The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

30 November 2006

Al Franken, Ed Schultz, Liberal Talk Radio

CIRCLING THE WAGONS

Other Libtalkers Smell Blood, Take Positions






Clearly anticipating a sudden end to their key rivals, liberal talk show hosts are setting their sights on slots currently held by Air America Radio talkers.

And first out of the gate, at least in public, is Fargo- based syndicated talker Ed Schultz, who today announced he will soon move from the 3-6pm timeslot to noon-3pm ET.

Who says the left is unified? Obviously, they eat their own.


While Schultz and his backers were quick to spin the move as a direct battle with Rush Limbaugh, few in the radio industry are likely to buy that notion. That's because conservative and liberal talk radio are essentially two different formats.

Nonetheless, here's what the left wants you to believe:


Move over, Rush Limbaugh.


Ed Schultz, the nation’s largest progressive talk radio host, is moving head-to-head with Rush Limbaugh’s sometime in December, industry insiders familiar with the deal tell RAW STORY. The move – which puts Schultz in the choice noon to 3 p.m. window – will also bring him face- to- face with Air America’s flagship talker, Al Franken.


Two radio insiders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the move. Both characterized the decision to move The Ed Schultz Show from drive-time to early afternoon as one intended to bolster a rapidly growing national audience.

The decision to move Schultz to noontime eastern could put another nail in the coffin of Air America, which filed for bankruptcy Oct. 13.


The real truth is that Schultz intends to get out in front of any move by Al Franken to exit talk radio, after the latter's dismal run. It has nothing to do with Rush whatsoever.

And today, there was renewed speculation that Stuart will soon give up his show, even if the network somehow survives.

Watch for more fireworks to come.

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15 Comments:

  • Highlighting liberal talkers these days and conservatives who don't bend over enough to Maloney's liking (Tucker ) is big time boring. This is especially true given the fact that the failure of liberal radio has no bearing on the Dems ability to win elections.

    Maloney, start highlighting some of the controversial topics that conservatives are talking about on talk radio. For example, Dennis Prager is having a hissy over Ellison's use of the Koran in his swear-in ceremony.

    By Blogger none, at 30 November, 2006 16:51  

  • Ed Schultz is not a progressive radio talk show host.

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 30 November, 2006 16:51  

  • On what grounds do you say that Al Franken has been a failure? My understanding is that he does very well in the markets where in plays among very desirable demographics.

    Sure, the network may go under, but it's very hard to launch one--particularly when advertisers are blacklisting it (http://mediamatters.org/items/200610310008)

    The fact is, Al Franken has been contemplating running for Senator for a long time. It's not like he's doing it because he's a failed radio host.

    By Blogger John, at 30 November, 2006 16:55  

  • Will, I agree with you.

    Al Franken has never been funny.

    My question is, why would you EXPECT a political talk show to be funny, in this day and age?

    Are the problems that ordinary America ns face to be just one, continuous laugh riot?

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 30 November, 2006 17:53  

  • elmonica,
    if you don't like what Maloney is blogging about, the solution is real simple: start your own blog.

    "My understanding is that he does very well in the markets where in plays among very desirable demographics."

    Your understanding is severly flawed. Franken may appear slightly better when you look at the demos vs. total audience, but that's like saying a turtle is faster than a snail.

    By Blogger BF, at 30 November, 2006 18:07  

  • Glad to see some of the loyal Equalizers coming out of the woodwork.

    Just trying to offer some constructive criticsm. If daily Franken obsession and Ed Schultz scheduling changes are what the base desires please continue.

    By Blogger none, at 30 November, 2006 18:25  

  • "Your understanding is severly flawed. Franken may appear slightly better when you look at the demos vs. total audience, but that's like saying a turtle is faster than a snail."

    While this is glibbly insulting and condescending (which is common on blogs), it really has no content--it's a strange simile. That's all. Turtles? Snails? What are the specifics? Moreover, my understanding is that Air America's webstreams are among the most popular in the world.

    And I must confess, I do enjoy Franken's show. In my opinion, it's smart, funny, and the treatment of issues is as sophisticated as you'll find on the radio. Moreover, Franken is actually pretty center-left (my own views are far more to the left). It's not extreme by any means.

    By Blogger John, at 30 November, 2006 19:58  

  • Notice how pasty pudge edits out the lines in every report about Schultz's schedule change that Ed is the 10th rated talker while Franken is the 12th rated talker. If the waddler didn't censor these facts, his fellow pudgies would wonder why he has been telling them here all along that Franken has NO ratings, or that progressive talk is a failed endeavor.

    We always knew you were just more agiprop from the GOP disinformation operation called AM radio. But while I have the opportunity, let me thank you from the bottom of my good liberal heart, Brian, for helping to push the GOP so far to the hate radio right that your party is no longer electable, it's propaganda now exposed and dirty-tricks gimmicks all spent.

    By Blogger gregrocker, at 30 November, 2006 20:41  

  • To the Lefties, if I want to listen to hate radio, I'd listen to (Sc)Air America or NPR when they have on Julieann Malveaux or one of the race hustlers Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrikhan, or Al Sharption on.

    If I want to see Liberal hate, I just read your comments here, especially hash's.

    By Blogger PCD, at 01 December, 2006 08:29  

  • What are the specifics? Moreover, my understanding is that Air America's webstreams are among the most popular in the world.

    Anyone else enjoying the irony?

    By Blogger BF, at 01 December, 2006 08:34  

  • PCD - quit spitting out that tired line "liberal hate". i am so sick of that. can you honestly tell me that people like Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin are not spitting out hate? i'll answer for you, NO, you can't. same goes for hannity, savage, limbaugh, and even the president. conservatives are full of hate, so don't get all high and mighty.

    classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.

    or, how about this old gem "let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

    By Blogger hardcore conservative genious, at 01 December, 2006 09:04  

  • Boston Radio Watch: "BRW has confirmed that Boston's progressive talk simulcast WKOX AM 1200/WXKS AM 1430 will undergo a slight change in the line-up in a week's time. With the uncertain future of Air America's host Al Franken at the struggling talk network, Clear Channel-owned local talkers will pick up Air America-syndicated The Thom Hartmann Show in Franken's current Noon-3pm slot. [Ed. Note : According to Hartmann, who is currently heard on 68 stations and Sirius Satellite Radio, he beats Rush Limbaugh head-to-head...in the Seattle radio market.]

    "The programming change also means that Ed Schult's afternoon show which moves to a new national timeslot(Noon to 3pm) on December 11th is going to stay in the curent 3-6pm slot on tape-delay(Schultz's syndicator Jones Radio will offer 3-6pm refeed to stations like WKOX/WXKS who choose not air him live in the new Noon to 3pm slot). No other line-up changes are planned for WKOX/WXKS in immediate future."

    By Blogger raccoonradio, at 01 December, 2006 10:36  

  • and in Chicago via Sun Times:

    In anticipation of a shakeup at the liberal Air America Radio -- including an uncertain future for top star Al Franken -- Chicago's progressive talk station is revamping its weekday lineup of syndicated programs.
    Effective Dec. 11, WCPT-AM (850) will air Bill Press from sign-on to 8 a.m., newly added Stephanie Miller from 8 to 11 a.m., Ed Schultz from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Franken on tape-delay from 2 to 5 p.m., and Randi Rhodes on tape-delay from 5 p.m. to sign-off."

    By Blogger raccoonradio, at 01 December, 2006 11:19  

  • Thom Hartmann is bright, well-spoken, and the PERFECT antidote to Limpbowel's hateful, drug-addled invective.

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 01 December, 2006 18:45  

  • Hardcore, you are just a hardcore liberal hate spewer, and the truth hurts you greatly.

    By Blogger PCD, at 04 December, 2006 09:06  

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