OMFG - what is Randi's effin problem?

[truthseeker1]

I'm sick of hearing her complain. Why doesn't she just decide to leave if that's what she wants?

[sbj405]

1. Exactly, for someone who brags about professionalism

she sure isn't acting it. I think she's upset she's longer the diva.

[movonne]

16. Please, please stop complaining about Randi. We need her, if

you don't like her don't listen.

[sbj405]

38. I like her and would like to hear what she has to say

vs. what's screwed up w/ AAR.

[xultar]

60. I was a fan but now I'm not. If she is going to go she should LEAVE.

Why drag us through all the miserable crap?

[drthais]

2. no no NO

we need Randi

stop it

[JVS]

3. What's the matter?

[truthseeker1]

6. She's bitching and bitching and won't stop

about the studio - the things they haven't fixed while she was gone, etc. (microphone, AC, somebody hammering or drilling upstairs) - she resents the hell out of being there, so she should just figure it out. Is it worth sticking around for or not? She needs to decide. But this pathetic unprofessional bullshit is doing more harm to AAR than good.

[Emboldened Chimp]

37. Then maybe AAR should do something to fix the problem

They're stupid if they don't. Franken maybe the Big Name, but Randi will prove to be the big ratings winner over the long haul. She's the one who's got what it takes to make this work. She's funny, bombastic, controversial, entertaining, all of which makes for good radio.

[truthseeker1]

47. I agree - it sounds like these are some significant problems

but she should take it up with AAR OFF THE AIR. Don't drag the listeners into it!

[Delano]

81. It's called kvetching. She's exaggerating for comic effect.

It's funny if you get it.

[Zinfandel]

64. I like Randi very much...But FUCK it, there's the GREAT Mike Malloy and

an excellent Peter Werbe, a dedicated Meria Heller, etc. etc...who would be great in Rhodes (or Franken's) slot.

So fucking what, Randi leaves, I'll miss her nationally, but I can always catch her back on the Internet in W Palm Beach where she'll definitely go back to.

There's so many great liberal, deserving voices out there that need and want the job if she's sick of it...and will kick ass doing the job!

So stop whining!!!

[ArkDem]

87. which will be gone? hand or butt?

[soleft]

4. bastards above her head listening to her? Who was she talking about?

[Cyrano]

7. Someone was drilling on the floor above the studio

[Cyrano]

5. She's working in a screwed up studio

At the beginning of the show, her microphone was barely working. She's got every right to bitch.

[truthseeker1]

10. well she needs to do it off the air

doing it on the air is very unprofessional and just makes her look as bad as whoever at AAR isn't getting their shit together and fixing the things that need to be fixed.

[movonne]

20. I don't understand why you listen to her if you don't like her. To me

she is great.

[truthseeker1]

46. well, someone posted that Joe Wilson would be on today....

so I decided to give it a shot. She's on mute right now. I keep unmuting every 5 minutes or so to see if Wilson is on yet.

[SemperEadem]

56. no one is arguing that she's not great

or that she isn't worth listening to. We're talking about the fact that it's unprofessional for her to air her grievances on the air. That's not why I'm tuning in to her show. I can listen to my daughter bitch, if I need to listen to that. That is just a basic rule of thumb because it makes her come across as if maybe her ego is 'off the chain'.

However, if you don't like reading complaints about Randi, then you shouldn't read the post.. kinda like what you're saying, no?

[truthseeker1]

73. *thank* you!

I'm glad to see I'm not alone here.

[JayS]

12. "She's got every right to bitch"

Making jokes about it is fine. Airing the dirty laundry out in public is not.

[tabasco]

Keep it off the air.

There are more important issues to discuss than her personal comfort. She has a valuable platform to help our cause. Don't waste it crying about the air conditioning. Show some discipline.

[Kahuna]

22. All bitchin' does not have to be done for the whole world to hear...

nt

[Delano]

82. Have you never heard of kvetching?!?!

It's good-natured bitching. I' m sure there are some glitches, but she's not doing it to be a grouch - it's for comic effect and to bring in the audience.

[mzmolly]

85. I think she's great, listening now. Why, because of the zillion threads

mentioning her.

She is an excellent addition to AR, but I do hope it's just a bit of "kvetching" and not airing dirty laundry.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

8. that's my opinion as well.

she does no good imo complaining about her situation on air, whatever circumstances are actually behind it. it seems very unprofessional to me.

[soleft]

18. If she's using it for comedic fodder, it's all showbiz to me

If it keeps people entertained and listening, and interested in all the intrigue, they'll keep listening, period.

[mzmolly]

84. Interesting, I shall adopt this opinion of her antics.

"Kvetching" hmmmmm.

[Emboldened Chimp]

9. She's complaing about Bush's speech

Sounds okay to me...

[Richardo]

11. Good line: "His 'day late, dollar short' policy...

[Emboldened Chimp]

15. That was good!

Kerry should adopt it.

[kaitykaity]

13. If she just sat there and took it, she'd belong on

NPR.

She's no milquetoast. She's loud and brassy and mouthy
and fun.

It's so sad that people project onto her these unreasonable
expectations.

[livetohike]

14. And the point of whining over the air for 15 minutes is???

Maybe they will do us a favor and fire her before she has a chance to quit.

She is not the only liberal radio personality out there.

[kaitykaity]

24. And the point of whining about her whining is?

Geez.

[carolinayellowdog]

29. Whining about whining about whining

has a point that Randi defenders always return to : DON'T CRITICIZE HER. Geez.

[kaitykaity]

42. Oh, BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!

Don't say you want the best thing to happen to our liberal
cause to be fired, because thems are fighting words.

Don't put words in my mouth. You'll find my teeth are quite
sharp and you'll lose more than fingers.

[neoteric lefty]

30. I agree

if you don't like it, then find something else to listen to. We do not know the entire story behind her and management. Maybe this is the only way management will listen. I don't know, neither do you. Shes loud and brash. Some people can take it, some can't.

Geez is right

[truthseeker1]

49. Well, the thing is, I really wanted to hear the interview with Joseph

Wilson but didn't know I was going to have to listen to 15 minutes of bitching first. And hear how Florida is so great and New York really sucks. And how sucky things don't happen to Al. She needs to grow up.

[Cheswick2.0]

70. My Gosh, Will you stop bitching?

Give it a rest. Send her an e-mail in private.

[truthseeker1]

75. Um, why don't you mind your own business?

Or ignore the thread? This is a public discussion forum and if you don't like the subject, then don't participate.

[Delano]

83. Geez! It's for humorous effect!

She's comparing her huge place in Florida to her closet/apartment in New York - Big Deal!

SO she's a Florida booster. I HAAAATE Florida, and I love New York, but it doesn't bother me.

[livetohike]

32. The point is that her whining about her personal issues

will lose listeners.

[neoteric lefty]

40. well then you should let the management

that you, as a listener and a customer to the advertisers, don't like certain aspects of her show. I'm sure if you make a valid, coherent criticism then someone will listen. But it seems everyone complaining on a unrelated message board does nothing to help solve the so-called problem.

Personally, I love her show. There are times when she goes off on a tangent but that is such a small percentage of the time that it really doesn't bother me. She was hired because of her intellect, abilities, and her personality. Not everyone is a rosey peach 100% of the time. Well, except me of course

[Bake]

62. Well, you know what? I'm just not listening to her at all

I don't need that kind of crap. And like 98% of the radio audience, it's not my problem to tell AAR why I'm not listening. They need to figure it out for themselves. That's what smart programming people are SUPPOSED to do. The last thing I want to hear is some whiny-ass bitch about her personal circumstances. Geez, if she' not getting enough "star treatment" she must think she's Limbaugh.

Bake

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bake]

71. I don't listen to Hannity.

And you should refrain from personal attacks. Very mature of you.

Bake

[neverborn]

72. No one gives a shit about you AAR doomsayers and bashers.

[Bake]

74. I've not commented one way or the other

As far as "doomsaying." And I'm not bashing anything. I'm merely criticizing one air "personality." And if "no one cares," that's fine by me. But I suggest that AAR had BETTER start caring about what its target audience thinks.

Bake

[truthseeker1]

76. I'll bet you'll all give a shit about our vote in November though

And isn't that what AAR is all about? Geez, you guys are losing sight of the bigger picture here.

on edit: And I am *not* an AAR doomsayer - just the opposite, I'm one of its biggest fans; however, I'm concerned about one of its on-air personalities airing her dirty laundry on the air, giving AAR a negative image.

[SiouxJ]

34. Lol!

Good point. Randi is on our side (thank gawd). If she wants to vent a little during her 4 HOUR SHOW, let her. If you don't like it, don't listen and certainly don't complain about her on a liberal site. Geez is right.

[movonne]

26. Again why do you listen to her???

[SheepyMcSheepster]

31. she is great to listen to when she is not whinning

about the absolutely horrible studio conditions. it is so hard to be randy.

[Damfino]

41. Working conditions

I'm working in the same office building in NYC as Randi and Air America -- and I can attest that the building is doing a complete renovation of its elevators. So, it can be noisy.

One wonders, though, if part of her annoyance may be due to the bad work environment created by the fragile business state of the Air America enterprise.

[Kahuna]

44. She knew AAR is fledgling when she joined. She also knows that

it takes time to work out the kinks in all new businesses.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

48. and can you elborate more on AAR's business state? nt.

[livetohike]

39. When she isn't self promoting herself or crying about her inadequate

studio space , she makes some good points.

[Emboldened Chimp]

17. "Chocolate-y Sovereignty"

[Richardo]

19. pretty funny!

[Stew225]

23. Well, she sure has people

talking!

[Emboldened Chimp]

33. And that, my friend, is the point

Lover her or hate her, you know about her...

[crushbush04]

21. Is she related to Imus?

He is a cranky old jerk. She is a cranky younger jerk

Does she, like Imus, have any history of drug use?

[Kahuna]

25. Oooo. You'd better put on your flame retardant suit. INCOMING!!!

[truthseeker1]

52. LOL Kahuna!

no doubt!

[Ivote]

28. If you don't like her

go somewhere else. I LOVE her.

[NewJeffCT]

27. Stern has made a career of whining about working conditions

And, I can't imagine his situation, prior to the Clear Channel incident, was all that bad.

[vetwife]

45. Well Guy James is better in my opinion and I am a former broadcaster

I am an activist and I do appreciate her service to the country. I
think we cannot have ENOUGH liberal talkers but the passion in my opinion is just not there. She is talking but she is not handling herself with the self confidence and courtesy she needs to exemplify.
Say that I am full of myself..but you know what? I 'm better ! If you have my Take it Back Cd...judge for yourself. This is the first time I have tuned into Randi.....I am dissapointed. True enough it is showbusiness but passion comes through the mike like nothing else.
Anger and passion is different. Sorry if I sound self centered but I do feel qualified to critique. Guy is much better !

[madfloridian]

35. I like her show.

She reaches people others can't reach.

[snooper2]

36. Blah Blah Blah..

What's your problem....turn off the channel if you don't like the Godess...

[Emboldened Chimp]

43. Um, maybe she's trying to get people fired up...

so they call the studio to complain, which in turn kicks them in the ass to do something. It's one thing for the talent to complain behind the scenes, which I'm sure she does; but it's quite another to hear it from listeners. The more people who call in, the quicker AAR will jump into action...

[Stew225]

51. Hey vetwife your critique is

right on. I'm a former personality of over 25 years and I can identify with your analysis.

I'm sure you can also deduce that Air America seems to be run like all those million small market stations that we pair our dues at.

Big problem is that to compete with RW radio you gotta roll the freaking dice. And that includes the wallet!

Frankly, in my opinion, and based on objective experience, radio sucks. Most regular listeners have no idea what on-air people have to put up with. True, it's not professional to complain about stuff the listener couldn't care less about but, hell, Randi is human.

Nice talkin to myself. Have a great Easter.

[vetwife]

53. You have a great point there !

It is something pretty new to the left and the conservatives have
that radio knob all but locked down. I know we need all the liberal talkers out there we can find....She is qualifed...I just feel she could hit the ball harder with answers, which we all here do have and she could do with passion....It is a fine line to walk.....Passion / Anger..... And we need her for sure..I just wish she would turn that anger toward the wingers and slap their faces with fact more than I have heard. Thanks for the response but I didn't get the Easter part. LOL

[Selwynn]

50. You sound like a lot of conservatives I know... :)

Man those damn liberals complaining about things they don't like -- if they don't like it, they should just leave!

or... not...

[truthseeker1]

55. oh spare me

Why is everyone so touchy about dissent? Oh no.....you can't criticize Randi. Sound familiar?

I guess I was wrong to assume that here at DU it was considered healthy to be critical of those things we care about so that they might become better. Instead, you just call people names and shoot them down when they criticize something you care about.

I tuned in to hear the Wilson interview today and was shocked at the 15 minutes of constant complaining. My original post reflected my horror that one of AAR's hosts could be so unprofessional. I didn't do this to tear down AAR, but rather I'm concerned about the image that Randi is projecting on AAR's behalf. SHE is the one who is making AAR look bad. She needs to fix it or move on. If she can't live with the conditions (or negotiate to have them fixed) - then she needs to make a decision and stop dragging the audience into her drama.

[Selwynn]

59. That's fine - I'm just saying, telling someone they should shutup or leave

is no different than what we rant about when conservatives do it.

[truthseeker1]

69. Randi is the one threatening to leave

she's being passive aggressive by making her threats on the air. She needs to quit dragging the AAR listeners into her drama and deal with the problem. "Not shut up or leave" but fix her problem (off the air) and if it can't be fixed to her liking, then she needs to stop with the threats and make her decision.

[Selwynn]

79. Really doesn't matter - she's speaking her opinion and you are saying,

if you don't say what I want to hear then you should just get out. You spin your sentiment with the same deftness that conservatives do when they say the same thing.

It is impossible to deny that you are saying she should stop talking (i.e. complaining) about her problems or she should do something about them (i.e. leave). For are you know she is doing a lot about them behind the scenes other than leaving, but for you its not really about that - its more about the fact that you want her to shut up about it or get out. That's not different than saying "love it or leave it."

[linazelle]

65. Dissent is one thing, excessive criticism is quite another.

[truthseeker1]

77. "excessive criticism???"

please, get a thicker skin

[sendero]

54. You guys...

... think she is unprofessional, I on the other hand don't think you'd know professional radio and what gets listeners if it slapped you silly.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

58. Having worked in radio...

I can tell you the term "professional broadcasting" is the sort of thing that gets big laughs around the coffee maker at most stations. Professionalism? In radio? Har har har!

[Armstead]

57. Oh Lighten Up Folks...It's RADIO

She's a personality, and part of her appeal is her openess about her own life. It's called show biz.

If you don't like it, tune to NPR or some dry polemic. Or listen to Ed Schultz.

Whine, whine, whine

[porkrind]

61. What is the problem with the mind control police on this thread?

People saying "if you don't like her, just shut up" or "turn it off" etc. People have a right to their own opinion. If you don't like it, debate them, but "shut up" is not a good response. This thread is about someone voicing their frustration about Randi -- by your own argument, why don't you just "shut up" and NOT respond? Jeez. A little criticism won't hurt. We don't all have to think alike.

She bugs me on occasion too, but I still like and support her. (although I think the singing part at the first of her show is AWFUL!!)

Personally, I think her whining, repetition, egotism, and rudeness to callers is all an intentional part of her show. After all, there's no such thing as bad advertising, right?

[prodigal_green]

63. I have to agree

I love what she has to say, but it is really offputting when she continually talks about leaving, whining that Al Franken gets more attention than she does, complaining about NYC, etc. Get over it and get on with it or leave already.

She said it herself when her mother asked her why she had to leave Florida--she wanted to go national. I had never heard of her until Air America. I understand she had a cult following online, but Franken was/is a better known personality with a long television and publishing history--that is why he gets more attention. The other hosts seem to have a greater sense of mission about the network. She comes off as being in it for herself.

Having said that, I do listen every afternoon because she does say what I want to hear.

[West Coast Democrat]

67. If Randi leaves, I'll miss her.....but

it will be no indication that the network is going under. There are other possible hosts.

[in_cog_ni_to]

68. What's she complaining about?

I can't listen to Air America because the signal is too weak and all I get is a bunch of static.

[Malva Zebrina]

78. For the past two hours, Randi has been superb in her analysis

She is unassailable and knows her facts.

Like her or not--she has a firm grip on the facts and has been absolutely on target for the past two hours--is not hysterical, cites the facts, and is giving us the information.

[Az]

80. Talk radio relies on emotional appeal

Whether it is anger or joy. The draw is the shift in emotions you feel while listening to the speaker. This is why hate radio works so well. It gives an emotional lift to those that share the view and justifies their anger. The job of a radio talk show host is not to be clinical, accurate, and consistant. It is to be boisterous, loud, and angry.

Air America Radio is designed for one purpose. To give voice to an angry group of liberals that are tired of having Faux news and Rush drilled into their head every day. It is a retaliation. It is emotional. It is angry. Randi is angry.

[Delano]

86. I'd wager 90% bitching about Randi are from the south & midwest...

and just don't get the uniquely New York way of blowing off steam by humorously poking fun at things, including one's own situation. Whether it's the studio problems, the heat, or her cramped NY apartment, that's what Randi's doing.

I can guarantee you that Randi is 100% behind AAR, which is more than I can say for those who are misconstruing her comments as some sort of attack on the network. It's all in good fun.

Hell, Malloy had much worse technical problems with ie america radio, and he would go on cursing jags, not knowing he was back on the air. Who cares? Liberalism is supposed to be about being for real, telling it like it is. I find it refreshing.