Air America's Next Big Mistake?

It looks like Air America is about to lose one of their best on-air personalities, Marc Maron. There's been no official announcement, but on his show, Morning Sedition, Maron has repeatedly said he's probably on his way out. And yesterday he said it's unlikely he'll be part of the Morning Sedition air team (with radio veteran Mark Riley) after this month. And they're promoting their live remote at O'Neal's in the Upper West Side this Thursday as their "last live appearance."

Why would Maron leave? Or why would Air America let go of the funniest guy on their talent roster? Best guess-- deadlocked contract negotiations.

When Air America went on the air over a year and a half ago, a lot of us in radio were dismayed that a new talk network would go on the air with so many air personalities and writers who made their mark in television instead of radio. Not that media cross-pollination in general is such a bad idea, but just that when a start-up radio network was trying to do something SO new (a national liberal talk network) AND they were also attempting to reinvent the medium at the same time by leaning so heavily on TV talent instead of loading up the schedule with radio veterans.

The big exceptions were South Florida's leftist talk bulldog Randi Rhodes who's held down the late afternoon slot since the beginning, and then a few months later acerbic career talker Mike Malloy who was tacked onto the late night end of the schedule. Those programs were the only ones done in the traditional talk radio manner--  one host on the air brings up issues, vents, and takes calls. All the other shows were more experimental-- with multiple hosts, many guests, and only a few (if any) calls. And all these programs featured one or more hosts best known for their work in TV or film.

Air America's biggest experiments were their two morning shows, both featuring teams of three hosts-- "Morning Sedition" and "Unfiltered." Morning Sedition came into its own after one host left the show (more on that in a minute). But Unfiltered only survived the first year. Two of the hosts, Rachel Maddow and Public Enemy's Chuck D now have their own programs (Maddow's early early morning show which now runs from 5 to 6 a.m. is a tight and timely review of the news well worth a listen). But the third other co-host Lizz Winstead (who was also one of the key programming-creative figures at the dawn of the network) is gone. Best known as one of the creator's of TV's "The Daily Show," Winstead was the biggest architect of the "television-vision" for Air America. And now she's in the middle of a lawsuit to claim unpaid wages from the network. While I don't know the details as far as which side seems to be in the right, the filing of the suit revealed that they were paying Winstead a quarter million a year for her services. And you wonder why they're having money troubles...

Oh and speaking of television, Unfiltered was replaced by TV crapmaster Jerry Springer. It's easy to forget that Springer was a politician before he became the host of one of the most inane hours in television. His Air America talk show is a serious one featuring his heartfelt leftist views on political issues. However, it is BORING. It's traditional talk radio run by a host who has no understanding of the medium. It's so boring that I don't have anything more to say about it, except to hope it's not long for this world. It's a waste of valuable radio frequencies across the country. And let's hope they're not spending a lot of money to keep Springer's big name on the schedule.

If you're talking to someone unfamiliar with talk radio or leftist media and mention "Air America," they likely won't know what you're talking about. Then tell them it's that new talk network with Al Franken, and then they'll probably recall hearing something about it. Best known as a TV writer and comedian, Franken has become a political media superstar. He's just finished another lefty book sure to rise up the best-seller list, and seems to be headed toward a U.S. Senate run in 2008 in Minnesota.

His mid-day show has been the flagship show for the fledgling network since its inception. Teamed with public radio's Katherine Lanpher, Franken's program settled into a groove pretty quickly as a breezy political talk show with plenty of writers, researchers and politicians discussing the issues of the day. And of course, there's always heaping helpings of Franken style humor to be found in between the serious bits. However, despite his big name and notable accomplishments in the comedy realm, Franken's constant retelling of bad jokes and his just plain hokey sense of humor doesn't often make for cutting edge radio.

And what's worse, Lanpher has left the show and Franken seems to be floundering a bit without her there to keep the show on track and keep Franken's expansive ego in check. Franken now is using the technical and production staffers around him as comedy foils and it's a little painful to hear. That said, his appearance on Letterman the other night was quite funny and almost electric. It all made it painfully obvious that Franken's charisma doesn't translate well to radio or the long form medium of a three hour talk show. And how will he fare on the campaign trail? Or on the Senate floor? You gotta wonder.

Which all gets me back to the subject at hand, Marc Maron. If you happened to see the excellent and insightful HBO documentary on the beginning of Air America, "Left of the Dial," you saw the good and bad of Mr. Maron at the dawn of his radio career. Previously Maron had been a stand-up comic (and author) best known for his appearances on cable and late night talk TV. Painfully neurotic and unsure of himself, Maron is seen in early scenes in the film as someone out of his element, having no idea how to navigate three hours of radio five days a week, as well as having to adjust to working pre-dawn hours every day. And in the beginning Morning Sedition show was a mess, with three separate personalities trying to find some kind of chemistry. Just to hear all three of them conduct an interview or take a call kinda hurt.

And it was plain to hear (and see in the documentary) that there wasn't a lot of love between Maron and one of this co-hosts, Sue Ellicott. A former BBC TV commentator (and frequent panelist on the NPR comedy show abortion known as "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me"), Ellicott didn't have much of a stomach for Maron's fast-paced acid humor. My favorite line in the whole movie occurs when the show is live and Ellicott tries to smooth out and "balance" something Maron had said in an interview-- and Maron fires back: "Who's side are you on British Lady?" Perhaps more than Randi Rhodes' first-day slap fight with Ralph Nader, that moment was a telling blow that Air America was going to be nothing like the limp-wristed and neutered political coverage of NPR. Thank god.

Since Ellicott has left the show, the partnership of Marc and Mark has gained fame and followers across the country. Each local remote appearance is packed with fans. They're a good team. Co-host Mark Riley's decades of  newsroom experience grounds Maron's scattershot rants, and his "everyman" quality makes him the perfect straight man for Maron's rabid wit. And then you have some solid wacky writers (including comedian-writer Kent Jones who adds his stable of characters and impersonations into the mix), and the end result is a dependable helping of news and chuckles in every show. It's a radio program that offers up-to-the minute information, historical context, and wild-ass funny bits. And any moment can yield an impromptu dose of Maron's off-the-cuff self-obsessed rambling about his life. Somehow, it's about as good as morning radio gets in this era of incompetent and malevolent governance. It would be a shame to lose it.

Unlike anyone else on Air America (including Franken), Maron slams the idiocy and evil of the Bush administration AND makes you laugh at the same time (which isn't easy). If you can imagine combining the indignant anger of Mike Malloy (without the froth) with the dark comedy of Bill Hicks and the over-the-top irreverence of Andy Breckman, you get an idea of Maron's talk radio persona. Air America has grown a real radio talent with Maron, and while nobody on the outside seems to know the exact details of why they may soon part, you'd have to hope that Air America wouldn't let loose one of their best on-air assets at this point in the game.

You don't have to look far on the internet to find the details of the money troubles Air America has had since the very beginning. And Maron had a fairly successful career before Morning Sedition, and one would think that the radio show has probably given that career a boost. He also has a long-distance marriage (to his wife in California) because he has to be in New York for his Air America duties. If he's holding out for a healthy sum, it's easy to understand why. Maron has become a valuable asset to the network, and must he know that. One can only imagine what they pay Franken, and it's assumed that he's probably only going to be around for so long anyway. Air America should invest in their future, if they want to have one.

If you're not familiar with Morning Sedition or Maron's radio efforts, have a listen to some MP3 bits from yesterday's show. It ain't the funniest one I've ever heard, but hey it's fresh.

Here's Maron discussing possibly leaving the show:

Maron Appreciates The Love- MP3
Maron's Cat Giveaway- MP3
O'Neal's Announcement- MP3
Danny Goldberg Email Plea-Belly Dancing Call- MP3

And here's some comedy bits from yesterday's program:

The INews 5000 WiFi Headline translator- MP3
The Monday Job Listing- MP3
Morning Remembrance with Mort Mortenson- MP3
Liberal Marching Orders-Halloween Tripping Story- MP3

And here's yesterday's show in full, without commercials.

Morning Sedition 10-31-05- MP3

And if you're not up early in the morning, or you can't hear Air America where you live, you can download Morning Sedition (without ads) every day right here, and even easier, you can podcast it with links from this page.

Maron is now saying that he may occasionally be part of Morning Sedition in some small way, and he occasionally hints that there's some small chance he'll remain as co-host. But it's important to remember, even if you love the host of any show or love the station that carries it, radio is really a cutthroat business. It's rare that a radio personality remains on the air when contract negotiations are failing. And you can hear in Maron's on-air discussions of the matter that he's being very careful about what he says, and what he doesn't say. If you piss off the boss and you're on your way out, you're likely to be off the air in as soon as they can drag you out of the studio. It happens all the time.

Ongoing online conversations regarding Marc Maron leaving Air America can be found on the Morning Sedition Blog, or the Morning Sedition Message Board. An online petition to keep Marc Maron on Morning Sedition can be found here, and the official email address to plea for Maron's survival at the network belongs to the Air America CEO, Danny Goldberg ([email protected]).

Air America is not Clear Channel, and they undoubtedly have some hard financial choices to make, at least for a while. However, there's a couple of weak shows in their lineup that are just ripe to be plucked from the schedule and replaced with something else. But Morning Sedition isn't one of them. And while Riley is a real radio talent with more experience than almost anyone else on the air at the network, it's the manic magic of Marc Maron that keeps people listening every morning. Let's hope Air America figures that out before it's too late.

Comments

[Jeff T]

Great post. I started listening to MS after your Wartime Lionel post and it's been a very regular listen since. In sheer hours they produced a ton of great, entertaining radio and it's absence will leave a gaping hole in my daily playlist. Everybody should Danny Goldberg and tell him what he's doing.

[MM]

I like your analysis, and love Maron, but you omitted the Majority Report. Sam Seder And Janeane Garofalo are funny without the use of pre-written "bits" and slam the Republican regime as hard and detailed as any on the network. Seder has been doing most of the heavy lifting solo these days and deserves a particular glowing review-- he does his job and spends no time bitching or self promoting. (He and Maron are freinds- they've made appearances on each other's shows)

[Anthares]

The current AAR management is truely dysmall. They are trying to collect the most boring talk show hosts and call it network.

[RppPolyp]

Goldburg is an utter moron. First Unfiltered and then this. I'm SOL here because I dislike Springer (nothing personal, just not fun) can't stand that the DC "affiliate" and Stephanie Miller, so I stream archives of Rachel and MS and both are solid morning shows like some of the one's I loved in Cleveland growing up. A great mix of humor, commentary and news.

Any chance Goldburg is a mole?

[Michael]

If they wanted to rule the airwaves, they would be advised to give Chris T an airslot...he would kill!

[Listener Colin]

Really educational post - as somebody who only hears maybe an hour of Air America a month, it's nice to hear about stuff other than Franken.

I agree with the Chris T hosting suggestion, I think that'd be cool.

I think that Wait Wait Don't Tell Me is actually funny, I really enjoy it. Now when I tune in I'll think 'abortion' ...

[Chris T.]

To accuse NPR of being politically neutered just means - to me - they don't reflect your views. Well, they're not supposed to. They're supposed to report the news. I've had people come up to me at parties and give me shit when they find out I work for NPR, saying we're raving leftist liberals OR we're not liberal enough. I think NPR is striving for the down-the-middle approach that any serious news organization should. Would you prefer they be the anti-FOX or something? Because I don't see that happening. I think they're trying to be this country's BBC - and while they fall FAR short, it's an admirable goal.

Pardon me for going off on this but you know I've got an increased sensitivity to mindless NPR-bashing. Yeah, it's lots of fun - but try to imagine the U.S. mediascape WITHOUT NPR. THAT'S a pretty dire picture, IMHO.

[Jorge]

Prof-

I pretty much agreed with every detail you wrote. Rachel Maddow is perhaps the best talent, IMHO and you can download her show everyday by (about) 7 am with NO COMMERCIALS. Available as podcast, too.

[Joe]

NPR politics is covered by conservative hacks that do more damage in eroding support amongst democrats than FOX. The veneer of credibility that NPR/PBS enjoys makes them a far more potent weapon against progressive issues than any other network. Everyone knows that the major networks are corporate whores and their effect on the progressive base is minimal. FOX doesn't affect the progressive base at all. But NPR plays directly to progressives and when NPR bends over in their constant placation of administration policies they hurt us far more than anyone else.

NPR is not down-the-middle. They were relentless in their attacks against the Clinton administration, they persecuted Gore during the 2000 campaign, but have given Bush and his cronies a pass on every major issue with a lot of he-says-she-says fluff.

The US without NPR/PBS? We would probably have progressives channeling their money to more worthwhile independent media outlets that do support progressive issues.

[putrimalu]

Really good post (found via the Robot Wisdom page).

It would be an utter shame if Morning Sedition lost Maron - I do not know if the show could survive without him.

[Aaron Pryor]

I hope the webmaster won't mind if I include in this comment some similar thoughts that I sent earlier today to Danny Goldberg. The webmaster and I, it seems, think similarly. This blog has done an excellent job of distilling AAR's predicament. My thoughts to Mr. Goldberg:

I am concerned by recent comments by Marc Maron on "Morning Sedition" that his contract might not be renewed. Such a decision to me seems counterintuitive and weird and, I can guarantee, will cost Air America Radio more than it will gain it.

I am an avid fan of radio, and I am a liberal. As such, I also happen to be rather opinionated when it comes to many things, including both aforementioned subjects. I believe that the industry standard for morning terestrial radio was established many years ago by a man whose name rhymes with "Boward Blern." I believe that his imitators pale in comparison and should burn in heck. I am a Stern worshipper in a Stern market, and I listen to "Morning Sedition" each and every day (via XM).

That's right, Mr. Goldberg. I am a longtime Sterniac who would rather listen to the Marcks in the morning than Stern. That ought to tell you something.

I think what you might not realize is that "Morning Sedition" has mined a seemingly natural chemistry that is rare, beautiful, and stupid to throw away. Mark Maron is the brash frontman who is just enough of an asshole to wake you up but who is funny as hell enough to be damned likeable. Mark Riley is the perfect sidekick, proficient in radio, more carefully intellectual than Maron, and an excellent straightman. You don't just create chemistry like this in radio--and I all it takes is a quick compare/contrast to the train wreck that is "The Majority Report" to grasp that. I'm not even convinced that Seder and Garafolo like one another very much, much less do they have any palpable chemistry.

If you opt to show Maron the door, I can tell you right now that I will be A) following hiss career carefully and hoping some other radio outfit will snap him up, and B) listening to Sirius satellite radio each and every morning. I suspect there are a lot of people like me, who have actually found more value in the Sedition than in the Stern but who will crash directly back into Bababooeyville the minute you split up this team.

I think it is good that the new management at AAR seems to understand money better than the old management at AAR did. However, I think it would be really excellent if the new management understood radio as well as the old management seemed to have. I continue to suspect with each passing day that they don't, not really.

[Citizen Keith]

Folks, please consider sending snail mail. As a Daily Kos commentor said today, email is too easily deletable.

Mr. Danny Goldberg
Chief Executive Officer
Air America Radio
641 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10011

[Jill]

Agreed on sending snail mail. E-mail is deleted too easily.

I love the idea of a blogswarm on this.

Since trackback won't let me do a trackback ping, I'm linking to a poem about the betrayal of Marc Maron here.

[Becky]

I've been listening to Morning Sedition since just after it started and Marc Maron makes the show. I've never listened to a radio show EVERY day and looked forward to one so much. The edgy humor on MS makes hearing about depressing, dastardly politics tolerable (sort of like the way The Daily Show does). If Maron is gone, then I may just give up on Air America....

[Shelia]

Does Goldberg realize that people go to great lengths just to hear this show?

On vacation outwest this summer, I mapped out each station along the way and fiddled interminably with the radio dial trying to pull the nearest possibility in. Remember the show is earlier out west...I got up just to get it.

I listen to the archives of every show I miss.

I bet there is a very large web/pod/archive audience for this show that AAR may
be missing.

[Terrence Parker]

I think one of the points Goldberg must be missing is the crossover or "cross sell" (to put it in retail terms) nature of the relationship between Morning Sedition and Air America Radio as a whole. We aren't just talking about the future of Morning Sedition, there are many, many people who listen to some of the other shows who will give up on AAR out of sheer disgust with such a horrible decision as to not keep this show alive. Danny, remember how Bush II got into office in the first place? If a small percentage of folks hadn't been so disgusted with the democratic party and its representatives that they voted Green in 2000 (myself included), he never would have made it into office. Well, it's easier to "vote against" AAR in this case if Goldberg nukes MS (which he essentially will if Maron goes), in the big scheme of things it is not, of course, as important as a Presidential election. Danny, you may end up going the way of Nader in 2004 -- if you continue to ruin AAR like this we will have to go another way.

[Chris]

Great blog. It's a shame that MS is going. It was a breath of fresh air to have a show that's creative, funny and informative and not just bland discussion. Also, NPR is quite awful. I try to listen but for instance in terms of this new possible justice alito there were nothing but pundits both republican and democrat stating how "qualified" this guy is. There is another public station wbai in NY under Pacifica Radio and they're good, but Air America is the bite that the left needs because right now our side is being bitten by the right everyday.

[Citizen Keith]

Marc said today that they don't care about the streaming or podcasting audience. It seems to be down to WLIB's ratings... why a network cares so much about local ratings, I don't know.

[Crystal]

WLIB ratings! That's ridiculous! I was in New York last year and you can barely hear WLIB because of poor reception. Hello! Poor reception = Poor Ratings (Period)! And this is also a problem in many of AAR affiliate stations (Chicago in particular). Danny should invest in a stronger antenna and salaries and maybe he would get better ratings.

[Aaron Pryor]

>

It seems to me that AAR could git two birds with one stone here. They recently launched an "affiliate" program that really doesn't offer much value. Yet, they're giving away the streaming and podcasting.

Would it not be reasonable to start claiming podcasts and streaming as proprietary and establishing a members-only online presence to A) Bring in a little extra cabbage and B) Establish a more effective way of measuring this audience? Not to mention to answer the criticism that AAR is hemhoragging money and begging for handouts...

I'd pay for a membership. Hell, I already paid for the bumperstickers.

[FunDog]

This is a well-written and fantastically laid-out blog.

Great pictures, good facts, literate, fantastic! Look forward to more, and let's save MORNING SEDITION!

FD

[war is over if you want it]

FACE IT, folks: the CEO of AAR can't be that lacking in IQ

it may just be time to admit he is playing for the other side

in other words: it's SABOTAGE

[Al]

I'd much rather hear a morning show co-hosted with Mark Riley and Wayne Gilman or Laura Flanders or Rachel Maddow. Maron is funny sometimes but there are too many diversions. One of the best things I ever heard was when they played some comedy bit and made David Halberstam wait... then Halberstam just lit into them. Maron is also a poor interviewer. I don't mind the occasional comedy piece but the show is too cluttered. Also some of the supporting cast sound one step beyond fratboy with their humor...

[Richard Frank]

I hope these decisions are not being made strictly based on radio broadcast ratings.

I listen exclusively on the internet. Maddow's show is the best podcast around. I enjoy pretty much all of AAR programming, yes even Springer, except when they hit the phones. My overall opinion would be to consider show lengths. Are 3 and 4 hours too long? Repetion of topics and phone fillers result, which compete with what brings me to AAR. Produced, unique, well-written content is what I enjoy. If that stuff is too expensive, then let's hear about it, rather than getting hit over the head with dramatic and secretive, essentially post-mortum programming decisions that test listener loyalty.

[Mia]

If you listened to yesterday's broadcast (and the "confessional" segment), you'd hear that it wasn't money at all, base on Maron's comments -- he says he was never even given the opportunity to settle for less money -- they just decided not to renew his contract ... here's a link, for all you seditionists, to the online petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/mmms3214/petition.html