HBO's "Left of the Dial"

What was intended to capture the birth of a new progressive radio era, actually captures the beginning of the end.

Wow.

This is a must view for Conservatives.

After watching this documentary covering Air America's launch and anemic progress in the year since its inception, I don't think any Right-wing group could have made a more damning exposé.

Realize this -- if not for the generosity of 4 or more billionaire donors (Evan Cohen, Mark Walsh, Danny Goldberg, Doug Creeger, did I miss someone?), this network would cease to exist due to lack of listeners, inept management, weak talent, and most importantly -- a lack of ad revenue. Air America is apparently an involuntary non-profit, as it were.

It's not entirely clear how long moneyed donors will continue to throw good dollars after bad at this radio stillbirth. After all, is there profit to be made in a market already flooded with Liberal thought?

Apparently Garofalo and Franken still don't get that for the last 30 years Norman Lear, Bob Edwards, Dan Rather, Alan Alda, Ed Asner, et al. have been giving this stuff away for free morning, noon, and night on the radio and on television.

Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and all the others exist on radio precisely as a middle finger to the Left's unchallenged dominance on TV news and prime-time shows in the last three decades. Air America is apparently the Left's panicked response to the emergence of little ole Fox News and the popularity of Right-wing radio...with one exception, that is. Conservative radio shows actually do make money - even without fawning New York Times Magazine front pages.

How they have managed to find funding quarterly to keep the power on is indeed a mystery. However, what is vividly clear in this docu-drama is that the network is staffed with neurotic, self-absorbed, ego maniacs whose airheaded rants demonstrate nothing about what they stand for. Sadly, one sees only what they stand against. Sound familiar?

Who better than Liberals themselves to demonstrate their manic obsession with criticism? It's only when these jocks realize they now have to fill 3 hours on the air with their own ideas instead of simply shouting down Conservatives' plans that you begin to feel sorry for them...and bored too. Predictably, expect insults leveled at the usual suspects: President Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleeza Rice, Halliburton, Karl Rove, Don Rumsfeld, and Christians as a whole. YAWNNN...

I got the feeling I was watching some ill-conceived cocktail party idea among Leftist celebrities who had too much money and hubris to be told, "Wait! This is a horrible idea!" by the designated drivers in the room.
The documentary displays in full, wide-screen glory (or is it gory?) Air America's bankruptcy 2 weeks after their first show, the deceit surrounding their solvency by owners, and the subsequent panhandling that has served as the network's primary source of income in the last year.

These sad radio "personalities" include Janeane Garofalo (way over her hea), Randi Rhodes (all the charm and talent of a catheter), Al "I demand to be taken seriously" Franken, and as of March 2005, the moral and intellectual giant, Jerry Springer. Yes, THAT Jerry Springer. The day Conservatives choose Jerry Springer as spokesman is the day I bid farewell to Conservatism.

I say "sad" not simply for their painful and awkward incompetence in radio, but for the depressing state of their lives depicted off the microphone which are marked by personal chaos, ubiquitous profanity, seething hatreds, duplicity among friends, professional jealousy, etc...

It's the same "lost" look and feel of the unprincipled, the undisciplined, the untalented, the uninspired, etc... (Public Enemy front man turned radio host, Chuck D can’t even make it to his show on time.) You may know these types in your own lives. I remember them in college at the parties, faculty lounges, and the“Peace & Justice” rallies I attended as a Liberal undergraduate with a head full of mush.
Grab the popcorn and turn on HBO soon to check it out. Christmas for Conservatives has come early. I give it two enthusiastic Thumbs Up! It's the "feel good" comedy of the year!

But, don't take my word for it...check out this ratings overview to find out how Air America (or is it "Err America") is REALLY doing.

Here's a Hint: You won't get this from the mainstream media (MSM) who are all too eager to congratulate Franken and company on one year of existence instead of 365 days of near extinction and daily commercial failure.