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04/03/2004 Archived Entry: "Did Ted Rall get turned down for an Air America gig or something?"
Did Ted Rall get turned down for an Air America gig or something?
I mean, I usually agree with Ted, but he sounds more than a little bitter here.
Their roster includes some brilliant comedians--I'm a fan of both Al Franken and Janeane Garafalo--and it seems that that's the direction Air America management wants to go: the leftism goes down easier with a dose of humor. While my KFI show did include a lot of humor, including Dave Eggers' "Brooklyn Traffic", "Dial a Dump" and the infamous "Stan Trek 2000" reality tour of Central Asia, my approach really was to attempt to be the left-wing Rush--aggressive, unfair to the Republican right, and unabashedly unashamed about promoting a liberal agenda. If Air America ever heard my aircheck tapes, they probably thought I was a little too strident for their tastes.I wish them well, but to be honest, I believe that Air America is doomed.
First and foremost, political talk radio is a difficult medium, very personal and different than televised and stand-up comedy. Listeners to AM talk radio crave honesty, straightforwardness, the ability to think on your feet when dealing with callers. You also have to know your shit, backwards and forward. It took me a year to find my legs on the air; the Air America hosts won't have that much time. If I'd been a member of the management, I would have eschewed the big/expensive names in favor of lesser-known liberal hosts with on-air experience in the medium.
Replies: 8 people speak up
That was me...
Affiliates all over may happen faster than you think. They are kicking up dust, and radio is most definitely noticing....
Posted by editor @ 04/02/2004 05:09 PM NY
I wish them well, but to be honest, I believe that Air America is doomed.
NO you didnt just FLIP FLOP !!!!
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/03/2004 06:42 PM NY
Try again, Robin, the quote you attribute to our esteemed editor actually comes from Ted Rall, whom our editor was quoting. (Wow, even I caught that...and I'm slightly tipsy.)
For true flip-flopping, one needs to look no further than the White House.
Posted by The Tater @ 04/03/2004 07:25 PM NY
But back to the subject at hand...Rall says, "Listeners to AM talk radio crave honesty, straightforwardness, the ability to think on your feet when dealing with callers. You also have to know your shit, backwards and forward...I would have eschewed the big/expensive names in favor of lesser-known liberal hosts with on-air experience in the medium."
Ted Rall, may I introduce Randi Rhodes. You can hear her from 3 pm to 7 pm weekdays on Air America Radio.
Posted by The Tater @ 04/03/2004 07:30 PM NY
I live in Palm Beach County, FL and have been lucky enough to listen to Randi Rhodes since she started at WJNO. That was during the O.J. trial. I practice what she preaches, I do my research and check up on what she's saying. I have yet to catch her in an untruth. I turn on Rush and hear him lying right and left. Randi is very talented and honest, a definite class act. Everyone should give her a real close listen.
Posted by comajorr @ 04/03/2004 09:40 PM NY
"Listeners to AM talk radio crave honesty, straightforwardness, the ability to think on your feet when dealing with callers."
So is he calling Rush et al. "honest"?
Posted by just saying @ 04/04/2004 12:36 AM NY
No really, Was he turned down for a job?
Why do we Liberals attack each other so much, why can't we just support one another in our ventures and stop the Shit talking.
The shows I've heard are solid, The Majority report is awesome, even with the technical problems, O'Franken is funny and I know they will only get better.
Rall, get over it!
Posted by Smafty @ 04/04/2004 10:30 AM NY
Predicting doom for AirAmerica just doesn't make sense to me. All I read about is how we're a 50/50 country yet almost all talk radio is of the conservative variety. I live in Houston so I know we won’t have an affiliate here anytime in the new future so I know I’ll be tethered to my computer listening to the streaming audio. I’m just so thankful there is finally something to listen to!
Posted by jeaps @ 04/04/2004 04:21 PM NY
I echo Smafty's opinion. A lot of talented liberal talk-radio people didn't get asked to be a part of Air America, including Mike Malloy and Peter Werbe. I don't see THEM whining about it. Heck, Peter Werbe has a link to Air America on his website! Get over yourself, Ted!
Posted by Tina @ 04/06/2004 09:35 AM NY
