I love Al Franken, but...

[Dawgs]

I think AAR could find a better "talk show host" for the mid-day listener. Al is funny, intelligent, passionate, and our side. He is not a good talk show host or interviewer. I don't think he will draw in the moderate democratic whose opinion can be swayed.

Like it or not, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh are really good at what they do. They always seem to have the same talking points that are simple and sway public opinion. On the other hand, the different shows on AAR each have their own format and topics for the day. As they get bigger I think it's important for all of the hosts to get in line with each other. I feel they should start pushing labels and talking points for our side. It has obviously worked for the Republicans.

I think an experienced host like Ed Schultz would reach a more broad audience. I'm not saying I want Ed Schultz on AAR. I just think he is really good at what he does.

Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe Al will get better. All I know is that AAR could really help our cause. For now that's my opinion.

[snacker]

1. I think he has too many guests. n/t

[President Jesus]

2. Yeah! We need blowhard retards because THEY have blowhard retards.

If you want that, just listen to Randi.

[Ian David]

5. Randi makes me feel sad

[LSparkle]

12. Not me

The major reasons I listen to AAR are Randi and Majority Report (Janeane absolutely ROCKS!). During the day, they ought to have more callers (Al, take note). Majority Report works in the evening but during the day, I want to hear what the public is saying.

[loveable liberal]

3. yea, but sean engages in criminal sexual conduct and rush is a junkie.

[Jack_Dawson]

9. Sean is a Sex Criminal?

Linkie Please.

[Killarney]

4. I think it would be more interesting if they took more callers.

I think that's why so many people listen to O'Leilly and Hannity. It's interesting to listen to the callers and how the host responds.

[high density]

7. I agree

There are too many rather predictable guests and not enough callers.

[underpants]

8. Rush takes callers?

I only listen if I run out for lunch but I can't remember him taking a call including full hours on "Open line Friday"

[Killarney]

13. I don't know, I've never heard Rush. Just O'Leilly & Hannity.

[MostlyLurks]

18. Am I The Only One Who Hates Callers?

I listen to Schultz on the way home from work every day from about 5 until 5:45 and the show is utterly worthless because all he does is take calls.

They're all over the frigging map, they have no idea what they actually want to say, they take forever to say it and they sound like soporific dolts when they do. A good majority sound like they're just moments away from a complete schism with reality. And that goes for any call in show. Schultz's is even worse because a good majority of the time, they're calling to woot for their football team or talk about deer hunting or some BS that has nothing to do with political/social issues.

Franken gets guests who know what they're talking about and what they need/want to say. I think he approaches the show as an educational forum, and in that context callers aren't going to be of much help because they tend to do little more than parrot or refute the host's stance, not add to it or examine it.

[not fooled]

23. yeah, plus it bugs me on Ed's show...

...that after the caller speaks, often for a considerable span of time, Ed just remarks "thanks", often in what sounds like a tuned-out manner as if he didn't hear a word, and never responds. And, sometimes the callers do have worthwhile points. It seems to me that if the topic of the call is too difficult or controversial (e.g. voting fraud), Ed just tunes them out and basically hangs up on them.

Ed is talented but he really strikes me as all about the $$$; nothing wrong with making money but don't compromise too much in the process.

[politicat]

6. I want Ed to jump ship. Jones is a 100% rethug contributor.

It would be great for the cause if they lost their #1 money maker.

Don't know what to do about Mark Reily and Mark Mark Maron. They rub me the wrong way sometimes. I've heard them get insulting to female callers a couple of times, and they've been really behind the curve on Black Box voting and voter fraud.

Most of the time, they're fine, if a bit neurotic....

Pcat

[Jack_Dawson]

10. Al = Good Writer, Bad Radio

I've tried very hard to like it. But with bits like the Oy Oy Oy Show, it ain't happenin'.

[okieinpain]

11. they should move put randi and malloy in the mid day slot. but I

don't know if america is ready for malloy. just when I think randi, is pushing it, along come malloy. they just might be toooo controversial for PC america.

[bullimiami]

15. mike is good where he is.

america is not ready. he fits that late slot perfectly though.

randi has her schtik which I think cuts her a wide swath of slack.

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. Isn't Howard Stern on in the morning and afternoon?

I don't know, that's why I'm asking. If he is and has such a huge audience/following, Malloy SURELY would. ;) Malloy doesn't use the language Stern does so he should be pretty acceptable, IMCPO. I agree with you about moving Malloy and Randi to the mid day slots Randi is on 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. here and I miss at least an hour a day when I pick my son up at school. :( I would LOVE to start my day with Randi and then have Malloy to follow her. That would be AWESOME. They're my favorites!

[okieinpain]

21. yes, I've grown to like malloy. I often wonder what he would be like

on cable. wow, I just have to shake my head, could you see him in dennis miller's time slot. beautiful.

[bullimiami]

14. im sorry but i think ed shultz is lousy.

he is just a lot of bluster and often has no rebuttal to RW spin from callers. He just says thanks for calling and moves on. weak on content.

I agree that franken is not the greatest talk show host but I despise Rush, Hannity and that cheerleading blowhard style of radio.

Franken is a comedian with a liberal bent. Thats fine. My main problem with him after the election and at other times is that he doesnt get somethings until you whack him on the head with it, like this election fraud thing.

Ive gone back to Thom Hartmann for the 12-3 slot. I wish AA would put Thom Hartmann on some slot. He isnt drive time entertainment but he is an excellent host and a smart in-depth interviewer.

[BurtWorm]

17. I thought Al was beating Rush Limbaugh in New York.

:shrug:

[Melodybe]

19. Well until he starts informing his listeners about the New Freedom Com

then he can bite me.

People have to know about Bushco's intent to drug their children, Al not talking about it makes me mad.

[sangh0]

22. pouting

"He MUST talk about MY, MY, MY issue"

[Mojambo]

20. I love the show

He has great guests and lengthy interviews. You just don't get much of that anymore in this "two-word political culture" as Ed Schultz calls it.

There is room on liberal radio for a variety of different approaches. I happen to like Franken's (even though I'm much more liberal than he is)

It's a good show.

[Rockerdem]

24. I don't listen to AA radion all that much.

But Franken sounded perfectly fine everytime that he was on. There's a lot of other folks around that deserve knocks. Al's not one of them.

[mitchtv]

25. Drawing on "moderate Dems" got us where we are today

LOSERS. Kerry wated his last weeks catering to "swing" voters. A message to the base would've saved him. As for franken; the interviews are ok , it's the oy vey segemnts and other stupid comedy routines that get me.

[Dawgs]

26. Like it or not, many of those "moderate Dems" voted for Bush...

They voted for him because Rush and Sean kept pushing "flip-flopper", "vet hater", "liberal", and so on. Wake up people. If we don't start playing their game, we'll be stuck with Republicans forever. The American public does not pay attention enough for people like Franken to get their attention.

I never said I wanted a Hannity or Rush. I said they know how to influence the public with their BS lies that they repeat over and over. The Dems need to play this game, but with facts and truth. It's not what they say, but how often they say it.

[n2mark]

27. Personally

I'm not a fan of Al Franken, would rather have Bernie Ward, Ray Taliaferro (SF) or Mike Newcomb on ARR during that time slot.