There was an earlier comment thread about Randi Rhodes and other Air America Radio shows.
This started as a comment and got too long.
Here is my overview of the shows that I have heard.
The poll is to satsify my curiosity about how eclectic we Kossacks are.
Randi Rhodes:
* Willing to listen to wingnuts
* Does not suffer fools gladly
* Says, "Don't believe any talk show host, even me. Look it up.", "Believe your eyes"
* Can relate to the military because she has been in the Air Force, and to truck drivers (Hello Exim and Sirius) because she has been one
* Assigns homework, posting materials and link on her web site
* Critical/envious of Al Franken; promotes Jeaneane Garofalo
* Has brilliant ideas about framing the issues
* Sometimes steps on her friendly callers
* Beginning to talk to guests - high-ranking retired military surrogates for Kerry, Congressmen, Senators
Bottom Line: "Believe your eyes."
Mike Malloy
* Brings national established audience -- "this is your bureau chief from South Fairfield County, CT" meme
* Seems to focus on one issue each night
* Baits wingnuts to call him and talk rationally; shut down those who filibuster--abruptly
* Current mantras -- "Bush crime family", "Have I told you tonight how much I hate these guys?"
* Located in Atlanta, can talk to rednecks who are willing to have a conversation
* Has respect of several retired military non-coms, who provide inside details of issues in the Bush military, such Halliburton shenanigans
Bottom line: "Let me be angry so you can get on with your lives"
Laura Flanders
* Thoughtful, courteous, informed
* Samples talk show opinion from other hosts -- builds up some of the regional liberal hosts
* Has good sources of information in some depth
* Is very patient with callers
Bottom line: "Progressives, unlike conservatives, are open to facts and a variety of views"
Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher
* Willing to go into conservative territory and be gracious -- Barbecue segments, dittohead friend Mark Luther
* Obsessive with Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity -- outrageous clips of the day
* Interviews some of the SCLM and think-tank talking heads -- Fineman, Ornstein, etc.
* Daily Center for American Progress report
* Weekly Media Matters for America report
* Weekly Joe Conason report
Bottom line: "Don't tell me that Democrats don't support America and don't support the troops."
Janeane Garofolo and Sam Seder
* Radio's odd couple - attractive bickering
* Conversations with Janeane's conservative dad, Carmine Garofolo
* Heavy music and culture orientation
* Sam periodically (nightly?) goes on a rant that is over the top -- recently about Jodi Wilgoren
Bottom line: "Come on you fascists, you're gonna be surprised...Where truth comes and sits for a chat"
Chuck D, Rachel Maddow, Liz Winstead
* Mostly talk about a variety of subjects; few guests; few phone calls
* Laid back, non-intimidating, person-in-the-street sorts of takes on current events and issue
* Hilarious satirical short clips
* Regular appearance with the PTA (Pensacola Trial Attorney), Mike Papantionio -- strong background research, forceful, mouth-of-the-south Carville style
* Serious chats with Chuck D about music and current issues
Bottom line: "
I've not listened to the others enough to write about them.
I believe that each of these appeal to slightly different but overlapping audiences. I think that this is smart marketing.
I believe that we make a mistake in trying to compare them to talk show hosts on the right. Unlike a number of folks on the right, I sense that all of the Air America hosts actually believe what they say. For Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, Wiener/Savage, it seems to all be about the money.