I've just cancelled my Premium Membership to Air America. I'm done. I was going to give it a chance assuming Seder would be given the nod but this is a sinking ship that will no longer have my hard-earned and limited dollars.

Ron Kuby -- great!! Congratulations, Mr. Kuby. I'll be listening. (There is room on the air for Sam Seder once the corporate grip on the airwaves is thrown out under an Obama presidency, shawn)

I think Sam deserves a show for sure.

I have never heard of Kuby before, but he seems like a pretty decent guy based on his "spare time" activities. For me, however it all comes down to economic and trade policy, as nothing impacts Americans lives like their bottom line, and no real progressive will defend policies that enrich so few at the expense of so much to this nation. I hope this guy isn't a Clinton Democrat, but I will give him a chance not to be.

I'm caught in the decision as to whether Thom Hartmann podcasts are worth the expense. I'd mostly been hanging around waiting to see if Sam would get a good weekday show. It's not really the place for him anymore, though, with Rachel as the only other original and she turning into a TV pundit. Make Nova M successful and perhaps Sam'll get a job there, when there is money to pay him. Perhaps Kuby is a better choice for AAR.

barry schwartz
blogging: http://chemoelectric.org
free stuff: http://crudfactory.com

No offense Kuby. Whoever you are.

I've been hanging on and hanging on. No Sam Seder, anywhere, any time. Back to NPR, I guess. Ugh.

I KNEW AS SOON AS I READ THE COMMENTS ABOUT HIM THAT HE WAS THE WORST POSSIBLE CHOICE & SO AAR WOULD OF COURSE CHOOSE HIM. JUST LIKE LIONEL. I'M SURE THEY HAD THIS PLANNED ALL ALONG & MADE UP ALL THAT SHIT ABOUT THE LISTENERS VOTING FOR THE BEST HOST. READ THE COMMENTS. THE ONLY ONES ANYONE LIKED WERE SAM & MARC. AAR DESERVES NEITHER. THOM & RING OF FIRE HAVE THEIR OWN PODCASTS SO AAR IS USELESS NOW. SAM & MARC CAN DO THEIR OWN WEBCAST LIKE THE YOUNG TURKS. I'LL GLADLY LISTEN THERE. I'M DONE WITH THIS SITE FOR GOOD.

And the revolving door spins again, I wonder how long it will take this host to go the way of Seder.... It's like AAR is TRYING to fail!

The last chance for Air America's management to make a good decision and hire Sam Seder for the 3-6 spot and you blew it. Goodbye Air America.

Sweet-- Just got a nice email from the folks at AAR. Apparently I've got a $52.33 refund coming to me since I canceled my subscription.

I've decided to donate it to Obama's general election campaign.......

It's simply not true. Frankly if AAR went away we would have a very good supply of liberal talk radio. I'm also sure that the best remaining hosts of this network would find a home. As a matter of fact, while I do not know the details of Hartman's contract with AAR, it seems clear to me that he is set up independently with an affiliation to AAR.

There are the following that come to mind at the moment. I'm sure as I rattle these off quickly I'll miss some.

NovaM Radio with Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy, also Jeff Farias is local on KPHX
Jones network with Stephanie Miller, Bill Press and Ed Schultz
Headonradio with Bob Kinkaid
Peter B Collins - independent liberal host
Charles Goyette - independent/Libertarian

And I'm sure as soon as I post this I'll remember more. Peter Collins sometimes fills in for Hartman. There was another host that did so often but I don't remember his name.

Of all these I usually listen to Mike Malloy, Peter B Collins and Charles Goyette. I also sometimes listen to Randi, Rachel Maddow, Thom Hartman, Jeff Farias. If Sam were on the radio he would be in the first group of more often listened to. I like to mix it up each week. Try different hosts now and then.

So I don't look at the success or failure of this one network as defining whether left talk radio works or if the message is valid or not.

But the trolls are very misinformed. Nothing new.

... but you've finally lost this long time listener.

Not only did you not give Seder the weekday time slot, you killed his weekend show. He was the only thing I continued to listen to on AAR, except Rachel, and without Kent Jones, she's a bit dry for my tastes. She'll be gone soon anyway, she has talent and that's not something AAR can appreciate.

Someone must need to lose money for a tax write off, as it's clear the powers that be don't want AAR to be succesful.

The hosts that have been the most outspoken against democratic party members whose interests are closer to the corporations than the voters have been squeezed out.

I'm quite sure that management at AAR would prefer for instance that when a grass roots effort puts up a challenger to a democratic incumbent, this network would prefer that the hosts speak favorably of the established candidate. Management for instance probably backed Lieberman over Lamaont. They will back Pelosi over Sheehan. And they most certainly want to steer clear of foreign lobbyists like AIPAC. They probably subscribe to the notion that any criticism of Israeli policy or AIPAC's influence on US politics is equivalent to anti-semitism.

It's always fun reading the trolls words. They use false dilemnas all the time to justify their opinions. They also exhibit very poor reading comprehension. And their knowledge of history is very weak and often revised.

It's clear that trying to change these people should never be the goal. They are hopelessly lost souls. No the goal should be to target those with at least a minimum of historical knowledge and reading comprehension. These people are able to see the absurdity of the right wing talking points. Often its just the case that people have heard the buzz words and not been challenged to really think.

Don't waste time on people that can't think beyond the talking point. Just enjoy the humor they provide.

It doesn't seem like the people making the decisions are thinking it through. I tried listening to every "American Afternoon" host. Being familiar with Mr. Kuby I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but it is a far cry from the young, funny, fast-paced artistry that was Marc Maron and Sam Seder. I am perplexed as to why radio execs in progressive radio would choose the host that is the least likely to push the envelope. The fact that Marc and Sam made us think about the tough stuff and laugh about the rest was what made AAR worth my subscription.

On the upside this will probably drag it down to the point where the current owners will sell it off to a different owner, one who might be willing to try something spicier than the likes of Kuby and Lionel.

the Z girl

"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."

The "Man's Prayer" from The Red Green Show

I don't know how many people had to BEG you to put Sam Seder in that time slot, but obviously you are too dense for those messages. How about this one: I am an Air America Premium listener (That means I PAY MONEY EVERY MONTH!) If I can not have Sam Seder on Air America, I CANCEL MY Membership!! There ore other voices out there that are not so whipped. You just want to be another info-tainment network. Tell me again how you are different from Fox?? You are getting more alike every day!

Looks like a lot of kids (who advertisers aren't interested in) are upset because AAR has chosen to hire an adult for afternoon drive. Ron Kuby appeals to people over 24, the sort of people who don't spend a lot of time complaining on Internet message boards -- but who are in the coveted 25-54 demographic.

There's a reason why Ed Schultz is the most successful progressive talk show host -- I don't like him, but he doesn't sound like a kid (and yes, I know that Seder is in his 40s -- he just doesn't sound it).

I am soooo over this crappy network. I hung around for Sam and I'm actually relieved that the losers here don't recognize his talent, because just for the fact that they don't see it, proves that he truely is quality. This will be the best thing to happen to Sam in a long time, I'm sure of it. I solemnly swear that I will never, ever tune in to this fucking station again.

I really did not wan to but I canceled my membership after 2+yrs. I can't believe you passed Sam Seder up again. He was your best host. I hope he goes to Nova M.

I still can't believe you guys... shoot yourself in the foot again; Sam and Marc will end up elsewhere, I hope, and further dilute my once favorite network... NovaM and the Young Turks now get my premium contributions... I won't be renewing till I see a real move to try and break into a new timeslot with Sam/Marc... maybe the Bill Press slot? It's currently boring. Maybe the late night slot vacated by Lionel? It's empty...

Your opportunities are fast disappearing.

Me thinks you want it that way... Thank goodness for real progressive owners/independents... you're fast becoming only a name.

I can only listen to the 5-minute, top-of-the hour headlines on NPR, because it has been pulled so far to the right and fluffed up that there isn't much for me there anymore. I see the same thing happening with Air America Radio. There are already plenty of venues on the TV-machine, NPR, and corporate radio to cover the middle and right side of the road, so whoever has grabbed the wheel at AAR and is turning it hard to the center is making room on the dial for progressive radio that can be filled by the likes of Nova M. I truly hope that Nova M can find a spot for Sammy...

Sam would have been nice in the afternoon. But I'm not canceling my subscription. Lionel is pretty good (although I have to say, when was on at WOR, it was a much, MUCH better show) and of course Rachel is great. But man, AAR is becoming mediocre.

Gepetto

Kuby had a show with right-wing moron Curtis Sliwa. It was in essence a "Hannity & Colmes" of radio. BUT IT WAS ON WABC FOR CHRISAKE. You could put a monkey on 3 hrs and get in the top 10. When you put Ron Kuby on his own on a piece of crap stick (low power signal) like WWRL and there is no FREAKIN' way he will pull in the ratings he did before. Let me remind you WABC (Rush Limbaugh & Sean Hannity's Station!) had a loyal listener base who tuned in to listen to Sliwa (still with WABC), not Kuby. That is fact.

Do you think the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, and Beck are successful because they run from controversy or having extreme views? The fact is, history has shown time and again that the most outrageous radio is the most successful.

AAR you had a chance to not to screw this up and you failed.....again. I'm done with your milk-toast garbage programing. Let me know when you grow a pair and I consider listening again.

Member 3 years - 8 weeks.

I will not join Nova M until they hire Sam. SAM IF YOU ARE READING THIS - MY CHECKBOOK IS OPEN DUDE!

As many many people have stated over and over and over again.

THE ONLY REASON THAT WE HAVE GAIN BACK ANY SIMPLANCE OF CONTROL IS BECAUSE OF VOICES OF PAST AAR HOST - NOT THESE - TYPES.

Oh and Who the Hell is Richard Greene and how did he get a prime spot @ 9 - 11? Seriously? Lets all smoke dope and listen then fall asleep kind of guy. JHC

Teamsters - reconcider your support on this site - AAR sucks!

It's been nice knowing you. Maron and Seder are both available, and you hire Ron Kuby. Nice work, morons.

Same thing I said when you hired Lionel. I will never know if Kuby is good or not. I won't listen. I'm tired of falling in love with AAR personalities only to have them shoved out in the most painful ways. Your best hope was in finding slots for Sam and Marc. You have all kinds of time to fill. My day used to revolve around AAR. I listened from 4 in the morning (online) till evening. Now it's novam till 3, then Rachel when she's there. I'm bummed, I really had passion for your mission. And for the person above who called people who like Sam childish, cool, I like being called childish at 51.

NEWSFLASH AAR there are lots of other things to do rather than listen to the radio, you better do better than Ron Kuby or Lionel or you won't even keep the listeners you have now much-less add any others.

Well I can say absolutely of all the people to temp in the slot Ron Kuby is the LAST ONE I would pick... I would check out others first as well. Personally I found him very unsavory, just don't like him. I'm not saying he is a bad person I just didn't enjoy listening to his shows.

I like Belz am not prone to hyperbole (man he really uses that a lot huh?) so honestly I just will never listen to the 3-6 slot, unless someone like Sam or Marc fill in for him.

So now I have more free time. I listen to Thom, Rachel, Clout, and ROF & now P-Direct on weekends.

Maybe the worst part is, I am not even surprised of course you have dissapointed many of us again... perhaps you could explain how you make your decisons sometime if you can get anyone to listen to them anymore because you have lost a lot of cred with me for sure and from the looks of it a lot of others... you probably need a complaint box, a really big one... I guess this will do.

You know this may be because of your lack of credibility in your "talent" decisions but it appears that you may have scamed the listeners and whoever you misled into believing they had a shot at a 5-day slot. But that you made the decison not based on what your listeners want but some unknown way. I guess I am saying I believe you cannot honestly say exactly when you "made your decison" or the real "reasoning" behind it.

My best guess is this, "(Regardless of the feelings of our listeners, unsaid), We believe Ron Kuby will net us more listenership and thus more ad revenue." You may believe that but it doesn't make it so, unless some fix is in.

I cannot really express how much I disagree with your "decision", I can't help be think there is a lot more to this, course there must be because AAR isn't saying much and what their saying (This release) is... well it seems like very poor judgement or just isn't quite true, or both.

You know what would make me walk away forever? If I found out AAR was lying to me and then the parties involved were not dealt with appropriately. I feel you should be questioned seriously on your decisions and you better damn well tell the truth. The AAR listeners are not your typical radio listeners we have standards, I personally could not listen to a show if it lacked honesty, integrity, and was not genuinely interesting.

Ron Kuby is not interesting to me from what I have heard, and I just don't want to invest the time in giving him another shot.

Will now only check in to listen to Lionel and to see if Seder is subbing for someone.

I can access Randi Rhodes, Rachel Maddow, and Mike Malloy via free stream here: http://www.novamradio.com/live/stream.php