OK...I've got to say it! Al Franken sucks on the Radio!

[trumad]

There..I said it! I am having a very difficult time getting through his show. I sit and listen and then start to get uncomfortable as he "grasps" for his next thought. I don't want to be down on the guy because I love the dude. He's a brilliant Liberal who can write one hell of a book. But you either got it or you don't when it comes to Radio. Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder got it! Randi Rhodes got it! Laura Flanders got it! Al don't. For those who say he needs more time,,,I don't think so.

Hey...it's a hard gig. Some folks can let it rip from their brain right out of their mouths. Some have it in the Brain but can't move it quick enough out of their mouth. Plus...he compensates his inability to communicate on the Radio with not so funny yelps. HHHHEEEEEEEE'sss LIIIIIIEEEESSSS....HHHHEEEEEE"SSSSS AAAAAA LLLLLLIIIIIIIARRRRRR! Funny once, maybe twice, but a hundred times...fucking annoying!

Now those who know me, know that I am the most partisan Liberal on the planet and that it's very difficult for me to smack around a fellow Dem.

So go ahead and throw your shots at me for MHOP! I can take it!

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Today is particularly bad, he has been better.

:(

[trumad]

2. He has his moments,,,, no doubt!

But they're far and few between... I think Mike Malloy spoiled the shit out of me.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. Randi is more consistent, but she has had a LOT of practice....

[trumad]

11. Agreed

but look how excellent Janeane has been... And she's a newbie... I still think you got it or you don't....

[BlueEyedSon]

15. Ya, when JG is on i wish it was AirAmericaTV

:)

[Commendatori]

21. Agreed with this post on both counts

We've had nothing in talk radio for so long, and we read his books, so we expected Al to kick ass. To be honest, as often as I agree with the guy, his method of getting it across bores the crap out of me and sometimes makes me squirm. At the same time, Janeane has been outstanding.

[Ripley]

29. Hey, another BOC fan.

Well, not really...I guess I grew out of them mostly. But your pic brought back fond memories.

[Commendatori]

38. I don't hide the fact that

musically, I'm stuck in the 70's. I have been for over a quarter of a century, and there is no hope for change.

[trumad]

41. Don't be ashamed of that

could you imagine getting stuck in the nities or evne now? Yuk

[Commendatori]

46. I'd rather

stick my head in a document shredder than listen to that crap. LOL

[Ripley]

8. Where is Malloy these days?

Maybe he could "take over" for Al if enough people give Al the feedback that we love him, but he should stick to books and suggest his replacement.

I know people will say he needs more time, but not if it's costing listeners.

[sangh0]

3. He could use a radio voice

When you're on the radio, you can't talk the way you talk in real life.

[BlueEyedSon]

7. Are referring to tonality, style or content?

[trumad]

27. Style

You can have the greatest content in the world but if you can't deliver it in a captivating way, then it bores folks.

[sangh0]

43. Actually, I was referring to the rythm (or lack thereof) of his words

Listen to the other jocks you named, and you'll hear that they speak in a rythmic fashion. Franken doesn't.

[hexola]

12. True - unless somebody told you...you wouldn't know it was him!

And whats with the woman who seems to be the babysitter/handholder?

[No2W2004]

4. I first started listening to AAR

just to hear Al, but I find that I look forward to Randi Rhoades now

[obnoxiousdrunk]

10. Me too

Al is slow in his delivery which makes it boring. Randi rocks.

[bullimiami]

53. i strongly disagree

i love the franken show. bob woodward is dry as old toast though.
and ive gottern less able to listen to randi over the past few months and Im a very long time listener from south florida.

i wish they would give malloy a late night show though. i miss him.

[0007]

62. Me too!

[I_like_chicken]

6. I think hes funny

but thats just my opinion. I do agree that he does seem inexperienced and sometimes has trouble getting his point across. I think he'll get better over time.

I like the oy oy oy show, its sooo stupid that its funny.

[Chicago Democrat]

9. You are wrong. This isn't about entertainment; its real human beings

discussing critical (and possibly dull) things. That said, I find many parts extremely funny. Oy,Oy Yoy show, Tom Davis skits, making fun of Rush, and the Lie's whining voice is fine. But they could do better.

He's gobs better than Rush or O'Reilly on their best days.

I don't think not being able to get through is a very valid gauge of whether it's a good radio show. It's jam packed with hard, hard cutting edge news and the guests!! My god! Randi and Janeane are never, ever going to get a guest. Al is a star and a sweet heart.I love it and him. You are entitled to your opinion of course.

[bagnana]

19. I like it. I like all of it.

He is informed and he adds a different flavor than that provided by Randi and Janine and Sam. Actually I don't like his sidekick so much. She cracks up all the time for no apparent reason.

[trumad]

20. Sorry, but I think you're wrong

It most certainly falls under entertainment.... That's why past liberal shows have failed. Not entertaining enough. And the entertainment should captivate. It ain't captivating me... But that's just me.. If it works for you, fantastic.

[Teaser]

13. I love him.

Think he's the best on air america, to be honest.

Don't care for Randi Rhodes much...

[Jack_Dawson]

18. Randi Rox!

But hey to each his own. Franken's not very compelling for me.

[Chicago Democrat]

34. See! It proves that Air America has the mix just right!

I love every single person who votes Democrat.

[Chicago Democrat]

31. Poor Randi is so vicious. You know that absolutely no one loves

her and she is very lonely. Its hard to be the messiah of liberalism in the form of a vicious NY bitch. I really feel for her, but I have a hard time getting through all of her show, though.

[Az]

14. I have never been a fan of his comedy

His "Lies" routine and the Oiy Oiy Oiy routine are perfect examples of his approach ie the one joke sketch. A little Al goes a long way.

Great to have a liberal willing to put themself on the line. Pity he isn't a better voice for us. Me? I am sticking with Janeane.

[liveoaktx]

16. He's not one of my faves either and never has been

Throw rocks if you will, but I didn't think Stuart Smalley or any of his SNL routines were funny. Still don't. That's one major reason why I have not listened to Air America, because it's not enough of an attraction to hear him to make me turn it on. Everyone has their own tastes, I'd prefer hearing someone like Keith Olberman if he was a radio guy.

[Caution]

17. I agree somewhat

The lies thing is REALLLY annoying and grating (particularly with headphones!) but overall i think he does a pretty good job. Im not crazy about the comedy bits they try to inject though...stick to news commentary and guests and I'll really like it. I hate the daily ditto head call.

[Misunderestimator]

26. Glad I'm not the Only One

I thought it was just me... like a needle in the eye, those screams are. He's just gotta tone that down. Maybe pull away from the mike or something?

[Misunderestimator]

22. He does kinda suck... but....

He's getting better. He's used to using a lot of facial and body language when he communicates with an audience. He's learning that the gaps of silence don't work on the radio, and he's getting the hang of it. Not an easy job. Katherine Lanpher helps a lot, she's obviously a professional.

Hey... Arianna is coming up... :)

[BlueEyedSon]

23. Woodward is a difficult guest.

He is straining to maintain journalistic impartiality. Only facts, no analysis or opinion.

".... Woodward often flubs the analysis in his books not because he doesn't get it, but because he's deliberately playing dumb. This is especially true of Woodward's two books about George W. Bush....."

from:
Woodward: Stupid Like a Fox
He isn't nearly the idiot savant he pretends to be.
By Timothy Noah
Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at 3:40 PM PT
http://slate.msn.com/id/2099307/

[Justpat]

24. Can you imagine how Bart would have handled Woodward?

[Bandit]

25. I think I have to agree with you

I have been unable to listen to Air America because I was hoping for some real humor and satire but all I hear is politics Rush style and frankly that turns me off so I turn off Air America. If it doesn't change soon it will be history, IMHO. We will never out Rush, Rush. Besides that style of antagonism is off putting for me and I'm sure I am not alone in that feeling.

[UTUSN]

28. I Listen More to Those I DISAGREE (politically) With

So I've only listened to AA a couple or three times, but for good long stretches, 45 min at a time. I *did* think the screaming "lieees" thing somewhat annoying, but the rest of his presentation was fine imo. I wouldn't want to give aid and comfort to the lurking wingnuts.

[napi21]

30. I'm sad to say I agree.

I would have loved to be able to try to convert some of my realtives to Air America from the usual Limbaugh, Boortz & Hanity, but the only thing that makes Al's show OK is that he has had a lot of GREAT guests.

I too llove Randi, and Jeanene, but they are a little too hard hitting for a person to transition from the extreme RW radio. I like that Al is usually not too harsh and tries to put logic into his exposes'. It does get a little nagging when he has to try so hard to get the right words all the time.

I hope that doesn't mean the end of Air America, but perhaps a different host.

[Warren Stuart]

32. I never liked his dead-pan humor

I remember on SNL he was doing a bit about how the chemical formula of salt was NaCl. "Um, hey there , could you pass the NaCl?" I didn't get it then, still don't get it.

He has gotten better, but his attitude can be annoying. Two weeks ago he had Walter Cronkite on, he wouldn't even introduce him to Rhandi Rhodes.

[onecitizen]

33. The "liar" thing is.........

annoying as hell. Apparently he asked this as a question yesterday(to continue with "liar" or not) and he got positive responses for it. Not from me though!

I was afraid his show would be like his comedy, some love it, some don't. When he's serious he's pretty good but when he brings his humor into it, it sucks.Maybe I just don't have a sense of humor!

[mhr]

35. I Agree, His Brand Of Comedy Does Not Translate To Radio Very Well

I am glad that others have noticed this as well.

[Redbear]

36. I disagree.

I love him on the radio just as much as I loved his books.

Even when he does something that doesn't work, it's amusing to see him fail.

[KAZ]

37. Today is the first time I've heard him (home from work)....

...so I can only comment on today's show, but I like it. It seems like he assumes a lot of his audience, and doesn't feel the need to hit you over the head with the obvious. Interesting guests and no preaching. But I don't have much history with this show, so I'll have to defer to your experience.

[hellboy]

39. Al sucks on the radio. He takes forever to make a point and

he doesn't shut up. Randi Rhoades is great. The morning show sucks. Jeanne Garofalo sucks. Mike Malloy is great.

[stellanoir]

47. come on you guys. . .

lighten up! Rome was neither built nor dismantled in a day.

Though we may be witnessing the redux of the fall of the Roman Empire. . .

AAR hasn't even been on the air for a month and they're what we've got. Support them by going to their blog and sending e-mails and we may actually prevail. Al did a whole hour on EVM's this week and who the heck else has done that? We need them. Stop kvetching here and consider contributing your thoughts in a more effective way.

On a more petty level though, I don't particularly relish in the "LIARS" routine, nor am I a fan of the resident dittohead but that's okay. As a one time Dead head, there are twenty zillion bootlegs out there, they've got to play a broader selection. But they have fantastic guests and I love Katherine's laugh. I think Al's a hoot as well.

[robbedvoter]

49. Good insights! I just realized why he is easier on me than Garofalo

in spite of my agreeing more with her than with him: she DOTH preach!

[grasswire]

40. I knew it would be like this.

Franken, while funny, doesn't transfer thought to speech quickly. And you can almost see or hear the gears grinding as thoughts develop. And he distracts himself as thoughts develop.

This doesn't work well with radio. And I don't think it can be trained out of him. It's just who he is.

I hope that AA won't need his name forever, and that his show can be shortened and tightened and someone else can take one of his hours.

[Blue_Chill]

52. I like him I think his show is great

Yeah he's not a radio personality but that's why I like him. I can't stand the people with a 'radio voice' they all sound like infomercials to me and end up pissing me off.

[loftycity]

42. I agree, he wears thin and communicating over the air waves

is clearly, not his thing . He is good for about 30 minutes in 3 hours. I like him I would go out of my way to see him, his books are great. Radio is not it.

[GR]

44. I Think He's Great...I Love That Show And Majority Report...

I find that I am watching less teevee as a result. I agree there are criticisms that could be made; I don't like the DittoHead segment, but the show is very informative.

[madrchsod]

45. very tough to listen to

esp. since the reception is poor from the Chicago station. he`s not very good on the radio,but i`m sure he`ll get better

[robbedvoter]

48. I like Al, his humor, parts of his show - disagree with many of his stands

Today's debate with the freeper was especially bad - he let the guy get away with "we are entitled to avoid wars because we are rich" - or the way he put him: "some are born rich, some aren't".
Al was so intent in bringing up the next bit, he let this fundamental one go.
I of course cringe when he says he believe Powell, supported war - but I cringed more when he said in his book that except for Faux, the media is not ideologically motivated - just a market thing. That somehow, bothered me even more because it's affecting his take on everything.
Randi Rhodes is the closest to my view and pure joy to listen to..
I live the Morning Sedition and Unfiltered and the majority report with Atrios was good.
Every time I heard one of the wonderful jeaneane saying preserved lovingly on tape - I cringed.
I love her as a person, agree with her 97% of the time, but her style grates me - the opposite situation from Franken.

[Az_lefty]

50. Your Right, Franken isn't cut out for Radio

it takes a special personality to put on a radio show and keep the
audiences attention. Randi Rhodes and Ed Schultz are great examples of how it's done. Franken is a great TV entertainer but that doesn't automatically transfer to radio. The same is true in the other direction, not sure if Randi would do well on TV.

[LittleApple81]

51. He is uneven. Some days better than others. But I like him. n/t

[robbedvoter]

54. Air America has different strokes for dufferent folks. I can know about

a person's political's stands by the show they prefer on AAR.
Someone told me morning sedition is too "shrill" and they like Al - I knew more about them than hours of debate.
For me, Randi seems sometimes like my alter ego. Politically speaking. And temperamentally.

[Butterflies]

55. I enjoy his show

but I listen at work so I only catch about half of it because I leave my desk a lot. AAR is still new, so wait a few months before you start saying that some of our spokespeople "suck". We don't have a choice on the radio, so lets build up what we have.

[theboss]

56. Radio is really, really difficult

It's a talent, just like anything else. You can be the most brilliant, articulate speaker in the country - like Mario Cuomo - and be unlistenable as a radio host - like Mario Cuomo.

I don't get Franken's show so I can't judge him. But in DC, everyone, it seems, has tried and failed at radio. I don't like the man, but I admit that Bill O'Reilly knows how to produce a tv show, but he is an absolute disaster on radio. Rush (as much as I hate him) really is very good at doing a radio show, yet was an absolute disaster on tv.

I wish I knew what the "talent" was.

[Habibi]

57. I would like him better

if he didn't interrupt his guests continually. That's really annoying.

[DS1]

58. Hey! GREAT IDEA!!! LET'S SLAM OUR ONLY NATIONAL CHANNEL

WE ARE THE SMART - CLAP CLAP!!!
WE ARE THE SMART - CLAP CLAP!!!
WE ARE THE SMART - CLAP CLAP!!!

[Az]

59. Lets not look for ways to improve it!

We must accept whatever we get. We must accept whatever we get. www.zombo.com

[trumad]

60. Slamming the National Channel

NO! I'm slamming one guy... I hope you spotted my props for all the others. I give Al a 4 out 10 rating for his performance... BUT imagine if it was a consensus that AL was rated only a one... Do we keep our mouths shut because we don't want to slam our er National Channel?

I want this show to be it's very best and if a big time partisan Dem like this is having probs with one of it's hosts, imagine somebody who's less partisan.

[Az]

64. Futhermore

there seems to be tensions brewing between Al and Rhandi. Are we supposed to just sit here and be greatful for whatever crumbs drop our way and not voice our opinions for fear of losing what little we have been given?

Look, I desperately need there to be a voice for the left out there. I want it to be succesful. If I see something that I think is going to tear it down I am going to speak up about it. It can be improved. A really horrible representation of the left can do more damage than good. Make it better. Don't unplug it.

[0007]

61. A couple of days ago is when the realization hit home

I didn't want to say anything, cuz I thought it might be me and my cantankerous mood, that get I into every now then. So I shut 'em down for a few days to find out.

I'm afraid Al Franken isn't meant to be a radio guy. I still like him however. He should stick to writing books and pissing off Bill O'Rielly.

[trumad]

63. Hey it wasn't easy for me to post this as well

and I think I've given him ample time to improve before I became critical.