to the original thinking of
> Maddow following Morning Sedition, except then it was
> Unfiltered. Unfiltered suffered from poor ratings and
> clearances, and also a parade of pundits and barely
> interesting politically connected guests which really wasn't
> compelling. Morning Sedition doesn't work for anyone west
> of Albany. :)
>
> For my money, Stephanie Miller is still the formula for
> success in AM drive if you don't want to do a local show.

Except she's not available for AMD unless you're in one of four states (or your morning show starts at 7).

As to the two shows, it is stupid, but keep in mind that if the shows are 5-7am and 7-9am ET, stations in Central time zones and west can only promote the second one since the first will be over by 6am or earlier.

Stupid, indeed... I still think someone needs to put together a small network of regional shows; use the old MS and/or Maddow for 5-9am in the northeast corridor, find other shows appealing to various clusters of geographically similar affiliates in the eastern/central zones, have Jay Marvin, or similar (Goyette if you're stretching it) do a mountain zone show for KXXT, KKZN, KABQ, etc., and use Miller on the west coast. Of course, any station could pick up anything at their own peril, but at least options would be better.
 
Re: Another Triumph for Political Correctness

I don't see any sense in splitting AMD into two parts. AAR either needs a strong morning show, or the affiliates will find one....or produce one. <P ID="signature">______________
..from the Ball Park Franks sponsored keyboard...</P>
 
> As nobody else has yet commented on it, I will.
>
> This morning Marc Maron announced that starting Dec 16 (a
> Friday, oddly enough) AAR's morning lineup will start at 5AM
> with an as-yet-unnamed two-hour program hosted by Mark
> Riley, followed by a two-hour program hosted by Rachel
> Maddow.
>
> Maron's comments included a statement that there would be no
> more scripted comedy bits in the morning; I don't know
> whether this means that Rachel Maddow will lose the services
> of Kent Jones, whose contract (I presume) runs out at the
> same time as Maron's and the rest of the Morning Sedition
> writers.
>
If Riley can not see the writing on the wall then he is blind. Maddow will rock from 7-9 ("true" drive time, and full power for the AM's that have to power down at night) and be a great lead in to Miller. Plenty of Central, Mountain and Pacific stations won't even need Riley's program to have complete morning coverage so it will be barely a problem in the east coast only. Riley can kiss his show goodbye, he is not a talent by any strech and will be gone as soon as his contract ends. Add another hour to Rachel's show when that happens and the 5-6 hour will be left up to the individual stations to program or maybe they will do a new news show if anyone wants it.
 
Re: Another Triumph for Cost Cutting

> AAR is an organization driven by political considerations,
> not programming or business considerations.

I'd say that contractural obligations count as business considerations.

So does trimming fixed costs where possible.

I see this move as more of a good business move than PC.

> Reilly is an African-American Male, and a legacy from WLIB's
> owners (possibly he is protected by terms of the LMA between
> AAR and Inner City Broadcasting).

Tru dat. The LMA contract protects both Mark Riley and Wayne Gilman.

> Maddow is a politically-connected White (out)Lesbian.

Connected? With whom?

In my opinion, Maddow is the more talented of the two, thought she has less experience. Whether or not she's ready for morning drive, keeping her talent under contract, gaining exposure and experience, while they develop a more comprehensive AMD solution (if that's something they really want to do), is the smart thing for AAR to do. Especially considering that they just cut their labor cost for that slot by better than 3/4. Especially when the progtalk stations that have been most successful have their own local AMD programs, and don't want AAR's offering. With this move, AAR is economically providing a couple of network news/talk menu alternatives for stations who can't afford their own AMD hosts, or prefer running a two-hour local program to a three or four hour local program. I doubt that either of these programs will be in the business of taking listener phone calls... so stations can time-shift them at will with nothing lost.

Remember, Danny Goldberg was known at Mercury Records for his ability to recognize and nurture musical talent on a budget. With this move, AAR has cut its fixed costs significantly, reserving the big bucks primarily for the support of its marquee names.<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>
 
Re: Another Triumph for Cost Cutting

> Tru dat. The LMA contract protects both Mark Riley and
> Wayne Gilman.

Does it say WHEN he has to make a fool of them on the air? When does the LMA option to buy come up; I don't think they'd be bound for life?!

> > Maddow is a politically-connected White (out)Lesbian.
>
> Connected? With whom?

Perhaps Maddow could not replace Garofalo but the entire show; a younger skewing evening show that attracts the younger audience. Exactly what the WSJ ragged on her for allegedly doing on her 5am show.

> In my opinion, Maddow is the more talented of the two,
> thought she has less experience. Whether or not she's ready
> for morning drive, keeping her talent under contract,
> gaining exposure and experience, while they develop a more
> comprehensive AMD solution (if that's something they really
> want to do), is the smart thing for AAR to do. Especially
> considering that they just cut their labor cost for that
> slot by better than 3/4. Especially when the progtalk
> stations that have been most successful have their own local
> AMD programs, and don't want AAR's offering. With this
> move, AAR is economically providing a couple of network
> news/talk menu alternatives for stations who can't afford
> their own AMD hosts, or prefer running a two-hour local
> program to a three or four hour local program. I doubt
> that either of these programs will be in the business of
> taking listener phone calls... so stations can time-shift
> them at will with nothing lost.

Why stations do two-hour local shows other than to cede way to better talent (local or national) is beyond me. And these new AAR shows are not better talent. Pay the host and get what you pay for... 3 hours of DECENT radio.
 
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