Despite Malloy mess, AAR's changes MAY BE smart and progressive

[Armstead]

This is premature, because all we are going by is speculation about their new schedule.

And I am as pissed off as anyone about what happened to Malloy and why.

But setting aside the Malloy debacle for a moment, the hints and rumors seem to indicate that AAR may be doing the right things in its new scheduling plans, both commercially and politically.

Both in nuts and bolts and in ability to draw potential listeners, AAR may actually doing more to spread a real liberal and left/progressive message alternative into the mainstream. It could be offering red-meat leftism in a way that is likely to be more palatable to more listeners and picked up by more affiliates.

Why? Because most of the hosts they have been recommitting to -- or upgrading -- are real progressives of the left -- NOT milktoast centrists. Sam Seder, Laura Flanders and Rachael Maddow are the real thing folks. Great radio personalities, who also do NOT water down the liberal and progressive message. (They're not Al Franken or Jerry Springer.)

Mike Malloy is great, but his darkness and ventures into tinhat territory is more likely to preach to the choir than to win many people over to our side....In other words, good niche radio, but not what's needed to bring over the fence straddlers.

1)Putting Sam Seder on in the mid morning slot moves a smart, funny and compelling and fiery leftie into a space where he is more likely to gain listeners and stations. With a sellable show, mid mornings are a good place to convince local stations to carry network programming. He is less likely to be prempted by sports, Lionel and other programming

2)Although it may seem paradoxical, moving Rachel Maddow into a portion of Morning Seditions old slot (and perhaps earlier) also makes it more likely to convince stations to carry her. Although she'd still have to contend with the same competition that Sam is being spared, she's in a better slot than her previous morning spot. Drive Time is when local stations are most likely to want to have their own hosts.

3)Laura Flanders is not as visceral or compelling as Malloy. BUT, she is a diehard progressive, who also has a good radio personality and who puts thiungs in a practical perspective that more people in the "middle" can relate to.

Like I said, this is only based on rumors and heresay. And I am not suggesting that anyone give up on efforts to get Malloy back on the air, or to forgive AAR for the way they treated him.

But it's possible that the end result of this is that more clearly "left" voices may at least be given the chance to surface in the jungle of commercial radio.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Has the new schedule been finalized?

:shrug:

[Armstead]

2. Some yes and some no

Rachael is definetly moving to early evenings.

Most of the rest is still speculation. I'm going by what seems to be the more accepted possibilities so far.

[BonnieJW]

3. Yes, that's what I want to know

When will they come out with the new schedule? I listen to Rachel on my way to work every morning. Who is taking her place?

[peacetalksforall]

4. Schedules: How many cities have AAR. Don't most listeners

hear some of these programs through independent stations that carry AAR hosts? Writing about benefits of timing means nothing to many who rarely hear the hosts at the same time AAR listeners hear them. Doesn't that mean about half of the people here on DU can't relate to AAR scheduling.

I'm referring to regular radio - not xm or internat.

[Armstead]

6. That's a big part of the problem they have and are trying to solve

I think they are trying to find slots that are best suited to particular times of day, to increase the amount of programming that affiliates are likely to pick up.

[LTR]

5. Rumor has it The Young Turks will get morning drive

When I heard this, I though it was a good move. They've gotten better over the years, and I think it's time for them to move to a bigger stage.

I think the Malloy firing was bungled badly. In the process, AAR alienated many of their core listeners. If Malloy had to be cancelled, it could have been done in a much better way.

[RSchewe]

32. I don't think there will be a morning drive slot before Sam Seder

If the flagship station WWRL is a sign of what will be the available across the network, Air America will have no 6 am - 9 am EST slot. As of now a local program that was carried over by WWRL has held on to that time slot. One of the two hosts is none other that Armstrong Williams. Fortunately, that show is only being broadcast by the local station and not across the Air America network.

[Armstead]

37. It would be good if they could get one

My vote would be for a return of Marc Maron.

But businesswise, maybe morning drive is a time stations want their own shows.

It does suck that Armstrong Williams is inflicted on the poor listenbers in NY.

[Janice325]

7. You have a great point, Armstead.

Since I don't get AAR anymore (I live in Atlanta and some jerk bought the station AAR was on and changed the format) it's kind of a moot point from my perspective. However, I've always LOVED Rachel, liked Laura a great deal, and was just getting used to and liking Sam when they pulled the plug here in Atlanta.
Jerry got on my nerves, and I liked Al much better when Katherine was on with him.
I'm still soooo pissed about Mike, though.
Edited to delete question about Randi.

[peacetalksforall]

13. I liked Katherine, also. She was a true radio professional.

[patrice]

19. Loved Katherine L.

I also love Tom Oliphant and Christi Harvey.

[patrice]

8. I'm not sure what is smart about Randi Rhodes going on about

her problems with under-arm hair. It is too similar to a previous episode with her where she *would* *not* *stop* talking about her revulsion for some woman breast feeding her child in a Congressional spectators' gallery.

Randi may have a powerful following, but they are not everybody, and many of us just aren't that interested in her personal hang-ups.

[Armstead]

10. Well she gets the ratings...

If she is attracting enough of an audience, then it's a small price to pay to hear about underarm hair.

And besides, maybe that's part of her appeal to many people. In addition to politics, she says things in other aspects of life that people think about.

[patrice]

12. I might accept what you're saying there if she'd do it in a thought

provoking way, i.e BOTH perspectives on whatever, but she doesn't. It is only an excuse for her to go on about herself. She is making the same mistake many others have made, assuming it is about her.

I want interviews, information and call-ins (and the latter treated with some respect even if you are going to tear them to shreds ((which I also want))).

There's nothing wrong with saying we shouldn't be turning off people who might otherwise listen to us. I am not a weakling for wanting those chances. That's NOT capitulation. It's NOT prostitution. It IS smart!

Being honest and strong and being considerate are not mutually exclusive dichotomies.

If Randi wants to be in the big leagues, she must get real and she doesn't have to sell out to do that IF she is smart enough.

[Armstead]

16. I agree with part of what you say...But we have to deal with the biz too

IMO, one of the greatest hosts AAR could get would be Michael Jackson (the other Michael Jackson, not the weirdo).

Jackson helped to invent intelligent talk radio way back when in Los Angeles, and he's still in top form.

He's also a true liberal, and is very outspoken. He does't hide his views behind the mike. But he is also civil, had a variety of guests on and covered a wide range of subjects, from politics to more superficial matters.

I wish that he could be a model for a new brand of talk radio that is really a return to the better days of talk radio before it got perverted by Rush Limbaugh.

However, having said that, if Randi gets the ratings by being an outspoken liberal, more power to her.

[JABBS]

9. AAR will never

be anything but preaching to the choir. it has too much ranting and not enough interviewing.

it's better than conservative radio, but not by much.

if I were running the show, I'd have a few "name" people in the middle of the day (Franken, maybe Jonathan Alter, Eric Alterman, RFK Jr., Ed Schultz, etc.)

But to make the network stand out, I'd have local programming during rush hours, or at least local segments in a nationawide show. have rachel maddow anchor a morning show (and maybe a sam seder anchor an afternoon drive-time show) that goes around the country and discusses local news stories of importance to voters. and maybe have the top 10 and bottom 10 minutes of each hour devoted to local calls or local stories.

whether i'm liberal or conservative, I may want to make sure to listen to that, to hear what's affecting my community. and if i like what I hear, i'll keep listening.

but i have to tell you, each time i hear about the "bush crime family," I cringe, because i know that a moderate or possible republican-turned-democrat who hears that will change the channel.

[Armstead]

11. That's partly my point -- That may be what AAR is trying to rectify

I think the hardest balance is to find people with strong views, but who can draw in other listeners too.

Rachael Maddow is perhaps one of the best examples of someone who is strong, passionate and opinionated -- but in a way that is not merely ranting. She's funny and informative and pleasant at the same time.

I can picture many "moderates" getting caught in her show and having their eyes opened.

Same with Laura Flanders.

Sam Seder is probably more of a "preach to the choir" type. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, if he can do it in a way that causes people who may disagree with him -- or who are not informed -- to tune in.

[patrice]

15. Tom Hartmann does a good job of this.

I haven't been able to catch him real often, but the couple of times I did he very politely tore a couple of people to pieces.

Randi shouts them down and then runs away from them by cutting them off. NOT smart.

[coffeenap]

17. He is on right now--link on the "discuss" page right here. nt

[patrice]

20. I'm not sure what the "discuss" page is.

[Armstead]

18. True -- They also seem to using him more often

The one thing Thom need, IMHO, is a sidekick to help him lighten up a bit.

[JABBS]

26. another option for AAR

would be to re-run Olbermann as part of a morning news program, and to re-run Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, maybe a highlights show every Friday night.

i just find myself frequently disappointed with AAR. Randi Rhodes is over the top. Janeane Garofalo is way over the top. Jerry Springer is not interesting to listen to. And like I said, you can hear the channels changing every time some AAR host talks about the "Bush crime family."

people want an alternative, and they want to feel informed. but they also want to be entertained (a la Rush) and they don't like rants. I think that's why Franken gets the best ratings on the network.

[Stardust]

36. You must be kidding. Rush doesn't rant, but entertains??? Kindly pass me

the barf bag,

[JABBS]

40. i'm not saying that

I'm saying that people find him entertaining. he tells stories and says a lot of nonsense that's meant to be funny.

i don't care for him, but 13.5 million people listen to him at some point each week. that's about 13 times what anyone on AAR gets.

[thereismore]

14. "better than conservative radio but not by much" : wrong forum buddy

"bush crime family" makes you cringe? Get a hobby. Or better, listen to Rush.

[peacetalksforall]

24. I want some fire. Our situation is dire. I want to learn. I don't

want to listen to anyone rant about something that bugs them that is unrelated to saving our country. Their time with me is precious. I don't want to listen to vanity shows, but I do want to listen to what they have to say about our country and our situation. I know, I know - it's their show, but it's my preference.

Let them be subdued and comport themselves like all the others when they appear on corporate propaganda shows. I don't want a Rush or Sean stupid show. I want facts with some fire relative to degrees of the atrocities against us.

Yes, lots of guests - with plenty of knowledge and a persistence in getting it out. I definitely don't want to hear David Brook types because they deliver right wing talking points and one minute after you figure out there new points and the path they are taking, you can practically mouth them simultaneously. There is no originality, whatsover. And definitely little truthful logic. I resent AAR giving right wing guests opportunities to deliver right wing talking points. I hear 90% right wing points and arguments whenever I turn on corporate tv propaganda.

I believe we are bening warred against. We must move fast and steady. Words and their context and the way they are presented are our weapons. Issues. Issues. Issues. With some to a lot of fire and enlightening guests.

[patrice]

21. Franken is doing an EXCELLENT job today.

He really is much better when he's rested!!

[OwnedByFerrets]

23. Yes, he is.

Despite what we may think, hosting a 3 hour show is NOT easy. Its very difficult and wears people down when done every day.

[ronnykmarshall]

22. Oh dear.

:hide: :popcorn:

[Armstead]

34. I put on my flame-proof vest before posting

[Duer 157099]

25. Making lemonade

Let me also point anyone who hasn't already been over to this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2047137&mesg_id=2047137

And if you combine the concepts in the two threads, an optimistic picture could actually emerge, to wit: that another outlet might need to be created for Mike, and that other progressive talent will fill in the holes in both places, and we might end up with more progressive talk radio than we currently have.

[Horse with no Name]

27. Yeah. Move us to the middle to pick up those "fictional"

Republican voters.
Thats hogwash.

[B Calm]

28. The only thing in the middle of the road is dead armadillos!!!

[Armstead]

35. Ummmmm....You totally missed my point

If you consider Sam Seder, Rachael Maddow and Laura Flanders to be "the mushy middle" then I'm afraid you're in "off the charts to the left" territory.

If AAR were to emphasize MOR Centrist hosts, you might have a point.

But there are fewer people who are more progressive and populist than those three.

[Horse with no Name]

38. I'm not talking about them

I'm talking about Springer and Franken and some of the others that have had their names bandied about when they canned Malloy.
And yes...AAR does emphasize their centrist hosts. That is why they are in their particular time slots.

[Armstead]

39. Time will have to tell, I guess

If Seder moves to the 9 a.m. spot, that would be replacing one of the centrists (Springer).

We'll have to see where the schedule ends up to really tell. (Which is why my headline said "MAY BE" )

But if they even have a mix of center/left and further left, it could be an effective combination, given the realities of commercial radio today.

[bdamomma]

29. who is jon elliott????

on AAR schedule already from 10p, to 12 am.

http://www.airamerica.com/schedule

[NYCGirl]

30. A temporary host, I'm told. NT

[RSchewe]

33. He has been a guest host for the Majority Report and is a good host.

From what I have read, he will be a temporary host for 2 weeks until Laura Flanders takes over the slot from there on out.

[bridgit]

31. AAR is an important format that hardly existed not long ago...

there is bound to be alterations as they nuance their demographics, which occurs quite often in media of all manner

[pstokely]

41. It's a lot more than that

No full time AAR station in Missouri