Air America Ceases Operations

I have to credit Air America for helping to rope me back into politics, as far as that is a good thing. Today it's not feeling like a good thing.

Air America Media is ending its live programming operations as of today. The company, which blamed a bad economic environment, intends to file a Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out a closing of the business.

In a memo from from Charlie Kireker, chair, Air America Media, he said the past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry.

Air America Radio, which ultimately ran on 100 radio outlets, launched in April 2004 with both known personalities, such as comic turned Sen. Al Franken, and then-unknown future stars, like Rachel Maddow. It was credited as a rare progressive voice in mainstream radio broadcasting, a medium dominated by conservative talk-show hosts.

Air America is not alone in financial woes; major radio players like Clear Channel, Citadel and Emmis have reported revenue shortfalls. The industry's veteran trade magazine Radio & Records closed last year.

Announcement!

By GottaLaff

Starting next week I will be on the Radio Machine EVERY FRIDAY evening, from 6:45- 7 pm Pacific, with the absolutely wonderful Angie Coiro (on San Francisco's progressive station Green 960)! I am so proud to be part of their amazing line-up!

After my first two little guest spots, they decided I wouldn't corrupt Angie as much as they thought, or lose them too many listeners, or even make radios/computers explode all over the country.

Ha! Got them fooled!

I'll most likely do a segment featuring the best and worst news items from our Political Carnival posts, or the funniest/most newsworthy, etc. Or whatever they ask me to do.

Yes, I'm nervous.

Yes, I adore smart, hilarious, sweet Angie; she makes me feel like I can do this. Thank you, Angie!

Yes, I've done Tee Vee and stage before, but that was in character. This is a little more intimidating. So, please bear with me as I get my sea legs.

Paddy, I promise I won't embarrass us too much, just the usual amount.

I'm kvelling!

Shameless promotion of Frangela

By GottaLaff

I now have a running MySpace conversation going with Frangela, a terrific comedy duo, (Frances Callier and Angela V. Shelton, both of The Second City), who have a political talk show on progressive radio out here in California. As a result, I'd like to give them a well-deserved promotion here on TPC. Here is the relevant part of their most recent message to me:

You rock! [...]

We're in Chicago until saturday night - oh and we'll be on from 2 to 6 pm on Sunday - filling in for the time slot they too from us! Ha! And for Mario [Laffy Note: another KTLK host] who is off! But no saturday show . . . strange :)
thank you and have a great weekend,
angela & frances aka frangela

The times are Pacific Daylight, and they can be streamed here.

If you have a chance, give them a listen. If you like what you hear, please let the station know.