What do you think of Springer on Air America?

[Deep N RedLand]

I've only been able to listen to him last week due to being on vacation and while I think he is an intelligent progressive commentator, I still have to question the choice of him to replace Rachael Maddow who never fails to hold her own, and then some, when she's a guest on Right-Wing cable.

I've never cared for Springer for the same reason as Geraldo, in that it's hard to look past his showmanship past and appealing to the lowest common denominator with his TV efforts.

When I think of how part of the Neocons' problem of credibility is continuing to rely on wackjobs like "Spongephobe" James Dobson, traitors like Oliver North or domestic terrorists like Randall Terry to represent their side, I feel we can do better.

While Springer may be a true liberal, unlike an Alan Colmes sellout,
I just don't think his "trash talk" past can help his current credibility as a typical voice of The Left.

Comments?

[Randi_Listener]

1. Better than the team he fucking replaced.

[Must_B_Free]

5. More effective for reaching average listeners, at least

I was not disappointed with him.

[proud patriot]

2. ehhh so so

at least so far anyway . It'll take some adjustment to get
used to his style and for him to find his radio legs IMHO.

[wyldwolf]

3. My problem with Maddow/Unfiltered

First - I'll give them their props. They were very knowledgeable on the subject matter they covered. Maybe too much, though. Listening to them was like reading a book. Info overload. The average radio listener (yes, even a liberal listener) lacks the attention span to ingest all that they covered.

Secondly, they seemed to epitomize what the Marks on Morning Sedition make fun of with their "Liberal talking points from the Streisand Complex." (Wake up sheeple!) One person I know - a left of center Dem - thought them to be "too left" (no, I can't define that).

Those two things alone put them in the same league with people like Amy Goodman on Pacifica radio - a style I find rather boring and one I felt Air America was trying to avoid.

Additionally, IMO, they came across as cultural elitists. I cringed whenever they made disrespectful comments about certain types of music or artists I like, or movies and TV shows I've enjoyed. Were they trying to make their mainstream listeners feel culturally impaired by touting their superior entertainment knowledge?

This came across at no better time than on their Friday party machine segment when they played music no mainstream listener has ever heard or will ever hear and patted themselves on the back for it. It was music I certainly would never play at my parties unless I wanted everyone to leave.

But the one thing that REALLY turned me off to Unfiltered was they were quick to criticize Democrats. They did it often. Now, I don't feel any Dem is above criticism - but doing so with literally millions listening didn't do anything to build support for the party and get rid of the GOP. Plus, it provided fodder for the rightwingers. One instance in particular, Maddow criticized Howard Dean for something Franken commended him for the very next hour. And on Maddow's final day, she couldn't resist dragging up old Clinton bashes - saying something to the effect that she felt it was time to do so.

Yes, I know these very reasons are why many on DU liked Unfiltered. But I believe they skewed their show to a very narrow audience which is probably why they weren't picked up on as many stations as the other shows. And probably why they were canceled.

Springer is more like Franken and Rhodes. Knowledgeable, but not brainy. He's a professional broadcaster and that helps. One of the early problems with AAR was the unprofessionalism of the staff.

In addition, Springer isn't actually a part of Air America - AAR has picked him up in a syndicated deal. Considering their financial whoas of the past, cutting overhead was a good idea, Unfiltered was the weakest performer, and they get Springer cheaper.

[Eric J in MN]

6. Which Howard Dean controversy? nt

nt

[wyldwolf]

12. here is a DU summary

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1602680&mesg_id=1603962

[Deep N RedLand]

8. You have a point.

To be honest, I've only been able to listen to Unfiltered once (on Chimp's re-coronation day) due to the time it was on, so I cannot comment on Maddow's radio demeanor, other than to say I did find her and her co-host funny during that broadcast.
As I said, I have seen her on several of the Neocon shows and she came off, at least on TV, as both articulate and aggressive and not afraid to challenge the Repub's talking points and not be another Colmes-like dupe.

Though, as I said, Springer seems good on the radio, I still don't think he can escape his TV past. I don't find him very funny however so I would hardly put him in the same class as Franken, Rhodes or the Majority Report, since they successfully manage be both serious and entertaining at the same time.

[Pilgrim4Progress]

11. Interesting points

Rachel helped with alertness in morning traffic, but I can see how "Unfiltered" could be a turn off for some.

[MsTryska]

16. liberal talking points is Morning Sedition - not unfiltered?

I typically only caught at most the first 15 or 20 minutes of Unfiltered - the girls gabbed too much about stuff that wasn't politics related imo. they'd go way off topic and stay there.

as for spirnger - i again only catch the first 15 minutes of his show - and he does a lot of talking. it takes soem getting used too, but he does make sense, and stays on-topic so i like it.

[Pirate Smile]

4. I've recently discovered how good Stephanie Miller is and I listen to

her now. She and the two guys with her are very funny.

I probably didn't give Springer a good enough chance but the little I heard seemed boring (I would probably get used to him and start liking him if I listened more).

The new Progressive Talk station in the Quad Cities, which I can barely get in my car, has Miller, Franken, Shultz, only 1 hour of Randi (which sucks although I like Ed Shultz too).

[wyldwolf]

13. The future of AAR

If Franken leaves for a Senate run when his contract is up, I expect them to go after Shultz.

When I heard back in January that Unfiltered was getting the ax, my source told me Stephanie Miller was probably the replacement.

What time is she on?

[Pirate Smile]

15. She is on at the same time as Springer. You can click on a link at

the top of the DU Latest threads to go to her site and listen. It is right next to the link to listen to Springer.

I believe there are quite a few stations that run that line-up instead of the straight AAR line-up.

I bet the new Memphis station that Al and Katherine were mentioning today is running this same line-up. They kept referring to it as the "Progressive Talk" station instead of Air America Radio. That is what they call the station I get in my car.

Give her a try and see what you think.

[Malva Zebrina]

7. I , so far, like the program

although I like Rachel and think she did indeed come into her own as an interviewer, the cacaphoney and giggling on the program with Winstead, was, at times, unbearable. Because of that giggling and shrieking, it was very difficult to follow a concrete presentation or idea.


I often feel the same way about Garafolo. Sam was fine when he was by himself when substituting for Randi, but the cacaphoney when Jeanane is there with him, is hard to follow. Her quite rapid speech delivery is also hard for me to follow.

Maybe I am developing nerve deafness, but I found it hard to parse out the idea behind all of that interruption and rapid fire delivery.

[Inland]

9. Not incisive, not informative, and not entertaining.

Boring delivery, uninspired material, and no particular insights.

I could sure do without him.

[Windy]

10. I agree with you

But if he can pull in the red state voters who are his show's demographic and get them to listen to a bit of the truth, then something good may come out of it.

And I agree with another's comment on Stephanie Miller. Very good show...very entertaining.

[annabanana]

20. He's not for me, but...

He seems to be a good clearing house for info for those who are "new to the dial"...Most of his material seems to be of the "catch-up" variety (maybe that's because DU is my jumping off point)

PLUS I find his tone of voice a bit whiney. (I used to feel the same way about Franken, but I think he's improved as he's gotten his radio feet)

Randi is a radio queen.

[Pirate Smile]

24. I frequently find myself laughing out loud listening to Stephanie Miller.

It is entertaining and enjoyable, not like getting a lesson.

[indigonation]

14. Its the ratings, stupid!

No, not you personally, that's just a variation of "its the economy" line. Just how many well known personalities can AAR get to draw listeners? Alot of people liked Jerry, the talk show host, so maybe he'll draw an audience that normally doesn't listen to talk radio. Who knows?

Personally, I think I enjoyed listening to Rachel's show more, Jerry's style is a little grating like Randi's, but then he said something yesterday about the Right-wing evil plan to pretty much take over the world, and it had me thinking about it all day. I think he's right.

But now with streaming internet radio, if you don't like Jerry in the AM, you can just switch over to Stephanie Miller or whatever else is available out there. I'm am really pleased with the growth of progressive talk, there's so much to choose from now. The jury's still out, but so far I give Jerry a thumbs up.

I have to switch around so I get a taste of everybody during the week. The a-holes I work with have Rush blasting everyday from 12 - 3. And yes, I even listen to Right wing talk once in a while just to stay on top of their talking points and win arguments with my co-workers.

[natrat]

17. i think aar is a sell out fraud

[wyldwolf]

21. why?

[natrat]

22. the mere fact that they would have anything to do with

clear chanel or anyone who used to be associated with clear chanel

[wyldwolf]

23. ah.

So AAR shouldn't use them to get their message out?

[formernaderite]

18. Haven't heard his radio show yet..but I'm sure he's excellent...

...but you're right it's hard to "sell" him as a serious liberal pundit given the trashy show he's associated with...then again middle America loved his show...

[Just Me]

19. I really think he's doing great.

He gets progressive points across without all the ranting and raving (which gives me a headache after a short while).

[buckup]

25. I would like to announce...

I love Jerry Springer. His TV show is great. And the funny thing is, his target audience isn't middle america. It's for intellgectuals. It's for people who sit down, flip around, and find it... and then go "Psh. I can't believe people watch this crap," and then continue watching it, thinking, "I'll watch it as an experiment/ to see what the big deal is about." And then they end up watching it.

I'm an intellectual. And I love Jerry's trash TV. 'Tis great.

P.S. I too, have heard that he's a good democrat... and was a mayor somewhere... if so, more power to him.

[tsuki]

26. Depends on if you want people preaching to the choir, or want to

pull in new. Lots of reds staters love Springer and will go to him. Can't be a bad thing.