"Air America" and "The Guy James Show"

[BeachBuckeye]

Up till now, those of us at "The Guy James Show" have refrained from commenting on the situation at Air America. But after opening the mail this morning I feel it necessary to do a bit of venting.

As many of you are aware, many of us with experience in broadcasting were quite disappointed that Air America chose to go with mostly comedians instead of veteran radio people. Thank God for the exception in Randi Rhodes. Having spoken to several others in the business I know the frustration they have felt because of being totally ignored as well.

Let me say right up front that whether or not Air America or most of DU for that matter, feels our show or some others are worthy is not my point here. Its common courtesy and respect for others that I want to address in this post.

Thanks to many of you and some folks from other sites there were many pleas to Air America on behalf of our show and some others. I have been sent copies too numerous to mention of e-mail promoting our show to Air America and asking them to give us a listen and, perhaps, a chance at some of their programming time. Its not as if America was deluged with names of hundreds of Liberal broadcasters because as we all know we are an endangered species.

Anyway, to get to my point, we made a new demo CD recently at great expense. Again, whether or not someone likes our style is not the issue. The CD was professionally produced and is worthy of a listen. Instead of listening to the CD the people at Air America wrote on the package: "Unsolicited, Return to Sender". It was clearly marked with our very professional show label so there was no mistaking it for junk mail. Even throwing it in the wastebasket would have been preferable to insulting us by sending it back in such a manner. And we all know its not as if some underling did this without the knowledge of management because, at this point, how many layers of people can there be at Air America? We know they are aware of our program.

I've been doing radio for just about 30 years and never before has a radio station or network insulted me in such a manner. In fact, having the knowledge of how these things work, I can tell you that nobody I have ever known in the business has had a policy of sending a demo CD back with "Unsolicited, Return to Sender" written in large red lettering on it.

This is not a sour grapes letter. Those of us in the business have to have thick skin because we are fully aware of the fact that we cannot be liked by everyone. So, being rejected is just part of the business. My complaint is because of the intentional insult. To me this is, perhaps, one of the symptoms of the mismanagement which is causing Air America to appear to be floundering so badly.

Those of us in the Liberal broadcast business need to help each other and extend common courtesy and respect to one another so that we can build the media army necessary to overcome the overwhelming presence of the Right Wing media machine. Air America acting in such a rude and disrespectful manner does not help toward that end.

Respectfully,
Guy James www.theguyjamesshow.com

[nostamj]

1. outrageous

I'd like to think it was an overwhelmed flunky that sorts the mail and not a decision by anyone with real responsibility.

I have a contact in the AA sales department now (I'm considering running an ad for the revue during the convention.) and I will ask her about this when we talk next week.

She neglected to include any *rate* information in the media kit she sent.... <sigh>

[TheWizardOfMudd]

2. Your show would be a gread addition to AAR

I hope they get their leadership problems worked out and reconsider your availability.

[mot78]

48. Yeah, they should get rid of Marty Kaplan and give Guy the timeslot

and give Malloy the timeslot on after the Majority Report.

[quinnox]

72. If Guy James got a slot, then I would listen to AA

I have heard his show and he is good, but it is hard to listen on the internet because of technical difficulties and I am on a 56/k modem, they should give him a slot at Air America and I would tune in regularly.

[xultar]

3. AAR was rude to do that...

however, I will say veterans always complain when the young ones try something different. Maybe they will fall flat on their face. That will be the penalty for the choices they made.

If you always do things you always have, you always get what you always got.

[moof]

4. Yes, common courtesy and respect should have generated ...

a polite letter of acknowledgement and a Thank You for your time and effort, at the very least.

[punpirate]

5. Umm, Guy, I said something untoward about AA's advertising policies...

... a couple of days ago, and got hacked for even suggesting that AA should be criticized for any aspect of their operation....

Maybe the bottom line is that I gave you money, but haven't spent a nickel on their advertisers, and never will.

AA still thinks this is about money, and advertisers, and the American Way--selling advertising to support the programming, instead of putting the programming first, and letting the best advertisers find AA.

I don't think anyone at AA has very deep pockets, and therefore, they can't afford much in the way of taking chances. It strikes me as a shoestring operation, and will probably continue to be a shoestring operation for some time in the future.

BTW, I don't like Randi Rhodes much--if one listens carefully, it's all about her, and not about the issues. That may be a good marketing ploy in the talk radio market, but it impresses me not at all--it's simply more hype, when we're already overloaded with hype.

AA is probably soon to demise, if only because it has tried to copy the right-wing formula with an opposite message. Right-wing radio appeals to people who don't think for themselves, and for that reason, left-wing radio shouldn't imitate the tone and stridency of the right-wing commentators, as AA has done. It's not about comedians. It's about the show hosts not listening closely enough to the callers and letting them talk. The greatest advantage of call-in radio, for the left, is letting ordinary people tell their stories, and in that way, allowing them to connect with other ordinary people who might be sitting on the political fence. It's not about callers admiring the hosts and parroting their opinions--as happens too frequently on AA--it's about spreading news which doesn't hit the mainstream press.

Don't be chagrined by being dumped by AA. Better things will come along later.

Cheers.

[Eric J in MN]

7. I can't defend all their shows because

I can't defend all the "Air America" shows because I haven't heard most of them.

I will say with regard to "The Majority Report" that there are blogger-guests from "The Daily Kos," "Liberal Oasis," etc.

If you're saying that one of the other shows is too wrapped up in itself, I can't dispute that at this time, but I think "The Majority Report" is paying attention to ordinary people.

[punpirate]

20. Just speaking generally....

Franken is too cute and too hooked into the mainstream, the morning show seems to be composed of people hired for their minority status rather than the quality of their ideas, Rhodes is too concerned with what she thinks--I've listened to her cut off far too many people who simply bored her in the last few weeks. The Majority Report and the Laura Flanders segments are a bit better, but I'm not talking about bloggers--that assumes that AA is an internet phenomenon (which it is, at the moment, since it has a network of fewer than six stations at the moment). I'm talking about ordinary people telling their stories, and hosts who can put those stories into perspective, relating current government policy to those people's lives, instead of hosts becoming the sole center of attention. The latter is the formula of the right-wing--bombastic diatribe from the likes of Limbaugh and Savage--such people spout inanities and only allow comment from their dittoheads. AA has, mistakenly, I think, adopted the same formula. It won't work with people who think a bit more about the issues, and who might even know more about those issues than Randi Rhodes, for example. Self-importance is a turn-off, frankly. Franken spends too much time comparing himself to O'Reilly, and Rhodes spends too much time, in various ways, in comparing her market share to Limbaugh's. It's time for AA to recognize that O'Reilly and Limbaugh are just schoolyard bullies, and the more attention paid to them, the greater their aggrandizement. In the matters of the electorate, and what's becoming of this country, mimicking the cult of personality employed by the right is a big mistake.

I guess I'm feeling a bit annoyed by the tone and tack of AA right now, and by their indifference about from where their advertising dollars come. And, those might be the reasons why I say that patience may bring you something better in the future. AA, right now, is the equivalent of a car crash. They need to find the best surgeons available, and listen to them. Instead, they're reaching for the nearest bandage.

That said, I'm very glad that people such as Joe Conason are regulars on AA--Conason is always low-key, soft-spoken and usually much more devastating in his assessments than the show's hosts, because he's a reporter, not a performer. AA, take notice--I'd prefer minutes of Conason to hours of Franken or Rhodes. The guests are better than the hosts--I anxiously wanted to hear what Chalmers Johnson had to say, but I could care less about stunts such as Franken's "oy-oy-oy" show.

There are still plenty of good reporters in this country who are actually out getting the story, and have much more to say than the hosts on AA, and more to offer than what passes for news at NPR.

The left is smarter than the right and deserves to be treated as such. We're not a poorer version of the dittoheads.

Cheers.

[Eric J in MN]

31. I wouldn't mind if "The Majority Report" were to take phone-calls

I wouldn't mind if "The Majority Report" were to take phone-calls from the general public more often, but I also like the current format.

[trof]

6. I've e-mailed them a few times.

Certainly I'm not famous or anything.
My name is not a household word.
But I had some comments, ideas, questions, etc.
I did not even get a computer generated reply.
Nothing - nada - zip.
This doesn't win friends or influence people.

[nostamj]

8. HAS ANYONE HERE GOTTEN A RESPONSE

from AA?

just wondering.

I've sent many emails. to franken, rhodes, unfiltered, morning sedition, and the station in general.

the ONLY response I got was when I contacted the SALES department about a possible ad....

[Unperson 309]

11. I Emailed Them TWICE

and never got any response at all, other than an automatic generated response saying I was on their mailing list.

Other than that... (crickets chirping).

Have they answered ANYONE?!!

309

[nostamj]

12. you got an AUTOMATED RESPONSE???

WOW! :wow:

way more than I've received. and I've written way more than twice! ;-)

[bermudat]

25. No replies to my emails either.

Makes me wonder, can't they run a decent web site? Others do (Bartcop, Atrios) and they don't have the same type of money.

[bearfartinthewoods]

55. something to think about.

can you imagine the volume of freeper hate mail they get? Who would want to wade through the shit to find a few compliments?

[JanMichael]

13. I haven't either. Not even the automated "F'Off, we're not here" one.

I guess AA thinks they've got their shit so together that they don't need to reply to serious inquiries...

[nostamj]

14. i even volunteered

to come in and help with what i assumed was a barrage of email/snail mail....

<crickets>

[DancingBear]

15. I haven't

After a lot of "nudging" from folks here, I submitted one of the things I'd written here at DU to Randi Rhodes. I sent an mail apologizing for "pimping" my own writing, and asked if she thought it was usable on the show, If so, I asked, could she credit it to my DU name, and if not please just say "thanks but no thanks."

I received NADA from them, and now after hearing what happened with Guy, I am beginning to get angry.

How many more third-rate comedians do we need on this network? Heaven forbid they use real-live actual liberal on-air experienced radio talent.

I have no idea why these folks are not jumping all over Guy, Malloy, etc. If I am not mistaken, isn't Liz W. of "Unfiltered" responsible for a lot (if not all) of the programming decisions?

If so, that explains a lot.

[Citizen Daryl]

19. I have.

I've got a contact at AAR, but that's because I registered the domain name "ofrankenfactor.com" for them to keep it out of the hands of Freepers. He's a very nice guy, but I've got absolutely no idea how high up the chain he is.

[rooboy]

9. I have mostly bitten my tongue about AAR...

but I'm getting tired of doing so. Can anyone on this board imagine setting up an NBA franchise which recruited only one player with pro basketball experience??

But I'll bite my friggin' tongue for another month...

[charlie]

16. Me too

I was dismayed before hearing the first broadcast that tried-and-true radio personalities who only needed a shot at the national airwaves were passed over for a celebrity lineup. Still am, AA is worse off for it.

[LWolf]

10. I am so sorry to hear this.

I haven't listened to AA; If the Guy James Show was going to be on, I would have made the time to tune in at least once!

I'll add my voice to those contacting them to point this out. For what it's worth.

[vetwife]

18. OK I gotta rant here about AA !

Anyone who knows me,knows that I will call any talk radio show, TV show from C-Span to CNN. Well AA, I haven't even tried. Why? Because I think
they are totally unprofessional !
Sorry Guy, I think Your show should be ahead of AA, Randi, or Schultz, anyone else. Don't be fooled folks. Some of the so called liberal voices are not that at all. Many are elephants dressed in donkey suits.( As Sharpton so well put).
There is a lack of passion and professional courtesy by this station and I have no use for any so called political liberal wantabe radio station that cannot relate to We the people. Who the Heck do they think they are fooling? Al Franken could not even begin to relate to the average person. He got full of himself after his book deal and it takes more than a person to go one on one with O'Reilly, to be the voice of America. I would take on O'Reilly and I know Guy would. So Franken, how does that make you the choen voice?
I think it is us to the Guy James Fans to put him ahead of any talk show out there. Only listners and backing can do that. Come on people, I am speaking as a former broadcaster of WLQH FM in Florida, there is a difference between talking radio and Talk Radio. BIG DIFFERENCE ! Air American does not even come close to Guy James. Randi Rhodes is not my pick either. Guy is a true professional broadcaster and is courteous to all who address him with a civil voice. He is a voice of reason and I think AA has just about talked out. Speaking from experience, folks, there is more to the job than sitting in front of a microphone and cracking jokes. Radio Broadcasting requires a special talent. If Air America does not realize that, then they are doomed. I don't listen. If I don't listen, then I know there are many more like me who will tune in elsewhere other than AA. Why? because I try to keep my fingers on the pulse of America and from what I am hearing, AA is not all that it professes.

Guy, not all wingers are in bed with Special interest. Makes one wonder where Air America is , regarding that category.
Don't kid yourself Guy ! They know who you are. They are jealous or scared to death your show could become bigger than theirs. YOU, FRIEND ARE THE COMPETITION ! Consider yourself lucky not to be part of AA.
They won't last.

[xultar]

22. Hasn't it been proven that Al Sharpton was put up to run by the RW? n/t

[vetwife]

29. Don't know..but the elephant in Donkey clothes was still a good shot !

[wyldwolf]

17. Here is my take....

1. You're right. AA's biggest error was hiring celebrities and not all broadcast professionals.

2. I might also add that some of the broadcast professionals they did hire are, to me, way too boring and NPR/Pacifica-like. One has to only look at the success of Randi Rhodes and the huge following for Mike Malloy to see that combative liberal radio works. After all, hasn't one of our chief concerns been that democrats aren't fighting back?

3. Returning your CD unopened was very unprofessional. In my radio days, we'd keep just about every demo sent our way for months.

[Citizen Daryl]

24. Returning It Unsolicited

There definitely is a good reason why they would have returned it unsolicited. If there was material on the CD (like a comedy bit or something like that) and later down the road Air America unintentionally did a similar bit, they'd be fodder for an intellectual property lawsuit. A lot like an unsolicited manuscript to a publisher.

For instance, if you send something through their website, there is a bit of legalese there that explains that by sending a link or whatever to them through the website, you are granting them royalty-free permission to use it however they see fit.

"By posting or submitting any materials, including but not limited to (any jokes, creative material, remarks, program (or any other) ideas, graphics, photos, comments, product concepts, advertising concepts or ideas, and suggestions for improving or changing existing content) to this website, (or by mail, fax, telephone, or any other means of communication) you automatically grant (or warrant that the owner of such rights has expressly granted) to Air America Radio and its parent company, Progress Media, a royalty-free, nonexclusive, perpetual and irrevocable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, edit, translate, perform, display and distribute such materials alone or as part of other works in any form or technology now known or later developed, (you waive any moral rights you may have in having the material altered or changed in a manner not agreeable to you) and to sublicense such rights through multiple tiers of sub-licensees."

[BeachBuckeye]

30. I've never know a single radio station or network

to refuse a demo cd.

[vetwife]

35. Me either.....

[bvar22]

21. Send it back!

Keep sending it. Send more.
Sooner or later someone will listen to it.

I never miss your show. You are one of the very best.

If AAR continues to stay the course, they will meet with the same fate as bush*---failure. Soon, the money men will step in looking for ways to salvage their investment. When this day arrives, I hope your CD is on-top-of-the-stack.

[trof]

23. I was screaming at my radio a few weeks ago.

OK, at my speakers. I (used to) listen online.
Franken's show was talking about awol, national guard, etc.
They weren't getting it right.
It was FAR WORSE than what they were saying.
Folks, I consider myself an EXPERT on this subject.
I WAS a pilot in the Alabama Air National Guard.
1963-1971.
I know the drill, first hand, and I know the rules and regs.
I dialed and dialed and dialed.
Busy Busy Busy and FINALLLY rrriiinnnggg.
It rang for about 5 minutes and then cut off.
Dial tone.
I sent them an e-mail with my phone number PLEADING for them to call me and why I NEEDED to talk to them.

zero zip

[vetwife]

26. They are amateurs...

[Skinner]

27. Here's one possible explanation.

I think that they were very rude to send your demo back unopened. But it reminded me of something, which might explain the odd behavior at Air America radio.

Growing up, my stepfather worked for the DuPont company. Everyone in Wilmington, Delaware, did back then. In those days, it was the "Chemical Capital of the World" not the "Credit Card Capital of the World."

My stepfather said that whenever the DuPont company received an unsolicited letter from a scientist or inventor suggesting a particular product or telling them about some breakthrough, they would send it back. Wherever possible, they wouldn't even open this type of mail. (I'm not really sure how they filtered the mail -- maybe they sent all the mail to the legal department for screening or something. But that's not really the point of the story.)

The reason they did that is because they did not want someone outside the company taking credit for a multi-billion dollar DuPont product, and then suing them for royalties. The financial risk of opening this mail for them is too great.

Just imagine this scenario: DuPont spends a decade and a hundred million dollars developing a product -- for example, Tyvek, that wrap that gets put on houses. Then six months before they patent the idea and unveil it to the world, some guy sends them a letter with the exact forumula for Tyvek, and DuPont reads the letter. What is that guy going to do when DuPont unveils their new product Tyvek, and that product makes a billion dollars for the company? Here's what he'll do: He'll sue DuPont for millions and millions of dollars.

Which brings us to Air America. I have no idea why they sent your demo back unopened. But my guess is that it is for the same reason.

Maybe Air America is worried that the Demo tape might include some really great idea for a new show or something -- an idea which Air America might develop on their own at some point. They don't want someone who sent a random demo tape to take them to court claiming that Air America stole their idea. If Air America doesn't listen to the demo, then they can't be accused of stealing.

It's just a thought. I don't claim to speak for Air America, and I have no idea what their official reason might be. :shrug:

[Skinner]

28. Looks like someone beat me to the punch while I was typing.

Hats off to Citizen Daryl, whose post above says the same thing, much more succinctly. :D

[vetwife]

32. Question for Daryl and Skinner.. Good point but....

Those folks up there really know Guy and wouldn't a letter acknowledging the CD and reason for return be in order as professional courtesy? I mean it is not like they don't know who Guy James is? Which I understnd your point, but a Return to Sender with no explanation from the legal department seems...so Bushlike.
You know, We are the chosen Voice so we do not need to explain to you commoners ! Your reason for return seem very plausable but I do not get the explanation or lack thereof.

[BeachBuckeye]

45. Ya gotta get up pretty early in the morning

To beat some of these folks.

[happynewyear]

59. hey Guy ...

In my opinion, Air America totally missed that boat by not hiring both you and Mike Malloy. I never miss your show, never.

You two guys (along with Kathy) are absolutely THE BEST in this business.

If Air America would rather sit around and twiddle their thumbs airing what they have going now, they are just waiting to go belly up IMO. Thus far, I am not highly impressed by the quality of their work.

Air America doesn't have the ability to engage the audience the way you or Malloy do. You'd think they'd want to latch on to the real deal while it is still available.

Sit tight my friend. I bet you will have more work than you can handle soon enough. Same goes for Malloy.

[JanMichael]

62. Hire? Gratis would be fine. Not that I can speak for Guy but...

...it's costing about $5,000 a month to be on PowerTalk 1200. Guy and his producer foot most of that cost and have done so for 15 months. There have been a couple of DU fund raisers that brought in a few thousand bucks, and some local Dem Clubs that have ponied up here and there, but IIRC at least 60% have come from two pockets.

It would cost Guy much less to fly up to where ever AAR is and stay in a hotel.

[happynewyear]

63. well they are missing a great opportunity

Maybe they accidentally sent it back. They are not organized, this is obvious.

I did not realize you were willing to travel, etc. to be on their show. They are really fools for not snapping Guy up. Maybe they are afraid as previously suggested.

As for Mike Malloy, I think he needs a paying job and I know he was disappointed with Air America too.

I really don't get it because we really need you guys.

I'll be sending another donation to your show as I've done in the past. I hope others here will continue to support you too.

I don't know what else to say but :thumbsup: to you Guy!

:kick:

[JanMichael]

64. I don't know if Guy is willing to travel but I bet he'd do it.

Do maybe a Saturday and Sunday live show. Let's say $250 for the flight, $150 for the hotel, and $50 food. So $450 for 6 hours instead of $1,250 for 3 hours?

Like I said it'd be cheaper than PowerTalk 1200.

[happynewyear]

66. Send this proposal to them with the CD again

Mark on the outside of it "TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY!" on it. Do you know who is in charge of AirAmerica? If so write this person's name on it.

It has worked for me in the past. Maybe this will catch their attention. The price is dirt cheap for what they will get and it will help to promote their show and keep it on the air.

[Lorien]

33. I was thinking along the same lines; these are film people

and having worked for a film studio, I know that all unsolicited packages are sent back with the same message in red ink stamped on the front. It's done for the same reasons Skinner noted; what if they opened it, and it's an outline for a film that's very similar to one that they already have in production? The only way to submit ideas for projects at my studio was either internally or through an agent.

[JanMichael]

36. I hope that these Film People figure out how to be Radio People soon.

Seeing how that's what they're doing now.

[Lorien]

38. i agree. It's a very different culture

I wonder where their general managment comes from? Anyone know who makes the policies over there?

[HootieMcBoob]

40. Oh happy day! Another thread critical of AAR!

We all know they totally suck right! I long for the days when I could only hear Limbaugh and Hannity and Savage on my radio. How dare they try to build their own liberal radio station and hire their own people and write their own jokes and run it the way they want to run it. They should be ashamed of themselves. It makes me ashamed to call myself a liberal. Well we all know they'll fail miserably and it'll be nothing but conservative ranters on the air again and we can all be happy.

[JanMichael]

51. God forbid someone has an opinion around here, eh?

It's called constructive criticism, it's meant to help. Blind allegence is useless. No, it's not useless, it's worse.

Same with candidates.

[Puglover]

69. Totally agree...

I couldnt care fucking less if they returned this guys cd....rather then posting on this forum with OUTRAGE why not keep trying with them.
I don't know who Guy James is...never heard of him...but I do know who Air America is and I love them. Will you people be happy when they're gone so you can puff up and say "I told you so!" Jesus!

[Tarheel_Dem]

74. here! here!

yet another circular firing squad :eyes:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. It still doesn't explain their lack of response to emails

I and others have emailed them...why have a system for public input on such a small venue (and they are small) if you aren't going to respond even with a form letter?

Hell, I've written Martha Stewart several times during her legal ordeal and ALWAYS gotten a response...and I would venture to guess she gets more mail than Air America.

I think this kind of behavior is what gets liberals labeled "elites." It's a version of "no matter how bad we are floundering we know better than you."

[TheWizardOfMudd]

52. I started to post the same thing, kinda

When I was in the music business, record companies would not accept unsolicited demo recordings, because they were opening themselves up to lawsuits if one of their artists put out a song similar to one received unsolicited.

[LTR]

67. Theft of ideas?

This is radio we're talking about. There are no original ideas. As Rick Dees once said, "If you've stolen from me, you've stolen twice".

In addition, when I was in radio, I sent out demo tapes, even to Clear Channel stations. No 'return to sender' on any of those. No reply either (I wasn't too surprised).

It was kinda rude of AAR. They should have at least sent out a form letter with regrets.

[Khephra]

34. Thank God for the exception in Randi Rhodes?

I've listened to Randi for about two years now. She's changed. I don't like her "newish" on-air persona that she pushes forward on AAR. Not at all. Give me Ed Schultz or Mike Malloy any day. At least they don't go off on their liberal callers like Randi sometimes does.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

37. I agree, Keph.

This shift in her persona leaves me quite...eh. If I want to be talked to rudely, I don't have to waste Kw/H to get some.

But, to be sure, AAR is in the midst of GREAT flux. Hence, patience is counseled. Hopefully, they can get a real radio professional who can get them on track.

[wyldwolf]

39. interesting

I've listened to Rhodes since early 2001 and her style has changed very little IMO..

[rooboy]

41. Definitely changed.

I can only guess that she thinks she's "arrived".

[Khephra]

43. She also has been making more "incorrect" statements this last year

than the year before. I've caught her defending statements that were just plain wrong, which by itself isn't too bad, but then she's gone off on the callers who have tried to clue her in on the actual facts (eg. the immaculate conception).

Mike and Ed ALWAYS welcome callers,no matter what the callers level of knowledge was. Over the last year Randi has shifted into this "I can't be bothered with talking with others; I have too much to say about my life." celebrity mode.

[rooboy]

44. You have almost exactly repeated a post I made about her 2 weeks ago. n/t

[jmatthan]

46. You are respected - forget Air America

Dear Guy,

Sitting here in Finland (in the Arctic) and not being an American, may I say that it is poeple like Mike Malloy, Peter Werbe, Thom Hartmann and you that are really the top professionals in your field.

As much as I like Al Franken as a comedian, he is clueless on being a Talk Show host. He laughs interminably at his own jokes. He interrupts people who want to express serious opinions with comments not even worth the paper theyARE written on. Al Franken has done damage to the serious Liberal Talk Shows. Al Franken also tries desperately to promote his own book at every opportunity.

I admit that Randi Rhodes is just wonderful. I also enjoy some of the other shows but they are not has hard hitting as you or Mike Malloy.

On top of it the Air America management does not know how to program their shows, how to create sensible archives which do not require us to listen to entire replays of whole shows, etc., etc.

The unprofessionalism is going to be their downfall and it is sad that just when America needs a top Liberal Talk Show Station that Air America is destroying the opportunity.


I listen to the best Liberal Talk Shows like yours c/o whiterosesociety.org.

Regards

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[vetwife]

47. Guy is really a True patriot and a professional !

[JanMichael]

54. That's one of the nicest posts that I've read here recently.

You're right about AAR, it's unsteady at present and that's doing us no good at such a delicate moment in US/World History.

I have hope though that the dedicated staff at AAR will make much needed adjustments.

They do mean well, and I support their efforts, but they must adapt.

Celebrities are fine, and a couple are actualy good, I like Garofalo quite a bit, I'm also very impressed by her learning curve, but caller intensive shows work best (IMHO) for Progressives and they must get Malloy, Werbe, and hopefully Guy, ASAP.

Like another poster said earlier, if you want to start an NBA franchise it's probably best to have more than one player who has NBA experiance...

[Charlie Brown]

49. I respect your passion, however...

I'm very cynical about the future of liberal radio. For years I've wondered if Rush & friends could be toppled by a rival broadcaster, and I just don't see it happening. The conservatives have extensive grassroots support in rural areas. Every AM station here in the South carries Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. The Left, however, has its largest support in the cites. There is not enough of a market for AA to make it a serious competitor to the other side. Don't get me wrong, I'd gladly listen to AA if it was carried down here. I just don't see it dethroning the right-wing lackies on the other side.

[quinnox]

50. Air America hasn't made me want to listen

Franken is boring to me and the only one I find entertaining (although I don't go out of my way to listen) is the Ed Schultz show.

I think they should seriously consider looking for new talent and it was a mistake to not even give the demo tape a chance.

[Nlighten1]

53. AAR needs to get its shit together...

It sounds like they are just a bunch of frat boys playing "popular".

[Malva Zebrina]

56. I don't know what the problem is actually

I listen to Ray Talliafero in the morning and really like his show a lot and also the way he addresses the issues.

The morning sedition show goes on too long--although it is not bad and Mark Morin is really holding the show up, imo

Unfiltered is also too long--and the girly talk and giggling has got to stop there.

Franken is a huge disappointment . I knew nothing about him actually until I tuned in to his show, although I have heard people speak of him. First thing he did was promote his book, over and over, and seems to want to promote himself more than anything else. The "dittohead" thing is really bad. I heard today on an interview with Oriana Hutchinson, that Franken complimented her on her book and said it had deserved a place on the shelf next to his. This is the kind of thing that turns me off to Franken. I read his book and returned it to the library half unread. There was not enough focus there to keep me interested. He is too moderate a Democrat for my taste, and too inclined to promote himself, does not seem to be a team player and really does not have a good handle on the issues we talk about daily here on DU as well as what is in the news . He is lacking in that familiarity with the facts.

Rhodes is the best of them all. She does her homework and can talk about any of the issues, even if they go back a few years. Cutting the callers off? Ray talliafero does that also, but when Randi does it, well she is being just too shrill a bitch? She does not have the resonance of the male voice maybe therfore not the "authority"? Well, I see the others screening the callers and not really willing to talk to many of them in the course of their show. Franken talks to few of them, prefering to talk to his guests and to talk about himself, more than any callers.

Anyhow, I am still willing to give it(AA) all some more time. It is still in it's babyhood.

I also have llistened to Guy for the past two weeks and think he has his finger on the issues also. I don't like hearing some of the callers on that show though. I will continue to tune in to the Guy show.

[KharmaTrain]

57. I Know Several Broadcast Pros Who Got Shunned...And More

But let's let things go as they must and will.

Some may know I've posted on this topic and got flamed for trying to explain some of the things I was hearing about AAR and why they were having difficulties.

It's a shame since there are some highly talented people...not just air talent, but tech, sales, marketing and other broadcast pros who would love a chance to do radio for a positive cause. Unfortunately the troubles go deeper than even Mr. James relates, and that, sadly, has gotten worse, not better.

There's a definite need not for just a "liberal" talk network, but a more light-hearted, open-mineded and lively one than the right wing crap that's out there...and there's a ton of talent "on the beach"...many talkers who have years of experience but have been "Clear Channeled" out.

I've always suggested developing one strong syndicated show...just like Limbaugh did and others will follow.

Sorry to see this venture go badly since so many had high hopes on it. These are tough times to start any business venture, but also they're also a great time for the right people.

Cheers!

[HootieMcBoob]

60. Then why don't you put your energy into

helping those people get their shows syndicated. Or why don't Guy and Mike and Thom and whoever get some money together and start their own network. Look I love those guys too but it just gets very old hearing this every day.

These people had an idea and they got their shit together and are following through with it. It might not be the way some people like it and it's not everyone's ideal but big freakin' deal!

There's plenty of room for other liberal radio people and there's nothing stopping others from creating a similar venture. I just personally find it laughable that we've been bitching for years about how we wish somebody would start a national liberal radio station or whatever and then somebody comes along and does it and every day it's nothing but complaints.

[JanMichael]

61. "there's nothing stopping others from creating a similar venture"

Yes there is. Money, that's what.

It's a pretty big obsticle...

[HootieMcBoob]

65. That's partly my point

The Air America people got investors and now at least when I listen to the show in NYC it's nothing but commercials. They actually are "doing it". They put their money where their mouths are and for better or worse are out there every day doing it. They put together a business plan and are following it through.

I remember a thread a while ago before Air America went on the air that someone posted. It accused us at DU of not supporting liberal radio because we weren't all giving money to the Guy James Show. These Air America people are trying to do this the old fashioned way. They're putting together a product and they're selling time to advertisers. Advertisers who many here predicted would never support liberal radio. Well now they are. And it's my guess that the reason they had to go with known comedians and so forth is because the investors needed the "names" to get them to give the money.

I used to listen to Guy on my computer and Mike Malloy and Peter Werbe and Thom Hartman and Randi Rhodes all on my computer. Now I can listen to Air America on my radio and I do every day.

I was taught when I was young not to look a gift horse in the mouth and I consider Air America a gift. I'm loath to bash it before it's barely begun to crawl. I'll let the rightwingers do that. It's just bugs me that so many DU'ers are so willing to hand them the bat.

[JanMichael]

71. I'm not "bashing" AAR. Matter of fact I'm listening to Laura Flanders....

...right now (8:15pm Sunday the 23rd).

I want them to succeed as much as anyone here but when I see a deficiency I'm going to point it out. And the fact is most here apparently agree with the basic critique that they need Talk Radio Pros. The celebrity angle was indeed for capitalisation, it's not a "bad" idea either, it simply needs more balance.

I guess that I can't fathom why they haven't tapped into the fairly big list of local pros other than Randi.

It is truly a puzzle. They have open air time where they're playing re-runs when they don't have to.

This isn't a push for just Guy on my part either, I think Malloy would be an awesome addition to AAR, so would Werbe, I'm hoping for the best.

[KharmaTrain]

73. I Won't Get Into Specifics...

But some of the suggestions offered here were offered to AAR, but phone calls and email never was answered...not a good way to do business with your friends is it?

No real puzzle as to why the network is having problems or what makes on succede...it's like putting together any winning team/business...it's a solid business plan run by people with the knowledge and experience...sadly two major ingredients AAR was short on.

Sure, having Franken on-board was great for initial promotion...and had this network been given a little more time and some different hands on the wheel, I'm certain the results would be different now, but que sera sera.

You make is sound like money doesn't mean much, or is a minor detail in running a network. Try thinking that when you're writing the checks and you can just sense you'll never see that money again.

Again, there's more that has happened that is not being posted, and I personally hope it never does. It would really dishearten a lot of people who had such high hopes for this enterprise and will create difficulties for the next person who attempts such a venture. Yes, there are other options available, but since emails and calls weren't returned, we'll never know if things could have been different.

Definitely no sour grapes here. No gloating either.

[JanMichael]

58. Kick

:kick:

[LTR]

68. Here's a Plan B

Send the CD to Sirius. Seems they're doing some great things with Sirius Left. They actually hired real radio talents such as Alex Bennett. Also run syndicated stuff like Shultz and Alan Colmes (don't laugh). Successful radio shows are built around real pros.

Of course, you'll need access to adequate equipment, which is what stopped Malloy.

[Cascadian]

70. AAR are shooting themselves in the foot.

Their demise will be their own doing in my opinion. I was listening to Alex Bennett on his radio show on Sirius and he reffered to Air America as Comedy Central on the radio. It seems apparent to me that these people running the network obviously do not know what they are doing. I like Al Franken and Jeneane Garofalo both but as radio personalities? No way.

I have tried to help get Mike Malloy on Air America and that hit a wall as well. I wished there was something we could all do to help you and Malloy. I have even considered getting a petition to have Air America give you a shot but after the whole thing with Malloy, I guess that will not work. Is there anything we as the listening audience can do to help you out?

BTW. I am curious to why the late great IE America Network never hired you on, Guy. I think you would have been a great addition to that particular network. I was sad when they folded. At least they knew how to run a radio network. The only trouble is the UAW had the power and they decided to pull the plug.

Keep trying Guy, you and Malloy will get your chance at a wider audience eventually.

John