What do you all think about the O'Franken Factor?

[galadrium]

I listened to it a lot when it first started, and was annoyed by his lack of radio expertise. But, I just listened to it today and it sounds like Al has really gotten a lot better. The show has improved greatly.

What do you all think?

[Connie_Corleone]

1. He's Okay

But he sure doesn't know alot of the stuff people on DU know. Like the Wolfowitz "Pearl Harbor" quote.

[Fenris]

2. I like it. He doesn't scream. He's very pointed.

He allows his audience to think about what he's discussing and decide for themselves. He's the anti-Rush. Plus, he's just fucking funny.

[galadrium]

3. I agree... Al has always been funny

[GainesT1958]

4. I really like listening to Al...

I mean, where else would I have learned to say a...LIE...a...LIE!!!:D

And about their supposed "insolvency"...I'm relieved Al put the QT on that one, pronto...another one of Drudge's LIES!x(

B-)

[Kahuna]

25. Or... La la la la la la la la LI-AAAR!

my favorite.

[Catfight]

5. It's pointless unless he has a bigger audience. I want something to

listen to while I'm in my car. I don't really have much to listen here in florida. I'd love to hear Al and the AAR radio, but we don't get it.

[galadrium]

6. i guess you could get satellite radio... i know it costs money...

But it might be nice if you are sick of the right-wing controlled radio.

[I thought so.]

16. It is on satellite,

check it out. If you do it right you can carry the reciever inside and hear it there too.

[Jane Austin]

33. I listen to it all the time in my car!

Sirius Satellite radio. Ask for it for your next Birthday or other Holiday.

It's wonderful!

[LizW]

7. I'm liking it more and more

Al has a tendency to trail off the ends of his sentences, but I think he's aware of it and is working on it.

I'm not a big fan of the Dittohead segment, because I think it's a waste of time. Arguing with dittoheads is a waste of oxygen, and I don't have a lot of respect for Mark. I know he's Al's friend, but he just doesn't come off as very smart.

I like the Sirotta segment, and Joe Conason on Fridays.

I'm mellowing toward Katherine, I guess. Her laugh is freaky, but she does know how to keep the show moving along, and she's smart.

[doubleplusgood]

8. I like it

His non-bloviating style, frequent interviews/discusssions are very refreshing, IMHO.

[Southsideirish]

9. I didn't like it in the beginning - now I Iike it and look forward to it

every day at 11. He, Randi and Janeane and my favorites.

[Fovea]

10. I love it

The whole show has developed quite a lot. I am often uncomfortable with the Mark the Dittohead segment, because it mimics some family dynamics I experience in a less benign way, but all in all, I really enjoy the show.

Great guests, great regular segments. And the tags by Ambrosia Paisley...Oy oy oy!

[gauguin57]

11. Specifics

Al has so much potential ... but Franken needs to:

1) Change the name of the show. I don't even want to THINK about O'Reily when I'm listening to him. This should be a network for US, not a left-wing imitation of right-wing media.

2) Quit interviewing the "resident dittohead" all the time. Boring and pointless. Maybe once every couple of weeks would be fun -- find the stupidest thing Rush said in a two-week period, and have Al's right-wing friend comment on it. Once again ... too much reference to right-wing media.

3) To sum up: The show should be an issues-discussion/interview show that presents new information in a sometimes-humorous format, not so much of a REACTION to right-wing radio.

[Geo55]

15. issues-discussion/interview vs REACTION

We need to keep cuting up the huge BS that Bush & Co. put out...
I hope this "experiment" survives & grows.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

27. Change the Name...

Al mentioned a week or so ago that they really are considering other names. He said that their original reason for the name was an attempt to bait O'Reilly into suing them. Since that didn't happen, the name is probably going to be changed soon.

"The Katherine Lanphear Show" sounds good to me!

[Caution]

12. it has definitely gotten better since launch

two biggest complaints:

the liars thing...i listen on headphones at work and when he does that it practically blows me ear drums out.

the resident ditto-head. just drop it. please. pretty please?

[MattNC]

13. it's ok

He has great guests and has improved a lot since his first show. However, I just don't think Al has the type of personality needed to succeed in talk radio. He's too nice. I'm not say the show (or network) will fail, but I don't see it having any substantial ratings - aside from its Internet listenership.

[cornfedyank]

14. whatever makes people think

If Al can get some sheeple to look up from their lives and begin to think and discuss, maybe a few will see that we need to do some preventative maintenance on our system THIS ELECTION.

[proud patriot]

17. He's interviewing a soldier who just got back from Iraq

Right Now ... I enjoy Al's show immensely

[eleny]

18. I agree

He really is finding his groove. New ideas for bits and they're taking *way* more calls from listeners. That has injected a lot of energy into the show. He's realized, maybe, that he doesn't have to carry every minute of the broadcast on his shoulders.

I'm tickled by the new "Lies About Sean Hannity" segment, btw.

[Malva Zebrina]

19. I turned it off today actually

I want to give it a decent try, and have done so almost every dayk but everyday I simply turn it off within the first hour, because it is so boring.

I think the reason it is so boring to me, is because Franken actually is reticent to give a firm opinion on Bush and his regime. That type of fishing for security and seeming consciousness of his contacts with others who at one point may be helpful to him and his career, but are Republicans, is what frustrates me with the show. Middle of road , to me, reeks of non commital which at one point may morph into plausable denial.

I like someone who has a stand and is not afraid to say it.

So, I lose patience with the same type of spin or avoidance I notice coming from Republicans that annoys me and turn him off. :shrug:

I never have seen Franken anywhere else or heard him anywhere else, although I did read his book, so I am making this judgement based solely on the "O'Franken Factor" and my personal opinion. I turn him off everyday.

Others, though, I have noticed have greatly improved. Rachel Maddow has grown into a superb interviewer and commentator and Chuck seems to have overcome a lot of his shyness. Liz is not coming off as shrill and has lowered her voice several decibles and the show is really interesting in their subject matter and their interviewing.

[underpants]

20. It's funny entertaining and great to listen during the day

IT's good.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

21. I like it

I was put off by his lack of experience at first, but he has been coming in to his own on the radio.

[baboon]

22. he should stick to writing and comedy

I can't listen to him.

[Bombtrack]

23. Almost all of his interviews are utterly boring and useless.

The only person that's interesting that he talks to are David Brock and callers. Other than that it's way worse than I think it has the potential to be. I think he should try a second and more funny sidekick/personality. Maybe that's just because I love the Howard Stern show so much but I believe it could work. Some younger politically astute comic would be good.

[Kahuna]

24. I love it. I listen to it everyday.

nt

[genius]

26. I just wish it were playing everywhere.

Franken is doing a great job.

[patricia92243]

28. I love it. Because he is easy going, it makes what he says have more zing

[tibbiit]

29. I love it

And it pleases me every morning now to be able to turn on the am radio while putzing around the house-- laughing out loud here and there.
Thank you Al and all other Air Americans for your service:)
I appreciate every show Ive heard.
tib

[mountainvue]

30. I like Al.

I like his show very much. Katherine is an excellent straight woman for his comedy as well.

[LittleApple81]

31. Love him... Love AAR...Wanna have a station where I can listen to them.

But in the meantime, streaming with a set of wireless headphones...

[SharonAnn]

32. I like it. I find it very interesting.

I keep it on while I'm working on the computer.

[Jane Austin]

34. I like it better and better

every day.

They are just wonderful.

[DancingBear]

35. I've come to enjoy it quite a bit

I think Franken is getting more politically astute by the minute, and is learning how to do radio. He has an amazing Rolodex when it comes to guests, and I think he is in his own way quite well versed on the issues, and usually able to disprove the right wing lie du jour with his own set of facts.

I also like he fact that this show tends to "skew" a bit toward the older (dare I say it - more "mature") part of the listening audience. I am glad to hear Franken's highbrow understated humor, rather than that bozo Mark Maron who is on Morning Sedition. Try out your shtick in a club - OK Mark??