Lee Rayburn returns to the Mic

Current | Media

aar051807.jpgLast night during an appearance by Jones Radio Network superstar Stephanie Miller at the Barrymore we learned that Lee Rayburn will be returning to the local airwaves from 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. daily on 92.1 the Mic. Rayburn will once again be preceding Miller after uncermoniously being ripped from that time slot last year as Clear Channel pondered a move to switch 92.1 from progressive talk to FOX Sports.

Rayburn has been doing time nationally on Air America, filling in as the network tries to replace hosts such as Sam Seder. This move by the Mic fills a gaping void of zero local daily content at the local Air America affiliate. It is unclear what this announcement means for Rayburn's independent project Willy Street Media. More details to come...

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Oooh la la!

This is great news.

Great news for some, guarded optemism for others

I have two separate but equal reactions to the news that the Pro Show will be back beginning Monday.

First, I am happy that The Mic will have locally produced and locally relevant programming on a daily basis. That's a really good thing for the station and for Madison.

Second, I am really, really, really hoping Lee Rayburn can do a better job, a more professional job, and be markedly less grating than he was the last go-round. I always felt Mr. Rayburn's intentions were 100% good. But his attempts at humor, ability to articulate a point of view, and general screechiness made the show unbearable at times.

Mine is not likely to be a popular opinion here. But I really do hope the Pro Show can succeed. Hopefully, Mr. Rayburn has developed as a broadcaster while working as a national fill-in host, and can come off a little less like Mike Mallow and a lot more like Rachel Maddow.

Meanwhile, I'm glad The Young Turks is available all day on line. I grew to really like their show and will miss it.

Rachel Maddow

I have to say that she is one of my favorite Air America hosts.

this morning

Despite the fact that I met a new level of grogginess this morning, I tuned in and was so pleased to hear that familiar voice again. Nothing about it was screechy or unprofessional. What (always) impresses me about Lee's style is that he can pack so much information into very little time--he's concise, and his thoughts connect and flow so that even in my early morning state I can follow him and eventually get my brain up to normal speed.

I loved it. I'm going to start getting up earlier again so that I can listen to more of the show. His last 15 minutes this morning were amazing.

A good start

He started off being somewhat self-effacing, and reminded listeners that while he may not be the best broadcaster, his is the only show of its kind in Wisconsin. Two of the first hour segments were very good... the sad recounting of the week that was in Milwaukee, and the first of a multipart recap of the Wisconsin GOP convention.

One day does not make a broadcast, but today was a great start. I hope he continues this new Lee 2.0. Kudos to Jeff Tyler and Mike Ferris for giving Madison some local progressive programming, and for giving Mr Rayburn a second chance.

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