Well I listened to AA for 2 hours...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

It was my first experience with them. I do like the content, but they seem to need a little evident fire in what they are doing.

They need a pro at bringing the fire. You know what I mean?

You know who I mean too:

They need Malloy. Mike'll bring the fire.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. I think Randi Rhodes has the fire in the belly

the others are too laid back, unfortunately.

I miss Mike Malloy too! :cry:

[Must_B_Free]

24. Randi has the fire for sure

she is like a cross between a freight train and a stand up comic...

Still it's so intense I have to quite listening after a bit.

Malloy is warmer and more loveable of a person. Malloy is like a drinking buddy who puts up with your shit. The guy puts out a vibe of genuine caring.

Go Randi - u b u - sorry for my harsh comments about you, but hon, you are tough and you can take it. Respect what you do and you are very talented and fast. You're like a Hocky Game to Mike's family reunion

[Kathy in Cambridge]

26. Well, she is from Noo Yawk aftah awl

I love her attitude-she's great!

[DAGDA56]

2. Äs I mentioned on another thread...

...a good comedian is not, necessarily, a good radio person...Malloy is a pro, and I agree you need somebody who has actual RADIO experience to show some of these otherwise talented people the ropes.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. Eggs Ackley.

Mike would be the perfect mentor to some of these people, a player-coach.

Dammit, AA! Malloy! I ain't no Malloy fanboy either. I just know you need pitching on this team and Mike can throw all the fastballs you need, with plenty of junk when its called for, and get your hitters squared away.

[Teddy_Salad]

3. Yep....

.....Mike Malloy would round it all off nicely.

The icing on the cake.....so to speak.

[Rick Myers]

4. Malloy and Randi are the FIRE in the BELLY!!!

You are correct...

[Doctor_J]

5. yeah

we've been hammering them with pleas to bring Mike on board. Don't relent!

[Gloria]

6. Yup....they do need Mike Malloy....

Really. I sure hope he gets on the air soon....

He does it like Randi Rhodes...with passion. They want to wake people.
They do the issues...but they are real pros and stimulate listeners.
We need that energy....

[MoonRiver]

7. I think they're going a great job! I stream AA on my computer to avoid

the whores and get some real news. When I'm on the road, which is a lot, I listen to it on XM. It saves my bored arse big time! Mike Malloy would be a wonderful addition though.

[realdeal22k]

9. They need the big dog...Bill Clinton!!!

He has nothing better to do now so why not step up to the plate?

Batter, batter...we need a batter!

[nostamj]

10. the world was not born in a day

or even three.

k?

[DAGDA56]

13. I agree...they can only get better..

The thing the non-radio people may not realize is that this is a media that eats up content like no other...a comedian who has to come up with a 20 minute chunk every week could get burned out trying to fill 15 solid hours a week...

[LTR]

38. Very good point!

Ever try to hold a conversation for three hours? Four hours? Five hous? It takes serious talent. TV it is not.

Many first timers have struggled in broadcast. I'm sure Letterman had some growing pains. Conan O'Brien's show was kinda lame at first, but it has become on of the best things on TV.

On the radio side, a very good example is ESPN Radio's Dan Patrick. He is the host of SportsCenter, and is very good at it. He got the radio gig a few years ago, and was a bit rough at first. Now, he's one of the best syndicated radio hosts (IMO) in the country. All it took was a little time to develop rhythm.

AA made the right decision getting Randi Rhodes. By bringing in a seasoned talent, they upped their credibility, and made the other, less-experienced hosts look good.

[Doctor_J]

11. I just sent them another message

My 4th, I think. [e-mail]

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

17. My message to them:

A one-word suggestion to improve your lineup:

Malloy.


As in Mike.

[tkmorris]

12. I agree with you

Two of the 3 "best" timeslots are occupied by people with no radio experience, Al Franken and Janeanne Garofolo (sp?). I love those 2, really I do, but their lack of experience in the radio format shows. It's early yet of course, and they will no doubt improve but I would agree that AA could use another experienced firebrand.

I also agree that Malloy fills that bill perfectly. He is experienced and very knowledgable. He isn't quite as brash as RR, which is fine. We only need one of her :) How about fitting him in where the Franken repeat currently is? What is it, 11PM-2AM?

I haven't heard the Unfiltered show yet, with Lizz Winstead, Chuck D, and Rachel Maddow. How's that one feel? Are they experienced? Are they angry, in-your-face types or is it more laid back? Based on time slot I'd expect a more loud entertainment style than a cool informed tone. What's the scoop?

[DAGDA56]

15. Unfiltered is OK...but radio takes place in your head...

...and that is what often seperates the radio pros from the guests. There is some kind of mysterious process that lets you hear what you will sound like to the listener a split second before you hear it. You don't have facial expression or gestures, so you have to compensate with your voice...I thought Howard Dean was a natural at this.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

Speaking of dynamics:

Can you imagine Malloy and Chuck D(Who is as smart and clueful as you can find. Ain't shy none, either...) getting together on the issues of the day?

I would PAY to hear that. It would flat cook.

[movonne]

14. They really do need Mike Malloy he and Randi Rhodes would

really rock. He is hard hitting and at this point in time we really need this type of reporting. I did send AA a E-mail and asked them to get Mike.

[htuttle]

16. I hate to be somewhat contrarian, but I like less yelling on the radio....

...especially when I listen to something at work when I'm already stressed out. Before I started tuning into AirAmerica this week, I typically listened to just music, or maybe Pacifica/NPR type stuff -- no AM-format talk radio.

I'm really enjoying Al Franken's show. With Franken's show, I get a lot to chuckle at (which helps!), and he's had really blockbuster guests all week. It's the humor that does it for me. I like Chuck D's show in the morning, too -- Spike Lee called in this morning. I haven't had the chance to listen to many others other than Randi Rhodes.

I'm plenty angry about the shape of things as it is. I personally don't really need to hear someone just rant to me about it -- I KNOW, I KNOW already. It irritates my ulcer to get worked up enough to run out into the street to start throwing bricks, but have to deny that impulse, since I'm stuck at work.

I know a lot of people are into the 'AM Rant' format, and more power to them. But the O'Franken-format has it's fans too! I'd imagine that the trick is be figuring out the right time of day for each format.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

19. Give Malloy his favorite slot:

Late night, 10pm-2am. He's a proven ratings vacuum in this timeslot.

He would take Chicago by storm. Rocket right to the top of the Chicago book. He used to own that slot there.

[smirkymonkey]

31. I agree with you....both styles have a place

but appeal to different people. Personally, the ranting types kind of stress me out. I agree with them politically, but living in a large city and being surrounded by a lot of noise and loud, outspoken people, I prefer the more conversational approach.

I also feel that I learn more from the mellower approach. To me it is just more listenable (is that a word?). Anyway, I like strong opinions, especially strong liberal opinions, I just don't like shouting and ranting. It reminds me too much of certain conservative blowhards.

[NinetySix]

43. What about Thom Hartmann?

Don't any of you listen to his show? You can find the link at radiopower.org where his show plays from 12-3pm weekdays.

The thing I like about him is that he DOESN'T rant--at least not irrationally. When I listen(ed) to Mike Malloy, even though I agreed with him, I found his vitriolic approach offputting, to the extent that I never once listened to an entire show of his. However, until this past week (I must confess, I've been listening to Al), I have listened to Thom Hartmann nearly every day for almost a year.

I find him thoughtful, insightful, well-informed, and entertaining. Plus, his "Brunch With Bernie" segment every Friday in the second hour, when Rep. Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont does a call in segment is not to be missed! Even if you prefer to listen to Al during the day, you can download archived shows of Thom to listen to at night or on the weekend at whiterosesociety.org

Thom Hartmann's show is to me the epitome of what rational, constructive political discourse in this country should be, and perhaps will be again one day.

[formernaderite]

44. It's all a bit too loud....probably why I listen to NPR....

...you know, if the right wingers want loud they can have it. When I want news talk...I want to hear news, not opinions. Seriously, unless the liberal radio can attract right wingers, I just don't think serious minded progressives have the stomach for this much noise.

[Habibi]

18. So what is the deal, then?

I've seen numerous Malloy fans post that AA really needs him. Having never listened to him, I don't know his merits, but I respect the DUers who're calling for his inclusion. Are you getting a response from AA saying why Malloy hasn't been included in the lineup?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

20. Not yet, pilgrim...

Not yet. ;-)

[Doctor_J]

22. no response

I think that the AAR brain trust believes that they know what they're doing and that their plan is sound. I just happen to believe that adding Malloy at 11:00PM M-F would have no downside, could be done cheaply, and would bring in alot of his fans, who are rabid.

[jpgray]

21. I don't like fire, and I don't like my own ideas read back to me

I like news, analysis, and conversation that I can't create myself. I don't like stupid soundbites, gotchas, or other high-energy nonsense without substance. Mike Malloy's 1984 bit with GWB's speeches, for example, doesn't interest me. An interview with Krugman about economic matters I would be interested to know his opinion on, THAT will draw me in. I have no interest in Limbaugh types be they right or left.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

25. Well then...

Don't listen. Others will.

Ain't choice grand? ;-)

[jpgray]

28. Just my opinion, not meant to be down on Malloy or AA :-)

They're just not my kind of thing, I suppose. I did catch Franken's interview with Krugman, and that was interesting. But then the Randi Rhodes bit didn't much interest me, so I switched it off.

[MoonRiver]

27. Do you like drugRush LIMPbaugh better?

Maybe he's more stimulating to the senses?? :shrug:

[jpgray]

29. No

I guess I'm just not really interested in talk radio as entertainment.

[Nevernose]

30. 24 hours in the day

There's plenty of room an AirA for both styles.

It's hard for me, frankly, to listen to in-depth analysis of events. When I've been drinking, for instance ;-). Other times, like when I'm in the car or at work, or even just getting ready for work, I need a little more "meat."

I think any good tactician would use multiple methods of achieving victory. When we have more than one radio station, we'll be able to discriminate a little more.

[jpgray]

32. So far Franken's show seems pretty good

I've only listened to it for a short time--we'll see how I like it later on.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

33. It's like when a Kung Fu master...

Needs a tactical change of pace, he switches from Tiger style to drunken style. Keeps his opponents off balance. ;-)

[Nevernose]

35. You refer to Sun Tzu's theory

Of drinking beer and listening to the radio at the same time? That chapter is rarely translated into English. If you'd likw to read it for yourself, you must learn Cantonese and join the Shaolin monestary, like I did. Either that, or drink more beer -- your choice.

And Janeane is wonderful, ain't she? Have you noticed how much she lets her guests talk, as opposed to right wing radio? She asks questions, and then listens to the answers. Go figure!

[Ilsa]

23. I'd love to have Malloy on late at night

on AA. His ability to ramp up the excitement would be great for late night. He'll bring the really edgy material to the program.

[eablair3]

34. BRING BACK MIKE MALLOY TO THE AIRWAVES!!!!!

Please.

[Selwynn]

36. They don't want the "fire" - they say they don't want to be "edgy"

I was listening to the Air America guy talking right before the Majority Report today, and he was all going off about how Air American shouldn't bloviate like hannity or be wimpy like Colmes. The problem is I think they would put Mike Malloy is the category of "blovitaing." It sounds like they want to be a sort of gentle pastele network. They ran this really tame little joke thing, and then the guy was like "was that too edgy?" Wow.

Mike Malloy may have been loud, he may have been irreverant, he may have been disrespectful, and not a "uniter" kind of guy, but he had passion, and he had a raido presence that kept you listening.

[LTR]

39. Give them time

Likely what you hear now will be differnet six months or so down the road. It always happens that way.


Chances are, they might get a bit edgier. Just my opinion.

[ConsAreLiars]

37. I've listened a lot

(This is the upside of "no work for today, maybe tomorrow.")

I like all, especially Minority Report which really is good at getting guests to talk candidly and conversationally (different strokes - it's all good - my prefs) but:

I MISS MY MIKE MALLOY!!!!

He would put AA over the top in the time slot just after Majority Report.

Mike is exactly what is now missing from the lineup; exactly what AA needs to push the freepers into full, and frantic, frothing, foaming fits. Mike's brilliance and candor and wit would be like a lightening rod. The sparks would fly, and a little bit of smarts would turn that energy into primo ratings and a marketplace that they probably can't even imagine.

I hate to repeat myself, but

I MISS MY MIKE MALLOY!!!!

(and hi, glad to see you here after a long time no-see and a bit of associated worry)

[dweller]

40. growing pains

sure signs of Life.

sounds good to me.

just commenting on the thread,
dp

[JCMach1]

41. Hate to say it, but Franken isn't radio material yet

these are part of those growing pains mentioned. His timing and delivery is just a little off. It may take a little time for him, and some of the others to get into the groove.

[minkyboodle]

42. He'd be perfect

for a late night spot. I miss Malloy big time.
Scott