IMPORTANT NOTE for Morning Sedition Fans. It may not be a done deal

[Armstead]

I was listening to the delayed podcast of today's Mortning Sedition. I don't know how many of you caught it, but Mark Maron said there were still ongoing "discussions" about his future at Air America and Morning Sedition.

He hinted that the large amount of e-mail support the show has received may be causing AAR management to reconsider their plans, and that "there are "positive conversations" going on in the building.


Soooooooo, if you want to see the show survive -- or at least see Maron still have a place in the AAR schedule -- send an e-mail to AAR, and more specifically Danny Goldberg.

Maybe it's a lost cause, but he did sound like there may still be a wee small bit of hope.

-----

Stealing from another post, you can e-mail AAR boss Danny Goldberg at [e-mail]

Or phone the voicemail of Danny Goldberg's personal assistant at (212)-871-8135

or send snail mail to:

Danny Goldberg
Air America Radio
641 Sixth Avenue
4th Floor
New York, NY 10011

[UDenver20]

1. Sorry....

But his extremely unprofessional "rants" give me no reason to go to bat for him...

He sounded like a child throwing a fit both yesterday and today.

[Moochy]

2. Riiiight....

A child.

Why would you go to bat for him if you dont' even like his show?

[UDenver20]

16. The part where I appear to have said...

...that I didn't "even like his show" must have been written in invisible type. Either that or its not there because I didn't say it because its not what I think. Thanks for putting words in my mouth, though!

The show's ok. Nothing more, nothing less.

Its better than NPR. Its better than most morning shock-jocks. But its far from captivating. The guys are better comedians than they are hosts. And at that, I wish them well. But AAR is a business - and if we want the progressive movement to "move", then we have to continually re-tool and improve.

It is really one of those scenarios where someone could really go either way. But his Monday rant about how "the President of AAR who 'claims to know exactly how the left lost its spirit' is making a huge mistake by eliminating the only, the ONLY, show that is likely to draw 18-25 year olds into the movement" was both unprofessional and obnoxious. His "We're Morning Sedition on Air America Radio... for now" quips make him sound like he's got nothing but sour grapes.

Who would even hire a guy that uses his last remaining employment to torch his (soon to be) former boss?

Maybe AAR made mistakes by failing to promote the show better - but the fact is that they apparently aren't bringing in the ratings. Like 'em or not - that's what radio is about.

And if you want AAR to grow - to eventually compete with the mega-networks on Right - you need AAR to be run with sound business decisions.

Anyhow, I suppose I would have been willing to support the guy more if he weren't being so unprofessional.

[Moochy]

22. Sorry bout that

Thanks for the explanation and sheepishly apologize for putting words in your mouth.

Have you read Danny Goldbergs site promoting his career before AAR? That book "how the left lost it's teen spirit" looks pretty dumb.

I'm over sensitive to snippy remarks conveying the opinion that "my favorite band sucks", I know this.

I didnt hear the monday rant, he seemed to me to be handling it more professionally from what I heard on Tuesday and wednesday.

The stuff about being the "only show to draw in 18-25" is stupid and egotistical, I'll grant you that.

Regarding who would even hire him, the entertainment business is full of cases where the bottom line trumps bruised egos. (marcs' and Danny's)
And actually your proposal for a different timeslot would be great, since I get it on podcast.

Again sorry for jumpin on you with a knee-jerk post!

Peace!

[Armstead]

3. Easy answer

You don't like him? Don't bother sending anything in support of him.

This is for those who would like to see the show stay on.

[TrueAmerican]

5. I'm going to call AAR and tell them that Marc Maron stinks

Thanks for the push.

[Armstead]

7. You're welcome

I suppose Sean Hannity would be an improvement to some people...

[Moochy]

10. Self Delete

Self delete (sorry!!)

[UDenver20]

18. So...

if someone doesn't agree, then they are a Freeper?

Sounds eeriely like something this one guys said.... what was it? oh, yeah - "If you're not with us, you're against us"

[Armstead]

25. No if someone says it rudely in that way, they get responded to likewise

[Moochy]

9. Sorry bout that.

self delete, got snippy and broke some rules here.
apologies!

[DancingBear]

6. If you don't like him, express that opinion to Mr. Goldberg as well

That would seem fair.

[UDenver20]

20. Thanks...

Sheesh

I was starting to feel like any oposition to popular thought was an accusation of treason....

I appreciate the comment...

Who was it that said "I disagree with what you say but I'll defend until the death your right to say it"

Voltaire?

[UDenver20]

17. Yeah!

Only speak up if you agree!

[longship]

4. Good news, I'm listening to my M.S. Podcast right now.

"Al Qaeda News" was funny as Hell.

I'm still just into the second hour. Love these guys.
I hope Lawton Smalls shows up today. And we haven't heard from Future Marc in quite a while.

[annabanana]

11. I like them too.. especially the 'radio theatre" bits...

I hope they keep them

[Armstead]

12. Send a note to them if you haven;t

The more people heard from the better.

[Moochy]

8. 1900+ and counting

I sure hope that people who don't like his humor can see how much his fans like him and give us the benefit of the doubt.

I hate Jerry Springer, but heck I'm willing to barely admit he might have a place on AAR, if people honestly like him. I really doubt that though, and think that its more of the stinkin "tactical thinkin" going on at AAR to drive up their ad revenue numbers, but is it working?
IE. They beleive that red staters like Jerry's TV show, and so they'll be sucked in by the brand synergy. Bullshit.

Nobody outside of AAR knows the Arbitron numbers so noone can make claims about which host is growing in what markets. It's a typical corporate tyrrany with no input from us the customers, other than to grovel at the feet of the all-powerful CEO.

sigh.

[DancingBear]

13. No one argues the point about his base being very loyal

The discussion revolves around his inability to grow that base to a large enough number to show AAR higher-ups that the show works.

I really wish everyone would stop accusing those who dislike Maron (and, as you have surmised, I am one of them) of living in some kind of humorless cement house where light never enters.

If the show doesn't satisfy the bean counters, it goes bye-bye, and not being privy to Arbitron numbers I would assume this is what is happening.

Remember, they are not eliminating the program, they are merely changing the host, and while some people see Maron AS the show others look forward to someone like Hightower (if he is indeed the replacement) coming in and toning it down. Still humorous, still topical, but not with the "morning zoo" component that Maron brings.

[Moochy]

14. Ok point taken

Humor is subjective, For example:
I think Hightowers is not very funny. he's wry. but not funny.

[DancingBear]

15. Yep, I think we have something here

about the whole subjective thing. I hope, for all those folks who love the show, that it finds a place on AAR where it can be appreciated. That may not be "drive-time", but it could be somewhere.

P.S. I gotta know - do you think Bob Newhart is wry or funny?

[Moochy]

19. Newhart is both wry and funny :)

He pretty much is a comedic genius in my book, the epitome of deadpan, and genius in his delivery style.

I like subtlety and sophomoric humor. I tend to be less ecstatic about the folksy little stories that I hear from Jim Hightower on KALW, they syndicate his 2-3 minute radio spots every morning, and its placed within the Morning Edition NPR broadcast.

Hightower is very clever, and a passionate fighter for the little guy in the grand scheme of things. I just will be extremely bummed if his brand of humor is what they think will sell more ears in NYC market, or a national one.

Anyways thanks for being civil, and sorry for being snippy.

[DancingBear]

21. You're more than welcome!

Ain't it nice sometimes when discussion boards are actually used for discussion?

You got the Newhart question right, BTW.

[Armstead]

26. I don't accuse anyone of being humorless

My own snippiness in this thread is simply frustration with the negativity added to a simple call to action for people who DO like the show.

If people don't like the show, fine. That's what makes horseracing. But it sometimes seems like there is a tendency to toss in little bombs on every subject here, whether a thread is intended as a debate or not.

Maybe that's petty on my part, but it's not a criticism of anyone's tastes. Just a bot of frustration with the "let's flame over everything" tendencies at DU.

But I suppose I should be grateful for any response, as it at least keeps the post on the front page.

[DancingBear]

27. It was a general statement that I've seen more than once

and directed at the folks who don't like the show.

My apologies if my response came across as being directed at anyone in particular.

And hey, we don't flame over everything here at DU.
Yes we do!
No we don't!!

Oops.

[Moochy]

28. In the spirit of keeping it on the front page :-)

"If people don't like the show, fine. That's what makes horseracing. But it sometimes seems like there is a tendency to toss in little bombs on every subject here, whether a thread is intended as a debate or not."

You make an important distinction. Not every thread is a request for a debate, no matter the merits of open discussion and respect of opinions.

Oh yeah, and

[egadsbrain]

29. kick

[egadsbrain]

23. 2015 and counting! n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

24. Yay!

I sent an Email of support and I hope they keep both Mark's!!

[Armstead]

30. Kick

This one's for TrueAmerican

[sandyd921]

31. Here's my e-mail

Dear Mr. Goldberg,

Please, please, please keep Marc Maron on Morning Sedition! He and Mark Riley are a dynamite combination. Don't break them up! One of the things that I love about Marc is his quirkiness as well as his comedic genius. I look for the "quirky" in radio and entertainment and unfortunately there's so much homogenized and sterile junk out there and so little that has the quirkiness and the quality of MS. Marc is well balanced by Mark's groundedness and his deep knowledge of politics and issues. At the same time Marc has grown enormously as an interviewer and in his understanding of the issues. He's also right where I am politically (and where a lot of your audience is). I am a streamer (I listen to the Portland Maine terrestrial AAR station when I'm near enough in my car but can't receive AAR at my home in Auburn ME) and have a choice of media in the morning. I choose to listen to MS over all of the other choices out there. Another thing I love about MS is the balance of hard news, political commentary, interviews, keeping up with progressive entertainment and culture (movies, music), along with superb comedy! I can't get that anywhere else. For example Stephanie Miller is fine, except she only does comedy. And that wonderful balance would be totally lost without Marc. Marc really holds it all together! I want it all and I want Marc! You have a real treasure here. Don't lose it!

[melissinha]

32. You Marron haters!!!

Get out of our Marron thread!!!! You highjacking neoliberals!!!!


Just poking some fun.... We get it, you don't like him. I just don't think it is appropriate in a thread that was intended to support him. But like many of you have said, this group of liberals is proud of its diversity and must never threaten to homogenize our "liberal" (open-minded)mission... But some of us need and love our MS. Please respect that.