Apparently Unfiltered on AAR is doomed--

[coffeenap]

LBN thread says Jerry Springer goes live on AAR April 1. ARGH!!

[classof56]

1. No! Say it isn't so!!! n/t

[Maat]

2. Darn it!

I love listening to Rachel - she is very informative.

Maybe they will reschedule her.

[NYCGirl]

4. I like her too and hope they put her on another show. But I miss Lizz.

They were such a good team. Unfiltered has really lost something without Lizz Winstead.

[Maat]

11. What happened with Lizz?

Did she get too busy?

[coffeenap]

13. She was dropped with no warning and no explanation. I guess

Jerry Springer is the explanation. Argh.

[Maat]

18. Oh...

I liked a little bit of Lizz.

It's not cool that she was just dropped, though.

Rachel is very serious and intellectual (I'm kind of guilty of that also; Hubby is always trying to get me to lighten up a little).

I really enjoy listening to Rachel, though.

[crispini]

35. I really liked them together....

I thought they were a great, funny team. I was so disappointed when Liz just disappeared....

[FreedomAngel82]

57. I enjoyed them

I like Jerry's radio show but I also liked the two of them. I wish they could move one of them on the weekends. Maybe they can put Rachel on a Saturday or something? There's nothing on then. :(

[coffeenap]

24. Me too! It was the only place on the radio where two women

"were allowed" to talk about real issues on live air.

[coffeenap]

8. A poster on LBN says Janeane is leaving to do a TV series.

And there is talk of Rachel moving to her place. I hope she stays!

[NYCGirl]

15. Janeane is doing a pilot for a series, but it might be years (or never)

until the series becomes a reality.

[Jersey Ginny]

37. I wouldn't mind if Rachel replaced Jeannine

I have always like Jeannine (spelling) but I don't think she has a particularly good radio voice and she gets off topic too much and her filler irritates me. Since she is a celeb it probably won't happen. I think Rachel would be a better team with Sam Ceder.

[Jersey Ginny]

38. Duh, I just posted this exact thing! n/t

[napi21]

3. I've never listened to Springer or watched his TV show. What's

he like? All the rumors about the TV show said he was a nutcase.

[NYCGirl]

5. He's not. The TV show's sleazy, but its time is over now. NT

[Smarmie Doofus]

33. He is a malignant disease. This has got to be a BAD joke.

[KittyWampus]

6. Rachel Is Terrific On Her Own. The Difference Is Striking... None Of The

idiotic, unamusing and sophmoric attempts at humor that existed when Liz was there.

Rachel's interview about cellphone usage was really informative.

[Maat]

12. Exactly.

I learn quite a bit when I'm listening to her. I've really enjoyed it since the juvenile humor went bye-bye.

I like Lizz, but it would be great if she called in from time to time.

[n2mark]

7. Air America

I'm not sure if I like this new CEO.

I have a question though, how much does Al Franken play in Air America? Does he own Air America? Seems like he has a whole lot of influence on what happens at Air America.

[NYCGirl]

10. Al's show is the highest rated, by far. That probably means a great deal.

NT

[K-W]

17. Al Franken was the keystone in building AAR

He doesnt own it. Im sure he has opinions and Im sure they have sway because he is popular and well respected.

Unfortunately, the airwaves are still a business, and AAR has to fight for market share, which means it has to keep shuffling the deck looking for a better hand. Its a reality of radio, and tv for that matter. The weaker ratings shows will always be on the chopping block.

[Jersey Ginny]

9. Nooooo!!!! I've like the show better with just Rachel

She's got a great radio voice and is very informative. I liked Liz, but I generally prefer just one person and not a group. That's really too bad. I wish Mike Malloy had a more prime time spot. Jerry Springer? What about that guy Ed from DC?

[Maat]

14. I either wish Mike was in the day ...

maybe he could be on during the day, and repeat like maybe 1 a.m. Eastern. Then I could listen at 10 PM west coast time.

[Jersey Ginny]

Mike, Randi, and Al are the anchors of AAR

I don't know who gets what ratings, but those are my votes although I'd put Randi first. Where did Liz go? I hope Rachel lands on her feet at AAR somewhere else.

[Drewskie]

43. ...

He would have to tone down his show big time, in which case he would'nt be as good. I like the late night Malloy...

[K-W]

20. We dont know what the new schedule will look like.

So we shouldnt make any assumptions.

[coffeenap]

30. True, but I guess some of us are distrustful after the silent treatment

I mean, professionalism, regarding Lizz Winstead.

[Lady President]

16. Good news (at least for Ohio)

I have to admit that this is good news to me. Everyone has been predicting that Jerry Springer was going to run for Governor of Ohio, but if he commits himself to an AAR show, he probably won't.

By the way, he's a normal guy in person-- nothing like his tv show. I'll give the program a shot.

[Maat]

19. Me, too.

I've give his show a listen.

If it is teenage-boy humor, like with Stern, I'm out of there!

Although, I even enjoy listening to Stern without the juvenile 'sex' talk. That needs a different audience.

[K-W]

22. I think you will find that except for the tv show,

he is a pretty decent liberal speaker.

[ConsAreLiars]

21. You're just guessing and spreading rumors, aren't you?

Or do you have something beyond an inventive imagination and a delight in sowing discord for this assertion?

[Rosco T.]

23. Confirmed. Springer coming to AAR, show airs now same time as Unfiltered

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050324/ap_en_ot/springer_liberal_talk_radio_1

[kohodog]

26. Where does the article name a time slot? n/t

[Rosco T.]

27. try checking his website... 9-12 est

http://www.jerryspringer.com/

and

http://www.springerontheradio.com/

[ConsAreLiars]

34. Thanks, I had heard about the signing

but hadn't heard about the time slot. If that is the time he is now running his show it makes sense that AAR would air it live, since he probably has contractuial obligations that already bind him to that time period. Just a guess, but the circumstantial evidence makes it a reasonable guess.

[kohodog]

25. I like unfiltered lots more than Morning sedition

Rachael is fantastic, and while Lizz was ok, the show is better in a one person format. Chuck D is awesome too, when he's able to be there.

Morning sedition is a bit like fingernails on a blackboard to me. Although it has actually been a bit better with Mark Marin on vacation this week. Maybe I'd appreaiate him more at a different time of day.

Ed Shultz isn't the answer though and I'll have to give Springer a wait and see. His TV show really makes me wonder if he's not just an opportunist.

[NYCGirl]

28. Here's some of Springer's political background:

Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer (born February 13, 1944 in Hampstead, London) is a former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, who now hosts a television program bearing his name, The Jerry Springer Show.

In January 1949, he emigrated to the United States with his family on the RMS Queen Mary. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University in 1965, majoring in political science. He got a law degree from Northwestern University in 1968. He then became a campaign aide to Robert Kennedy; after Kennedy's assassination, he joined a Cincinnati law firm.

In 1970, Springer ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, but failed to unseat incumbent Republican Donald D. Clancy. Springer was elected to the Cincinnati city council in 1971, at the age of 27. He resigned in 1974 after it was discovered that he had paid a prostitute with a personal check that had been found when police raided a massage parlor. A few days later he made a public announcement about and apology for this affair; the next year he was reelected to the city council (though he had to run as an independent). A few years later, in 1977, he ran as a Democrat in a successful bid to be mayor of Cincinnati; he was 33.

In 1982, having stepped down as mayor, Springer failed in his bid to win the Democratic primary for governor of Ohio coming in third. (Dick Celeste won the primary and general elections). He was hired as a political reporter and commentator on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT-TV, which had, at the time, the lowest-rated news program. As commentator, he ended each segment with what became his catch phrase: Take care of yourself, and each other. Within two years he was their number one news anchor, and for five years, the most popular one in the city, garnering seven local Emmy Awards in the process. It was a position he held until January 1993.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Springer

[Jersey Ginny]

36. I agree.

I keep wondering if I'm getting to old for frantic and hypomanic morning radio. Maybe the target audience is not the 40+ crowd because I'd rather have something less silly. Mark R has been enjoyable this week. I like Mark M, but the bits are getting old. I'm tired of the Striesand compound unfunny talking points. And the dream stuff is getting old too, although I think Mark M is good at it.

[tech3149]

29. This is only speculation

Not all stations that carry AAR programming carry all the programming offered. Jerry Springer coming to AAR doesn't mean that it will replace Unfiltered. Morning Sedition and Randi are time shifted on some stations. Some stations carry Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, and local programming that would conflict with AAR programming.

Take a deep breath and relax. Contact the PD for the local station and the programming people/ marketing for AAR if you want to know for sure. Rachel has done a great job since Lizz has gone, they'd be nuts to drop the show cold. There's plenty of room for more voices. It might require some time-shifting and compromising, but I don't think the show is going anywhere for now.

[Rosco T.]

31. RIght now in many markets they are carrying Springer INSTEAD of

Unfiltered ALREADY.

[tech3149]

41. I know

To be honest, I've spent more time listening to Stephanie Miller in that time slot lately. It mostly has to do with the entertainment value. You can't be all serious all the time and she's good comic relief. The local affiliates will carry whatever they can sell for a profit. If the local station doesn't carry what you want to hear, let them know how you feel. If AAR considers dropping unfiltered, let them know it is something you want to hear. ( I know I will ) I think AAR has the time available to keep the current programming and add a lot more.

[Todd B]

32. He's not *that* bad - but I'd still rather have Unfiltered.

I've flipped over to Springer a few times lately while I'm getting ready for work - he is quite good, surprisingly. I mean, I still love Unfiltered but as an alternative I don't mind him.

Personally, I'd love to see AAR try to pick up some radio personalities to fill the weekend slots and take away some of the "best of" shows - I think that would make a much better station.

And why couldn't they have picked up Stephanie Miller instead of Jerry Springer anyways, if anyone is going to replace Unfiltered I'd rather it be Stephanie Miller.

Could Unfiltered be moved to the weekends, maybe? It would at least be something.

[Maat]

39. I agree.

I'm one of the ones who likes listening to Pap/Bobby-Kennedy-Jr.'s show, Ring-of-Fire, on the weekends.

I like listening on the weekends.

[Todd B]

45. AAR has some great shows on the weekend!

Oh absolutely, AAR has some great shows on the weekend! Laura Flanders, of course, but also "So what else is news?", "Ring of Fire", and "Ecotalk" too.

AAR could come a long way by providing fresh programming on the weekends while most of the other stations have reruns - plus, it would have the added bonus of getting some new, liberal faces/voices out on the market.

[jackster]

40. The Boston stations

had Springer as a fill for Rhandi while she was recuperating....

He wasn't bad, I could get use to him. He even indicated once that one day he'd talk about the tv show, acknowledging that it was trashy.

As others have noted, he's a longtime Dem - hey we need ALL the voices we can get.

Not surprised at him expanding though - the way the stations here in Boston advertised him I was afraid they were going to replace him for Rhandi permanently - seemed they were positioning him for something. Right now we get Stephanie Miller instead of Unfiltered and Ed Shultz in place of Rhandi's live show - its rebroadcast at 6.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

42. I wish it was Stephanie Miller instead of Springer

She's on 9Am-noon EST. She's a funny chick!

[coffeenap]

44. AAR intern confirms the report--Springer in, Unfiltered out.

Rachel being considered for something else. (See LBN)

[Maat]

46. Rats!

They're going to hear from me if Rachel doesn't show up! I want to listen to her!

[Rosco T.]

47. Let them hear from you NOW ... make your opinion known. n/m

[coffeenap]

49. Same here. I must say too, I hate that

the three people let go or changed at AAR so far are outspoken women. And will Chuck D still have a voice? He has so much to say--he taught me a lot and represents a population ignored by most of the media. When AAR started, I loved that they broke the mold, not only by being liberal, but by being inclusive, well, at least trying to be.

Well, at least I can break my addiction now.

[Maat]

51. I liked Chuck D too.

I AM going to let them know my opinion.

[Maat]

52. I liked Chuck D too.

I AM going to let them know my opinion.

[K-W]

56. If Jerry Springer can pull ears to us, so be it.

Lets remember the point of AAR, it isnt just to give us something to listen to, its to get our voice to OTHER people.

[Auntie Bush]

48. I've unfortunately never heard AAR and I have only seen

the Springer show a couple of times and that was enough for me!

When he announced he was running for office...I laughed. But then I heard him speak somewhere (on TV) and I was soooooo impressed!
He was FABULOUS and really did a great job discussing Democratic issues. It is such a shame he did all those lousy disgusting TV programs. He could have made a great politician. I think if people could forgive him for his past (as they did Bush) they would really like him. If Kerry had his speaking skill...he'd be president...in spite of the crooked election! Anyway...all I'm saying is give him a chance!!! I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[trudyco]

50. I agree - heard him on AAR and while Randi is still my fave

He's really good. Wish his voice was lower and more authoritative - maybe they can put filters on it like George I did. But I like that he is articulate, intelligent, very respectful of the opposition, but never lets them get the better of him. He can frame things very well. I like him a lot more than George Shultz. Have not heard Flanders or Rachel. He's better than all of them at handling RWingers that call in. He's so respectful and reasonable and ...liberal! No bad jokes like Al Franken.

My jaw dropped when I first heard him. Where was the whacko on TV? Very pleasantly surprised. I think this may be a good springboard for him to get back into politics. We need speakers like him.

[Drewskie]

55. ...

He WAS in politics til he got busted for hiring a hooker... This was was back in the days when he was mayor, or whatever. So it's no wonder he switched to a format better suited for him: trash tv.

[Rex]

53. HA! Kewl, I say give him a chance.

His horrible shows IMO was a way to lull the sheep with TVtrash and violence. Let Springer explain it all to us. He can't be any worse than Howard.

[Must_B_Free]

54. FUCK! SHIT! PISS! ASS!

Springer is a disgrace! How can we accept someone who exploited people in the manner that he has!?!

I'm fucking pissed. I'll turn off that god damn channel all together if they go ahead with this.

I'm not going to associate myself with Jerry Fucking Springer.

Assholes. I hope they go broke. Fuckheads...

[K-W]

58. We should condemn him by refusing his offer to do good?

If Jerry Springer can bring listeners to Air America Radio he will be doing us an invaluable service in the war on the right, that you would refuse his help out of scorn for his past exposes a selfish morality. Point your scorn at the real criminals, not a guy with a distasteful television show and give Jerry Springer a chance to make ammends.

[trudyco]

59. I take it you haven't heard him yet. He's like split personality or

something. Don't know what to make about the hooker bit. Seems like a lot of politicians are into drugs or sex or both. Wierd.

Maybe he's screwed himself politically, but he's still a good speaker. Totally different from the TV persona.

[Rosco T.]

60. Try listening to him before you condem.. streams live on the web now at...

http://www.springerontheradio.com

and show archives also...