Franken's show is not as good as it used to be

[bluestateguy]

It's gone downhill since Katherine Lanpher left. It's gotten too wonkish, which is a frequent problem with liberal radio programs ("subcommittee B, to plan the implementation of the policy..." :boring:) He does not take enough calls from ordinary folks either.

On the other hand, Jerry Springer's show I find myself liking more and more

[mod mom]

1. It was great when Sam Seder hosted it!

[calmblueocean]

17. Sam Seder rocks.

Honestly, I'm at the point where I'm *unhappy* when Janeane shows up for the Majority Report.

[foreverdem]

37. He's subbing for Randi right now

I love Sam!

[FreedomAngel82]

2. I haven't listened since I started getting into Stephanie Miller's show

It'd be cool if she could move on AAR. I miss Katherine on there too. I liked her on there. They would have cute skits and stuff.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. I ca't believe he's wasting his time "debating" ann coulter.

It won't be a debate, it will be her screaming. Period.

[tjwash]

4. You're just noticing this now?

He was like that in the seventies when he was writing for SNL

[Marr]

5. I miss Katherine Lanpher, too. She made a great foil for Al.

I love Al Franken- his show obviously takes alot of research and he's very fair.

[file83]

34. Al Frankin needs to get a new side kick - why hasn't he done that yet?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. thom hartmna fan here

when I have access to teh stream that is


GRRRR

And that is the reason

[BlueEyedSon]

9. Yes, substitute Hartmann for Franken

[Mythsaje]

11. Hartmann is the best...

Hands down...

[FormerDittoHead]

12. Another Thom Hartmann fan...

I'll subscribe to AAR's commercial free podcasts once they pick Thom up.

Al Franken has a natural cadence for writing and prepared material.

He's just WAY too dry for talk radio.

I think Franken should do a live multimedia show like Mark Crispin Miller's "A Patriot Act"...

http://www.patriotnation.us

[acmejack]

20. One More!

Thom is talk radio's renaissance man, what a know it all.

[quiet.american]

23. I like Hartmann, but find him a bit pompous from time to time

Still, I like him in the Sunday A.M. slot in NY.

[Norquist Nemesis]

33. Same here

Nothing "against" Al, but Thom's voice is much more pleasing to me as far as the radio goes. Plus, what Thom has to say is great stuff! Very little comedic antics.

I'll take the political funnies from Stewart, but I want some meat when I'm listening on the radio.

[MadMaddie]

7. This is true since Katherine left....

but we have to take what we can get....he is pulling people in....his hate letter segment proves that people from the other side are listening and he is getting to them....

We have to use all the ammo we have folks.....whether he is good, bad or indifferent he is still ours and he is on our side....

[LSK]

8. is she coming back?

She left to write a book as I recall.

[NYCGirl]

26. I doubt she is. Katherine wants to stay in NY; Al's moved to Minneapolis.

Edited for typo.

[IsItJustMe]

10. I use to watch him on IFC directv. It's no longer on. I miss it.

I don't know why they took it off.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. I like that he has his regular guests like

David Brock (Media Matters) and Joe Conason. They ROCK! Franken is better than Ed Schultz or Alan Colmes, right? ;)

[calmblueocean]

14. Franken needs a new partner...

A savvy radio professional, like Lanpher was. Not these college kids he's been using since Lanpher left. I used to listen to Al every single day, now I rarely make it through a show. Lanpher really was a perfect foil for Al. I don't know who they could get to replace her.

[file83]

35. I agree - Franken's "schtik" is to be troublesome while some one else

keeps him in line. It's not funny when it's JUST him. It doesn't work - it isn't as adorable as when Kathrine was partnered with him.

[drbtg1]

41. Many radio pros have partners

Howard Stern has Robin and Fred. Imus has Charles.

Franken should put his ego aside and listen to Stephanie Miller for a clue.

[Beelzebud]

15. I got very tired of Katherines FAKE laughter at Al's jokes.

That got on my nerves big-time.

I think he needs a partner that shares his comedic style.

I dint' like Katherine because she often shot him down when things were getting funny.

I also don't care for him much alone, because he loses focus..

I think he needs a NEW co-host.

[Dawgs]

16. I like Al without Katherine...

:shrug:

[Southsideirish]

39. Me, too. That fake radio laugh. Ugh!

[KharmaTrain]

18. Compared To What Else Is On The Dial...

Today he's jumping into the O'Reilly/Olbermann fiasco...meanwhile Rushbo is debating how women fart while they drive and men don't.

I think that sums up the state of radio in a nutshell.

Katherine really helped Al in his early days and many times I wish she had her own program. I don't mind the wonkish...as I enjoy hearing Josh Marshall, Joe Connason, Eric Alterman and others who you won't hear anywhere else.

[tularetom]

21. God damn it

Finally Limpballs is discussing a serious topic and I missed it. If he had more fart jokes and less repuke bullshit on his show I might listen once in a while.

[LoveMyCali]

29. You mean

there's a place where men don't fart?

And I love Al, he could use some one to keep him on track sometimes but I enjoy his show.

[KharmaTrain]

32. Angels Come And Take Them Away...LOL

Sometimes you just can't make this stuff up...LOL. Yep, the mighty voice "on loan from dog", was pontificating on this very issue this morning. Now I didn't stick around long enough for him to also blame women for picking their noses as well...but I'm sure that had to be in there. Lately Rushbo's been fun to check out cause he knows his coven is restless and he's fighting against the very horde he created.

Generally I don't listen to Al's first hour...but almost always make it a point to catch the last one. Yes, he loses focus now and then...but then I've sat in a similar chair and the most horendous feeling is sitting in that studio, alone...having run out of all your material and there's still another 20 minutes left in the hour and no one is calling. Al has worked hard to improve his "radio sense"...considering the closest he ever got to a radio before AAR was to change the Grateful Dead album. LOL.

Welcome To DU

Cheers

:hi:

[Cosmocat]

19. Yeah ...

I like him cause he is mean in his way, and tough ... He hits the pukes, and I like that ... I have listened to the crap these buttholes have dished out for a LONG time, and it feels good to have someone rip apart their BS ... Also, as many note, he has a lot of really good regulars ...

But, he meanders around a lot, cuts off his guests ...

I agree with those who like Hartmann a lot ... He provides a lot of meat, has a real good delivery ... Sharp ...

Kind of depends on my mood who I like the most ...

Sedar is good, I love Malloy, cause he is DOWNRIGHT mean ... Maddow is sharp and easy on the ears ...

Springer doesn't do it for me too much ... Just not deep enough ... I know most everyone here loves Rhandi Rhodes, and she is OK, but she has a tendency to get a little loose with the facts when she goes off ...

[LSK]

22. i enjoy Al picking apart the Freeper media

And I like to hear from his regulars. Hes a good balance compared to Randi and Malloy.

[ginnyinWI]

24. I like Franken!

Not so much for himself, but because I like shows that teach me something I didn't know before, and he has really smart guests like Juan Cole, Joe Conason, David Brock, and Tom Oliphant. I also like Rachael Maddow for the same reason.

If I'm in the mood for a good rant, then I'll tune in Randi or Mike Malloy. They have content too, but not as much.

[PBass]

27. I like Al Franken's show a lot...

It's jam packed with info, and interesting guests. That's what I want to hear, more than somebody going off on a long monologue. I think the Franken show is definitely one of the top programs on Air America... the only host I think I like more is Rachel Maddow.

Also, Al does have a radio sidekick, his producer sits in on every show and does a good job.

[debbierlus]

25. Sam Seder & Laura Flanders

They are the only ones I listen to anymore.

Randi won't confront that many of the democrats she supports completely SUCK.

Franken is FULL of himself.

Jeanne does NOTHING but insult Republicans (we KNOW, let's talk about issues)!

Sam Seder ROCKS.

And, Laura Flanders is a life long activist and educated to the teeth.

[NYCGirl]

28. The bit they just did about "Fox Security" is the funniest thing I've

heard in a long time!

[LSK]

31. i thought it was painfully corny n/t

[Montauk6]

36. I gotta side with LSK on this one, I actually thought the discussion of

the O'Reilly call was more hilarious. The skit was like a big bag of smelly, wet sand dumped in the middle of a formal ball.

[LSK]

30. Franken is taking calls now?!?!?

Is he reading this thread!?!? :rofl:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

38. Katherine's laugh is gone......

....which is good. It sounded really, REALLY phony.

That said , she kept Franken on point except for the fact that just another person being in the room is enough to distract Al.

My biggest problem with Al is he's still doing the endless theme songs to introduce guests. Yeah, "Norm in the USA" and "Hey, Judd". We get it, Al....we get it.....

[Radio_Guy]

40. Al's not cut out for radio

Not a slam, just a fact. Springer, Randi, etc. are all old hats when it comes to radio. They know how to work that medium. Al is best at writing. That is what he did for years. His books are wonderful. His writing for SNL was masterful. But he still doesn't sound comfortable on the air. Randi was a DJ and Springer, well we all know what he had been doing. As much as I love Al's politics, he needs to stop doing live radio. Maybe write a syndicated column for newspapers. Even a weekly blog for DU.