'Review America' a limited podcast series on American Politics through the prism of Wrestling

Wrestling fans have a unique way of viewing the world. A perspective with elements from media studies or observational comedy, they see the superficial presentation whilst taking into account the layers of meta-reference and insider jargon. The culture has moved towards a better understanding of this through the popularity of 'The Daily Show' and the rise of independent media challenging and unpacking mainstream news.

Review America  – Episode 1: The RNC

Which brings us to today, where we can have an audience receptive to a show discussing American politics through the prism of wrestling. 'Review America: Wrestling with democracy' is a limited series podcast hosted on the 'Fight Network', a Canadian media station dedicated to combat sports. Hosted by Americans Brian Mann and Nate Milton, its a spin-off from a 2012 episode where Canadians John Pollock and Wai Ting departed from their regular format of reviewing Wrestling PPVs to investigating the compelling presidential showdown between nominees Governor Romney (r) and Senator Obama (d). Not unlike my own fascination with America's brand of politics as an outsider all those years ago. Host Brian describes the zeitgeist which birthed the show in the show's opening address:

Review America with Brian Mann & Nate Milton – Episode 1: The RNC
BRIAN MANN: (2m 37s) This really does feel like a convergence this year where a lot of the world is kinda becoming hip to the Pro-Wrestling way of doing things unfortunately. You and I, we obviously have no shame when it comes to liking pro-wrestling but its interesting how our entire society has kind of unknowingly adapted to the same framework of thinking. A couple of months ago the New York Times wrote a really great article... and I just want to share a quote from it...

'Is Everything Wrestling' by Jeremy Gordon
If a story is told well, if its history seems consistent, then the machinations putting it into place can be temporarily overlooked or turned into a fun story of their own. And why not? In the end, we're all marks for a world we want to believe in.

And I think that really puts this election into focus, the reason Nate and I are going to spend a couple of weeks and really months until this wraps up in November is because I think there is a uniquely pro-wrestling way of looking at this entire election. So this isn't going to strictly be a political show, we are going to be tying it into that. We will be viewing this through the framework of "Marks" and "Smarks" and "kayfabe"* and everything that I think our audience is conditioned to think and that's why we want to bring the show to you on this platform (The Fight Network) rather than putting it out through a different party. This is a show about Politics but for Wrestling fans even though we're not necessarily going to be making Ted DiBiase jokes every second.

*Glossary for wrestling jargon:
Mark - Fan who enjoys and consumes Wrestling at face value
Smark - Fan aware of Wrestling's artifice and appreciates its meta layers. Short for "Smart Mark".
Kayfabe - Preservation of the illusion that Wrestling is real

My blog's initial focus on the pundit class was because they were more compelling (read: entertaining) political personalities with arguably more influence on voters. They were unfettered as private citizens and not beholden to the usual journalistic constraints of objectivity and decorum. Pundits were establishing fiefdoms through their media empires, effectively fashioning their own voting blocs to leverage or rival the politicians.
This election, the rise of Donald Trump as the "rogue" nominee for the Republican party represents the convergence of wrestling, punditry andpolitics. With 10.8 million Twitter followers, coupled with his unrivaled ability to engulf "free media", Trump is a one-man noise machine.
Nate Milton expands:

Review America with Brian Mann & Nate Milton – Episode 1: The RNC
NATE MILTON: You talk about relating in the way you and I... look at pro-wrestling you can easily apply it to the world of politics and I think in this election in particular where you have two oversized characters. One in Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side and Donald Trump, the guy we're gonna be focusing on most this week on the Republican side. Someone who has dabbled in the world of pro-wrestling. He's a WWE Hall-of-Famer so he's no stranger to the world of "kayfabe" but I think its gonna be an interesting journey for us because as you've mentioned politics is something that we often talk about and to our credit its something we enjoy talking about and to the listeners' credit something that they didn't mind when we went down that road so I think we're gonna have a lot of fun and get to some insightful places... and I think the tagline "Wrestling with democracy" is very appropriate.

I founded this blog in 2007, at the close of George W Bush' presidency and gearing up to the 08' presidential race. The politics is wrestling meme had been forwarded in sprinkles but the "Pundit Fight" premise of the blog was only possible with the advent of Air America Radio. The Progressive radio network provided a stable of liberal talkers to counteract the "Right Wing Noise Machine". This allowed me to pit Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter against the likes of Jon Stewart and Rachel Maddow, the incubation of the politicised media marketplace today.

Its a telling state of affairs that a presidential nominee has usurped all of the pundits combined, not only in bombast but his ability to manipulate the media and the masses. Its worth noting that 'Review America' never had to mention the pundit class in relating American politics to wrestling. Donald Trump has seemingly made PunditFight obsolete by becoming the living incarnation of it. Sad.

Pundits TRUMPED!

Links to the 3 'Review America with Brian Mann & Nate Milton' episode so far:
- Episode 1: The RNC
- Episode 2: The DNC
- Episode 3: Diagnosing Donald

Sam Seder launches new podcast show - Majority Report Radio (Majority FM)

Sam Seder hosting his new radio podcast - Majority Report Radio (Majority.FM)

Sam Seder has launched a new incarnation of 'Majority Report radio' - Majority.FM'. His latest project in years after the rollercoaster ride that was Air America Radio. His partner on his last two projects ('Maron V Seder' and 'Break Room Live'), Marc Maron had struck gold with a comedy podcast that has consistently been ranked #1 on ITunes.

Sam Seder hopes to do the same with his brand of politics and comedy. A lot of Maron's early success was built on the network of friends he enlisted as guests and the following he had garnered on his previous shows on Air America. Sam shares a similar advantage albeit a long time in between drinks. Moreover he is assisted by the following he has cultivated on his website SamSederShow.com and the increased television profile he's had as a regular panelist on CNN and MSNBC.

Logo for Sam Seder's new 'Majority Report Radio' show - Majority.FM

Find all the relevant links to Majority.FM here
- Listen to Majority.FM on your music player here
- Go to the Majority.FM website
- Go to the Majority.FM Facebook site
- Go to the Majority.FM Twitter site
- Official Sam Seder website
- Listen to my 2008 interview with Sam Seder

Townhall Magazine: "100 Americans the left hate most!"

If one's mission were to "win friends and influence people" they would most likely do their best not to criticize, condemn or complain and act in a friendly manner. You may be mistaken for thinking this is what Politics is about, not quite. Winning elections is about having more votes than your competitor, its not necessarily about winning everyone over. If you're able to impassion a majority to victory it would almost be wise to cut your losses, sometimes having a constant opposition as a bogeyman can be the best motivator.

The world of wrestling is built on the very notion of "Us vs Them". Wrestlers orient themselves as either 'Heels' (villains) or 'Faces' (heroes) by their actions and their words. Their appeal however is based entirely on how they connect with the audience and not their orientation. Its not uncommon in wrestling to find that you root for the villain and loathe the hero.

Identity politics is built on proudly distinguishing oneself as part of marginalized group, insisting on such a narrative is a source of empowerment, a badge of honor. Its a tactic used by politicians and pundits with Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck arguably being the most effective proponents. Not surprisingly the marginalisation angle works best for the pundits when their ideological side is out of power and their supporters most engaged. As evidenced by the introduction of Liberal radio station Air America and pundits like Randi Rhodes, Sam Seder and Al Franken during the Republican Bush' second term. Also seen in the emergence of Glenn Beck and his brand of restoration during President Obama's first term.

Its not uncommon for these "marginalised" groups to glorify their status by identifying their biggest targets as TownHall Magazine have done below. But these lists can easily be recontextualized so the positions of strength are inverted as seen in these set of ranking  - Top 10 list of anti-Barack Obama conservatives

100 Americans se left hate most!
The more effective the voices that oppose their agenda, the greater the venom the Left spews in their direction. It’s this out-of-control behavior from our fellow citizens who are sold out to the ultraliberal progressive Obama agenda to “radically transform” the United States that led us to create this list of “The 100 Americans the Left Hates Most.”

The Townhall editorial staff compiled a massive list of those we believe have the largest bull’s-eyes painted on them by the Left and the Democrat-dominated government...

Download the PDF here - The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most

The usual suspects of PunditFight conservatives appear on the list, you'll have to go to TownHall magazine to find their respective rankings:
Hugh Hewitt, Bill Kristol, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck

Watch how marginalised heel personalities negotiate between each other to elevate themselves

VIDEO: WWE Over The Limit 2010 Randy Orton Vs Edge

Air America closing down - Sam Seder, Michelle Malkin say their peace

Air America pulls the plug

Air America
It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.

The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry generally. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection.

Air America alum Sam Seder shares his thoughts on the company that launched him whilst providing its share of tumult

Nice Try
I'll probably have more to say on this in the future...

Contrary to the conventional wisdom Air America failed not because there was no market for liberal talk (all the big lib talkers still on air Miller, Schultz, Hartmann, Malloy and Rhodes are profitable or close to it)- it was because Air America owners- there were 5 in 6 years- listened to so-called radio consultants who were nearly hostile to the format but more relevantly stuck in the paradigm of a dying industry. Thats how you hire Lionel or Montel and fail to monetize your podcasts and online content.

Conservative Michelle Malkin shares her thoughts

Lib talk radio flops again: Air America goes bankrupt
The surprise isn’t that liberal talk radio network Air America announced it is going bankrupt today.

The surprise is that they lasted so long on fumes...

Sen. Franken hasn’t lobbied for a bailout, as far as we know. But don’t breath a sigh of relief yet. They’re still swinging the Fairness Doctrine noose. When they can’t compete in the marketplace, the Left will use the power of government to squash their competitors.

Update: January 25, 2010
Sam Seder appeared on the Brian Lehrer show to chat about the demise of Air America

And so it goes
I did a segment on WNYC about Air America,- it was pretty frustrating- it's always wonderful when people who don't do their homework are more than happy to push the most obvious and least informed narrative.

Go to the WNYC site and listen to the full conversation with Sam Seder and Ana Marie Cox here - Air America Folds

Air America cancels 'Break Room Live' with Marc Maron and Sam Seder

Online Webcast, 'Break Room Live' with Marc Maron and Sam Seder is no longer. This is sad news for fans of Marc and Sam and unfortunately all too familiar. For Sam this is the fourth show incarnation he has hosted for Air America and has been canceled from. Beginning with 'The Majority Report' with friend Janeane Garofalo. Then 'The Sam Seder Show' sans Janeane followed by 'Seder on Sundays' when Air America under new management replaced Sam's weekday timeslot, transferring him to Weekend duty.

At the end of that run, Sam continued his infamous sparring segments with Marc Maron on a startup video chat show informally called 'Maron V Seder'. After many months as a webshow on Sam's website, Air America picked up the format during the run up to the 08' elections where it picked up the official show title of 'Break Room Live'.

For Marc Maron this is his third run with Air America. Starting with his first show 'Morning Sedition' co-hosted with Marc Riley. Then going solo on the 'Marc Maron Show' after moving home to LA. Marc famously left Air America in spectacular fashion, fighting on-air with management which he recounted to Sam and Janeane at the time.

Marc and Sam have both alternated between being outspoken, diplomatic and philosophical of their turbulent relationship with Air America. This has been highlighted in previous posts and my interviews with Marc and Sam.

As has been the case previously Marc foreshadowed the impending but not yet announced cancellation of 'Break Room Live' during the closing a monologue of their penultimate show - Tuesday July 14, 2009.

MARC MARON: (talking about America's economy and job market) It's a very bleak thing and I'm feeling it personally cause you never know how long you're job is going to last. I know I'm in show business...

Marc continues, alluding to favourite themes like 'Art VS Commerce' and integrity whilst taking a swipe at "management" types

MARC MARON: This is us, we're doing big work here... we appeal to specific people on a first name basis and that's exactly the kind of business that gets killed by the big guys in this country. Because there are people's jobs in this country who's only job is to smugly and with a smile fire other people. They get paid a lot of money to do that and when they leave they move onto something else where they hang out and fire other people.

Learning from previous experience Sam chose to bite his tongue over his fourth cancellation on Air America

SAM SEDER: There have been many times where I've made the mistake of expressing certain things at at inopportune time that has led to a greater lack of inopportunity

Watch the abrupt final show - Wednesday July 15, 2009

Air America Talker Sam Seder gets involved in politics: Vote challenged in special election

Air America Talker Sam Seder was among several absentee voters being challenged for the Special Election contested between Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy.

Tedisco Tries To Make Roadkill Of Sam Seder's Ballot
We can now add another illustrious name to the list of absentee voters whose ballots in the NY-20 special election have been challenged by the campaign of GOP candidate Jim Tedisco: Sam Seder, the liberal talk-radio host with Air America!

Sam posted a message on Twitter yesterday: "NY20th race Tedisco challenged my absentee ballot. 4 days before the election I was jury foreman for a trial in NY20th. Challenge Fail."

The Tedisco camp had previously challenged U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's ballot -- the person that Tedisco is seeking to replace in Congress -- and now Sam is on the list, too.

Jim Tedisco's challenge would ultimately come short as he conceded the election to underdog Democrat Scott Murphy:

Democrat Scott Murphy wins Kirsten Gillibrand's Albany-area seat; Republican James Tedisco concedes
Republican James Tedisco conceded defeat Friday in the race to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, handing a sweet victory to Democrat Scott Murphy in the conservative Albany-area district.

Tedisco and Murphy were separated by only a handful of votes following the March 31 special election, setting the stage for nearly a month of intense ballot counting. This week, Murphy's lead started to grow - he was more than 400 votes ahead Thursday.

Listen and download APF pundit Hugh Hewitt interviewing Jim Tedisco about that congressional race a week before it was decided

Sam Seder to MSNBC? Help a pundit get his own TV show

One of the most popular pundits in the APF, Sam Seder is asking for your support.

Hey MSNBC - Bring Sam Seder To 10:00PM ET
My Fellow Americans,

In the next few weeks MSNBC is going to choose a new host for their 10:00 PM slot-the spot right after Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann.

Some of my listeners have suggested I would be a good candidate to take that slot. I'm saying to myself, "What the hell, Obama says we need some stimulus. Maybe I can help." So, to gauge support for the idea I'm inviting you to join a Facebook group...

Once you join the group you'll get updates about how else you can help.

It is important to have more progressive voices challenging the Right and the establishment media.

I'm already getting endorsement statements that will help me build a
fan base. Here are some examples:

"It doesn't say anywhere in the Constitution this idea of the separation of church and state."
-Sean Hannity

"I am addicted to prescription pain medication."
- Rush Limbaugh...

You can also show your support through these outlets
- Media Bistro
- Atrios
- MyDD
- The Randi Rhodes Show
- The Huffington Post

The Young Turks: Rush Limbaugh has cake with George W Bush

As previously mentioned Rush Limbaugh had a farewell dinner with outgoing President George W Bush. Rush recounted this final encounter with his audience, what was jarring was how gushing Rush was toward an outgoing President who was unpopular to the point of alienating his conservative supporters.

In a post years ago I wrote about how pundits usually distance themselves away from Washington and the President, even if they are controlled by ideological friendlies because they don't want to appear like lapdogs:

When pundits meet the President: Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Colbert
A standard measure that you've 'made it' in your chosen field is an invitation to meet the president. In punditry it has different implications. In punditry there is a cache placed in being a maverick, an outspoken no holds barred personality. There is an 'outsider' aesthetic that a pundit must project...

Meeting the President poses a bit of a quandary. On the one hand it is a personal milestone and the highest honor on a professional level. On the other hand it disturbs the illusion that the pundit is an everyman not seduced by power.

In that same post, Rush projected bravado when a Caller asked what Rush thought of his encounter with the President

CALLER: What a privilege for you, I'm sure.
RUSH: Well, it was a privilege for them.
CALLER: (Laughing.)
RUSH: You know, people have been asking me, "Well, what did the president tell you last night?" That's not it. "What did I tell the president?" is the correct question.
CALLER: (Laughing.) So he also recognizes that you're the man running the country?

So it's all the more unusual to see Rush so effusive, describing in great detail proud moments with the American President. Rush dropping his guard of machismo to show authentic pride, invoking the memory of his parents "I just wish my parents were alive... to tell them about this."

The Young Turks lampooned Rush Limbaugh's shameless gushing of his encounter with the President

(Young Turks host) CENK UYGUR: ...it's so easy to manipulate these folks, just call them by their name... (mocking impression) "I'm giddy, I'm pretending this happens all the time, that I get birthday cakes. But I don't. Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Nobody ever gets me birthday cakes. This is the first time it's ever happened. It's the President - I'm so happy. He called me Limbaugh" Easy big guy.

- Read Rush Limbaugh's full account of his final meeting with outgoing President Bush
- Go to the Young Turks Website

Al Franken wins the Minnesota Senate seat. Coleman to challenge

Al Franken (D) has won the Minnesota Senate seat by referee's decision. But it may not stand. The disputed championship will most likely go to the courts as the incumbent Norm Coleman (R) plans to challenge the recount.

Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Race in Recount, But Lawsuit Looms
A Minnesota board has certified election results showing Democrat Al Franken has won the U.S. Senate recount -- by 225 votes.

But that doesn't mean the former Saturday Night Live comedian's race against his Republican opponent, incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, is over. While FOX News has learned that Senate Democratic leaders will try to seat Franken on Tuesday, a legal challenge probably will keep the race in limbo...

Extending an already dramatic contest further...

The recount reversed the unofficial Election Day results, which showed Coleman with a 215-vote lead.

Franken made up the deficit over seven tortuous weeks of ballot-sifting in part by prevailing on challenges that both campaigns brought to thousands of ballots...

Al Franken is on the verge of completing an improbable APF resume having begun as a wrestler in his college days, making his name on Saturday Night Live, becoming a formidable voice for the left as flagship talker for Air America Radio to finally being elected to the Senate.

Wrestler, Satirist, Pundit and now Politician - summing up neatly all the universes this blog touches on.

Find some of my favourite Al Franken posts here:
- Al Franken - The Road to the Minnesota Senate
- Political life imitates art: Stephen Colbert for President and Al Franken for Senate
- Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator
- Al Franken, Jonah Goldberg and Rich Lowry on Pundits Fighting
- PunditFight presents: The Al Franken Wallpaper

PunditFight interview: A conversation with Sam Seder

PunditFight presents 'A conversation with Sam Seder'

Sam Seder is a liberal talker with a great following on the left blogosphere. He is a pioneer when it comes to integrating and mobilising the online progressive community using the radio medium. He is credited for elevating prominent liberal bloggers like Markos Moulitsas (Founder of The Daily KOs), Atrios, and Digby amongst many others by giving them a regular platform on his show.

During the 2006 midterm elections Sam hosted a weekly segment called 'The Fighting Dems'. Organised with Markos, the segment profiled a range of Military Vets running for office as Democrats. Some candidates ran in Primaries challenging "less liberal" Democratic incumbents. The initiative helped propel military Democrats like Jim Webb into office. Sam was arguably the first national broadcaster to spotlight Senator Webb.

Whilst Sam has enjoyed great support from his audience, he has had a tumultuous career as a talker. He has had 3 different shows on AirAmerica ('The Majority Report', 'The Sam Seder Show' and 'Seder on Sundays') with talks of a fourth. It's possibly attributed to his outspokeness - he's been suspended for calling out a stablemate and received some grief over an on-air feud with a prominent liberal talker. Perhaps it could be something else entirely, The Boston Globe did see it fit to title it's feature profile of Sam "Failure is an option".

In our conversation we discuss the differences between the Liberal and Conservative infrastructure (ThinkTanks/ Talk radio/ Blogosphere). We Talk about the price of being outspoken and his opinion of conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Enjoy!



A list of notable Sam Seder posts
1) Sam dissects Conservative talkers John Gibson and Armstong Williams (updated: broken links resolved)
2) Sam dissects Conservative talkers Michael Medved and Michael Savage (updated: broken links resolved)
3) Funny segment that involves Rush Limbaugh and regular caller 'Dewey'
4) Sam Seder on Maureen Dowd and the mainstream mediaSam on the turbulence in Progressive talk and his own career

I started my radio career at Air America, that creates some difficulty in and of itself. That whole Ed Schultz thing was blown way out of proportion. I don't think it's helped me in any way. Across the board progressive talk radio is having some growth problems and part of that is a function of the industry as a whole. They don't recognise it as a distinct format. Frankly the industry as a whole has larger problems than progressive talk.

Sam on how his experience at Air America has helped him understand party politics

There have been times in the past at Air America where people's assumptions as to why certain things were done. My losing my morning show for example or Maron losing his show. They project (pause) that dynamic of hearing what the audience thinks is happening behind the scenes. It's given me insight in the way that I as an outsider can see what is going on in the Bush Administration. There's been times where people have sent me emails about conspiracy theories that are taking place in Air America. Sometimes the conjecture isn't necessarily irrational, when people deeply care about an institution, whether it's Air America or the US government, and it's not being responsive to them in some way. They are left to their own devices in terms of creating a narrative to explain it.

Sam on Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and the conservative audience

I don't know what their (Rush and Sean's) perception of reality is because I only know them [from what I hear]. I've met Hannity a couple of times off the show but he seems like as much of a nutball as he does on his show. I don't know the way they perceive reality. They espouse, I don't know that I would really call it a philosophy as I don't think it reaches that bar. There mouthpieces to a certain extent. Hannity is just lame, he's literally almost by definition a 'tool'.

Limbaugh I think has created a worldview that sells. If you want to create a strong and loyal audience it's a smart one. It's preying on his audiences' desire not to have such doubt in their life. It's really not that different in terms of dynamic to say Scientology or any other so-called philosophy that gives you answers and makes it easier for you. You listen to Limbaugh and anytime you're having a dilemma. It's resolved for you very simply and always in a way that makes "You" the winner because everybody else by definition is wrong and that is essentially the conservative ideology. That is why they're going to do so well in the role of the opposition...

I think Limbaugh is good at what he does, it's a very easy formula. If you look in the paper and you start with the assumption that anything you see or read that you don't do or experience on a regular basis is wrong. You'll find it's very easy because everything becomes a story...

Read full transcripts of the Sam Seder interview here

Sam Seder: when radio callers attack (then not)

I'd like to recap one of the more interesting calls between a caller and radio talker. It happened April 10, 2008 between Sam Seder and a caller named Joe. To provide context to the exchange, Sam was filling in for Randi Rhodes' timeslot after her sudden resignation from Air America. Sam had also received unfortunate news regarding his broadcasting future in an earlier program break. He learned of it not from his bosses but through internet chatter, much to Sam's frustration.

Sam described it as an "odd but somewhat entertaining call".

The exchange from Conservative Joe started off typically enough. Sam could only give the caller Joe a minute as a break was approaching.

You don't give Republicans much of a chance on your show do you? Only a minute huh.

You've been doing Talk Radio for 4 or 5 years and you haven't developed one single star. You don't have a Limbaugh, a Savage, a Hannity, a Boortz you don't have any of that...
You liberals take to talk radio like a Muslim takes to a Peace meeting.

I've got a lot more to say but I don't think you wanna hear it, you want everyone to pat you on the back, don't you?. To tell you how wonderful your liberalism is. But I wanna debate, are we on? Are you scared?

Sam Seder put the caller on hold. Postponing the fireworks till after the break, one would think.

Upon return, Joe began with the statement

I'm a rock-ribbed Republican

followed by

When you liberals talk about conservatives and always put us down you have some points...because the administration has trailed off dramatically

This was the first of many odd strings where Joe would telegraph a punch then veer in the opposite direction.

You talk as if everything is wrong with the Republicans and you Democrats are squeaky clean...with this primary Hillary Clinton has proven herself a racist along with Bill Clinton

(here comes the swerve)

against my man Barack

I would prefer people listened to the segment as it's better appreciated heard than read.
Listen to the 10 minute segment between Sam Seder and Caller Joe here

Partial transcripts below:
As is Sam's MO he encourages listeners to exercise their own judgment and due diligence rather than blind faith.

Caller Joe: I actually crossed over out of pure disgust and disdain for McCain... That's why I'm listening. I'm trying to indoctrinate myself into your kind of thinking...

Seder: Joe you don't want to be indoctrinated. What you want to do is to actually start to flex the muscles.

Sam has never been one for self aggrandizing at the expense of real issues. In this exchange, he defines his difference in priorities with the caller

Caller Joe: You liberals don't take to talk radio, if you ever listen to my man Michael Savage you'll understand that Talk Radio is all about bashing people. See that's why your ratings are not that great...you guys are trying to learn but some of you guys just don't have the knack for it...

Seder: Here's the difference between you and me Joe ...(Sam lists a series of Political issues facing the country)... so the notion as to whether or not Neal Boortz, because there is some type of distribution mechanism that favors him is doing well. I can't tell you. There isn't any part of my body small enough that could be a repository for how much I care about that. But for you it's a game. See this is the problem with the conservative mindset Joe. You just want to win.

But you don't want to win anything of substance. You just need to make yourself feel better...

True to form Joe ended with another curious headfake

You screwed Randi Rhodes, God Bless Jeff Farias and Mike Malloy. Go to hell loser!

Go to Sam Seder's official website
Watch the exchange in Video (Sammy Cam, April 10 2008) - Recommended: Watch Sam candidly during program breaks, including him excoriating his bosses off-air.

Janeane, Seder, Maher and Coulter

Today I heard for the first time, Sam Seder and Janeane Garofalo's maiden episode of their Majority Report radio show. It was a very entertaining and smooth running show, especially considering they were radio amateurs at the time and aren't exactly famed for their preparedness.

The inaugural show featured top notch guests, progressive businessman Ben Cohen (Ben of Ben and Jerry's), blogger Atrios as well as uber comedians Bill Maher and Dave Chappelle.

Its an episode worth seeking. I've chosen this particular snippet simply because it features and references 4 APF pundits.

GAROFALO: You're friendship with Ann Coulter which a lot of people make a lot of. It does strike me as weird though as one of your main tenants of your stand up... you were saying is that "we can't tolerate intolerance"
MAHER: Right
GAROFALO: and Ann Coulter is very, very, very intolerant. At least her public persona is. I don't know what she's like behind closed doors. Her public persona is so intolerant as to be absurd... she says things that are bordering on performance art. In fact I do have a theory that she is Andy Kaufman, the female Tony Clifton.

Listen to a snippet of Majority Report Episode 1 (March 31, 2004)
Go to the old Majority Report blog

Seder VS Maron on the Democratic Primary

Listen to Maron VS Seder Episode 14

I encourage readers to listen to the New Years Episode of Maron VS Seder. For those unfamiliar with Maron VS Seder, its essentially a conversation between two friends talking unfettered about politics and anything else that comes to mind. Both are comedians and Air America alums.

What makes the show unique is the candidness in which they speak as there are no commercial considerations. The format also allows them to touch on narratives and in a depth not found in other media except perhaps the blogosphere. They just press record and start talking. On the negative side, its poorly presented because of its reliance on temperamental emerging technologies and achieved without the help of a producer.

Note: Unless you're charmed by men fumbling around with technology or Sam dreading the unknown (you'll know what I mean when you listen to it), it might be best to skip the traditional first 10 minutes of dead air. Otherwise its a riveting listen.

This episode discusses the dilemma both face in the Democratic Primary on who to vote for. Its a toss up between John Edwards and Barack Obama. Both candidly discuss the the role rhetoric and political correctness will play in their chances for the General Election, conceding they may be playing into Republican memes.

Line of the night goes to Maron,
After Sam talked about the possibility of Barack rejuvenating and empowering the liberal tent, Mark facetiously commented:

MARC MARON: In my experience, just being part of Air America. There's nothing better than, opening the door to as many progressives as possible, because it always ends well and everything is wonderful. When progressives come from all different sides and get involved in one undertaking. Cause it always works out.

Visit Marc Maron's official website
Visit Sam Seder's official website
Go to Marc's IMDB profile
Go to Sam's IMDB profile

Henry Rollins on Air America Radio's 'Ring of Fire': Who has the power?

When we think of politicians, we think "people of power and influence". The whole idea behind the APF was the contention that it is actually the pundit class who wield the most influence. A handful of pundits can command a million-strong voting bloc, they shape the minds of the public and can unite them to a cause. Whilst the politicians ultimately have the last word in legislation, the Pundit Class can foment national feeling and set the agenda.

But perhaps its all subterfuge. Henry Rollins raised an interesting point regarding power in a conversation on Air America's 'Ring of Fire'. Maybe its neither the politicians nor the pundits setting the agenda?

Listen to the entire episode here (March 17, 2007)
View episode details here
Unfortunately I don't have it in smaller snippet form. The relevant bits start at the 11min mark.

Below is a rough transcript:

"... the top of the pyramid it's the KBRs and the people who make the world go round.... when you see the size and terms these people are thinking in, where you and you're sign downtown going 'Nooo more war'. Man they don't even watch, you don't matter... to a lot of these people... you're just an extra in their movie. Shut up and go along with it!
That's why you see guys like Sean Hannity, who wish they could be at the party. They've got the money but no one in real power is ever going to invite them anywhere. His best front seat was hanging out with Donald Rumsfeld going into Iraq."

It an interesting insight. Whilst the Pundit class in many ways is a lobby group for the people and political ideology, its no match for the larger monied and corporate interests.

Sam Seder demoted, leaving?

The smarks out there may already be aware of this information. APF pundit Sam Seder as of Friday April 13, will no longer be on Air America weekdays. Sam Seder said as much on Friday's show, live on SammyCam (live video streaming) after a caller brought up the rumor. Sam has told SammyCam viewers that a formal announcement would be made at the start of his final week. He has reportedly been given a Sunday timeslot. More details can be found on Blatherwatch.

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that he was receiving a solid push by the APF (read former Sam Seder posts here). One reason why Sam was popular in the APF was his frequent referencing and cajoling of Bill O'Reilly and Red team pundits from Hannity to Limbaugh. Another reason for Sam's popularity was his willingness to speak up against other personalities in his sphere that he had disagreements with. Though I wouldn't consider him combative, he was not afraid to criticize or comment on people no matter how awkward or damaging professionally doing so might be.
He commented on different pundits from print, TV and Radio. Not afraid to name names and often calling them out directly. It will be interesting to see how this will affect his future prospects in the long run.

Some notable personalities Sam has spoken about:
1) Favorite targets include Tim Russert, Thomas Friedman and Chris Matthews etc..
2) Lobbying for Thom Hartmann (a personal favourite talker of Sam's) to fill Al Franken's vacant timeslot. This raised the ire of popular liberal talker Ed Schultz. Read former post here.
3) While emceeing a stage performance of 'All the President's men'. Sam criticized Bob Woodward who was not in attendance, Carl came to his partner's defense. Read about it here.
4) Marc Maron, a good friend of Sam's and former regular on his show was talking about a possible gig partnering with Ana Marie Cox (founding editor of Wonkette). Sam was not afraid to share his opinion of her possibly making things awkward for Marc. Listen to Marc's final conversation with Sam on Air America. Because of these new developments, its interesting to hear it in this new context.

My posts are usually never this current, they are often essays and references that are not date specific. I just wanted to write this to simply encourage readers to sample Sam if they haven't already done so as time is running out. Find out where to listen here. Go to Sam's blog here.
If you'd like to send an email to Sam, send to samsedershow@gmail.com

I've removed the details for contacting Air America after some advice from a reader. I would encourage all readers to share their thoughts and opinions of Sam.

Update
Sam is unapologetically outspoken, even if it means upsetting his employers. After taking a dig at Armstrong Williams- the morning cohost for Air America's flagship New York affiliate. Sam was punished by being taken off the air in NY the following day. After serving his punishment, Sam was as defiant as ever repeating his taunt and indulging in the support from his listeners. Sam was sarcastically commenting on Armstrong Williams' credibility, tarnished after being paid by the White House to promote a policy he had previously criticized.

Listen to Sam's smackdown of Armstrong Williams here:
Part 1 "Its not my fault that Armstrong Williams has had such a chequered past..."
Part 2 "apparently Armstrong Williams has thin skin..."
Part 3 "Armstrong Williams was mischaracterising the exchange that Jim Webb had with George Bush"