air america: get local!

Everyone agrees. Liberal talk’s future in Seattle needs Air America to hire local hosts talking about local issues. KVI has Kirby Wilbur and John Carlson who have rabid followings and have built impressive radio “communities.”

I know, I know, they exist to rally and organize Republicans and to re-educate people as conservatives. They’re impressive as political tools, but also as entertainers who have survived in a competative jungle.

I’ve got a call in to AM 1090 program Director Jim Trapp--I ‘m hoping he’ll share his timetable with blatherWatch for hiring some local liberal talent. So far he’s blown me off.

We’ ve already had some nominees for the new blabberjockeys. The irrepressible, brilliant and blognacious Goldy (really David Goldstein) of Horsesass.org has been nominated and already agreed to take the 6-9a shift.

Stranger Editor and sex columnist Dan Savage has been shortlisted. He had a sex advice show in the ‘90’s on the old KCMU (nee KEXP) which was hilarious and outrageous as you can imagine. He endeared himself to many of us during those brief years.

Mike Siegel (KTTH m-f, 6-9a) may be looking for work soon. With his ability (or whatever) to be a conservative in the morning and a liberal in the afternoon, he might be up for a major flip-flop once again

I’d love to see Dave Ross (KIRO m-f,3-6p) come over. He’s doing the Lord’s work, but we hear he’s got problems with his new commercial/traffic-heavy format, and it’s hard to pry liberals away from “All Things Considered.”

Rock promoter and club owner (the Mirabeau Room) Dave Meinert has the politics, and the licks to do the work. Rocker Eddie Vedder has been cool whenever he’s appeared on the Mike Webb Show. But Krist Novoselic filling in on KIRO when Dave Ross was off was as exciting as an oatmeal enema.   

Ex-City councilwoman and slick chick Judy Nicastro is already doing some talk down at KIRO. Some may argue about her liberal credentials, but I wouldn’t. The same as former City Attorney and candidate for Attorney General, Mark Sidran, who is a progressive and very funny.

Poet/novelist/movie maker Sherman Alexie is quick on his feet--he’s been a comedian. The venerable rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot was wonderful on Rewind, Bill Radke’s dearly departed NPR raidie-yo show. Knute “Skip” Berger, editor and mossback of the Seattle Weekly and a Rewind stalwart is whimsical and smart and has a curiously curious mind. 

Mike Webb (KIRO m-f, 9p-1a) is said to be in ratings trouble at night--maybe he’d make the switch. He’s a bit of a pain in the ass, though, who pisses off a lot of listeners who otherwise agree with him. “He’s got issues,” as loyal blatherWatcher Scott has commented.

Who would you nominate? How about yourself? Send me names and numbers. Let’s help Jim Trapp get left politics up and really running in Seattle. 

Comments

[Ivan]

My gosh, Mike, it would have to be Frank Blair and Audrey Chase of "Equal Time," on KLAY-AM 1180, Fridays from noon to 1.

Air America couldn't do better than those two. They are just a hoot!

[Bill Groom]

There's got to be more to a radio program than just calling people names hour after hour.

[Fremont]

I've heard Michael Hood on the radio, read his work in several local publications, and I think he'd be as witty and caustic as his blog. His roots are Republican, though....and his addicition to right-wing radio is suspicious...

[alex]

Hey--do you know the ratings book on am 1090? How are they doing? The wall-to-wall PSAs made me nervous, but now they seem to be selling some ad space. I'm wondering if Franken's upcoming visit is a sign of trouble. I would hate to lose this station.

[Joseph Coleman]

I want a tryout; I've always been told this is my gift; TO BE A TALK SHOW HOST. CALL ME AT 931-762-3981

[Joseph Coleman]

I'm the next Tom Snyder

[Joseph Coleman]

what is attributed to alex is what i stated