Wow. Al Franken has turned into a trainwreck.

[iconoclastNYC]

It's so embaressing. AAR needs to get him a co-host something quick. He's ok when he has guests on but him talking about the news by himself is painful to listen to.

[Ioo]

1. I have always thought that, Al is a hard listen...

[ecoalex]

7. DLC Franken is part of the problem

He treads too lightly on the core issues, methinks he doesn't want to ruffle the feathers of his corporate donors.

[NYCGirl]

27. Al's on the advisory board of Wellstone Action...

a big DLC organization.

:sarcasm:

[jonnyblitz]

58. he is a DLCer though, he said so at a book signing I attended

in Harvard Sq. He said it then he jokingly ducked down as if he expected to have things thrown at him. He said his views where attuned with them. :shrug:

[President Jesus]

59. so are Bill Clinton and John Edwards

What's your point?

You just probably don't like him because he doesn't spew pure hate, like the rest of the AAR personalities.

[LincolnMcGrath]

66. "spew pure hate, like the rest of the AAR "

Let us discuss that statement.

[jonnyblitz]

68. wow. touchy. i just merely stated what he said at a book signing

and what is your point for being so hypersensitive about it? where did I say i didn't like him? get a fucking GRIP!

[LincolnMcGrath]

63. He also said it at the debate with O'Lielly and Molly Ivens.

Bill the Shill kept calling him kept using the L-word over and over and Al said "I'm a DLC Democrat, not a Liberal".

[jonnyblitz]

69. be careful. merely commenting on what he says will incure

the wrath of some pretty emotionally FRAGILE DUers. :eyes:

[wyldwolf]

73. Like him or not, he won't be around much longer

He IS running for Senate.

And I've heard some juicy rumors about his replacement... :)

[AntiCoup2K4]

85. Give Springer Franken's time slot

And put Malloy on in the morning. I can actually wake up to Air America when Mike guests on the Springer show.

Which he's doing right now, BTW :)

[ronnykmarshall]

78. Oh. What. A. Suprise.

[WestHoustonDem]

2. Which is why I listen to Hartmann

www.thomhartmann.com

[Beelzebud]

10. What is a good stable sream for listening to Hartmann?

Every stream I have ever tried to listen to him on, always cuts off after a few minutes... What is a good link to his live show?

[ralps]

42. Thom Hartmann is broadcast on radiopower.org, or if you go to his

website there should be a link to a streaming radio station. :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[BlueEyedSon]

13. Hartmann is now AAR. He is on exactly opposite Franken

http://www.airamericaradio.com/thomhartmannpage

[Beelzebud]

16. COOL I didn't realize AAR was streaming him live every day!

Thanks!

[WestHoustonDem]

34. I listen to the White Rose stream or the CRN stream.

Links here: http://www.thomhartmann.com/showlisten.shtml

The cool thing about the White Rose stream is that they play Hartmann 24/7. http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Hartmann.m3u

[Prodemsouth]

37. Boy you talk about a show that sucks Hartmann I did fall

asleep while listening to him one time. Dangerous to listen to Hatmann and drive at the same time.

[leeroysphitz]

41. Yeah...

Listening to thoughtful, well reasoned arguments backed up by facts both current and historical does require a bit more effort than listening to slide whistles, slapstick and the occasional "crooning" of guests. But I think it's worth it to get informative and substantive liberal talk as opposed to Franken's hackneyed lack of focus. Just my opinion.

[WestHoustonDem]

43. What leeroy said. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

86. No show, I repeat no show, provides a better historical

perspective of where we are and how we got there than Hartmann.

Maybe he should have women come in and strip for him while he talks. :think: That would spice it up. :eyes:

[Connie_Corleone]

3. Be careful. You'll be accused of bashing Al any minute. nt

[Beelzebud]

4. One thing good about Katherine being gone:

No more FAKE laughter. She was horrible at belching up the fake laughs at the jokes of Al's that fell flat.

It always annoyed me that such an independant woman would have to suck up like that. Her fake laughing was unbearable at times.

[jobycom]

25. I felt that way, too

Seemed to me that she was stronger in personality and on the issues, so it was rather sad to see her in the traditional female sidekick role. The fake laughs made it more demeaning, I thought. Now half his monologue seems directed at someone who isn't there, and it's awkward. Especially when he read his hate mail.

[progressivebydesign]

28. She irritated me with her Al's Mommy attitutude.

She was too much a hall monitor with Al, constantly interrupting him or chiding him to tone it down.

I like Al.. he's funny and odd.

[Beelzebud]

30. Agreed.

She put a stop to many funny things. That always annoyed the hell out of me.

[jobycom]

48. That was Al's doing

Al wrote the show like that. That was her role, and it never sounded to me like she liked it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

51. Maybe Hartmann and Franken should do their shows together??

[Zinfandel]

80. Why do you think she left? Who in the fuck could stand Franken's ego?

To write a book? Sure...that's the "official" word...But who in the fuck could work with this boring asshole Franken and forced to laugh at his un-funny jokes...I'm sure she's happy to be rid of Franken's bad joke's and ego...

I liked Franken as a comedian and political satorist...but he completely sucks on the air...

I listen to the great Thom Hartmann in that same time slot instead!!!

[Book Lover]

5. Is Kathy gone?

I haven't been paying attention, obviously...

on edit: Oh, OK, I see. Yeah, I can only imagine how bad Al would be solo. He's just not made for radio. Why smash the square peg into the round hole? Is there nothing else Al can do for the cause?

[AllyCat]

17. Yeah. She left on Friday to write a book on...shoot, I forget

It's not politics. It's something like being a single female in NYC.

[Book Lover]

19. Well, good for her

I'm glad to know someone picked up her book proposal. Hope it all works out well.

[DainBramaged]

84. I know, get Lynn Samuels on with him, a true New Yawker

And an amazing (yet grating) voice. Was the LAST Liberal voice on WABC, the NY scumPublican AM radio station two years ago. She's on Sirius

http://www.lynnsamuels.bigstep.com/

[mwb970]

61. He could use his radio career to become a senator. (n/t)

[Book Lover]

67. Good point - I'd vote for him (nm)

[gulfcoastliberal]

6. Agree

I listened after Walts post yesterday and have to agree. No fire in his belly at all. He's a wimp on the radio.

[porphyrian]

8. He should spend more time writing.

He's good at writing.

[leeroysphitz]

45. Right...

I love all his books but especially "Why Not Me?" I can't remember how many times I've read it but it ALWAYS provides HUGH lughs...

[Greyhound]

9. He has always been a better writer than speaker, or actor.

I like his ideas and irreverence, but was not a fan even when he was writing for SNL.

[HamdenRice]

11. One thing I always hated about Franken's show ...

was that it was so media centric. It was like the Al Franken refutes each and every ridiculous lie and misstatement of Rush and Hannity. If you don't listen to those rw windbags, who cares????

I wanted to shake him and say there is a world outside rw radio to talk about. Al, just listen to Morning Sedition to figure out what the issues of the day are.

[Prodemsouth]

47. All they do is talk about NY City on Morning Sedition. And I

don't like Mark Marin(sp?)condescending attitude. Seems like they avoid talking about politics at all. I did like Morning Sedition at one time, but since the show became NY central I don't. They talked for a hour yesterday about relationship break-ups and Marin(sp?) joked that the phone calls were down, which means their audience was not intrested in it. Marin says something like: they (their audience) are mad wondering why aren't you guys hating Bush this moring Hey we want to have fun this morning - got a problem with that. The Guy that does the disgaced Preacher Bits is great but I haven't heard him recently at all. Out of all Air america programs that I have a problem with, MS is a the top. Even Springer seems to be getting better. I think countering right wing liars is a great thing to do, because when we hear a co-worker spout Bill, Sean, or Rush's inane statements, we have a comeback. I think Al arms his audience with a way to challange right wing views with very well researched facts.

[iconoclastNYC]

81. Morning Sedition is a 'morning zoo' like format

Which is what they are competing against. I love Morning Sedition. Mark and Mark have great chemistry and it's the funniest show on AAR. And I love Maron's condescending(wtf?) attitude.

[Stephanie]

12. Hire me!

Hi Al! :hi: I volunteer - call me!

[eek]

21. Bob Edwards! Ashleigh Banfield! Rachel Maddow!

the man needs a foil. one who knows broadcast.

like any comedian, he has to have that live reaction to energise his schtick.
too, he sounds too pompous and bloviatey without someone to give him the business.

who else could be good with him?

[jobycom]

26. Maddow needs a full-time show of her own.

What's Ashleigh Banfield up to these days? Last I heard, DUers hated her.

He needs someone strong and knowledgeable with lots of charisma. Al Sharpton!

[crispini]

44. Maddow has a full time show of her own.

It's on AAR at oh-dark-thirty. Really freaking early. Which is why I've never heard it.

[Pirate Smile]

60. Where is Ashleigh Banfield now?

[Ellipsis]

14. He needs a trusty sidekick who gets his timing.

;-)

[Beelzebud]

18. I wish Joe Conason was his co-host.

[Ellipsis]

31. Is that you Joe?

;-)

[gulliver]

15. Got ratings? I don't take random opinions on this issue. n/t

[Raster]

22. It's an OPINION post. Icon is offering his opinions. No one mentioned

ratings anywhere in the post.

[gulliver]

23. True. I was offering my opinion about the validity of the OP's. n/t

[Raster]

29. by the way, hows the traveling going? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Great nick.

[gulliver]

33. Eventful.

:-)

[DefenseLawyer]

54. Obviously

he doesn't do well with the coveted "Green Party activist" demographic.

[chalky]

20. Thanks to Al's hideous "Enid" skit, I've just given Stephanie Miller

another try. (The last try I gave her was during the Michael Jackson ruling and...well, let's just say it didn't go so well.)

I'm currently listening to today's Stephcast.

So far I think pulled a muscle trying to hold back the guffaws, and I can barely see the monitor for the tears of laughter.

THANKS, AL!

eta: the truly sad thing is that Al has such great recurring guests, what with Kristy Harvey and David Brock and, of course, the great Joe Conason. *sigh* I guess I'll be going back periodically.

[chelsea0011]

40. I find Miller hilarious. Pulls no punches

[Prodemsouth]

49. Just curious what did Miller do to offend you about Micheal

Jackson?

[chalky]

52. The fact that it was "All Michael Jackson-All! The! Time!" that day was

what put me off. Okay, I can see devoting the first thirty minutes (or hell, even an hour) to the Michael Jackson ruling. But each time I checked in for the rest of her broadcast (which was about every few minutes or so) it was still, "Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael, Michael, Michael, Jackson, Jackson, Jackson...."

Believe me, since Jerry Springer was all that was on AAR at the time I was desperate for an alternative. That's why I even bothered to check back.

I eventually ended up listening to the Rachel Maddow podcasts (which pissed me off because I was saving those to occupy me during the more boring Al Franken segments).

[Prodemsouth]

74. Thanks, I heard Springer today and he made some comments

that made me think he knows that we think he is a wuss, but he is going to try to fix it.

[Pirate Smile]

57. I love Stephanie Miller. I remember that she was upset/disagreed

with the MJ ruling. I didn't listen to it very much then because I was sick of MJ crap.

Her show is definitely the most entertaining - literally LOL much of the time.

I think Al struggles on his own but I've listened to him today with Catherine Cryer, David Brock and Jonathan Alter which were all good.

He just isn't a guy who can sit by himself and talk on and on. He needs the interaction. I hope he finds a good sidekick or has guests on the entire time.

[ComerPerro]

24. Great writer, terrible speaker

[we can do it]

32. Lose Franken...Thom Hartman is SO much better....

[Prodemsouth]

39. Hartmann is a road hazard he puts me to sleep. Thank god I

woke up in time had to change the radio to music.

[Prodemsouth]

35. I think his show sounds better- less NPRish.

Much better without Cathrines- The show sounded to much like a public Radio show. AL seems more focused. He would be derailed when Catherine woud chime in with some inane remark- I guess she was trying to be devil's advocate.

[DemNoir]

36. This worst part

This is what AAR promotes as it's flagship product.

[Tiggeroshii]

38. Franken's funny and all but I never could imagine myself trying to listen

to him for 2 hours. Most people just end up ranting by then and he's no exception. Talk radio's so mindless it's no wonder it got so popular amongst conservatives.

[Cleita]

46. I find Al very informative and I like his guests.

It's true his humor falls flat a lot but jeeze, I remember back when we didn't have any of these guys to listen to and that was about a year and a half ago. How quickly we all forget.

On edit: I meant to post this in answer to the original poster. Sorry.

[melody]

50. I like Franken. He's very dry but he always makes me laugh AND think

Just mho.

[Ronnie]

53. I Agree.

I don't understand people who complain about something that a few years ago would have seemed like a miracle. Whatever you think about Al (and I like him, even when he sounds flat), he has great guests. The real ones, that is.

[antonialee839]

56. I like him too, but he seriously needs to find a Dean Martin fast.

[butterfly77]

55. Hah, hah, Hah..

Heh,Heh,Heh:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring:

[Ksec]

62. I sure hope he doesnt read DU

Thatll be sure and shake his confidence level

[tenshi816]

64. I like Franken on the page.

I enjoy reading his books. He has a good mind and he makes me laugh.

However, listening to him is painful. My young son asked me the other day "is that man on the radio on drugs?" because Franken speaks so slowly.

[President Jesus]

65. never a Lanpher fan

you could just sense that she hated being Al's #2, and I personally found that tension uncomfortable.

I don't have anything against her personally, but I have heard shows she's hosted on her own and they were the very definition of b o r i n g.

[ladjf]

70. I don't think that Al is qualified for the radio work he is now being

asked to do. Primarily, he is a comedian.

[Blue Belle]

71. Al lost me as a listener when he started eating on-air...

after enduring 10 minutes of his BBQ Chicken lip-smacking, I had to turn it off. Every once in a while, I'll listen on Fridays when Joe Conason is on, but that's about it.

I think they should have Rachel Maddow on with him... that dynamic would be interesting. She wouldn't be his "Mommy" to screech at him when he's strayed off course, she'd bring a whole other informed element into the mix. She'd make him step up his game, as opposed to tolerating his mediocre tendencies. He could be so much better than he is right now.

[SoCalDem]

72. Guy James for 3 hours a day would be a welcome treat

Let Al concentrate of his run for the senate..I have never "liked" Al's show that much.. Too much unfocused stuff..

The rightwingers' method is a tried and true one.. STAY ON MESSAGE..all the time, every day..

People tune in expecting it.. They tune out, when they hear anything else.. How long would Hannity's audience be there if he started doing shows on sports, hobbies, or non-political stuff??

[MalibuChloe]

75. Franken should stick to writing books...

AAR as a whole is a train wreck, in my opinion. I find myself cringing just a little too often. The only one that is truly articulate and has a decent radio voice is Rachel Maddow.

I think it's important that progressive radio take the high road and not try to be like "them." We all know that right wing nutjob radio is full of lies and distortions, but I hear a few on AAR, too, and I don't like it any better just because they happen to be on my side of the political spectrum.

[yurbud]

76. This is good thread to draw in the righty trolls

moderators take note.

[iconoclastNYC]

82. Maybe the moderators will notice

That you can't call people righty trolls just because you dont like the topic of a thread.

[WI_DEM]

77. I hope he doesn't run for the Senate in Minnesota

[lectrobyte]

79. I love his books, and love to see him as a guest on shows on TV

when I watch TV, but his show on the radio is an impossible listen for me. Maybe if it were televised and there were more facial expressions and body language, it might be ok, but on the radio, it's just a hard listen, but I can't pin down the reason why exactly. Give me Mike Malloy or Hartmann any day.

[WillyT]

83. Oh... Go Back To NPR Then...

Goddam liberals, never happy with anything...

:scared::rofl::wow::rofl::scared:

[symbolman]

87. I'll do it

I LOVE doing Radio - just ask Malloy, he loves Takebackthemedia.com

And it wouldn't include STOPPING Al, when he gets on a ROLL or saying, "Sniff, sniff.. that almost sounds like an anti woman statement.."

Personally, I fing his sidekick boring as hell - would rather watch grass grow than listen to her.

AL, gimme a Chance, I KICK ass on these types and I know a LOT of things about just about anything..

One show, babe - I won't take over like on O'Reilly, and Joe Scarborough who threatened to turn off my microphone :)

I don't take prisoners.