The BRING BACK SAM SEDER thread

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

At about 9:00 tomorrow, I think it will be abundantly clear to any doubters what a mistake Air America's owners made in replacing one of their founders (and the host that Al Franken called "The future of Air America") and best hosts with a rightwing libertarian.

Don't take it lying down - keep up the complaints
Scott Elberg - Chief of Operations
[e-mail]
David Berstein- Program Director
[e-mail]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Does anyone have a direct e-mail to Mr. Green?

however, calls are worth more than e-mails:
AAR voicemail
[phone]

------
Who is Lionel?
Here's a sampling:
- explicitly states he is not a liberal, is a libertarian
- Was a supporter of the war and Bush
- Called Rachel Maddow "a thicked necked lesbian."
- Called Monica Lewinsky "a fat pig".
- Said Andrea Mackris suit against bill O'reilly was a hoax.
- Said Bush was a deeply religious man.
- Said the 40 bullets Amado Dialo received was justified.
- Called the Clarence Thomas hearings 'a high tech lynching"

----
and for what it's worth, Green has acknowledged the complaints (which is at least more than we got with Malloy's firing)
http://www.airamerica.com/node/3565

[Eric J in MN]

Has Lionel said whom he voted for in 2000 and 2004? NT

NT

[madfloridian]

1. I wrote them via email. We love Sam Seder.

I have no clue if they care or got it or what. If you don't have premium they don't give a damn about you.

I paid for Sirius, then they moved to XM...and I paid for XM. That gets expensive, but they don't care about us because we are not premium.

We get that big fool Ed Schultz on XM 12 to 3 instead of Hartmann. We do NOT listen to him.

We will NOT listen to Lionel. I watched a few videos at his site, and I have seen him on TV enough to know he is not want I will pay to hear.

So that leaves Randi and Rachel, and that's it.

We might as well stream them and cancel XM.

[xxqqqzme]

2. 'lionel' was on out here on the left coast

on ktlk after Mike was fired - god, what an ass - you can also add to your list:

he said, shortly after the 2nd Keith Olberman's 'Special Comment' - who does this guy think he is? He is so impressed w/ himself, he makes me sick.

lionel also does not like Eric Clapton.....'he's peaked'. Well that did it for me.

lionel is awful - but his replacement out here is even worse, if that is possible....alan colmes - now that is one horrible whatever he is - dear god....he was defending imus ALL last week. There was at least one imus is a good guy...he was just making a joke - comment per hour every day last week. (I turn on the radio when I go to bed hoping to fall asleep before he comes on). Rachel Maddow is on right before colmes - she is great.....then colmes. What a f*cking slide to the bottom.

I never got to hear Sam - ktlk only replays portions of Sam's show on Sunday night. Sam was on AAR same time as Stephanie Miller was on ktlk. Sam wasn't scheduled at all.

After 'Morning Sedition', Malloy & 'The Majority Report' were all booted - there was little left.

Time to send that XM, AAR premium money instead to NovaM or White Rose Society.

[madfloridian]

3. Thanks for the extra addresses.

I wrote them also. I get madder every day.

I heard Rev. Gaddy on State of Belief trying to reassure his listeners that AAR is sticking with him. Does he know Sam got his Sunday slot?

State of Belief is a great show, and it is healing to those of us who left our churches because they were hijacked.

He is calm, caring and non-judgmental....guess they will fire him as well.

[xxqqqzme]

4. what time on Sunday is Sam scheduled?

At least I can stream him.

[madfloridian]

5. Last I heard him say 4-7.

I don't have it in writing, just what he said.

It breaks my heart.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. i think it's gonna be 4-7 sundays

(currently being taken by the ring of fire repeat)
but it doesnt start for a few weeks

[Kool Kitty]

9. I've been listening to "State of Belief", also.

I hope they find room for it when they re-shuffle


I hope they find room for it when they are done re-shuffling Sunday. I bought XM so I could hear AA after they switched to WWRL 1600AM in my area. I was in the car this afternoon listening on the regular radio and there was some infomercial on in place of the usual "Ring of Fire" repeat. I don't know what was up with that.

[madfloridian]

7. AAR voicemail [phone]

Thanks will call tomorrow.

[GregD]

8. While I totally agree with you, Lionel does not start tomorrow

Stacy (Tatlor??? (I forget his last name) is in as a temp for a month starting tomorrow.

[madfloridian]

10. Why did they take Sam off? I suspect there is more to it.

Why the rush to get him off the air.

I am furious about this.

[jgraz]

16. Ending early was Sam's decision

He's known that he's being fired for 5 weeks now. Continuing the show was becoming a drain on him, his family and the staff. Lee Rayburn (who is fantastic, btw) will be filling in for him for the next two weeks. Then the lameness beings.

I only wish Sam had "come out" about the firing a month ago. It would have given all of us a chance to organize some sort of "Save Seder" effort. As it was, he disclosed it the Friday before his last week, and only to the folks watching his online video feed (The Sammy Cam).

Realizing how close the actual decision came to Mark Green's takeover is alarming. Without learning about the shows or understanding the business or talent he's in charge of, he made a quick, uninformed decision to replace the best show on AAR with a center-right, spineless, BORING moron.

[Strelnikov_]

24. In the last week or so Sammy made the comment about Pashman

coming on board when the show was already canceled. That would be around the 5 week timeline, and also coincide with Maron coming on a number of weeks back and saying he would no longer be coming on his show.

Losing Sammy is a tough one, and I am afraid this will be the point looked back to as when AAR died.

Guess they have never heard of the concept of market differentiation, or, as Truman said, "Give them a choice between a Republican and a Republican . . "

[still_one]

11. I suspect AAR won't listen. They already paid off Sam's contract

probably have signed on his replacement

If he could get on Nova M or the Jones Radio network I think it would be quite good

Very sad for AAR to end in the state it is today

[madfloridian]

12. This needs more recommends for the Lionel statements and contact info.

I already did.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

37. i wonder if Media Matters will have to monitor Lionel

Having an AAR host among their listings would be a sad day

[KharmaTrain]

13. You Play Network Manager...

Let's throw a few things here and see what you would or should do.

You've just bought a network for several million dollars...most of which is going to pay off previous debts. Your "assets" for your money is the remnants of a network that has only a handful of full-time affiliates and no stations of its own. You have inherited a situation where you're still losing money. Do you keep things the way they are?

The Greens have to make moves if AAR is to survive and regain some of its past affiliates. In specific, it needs ratings that it can then take to both advertising agencies and to get new stations. Chicken and egg time here as a Lionel could help in the short-term to turn things around. He's a "known commodity" in New York (where they desperately need ratings) and in the talk radio world. The gamble here is that Lionel will bring in some better ratings and a few more stations and then with the additional money that could be generated, that money could be used to pay for more liberal and progressive shows and hosts. Personally, I don't see it as a positive move, but I can understand the Green's need to do something here to turn things around.

The real problem is the poor financial state of AAR and radio in general. Sadly, Progressive Talk radio has regressed this year when it should be getting stronger.

[madfloridian]

14. They took off one of their best to appeal to others than progressives.

I haven't seen any channels in my area doing that with conservative programming. They only have right wing and make no apologies. They don't even try to appeal to us...AAR should NOT have fired Sam.

[KharmaTrain]

19. No Bucks, No Buck Rogers

Trust me, right wing stations are having troubles, too...but they have a far better infrastructure and years of taking advantage of the rules vs. where AAR is. AAR came thisclse to closing shop last winter...and have been fighting against the odds since day one. They future doesn't look good, but something has to be done.

While I like Sam, he didn't "bring home the bacon"...except for Franken (and in some markets Randi) AAR was a ratings disappointment...and without ratings and a poor financial situation, affiliates began jumping ship and continue to do so. The way things are going, without some "magic" or a major turnaround there won't be a Sam or an AAR and far less Progressive radio in the near future.

BTW...AAR didn't "fire" Sam...they renegotiated with him for a weekend show.

[madfloridian]

25. Right wing stations appeal to their own. AAR is trying to be all things...

to all people.

They may make money, but we will have lost liberal radio and any semblance thereof.

We play nice to suit the right wing, and they just keep pulling farther to the right.

Yes, they did in effect fire Sam.

[KharmaTrain]

30. AAR Is Far From The People

That's the problem. It has poor signals and had zero promotion. Outside of the DU world, how many people know who Sam Seder is? Look at the pathetic ratings of most AAR stations and tell me they're "being all things to all people". They're barely reaching any...and those ones they do aren't supporting the advertisers...which in turn has cause AAR to have to rob Peter to pay Paul to stay alive.

There is subsidized Liberal and Progressive Radio...and very good radio at that. It's on the upper end of the FM dial...Democracy Now, Pacifica Radio and other non-profit shows...but even those are dwarfed on the dial by dozens of religious stations blasting out Dobson 24/7. AAR is a commercial venture...one where Progressive and Liberal radio should find a place but its track record is abysmal. It's now a Catch 22 because with the limited number of station owner/operators, few are willing to take a chance with a network with few affiliates and a poor ratings/revenue history. Straight dollars and sense.

If anything, a financially viable Progressive/Liberal network would be more emboldened to be true to our causes and not "sell out" or try to "be all things to all people". AAR's problems are very acute right now and their long-term survival chances are poor at best.

According my definition "firing" is when someone's employment at a specific employer is terminated...gone...out of the building...caput. Sam's still doing a show for AAR, thus not fired. They couldn't agree on a new contract and had AAR been in a better financial situation, they could have worked out a better deal. Instead, it's time for change...and it could be a good one for Sam as it will both focus his attentions and talents on a solid weekly show and free him to do other projects such as writing and TV appearances.

The problem here is how to find a way to make Progressive Talk grow and reach more people. I strongly believe the format can be very sucessful...but first we have to understand the game in order to play and win at it.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

36. so putting on a hateful rightwinger is the answer

why even bother saving a progressive network? why not just launch a rightwing operation?
this move defeats the entire point of AAR

[jgraz]

15. Dear AAR Management: Please stop being stupid.

Dear Water: Please stop being wet.
Dear Bears: Please stop crapping in the woods.

I think we'd be better off supporting Sam in his next gig, whatever that is. AAR's long, slow, assisted suicide continues unabated.

[garybeck]

17. k&R

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

18. Lionel used to be on...

WABC. That sad pile of crap, 50000 watt clear channel flamethrower. He's a known commodity in NYC and I would bet that to get back in that market, AA is paying him nothing, just giving him a taste from the ad profits.

Quite frankly, as it presently sits, I am completely disinterested in AA. Time may change that. Perhaps. The Greens may change that, but if this move is any indication...

[The Count]

33. Ahhh! THAT a*hole! "Lock and Load!" hated Sammy the Bull Gravano because

he ratted on Gotti and adored Tonya Harding. What a piece of trash!

[liberalla]

20. I hope Sam can come back, OR go on to BIGGER and BETTER things

Would be great if CBS/MSNBC would use him in the IMUS timeslot, or a portion of it. At the very least, and considering the winds of change in America, they need a progressive or liberal host SHARING or SPLITTING talk duties in that timeslot...

I am equally interested in PREVENTING this Lionel guy from moving in on AAR!
:kick:

REC & EMAIL ALERT!

[TheUnspeakable]

21. kick

[catgirl]

22. Done. K/R

[myrna minx]

23. Kick for Sam. n/t

[FogerRox]

26. I sent an email to the comments addy

they sent be back a blank reply......

[madfloridian]

27. I got that also and wondered about it.

:hi:

[garybeck]

28. Couldn't Sam start his own independent internet radio show?

I know he wouldhave to scale down some of the hightech stuff due to costs, but it seems nowadays, if you already have a listener base, couldn't you use some readily available and cheap software to do an internet radio show? Any advertising money would go directly to Sam.

I would tune in. Just give me a URL and I'll be there. Then he could really speak his mind.

[Strelnikov_]

39. I'm hoping he gets on NovaM

Get's to do his gig from a studio near his new home in upstate NY, kinda like Malloy's deal.

In fact, Sammy said that is how he will be doing this alleged weekend show for AAR . .

[Snotcicles]

29. As I listened to Sams last weekday show friday.

I thought when HR and Dewey called in they would have expressed some sort of sadness or remorse.
I don't know why I felt they would. Sam gave them with all humility, daily, the opportunity to promote their opinions. They were probably avid listeners yet they spent their last gift of time on the show being just as shallow as all their other episodes.

[Strelnikov_]

38. Scorpion and the Frog . . .

They could not help themselves. It is their nature.

[porphyrian]

31. Why not work to get him his own show with people that don't suck as much?

Fuck Air America. They're the reason Seder lost his job. Don't work to keep an audience for them.

[The Count]

32. I already wrote out the pre-9AM (Armstrong Williams?). Now all morning

is out. That's half of the programming - going to the dogs. What happened to Stephanie Miller? She looks good by comparison.

[LTR]

42. That's a local affiliate show

AAR has no control over that. Talk to WWRL about it.

Their affiliates can run whatever they want whenever they want. That's not up to AAR.

AAR is running the Young Turks in that timeslot on their feed.

[WillyT]

34. K & R !!!

:kick:

[Postman]

35. Fairness Doctrine

would have prevented what has transpired up to now.

It would have prevented the war in Iraq from occurring because the MSM would have been mandated to air BOTH/ALL sides of the issue.

[live love laugh]

40. My XM subscription ended Sunday because of AAR. nt

[Maat]

41. Mine ended about four months ago ...

for the same reason.

I went back to Sirius. I listen to Stacey Taylor in the morning out here in SoCal, then Hartmann on Sirius (streaming the last two hours on NovaM), and then I can listen to Malloy (after Mama) either on Sirius or stream it on NovaM.

No need for XM anymore.

Edited to add that I actually alternated between Stacey Taylor and Sam Seder in the early mornings.