Oregon Media Insiders

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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother

Lynn--

I heard he was indeed going to run for Senate. That's likely why he is leaving the show. Not only does he need the time to raise funds, build a campaign, etc., but there are also all those rules about equal time.

The last thing we'd want is the Republicans to have equal time on Air America.

I've seen and heard more than one interview with Al, where he hints at the possibility very strongly. This will be one to watch.

6-9 Bring in Marc Maron. Keep Sam 6-9 PM. Love Sam. Play Mike Malloy 9-Midnight.

Although Stephanie Miller wouldn't be bad 6-9. Mensa with fart jokes.

awesome. i like franken, but hartmann's razor-sharp, and a great replacement.

I can't believe Franken never improved in his 3 years on the air.

He stammers and says "uh, uh, uh" more than anyone I've ever heard. He never sounds like he's thought through what he might say.

If he runs for Senate in Minnesota I pity the TV reporters there; finding a concise soundbite from Franken will be a challenge!

Given that he's worked in entertainment and broadcasting for decades, you'd think he'd want to sound prepared before going on.

Hartman is sharp, smart and well prepared.
(Although you can tell when he's bored in an interview because he falls back on saying "Interesting..." after someone's comment. A more indifferent sounding "Interesting..." I've never heard.

he's not decided about running yet, but he moved back to Minnesota and started "Midwest Values Pac" and has done nothing to dissuade the idea that he is running. he'll probably announce on the air his last week. he would be a great Senator; he's smart (Harvard education), compassionate, doesn't take himself too seriously, and he'd be replacing MN's version of Gordon Smith. (hm, maybe we could get Matt Groening to run against Gordo.)

i'll miss the show. Al's one of the funniest people around, he did great "bit" comedy, he had terrific guests (Krugman, Oliphant, Conastan, not to mention the daily regulars like Christine Harvey). unlike one of the many anons above, i heard him improve from the beginning -- and we was good to start with. i loved that he didn't have callers; nothing makes me turn off radio quicker than callers. we need more people like Al Franken, in the media and in politics.

She was the "radio guy" and kept that show on the rails. The show never completely recovered from her loss.

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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother

Sam Seder is ten times better than Stephanie Miller. How many times can you listen to fart and slut jokes before your board out of you mind? When Sam has Janeane in and interviews her as Katherine Harris , it makes for very funny radio. And Sam can actually debate conservatives and make them look silly. The best Miller can do is say, "No it's not".

I am stuck with Stephanie Miller down in Eugene and keep hoping they will put Sam back on in the evenings to keep me company at my night job. I end up tuning into Bernie Ward in San Francisco as soon as the signal gets picked up.

Right now I tune him in on the internet to hear Sam in the morning, but end up missing out on our local issues on KOPT's morning show. I would like to support the local show, but as long as they stay stubborn about airing Sam they are out of luck.

Sam does not get loud that often.

When Sam gets loud he is usually doing a sarcastic voice, or he is very pasionate about the issue. But I have to tell you, I listen every day and I do not hear that much shouting, so I do not think you have listened that much. I do know he did some shouting when he filled in for Al Franken once, but he has cut down, since doing his morning show. He is no louder than Randi, that is for sure. But I like Randi and Thom a lot also. I think Sam debates conservatives better than Thom, or Randi though. He knows how to let them say just enough to look ridiculous. And if they throw something new into the mix he is quick witted enough to counter it.

Thom is very intelligent, but he can be too courteous to the conservatives he is debating and sometimes lets them get the better of the debate. You do not want to lose comand of the debate on your own show. And when Stephanie Miller is losing comand, she just tells them that she has the hots for them. Talk about capituation.

He's running against Norm Coleman in '08.

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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother