Mourning Morning Sedition

By The Era
An ERA Editorial
December 12th, 2005



Air America Radio began on March 31st, 2004. I was very interested in this new network's possibilities in changing what was going on in the political atmosphere. I listened the very first day. I was amused to hear Al Franken and disgusted with Randi Rhodes treatment of Ralph Nader. The Majority Report stood it's ground as the liberal show it should be.

Morning came and there was the "Morning Sedition" and "Unfiltered". These were strikingly different shows. Chuck D, Rachel Maddow, Lizz Winstead were the hosts on 'Unfiltered' ,and Mark Riley and Marc Maron have been the hosts on 'Morning Sedition.' I thought, this is great, Chuck D! Man, I grew up on his music. He is a great voice of my generation. Mix in the wit and intelligence of both Maddow and Winstead, and Unfiltered was a definite listen for me nearly everyday. Morning Sedition was of the same ilk. Marc Maron, a comedian, author, and an inexperienced radio host paired with Mark Riley whose well grounded opinions and long time radio experience made him the perfect counter to Maron's hilarious rantings. Unfiltered was canceled in March of 2005.

I admit I was and am an AAR junkie.

In July of 2004 my Father passed away. This was a very difficult time for me. I live and teach in Japan and I couldn't make it home, but I did get back for Christmas. August in Tokyo is extremely hot and I hate the heat. So, over the summer, I laid in my steam filled dark room and listened. Morning Sedition and Unfiltered became my best friends. They made me laugh when I was crying inside. When the election season started they amped me up to become more involved and speak out. I'm sure this was annoying to friends and family at times but I think they caught the bug too. The election ended and Bush "won" again. I was shocked. How could this be?

I woke up and my bed was filled with Marc Maron's voice.

But this wasn't the Maron I knew, the comedian turned inexperienced radio host ranting like a reluctant messiah. No, there was a strength and power to his voice now that I didn't get before. His deathly honest commentary and thoughts hit me like a silver bullet. Maron doesn't pretend to know everything and he always questions the so-called facts. He has grown into a rising force in the political radio world. Nobody has anything on Maron because along with the serious he also brings the 'funny'. The comedy writing and bits presented by Maron, Riley, Jim Earl, Kent Jones and Barry Lank are edgy, smart and hilarious. Add in the rest of the team, Pashman, Mcdonald and K-Lo and you get what can only be called brilliant.

Liken the show to another great, The Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, but mix in the cutting edge of Richard Pryor type comedy, the rebellious music of The Velvet Underground, and the political jargon of John Lennon, and you get Morning Sedition.

This brilliant show is to be canceled and Marc Maron's contract is still under negotiations.

I and other listeners, and bloggers tried in vain to save this show, but the corporate big wigs at AAR didn't listen. It's a real shame. That is why I'm mourning Morning Sedition.