TIME:Enter Talking, Stage Left

[underpants]

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,110104...

Monday, Apr. 12, 2004
In promos, it calls itself "The radio Rush Limbaugh would be listening to — if he hadn't lost his hearing to drug abuse." This is Air America, the long-promised liberal talk network that came to squalling life last week. The kingdom of right-wing talk radio now has a band of left-wing insurrectionists in its bosom.

Part NPR (without the pretense of objectivity), part Comedy Central's talkfest Tough Crowd (with fewer sex jokes), Air America started on six stations — in New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Minneapolis, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; and Inland Empire, Calif.as well as on XM Satellite Radio and its own streaming website, www.airamericaradio.com . It can't yet touch the range or ad rates of Rush (600 stations, 20 million weekly listeners) and his ruck. Much of the "commercial" time goes to public-service spots — the same few spots. If we hear a certain parent-teacher ad one more time, we may turn the dial back to Limbaugh.

Air America can be as insightful and inciteful as right-wing ranters. Now it must learn, in a hurry, to provide what Limbaugh has from the start: great radio. "I am not a radio professional," says Franken. Well, become one! Garofalo and co-host Sam Seder, who have the sharpest rapport in the bunch, neared audio meltdown on Thursday with blown cues, inaudible phone calls and talk that stammered to a halt. Too often the network is Air Amateur.

Let's hope those are just birthing pains. For a raising of both political consciousness and the political temperature — America needs Air America.

[mot78]

1. I hate the way he trashed Randi

Although he does talk up Bernie Ward and JIm Hightower, both of whom deserve a show on AA, especially if Malloy doesn't get one.

[NJCher]

2. BS

They are selling plenty of ads. I notice because I never view a TV ad (always use the remote) and only used to listen to NPR.


Cher

[underpants]

3. Well there are a lot of PSA's

But they only started a week ago. They apparently have some REAL money behind it so they can hold out for a while until they have some demographic numbers. I think Jon Stewart was right, get some beer and casino ads.