I don't like like the lady on Al Franken's radio show. Please forgive me.

[tjdee]

I caught the show for the first time the other week on Sundance.

I don't like that lady, I don't like how they're basically READING their scripted banter which isn't funny....Who IS she, anyway?

I feel terrible. Should I catch it on radio instead? I hate when people say "Am I the only one?" because the answer is never yes, but I don't ever read poor comments about the Franken show.

[truthpusher]

1. She drives me nuts with her 'Oh Al' thing.

[NYCGirl]

2. I love Katherine. She's great.

She has radio experience, where Al comes from TV, and she really keeps Al on topic and keeps things moving well.

[Slamby2002]

3. Catherine Lampher

she used to be with NPR, I think. She's OK; she's just the "staraight man" for Franken. You don't think she's funny?

[Shopaholic]

5. I love Katherine

she's great. Al has to have a straight person to work off of and Katherine is a radio professional.

[tjdee]

12. No......sigh.....

If her role is to be the straight man, then I may have to re-evaluate that. I did kind of think that by how unfunny she was (sigh, I feel so bad saying that!), but I wasn't sure. I think I was just surprised by her presence there and that kind of messed with me the whole time, LOL.

[Spiffarino]

4. I like Katherine Lanpher

She's not a comedian or an actress; she's an experienced radio personality. I haven't seen the AFS on TV, but I wouldn't fault her for having to read everything...that's what they've always done on radio. I recommend you listen rather than watch. It really is pretty funny, though certainly far from perfect.

Katherine keeps Al on schedule, which is crucial to success in radio broadcasting. She is slowly shaping him into a radio professional, which will be necessary if AAR is to survive as a commercial network.

And for what it's worth, I think Stephanie Miller's show is more entertaining than anything on Air America so far, IMVHO.

On edit: Dumb misspelling...scedule?

[Stew225]

6. Katherine is probably a big part of the success of

Al's show. She really works hard to "ground" him, so to speak. Further, her radio experience gives her the ability to help him out of the corners that he sometimes backs himself into. It's not easy doing this type of a partner show but she has carried her part of the show brilliantly.

[blondeatlast]

8. I think a lot of AAR listeners haven't listened to much radio before.

Not meant as an insult, it's just that I was aware from the beginning that she was essential to Al's show.

I like her and she serves a very valuable purpose, as you say.

[tjdee]

11. As a producer, YES. As an on-air personality......

I don't know....it might really be that I need to LISTEN rather than watch.

[blondeatlast]

14. True... I think it would make a huge difference.

You can see (hear) why she's necessary when you listen. Franken is still learning radio; she keeps him on his toes, which is essential.

I heard the show before it was on Sundance and I think it makes a huge difference.

Also, Franken is a quick student; but when he first started he was very weak, and Katherine was the only thing that made the show "listenable."

[Spiffarino]

16. So true. Al was hard to listen to at first.

I think it took him a while to realize that nobody could see him and that his long pauses were having a negative effect on listeners. Katherine has tutored him well. He managed to do a fair job while she was out for a week. Still, it was much better after she returned. Al's got a way to go yet.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. I really like her

The banter is scripted, because it's basically skits. Interviews and calls aren't.

[miss_kitty]

9. i like her air voice

just sparkly enough not to be unctuous and just bass enough not to be grating or shrill...

[tjdee]

13. I wanted to like her for that reason.

She has a great voice, and she seems nice/kind/great.... but she was falling flat with me.

[miss_kitty]

15. some people can just not click

for unknown and mysterious reasons...

[Mabus]

10. Katherine is great

She doesn't have an easy job. She has to keep Al and the guests on time.

I think she's classy. Her laugh cracks me up. I think she does well on the skits.

Our state shared a bus with the Minnesota delegation at the DNC. One night, on the way back from the Fleet Center, someone starting teasing the Minnesotans. He asked people to name anyone of importance from that state. The proud Minnesoteans took the challenge and names started ringing out. HHH, Wellstone, Mondale, etc. After each name came the sounds of approval. When they had named their politicans I added to the list with a few of my favorites: the Coen Brothers, Franken and Katherine. Believe it or not it was Katherine that got the biggest sounds of approval.

[politicat]

17. We saw them at the Boulder Theater broadcast.

(Thanks, hlthe2b, again)

She's the one keeping that show professional. I was amazed at her ability to keep Franken, the audience and the guests to time, moving in the right direction, and still letting everyone have fun.

She's good... and yeah, she's the straight man. Oh, and some of their skits are... strange. They definitely are diminished when seen instead of heard.

Listen to it; watching radio is ... weird.

Pcat