AAR: That’s All, Folks!
Think Progress: AAR Bankruptcy
The Radio Equalizer
Air America: The End?
Photoshop by Pete @ Bald Mountain Summit
Update: Think Progress Retracts
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Think Progress: AAR Bankruptcy
The Radio Equalizer
Air America: The End?
Photoshop by Pete @ Bald Mountain Summit
Update: Think Progress Retracts
You must be logged in to post a comment.
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I remember when Air America launched. The MSM covered it as though it was the Best Thing Ever and was going to be massively popular with the proles who were stuck in Limbaughland just dying for a dose of Truth. And now that the Best Thing Ever is dying, the MSM is silent. Sort of how they are handling the Dixie Chicks. When their album came out the MSM couldn’t get enough of them, but when it came apparant that they had to cancel several concerts in the Heartland due to lagging ticket sales, the MSM is silent. Can’t let our side down don’t you know.
Ellen on September 15, 2006 at 9:32 AM
Buh bye, Al! Don’t forget to take Randi with you.
Pablo on September 15, 2006 at 9:46 AM
Well you can’t have it both ways: if MSM is one and the same with Air America (horrid liberals all), then Air America’s flop is chicken feed in the larger scheme of things. Libs still have the major networks, Hollywood, major newspapers, magazines, a lot of blogs. RW has talk radio, FoxNews and a lot of blogs. The demise of the anemic AA hardly registers. To give a frame of reference, FoxNews #1 program is O’Reilly, viewership (which is falling) about 2 million. Brian Williams is getting about 7 to 8 million, and growing–though that is as much at the expense of the other networks as Fox I would guess.
honora on September 15, 2006 at 9:51 AM
Has anyone suggested that? I think they’re special, don’t you?
Pablo on September 15, 2006 at 9:53 AM
Some background reading … http://www.americandigest.org/mt-archives/003304.php
BrunoMitchell on September 15, 2006 at 9:56 AM
Ooooooo MM..snarky! “Who’s scrapin’ now”? *LOL*
The part where AF laughs about robbing a children’s charity is simply disgusting..and apparently par for the course with him. Anyone who votes for him..deserves him
labwrs on September 15, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Ya Al, who’s scrapin now?
Don’t mess with the Boss.
It was kinda pathetic to hear Al laughing as he tried to gloss over Air America causing the demise of a boys and girls club.
iNeXuS on September 15, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Just as bad was Al laughing about the mess caused by the company he worked for; “different company” indeed.
What an idiot.
dalewalt on September 15, 2006 at 10:27 AM
There are two obvious observations to be made on the coming demise of Air America. It is not needed as the MSM already acts as a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party and liberals, unlike conservatives, don’t have their senses assaulted by what they hear or read from the MSM. In contrast, there was a need for persons like Russ Limbaugh to give a voice to conservative frustrations. Secondly, the fawning coverage of the opening of Air America and the subsequent ignoring of Air America’s outrageous and illegal financial behavior by the MSM proves the conservatives’ charge that indeed it is anything but
.
RIP, Air America.
ptolemy on September 15, 2006 at 10:39 AM
Michelle,
Great job once again.
Two days in a row proves that when you smile, you RULE! Understandably, a smile is not always appropriate, but when you can, do it. Just don’t ever allow the libs (and rinos) to portray you as angry.
Fogpig on September 15, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Out of morbid curiousity, I listened to AAR when it first came out and intermittently thereafter. Nobody on there was even remotely interesting or funny. The commercials were a crack-up though. 99% of the commercials were the same old PSA’s recycled from the last break. Frankly, I’m surprised that they lasted this long.
jdpaz on September 15, 2006 at 10:51 AM
Forgive my ignorance, but wtf was the deal with that Clockwork Orange-like pummeling dealt out by AF & his Preppy Goon? I could never understand (and hence avoided)Execrable Al’s attempts at humor (even when he was on SNL), but since MM included the clip…
zb42 on September 15, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Al and Randi are out of business….. What a shame. Too bad they can’t take Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan with them down the porcelain banzi Pipeline.
Lets hope the dems fare the same in the next election.
Shmo on September 15, 2006 at 11:17 AM
Is Rosie O’Donnell trying to help pay off Air America’s debt to the Boys and Girls club?
The View Elmo Auction to Benefit Girls and Boys Club
jeannedb on September 15, 2006 at 11:25 AM
May God forgive me, but, at first glance at that screenshot, well, the sweater is kind of flesh-toned, and the Girls Gone Wild thing was just on, and I thought, well, May God forgive me.
mikeyboss on September 15, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Something to think about: when they consider their current dilemma, the True Believers who run AA must certainly be attuned to the fact that the election is coming up. That’s important to them for two reasons. First, it’s probably when their listenership is at its highest. Second, I’m sure they think their continued survival through the election will aide the Nutroots Fantasy of electing a Democratic majority in both houses, thereby leading to an impeachment of Bush.
So despite the obvious appearance that AA is headed for its last roundup, I’m sure they will do whatever they can to stay on the air through November. In that case, maybe a chapter 11 filing is part of a plan to do so. A filing would give them some breathing room from their creditors, in the hope that the election season would raise listenership enough to attract a new
suckerinvestor. This kind of thing is a pretty common bankruptcy tactic, but its really a hail-Mary play. Unless a miracle occurs, the chapter 11 would likely end up being converted to a chapter 7, and then it’s over.Also, the recording of Franken’s attempt to apologize for AA ripping off GW, while at the same time pleading ignorance, is one of the worst acting performances ever. Maybe it would have helped if he didn’t try to force a chuckle when he said they “borrowed” the money from GW. As it turns out, ripping off charities and poor kids isn’t that chuckle-worthy after all, Al.
Squid Vicious on September 15, 2006 at 12:50 PM
Well, good riddance to bad rubbish. Can’t say I’m sorry to see them go. I think it’s sad that they were trying to weasel out of the debt to the boys and girls club. They certainly don’t have any honor do they? However, that says a lot as far as I’m concerned about these clowns. No honor.
Catie96706 on September 15, 2006 at 12:58 PM
The best part was when it seemed their only major, recognizable advertiser was the US Army. :-)
Pablo on September 15, 2006 at 1:04 PM
Deceit and ill gotten gains are their legacy at Err America.
Wasnt Franken the savior for this sinking ship? A million bucks a year to save the farleft day? He was more of a two ton anchor in a plastic life boat.
AHh, but I do owe Al a thank you tho…for speeding up the demise of such vocal yet sneaky thieves.
Soros, you can, and should, pay everyone back now. All of it hate-boy.
shooter on September 15, 2006 at 1:05 PM
So what’s Randi ‘Just kill him’ Rhodes going to do? I’d say she has the bloody mindedness to join al-Quaida but all they’d do is throw a burka on her or beat her to death so I don’t think that will work out for her. I hear Rosie needs someone to tongue polish her shoes…Maybe Al can go out and start ‘Fight Club’ since he’s constantly threatening (and actually) attacking people. Do the ropa dope with the soap on a rope, Al. Why just steal money from kids Al? Beat them down first. Seriously, the only bad thing about this network going down is they’re going to start theorizing about it..it was Cheney..it was Rove. I can’t take any more stupidity of that caliber…
austinnelly on September 15, 2006 at 1:25 PM
When Air America first debuted, I commented to several people I know that it would fail within 3 years. It was a generous estimation, I wanted to say 2 years. Damn, I was off by 6 months in either direction. I wish I could get that close with my lottery picks. Air America may yet find a way to stay on the air in any event, what with the “restructuring” and bankruptcy laws the way they are. However, I find it nearly impossible that they’ll be able to stay on the air for another 6 months, no matter what happens. Hmmm… technically, if things work out the way I hope they do, my 3 year forecest may yet be right on the money.
But never fear! Jane Fonda, Rosie O’Donnell, and Gloria Steinem are here! While Air America may sink, rather than swim, Jane Fonda, Rosie O’Donnell, and Gloria Steinem are backing a new left-wing radio network that plans to appeal to women listeners and counter the dominance of conservative talk radio and its “male point of view.”
I’ll give that one 3 years, max, as well. Simply because all three women are so filthy rich. But, they’ll only throw away their good money after bad for so long. The new talk-radio network is called GreenStone Media and was officially launched on Sept. 12, 2006.
What is Greenstone Radio about? It’s about, “Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and a high powered group of women who decided to offer an alternative by founding GreenStone Media. It’s the only national radio network owned by women, and it’s designed to offer what is missing in talk today — radio that is thought-provoking, emotionally involving, [strong]believable and trustworthy[/strong].”
Hmmm, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem… believable and trustworthy? I’m all for a women’s radio network if that’s what a group of people care to create, but Jane Fonda & Gloria Steinem in the same paragraph as “believable and trustworthy”? If Hanoi Jane and Gloria “Adlai Stevenson for President” Steinem are believable and trustworthy, I’m the Kinf of Siam! So, we have a new ultra-liberal radio station, for women only, instead of Air America. Yay. Stay tuned for this one… I get the feeling they’re going to have to make a lot of noise to get the ball rolling for themselves, lest they end up like Air America.
SilverStar830 on September 15, 2006 at 2:01 PM
From the article linked by SilverStar:
Given that, plus the multi-year, slow-motion failure of AA, I would have to question the sanity of anyone who put money into GreenStone.
Anyway, their point about talk radio being free of woman-oriented content is irrelevant, because television is absolutely jam-packed with it (Oprah, Oxygen, The View, Lifetime, etc.). Do they really think they are going to get female viewers to quit watching all that and switch to talk radio instead? The thing that made conservative talk radio successful is that it was offering content not available elsewhere. That simply isn’t the case with GreenStone.
The only good thing about this is that the investors have only committed $3.1 million to this bomb. It cost AA’s investors a lot more money to figure out, paraphrasing Reagan, that there wasn’t really a pony after all.
Squid Vicious on September 15, 2006 at 2:38 PM
The oft-quoted “Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results” comes to mind. Another Liberal network? This one ‘woman based’as if that’s a distinction worth noting?
Air America was mostly staffed by women.
Look at Fonda and Steinem-are they doing the same as BClinton, looking to establish a legacy, so that they will be remembered by future generations? At their respective ages, what else could it be but self indulgence? Vanity. What was the last time that Steinem really mattered on the national political scene? She’s been coasting since 1968. And Fonda is still stuck in 1971 forever.
Doug on September 15, 2006 at 2:39 PM
Number of Air America listeners: 0
The amount of money Air America has left in its coffers: $0
The gloaty-smirk on Michelle’s face at the end when she asks “who’s scrapin’ now, Al?”: Priceless.
thirteen28 on September 15, 2006 at 3:14 PM
Yea Al don’t you hate it when that “Woman”, “barrel scraper” just kicked your ASS! All over the media!
Drtuddle on September 15, 2006 at 4:45 PM
So, all that stuff about assault and threats thereof by Allie were true? Wow. All I have to say to that is that he’s one sick puppy.
Speaking of Franken, I’m glad I get to be the one to say this: I hate to break it to you, Stuey, but it seems that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, and nobody likes you.
Wolfman on September 15, 2006 at 8:26 PM
Frankenly speaking, the bigger the failure, the greater the spin that AAR was a great success. Done in by those nasty GOP goons, not the faulty business model of making money by complaining.
“You want to be paid to complain? Spouses give it away for free!”
Possibly they should have liscensed Monty Python’s “Argument Clinic.”
“Yes?”
“I…I’d like to have an argument.”
“No you wouldn’t.”
Doug on September 16, 2006 at 1:19 AM
Guess this wasn’t the “Al Franken Decade” either, huh buddy?
Dated myself there, didn’t I?
TBinSTL on September 16, 2006 at 4:50 AM
Okay, it’s that time of year to turn off the A/C & turn on the heat in the Green room. Poor Michelle was so cold she had to cover her hands with a long sweater. “Hand burkha”
Coronagold on September 16, 2006 at 7:42 AM
When the AAR financial scandal hit, I was daily looking for references in the NYT. Nothing. Not a jot nor tittle. In their own city, a scandal hits that they somehow missed. For weeks.
Doug on September 17, 2006 at 7:17 PM