Feminist radio flops

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 20, 2007 03:12 PM

Brian Maloney reported last week on the failure of Jane Fonda’s femtalk radio network. Apparently, the women who promised to empower their sisters on the airwaves are now set to stiff their own employees. Wimmin oppressing wimmin. How…liberating!

Carrie Lukas has more in today’s NYPost on what women do and don’t want to hear:

Plenty of media outlets target women - from sappy dramas on Lifetime and Oxygen to family-centered morning shows and magazines - and draw large audiences and big advertising dollars. GreenStone Media sought to imitate those successes. Its Web site explained, “Talk That Women REALLY Want . . . Only Green- stone Media gives you a lineup of personality talk that best appeals to the demo advertisers want most - women 25-54.” It seemed a good sales pitch; certainly advertisers welcome the chance to reach this coveted female audience on the radio.

GreenStone’s problem was it couldn’t attract an audience of either gender. The programming was picked up by only eight affiliates in small to mid-sized markets. Apparently, GreenStone’s programming wasn’t the talk that women really want.

GreenStone’s president and CEO Susan Ness laments the end of its programming as a loss for women, opining that “women need a voice on commercial radio,” and “radio needs women’s voices.” Perhaps Ness should use her time off to tune in to other stations. She’ll find there are many prominent women on the airwaves; they’re just not saying what she thinks they should.

Laura Ingraham, an outspoken conservative and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thomas, has been on the air since 2001 and is now heard on 340 stations. Ingraham draws an audience in excess of 5 million, and regularly ranks among the top-10 most influential radio hosts.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger draws an even larger audience with very different programming. It can be best described as an advice show, but is anything but touchy feely. “Dr. Laura” serves as a hard-hitting host, unabashedly lecturing her callers about their morals and values. Other women, such as Martha Zoeller, Janet Parshall and Tammy Bruce, join these two powerhouse hosts.

Of course, most significantly, women don’t just listen to women radio hosts. Women tune in to men on a wide variety of topics. Rush Limbaugh’s 20 million listeners include millions of women. Millions more tune in to hear Sean Hannity and the other conservative, male talk-show hosts around the country. Although Ness may not want to hear it, Limbaugh and conservative talk radio apparently is programming for women.

Posted in: Feminist Nonsense

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Bill's Bites
  2. Neocon News » Jane Fonda finds another group to alienate
  3. IMAO
  4. PAXALLES
  5. 9e998ff9cdf626c76056

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:21 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Two words: Katie Couric

  2. #2
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:28 pm, Rational Thought said:

    Two more words (to Jane and friends):

    Buh-Bye

  3. #3
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm, reine.de.tout said:

    GreenStone CEO Susan Ness told the staff that no one gets paid after Friday—”No severance, no extension of health insurance (COBRA), no honoring of personal contracts,” some of which call for three months’ severance pay, the source said.

    Well, I was in the workforce for 34 years. The worst bosses I ever had? Other women, particularly those into “sister power”. The absolute BEST boss I ever had? Retired Marine Colonel.

  4. #4
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:34 pm, ajmontana said:

    Jane who? yawnnnnnn.

  5. #5
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:35 pm, spidgy said:

    I guess Ness never heard of Stephanie Miller. Oops — sorry. It’s what *women* want to hear, not liberal wimmen! Who needs radio when there’s the NYT, Newsweek and CBS?

  6. #6
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:38 pm, Regulus said:

    Funny, I wasn’t even aware that this “wymnyn’s network” was even around. But then again, I’m not in their target demographic.

    Sounds like another example of superficial thinking leading to a superficial product or service. Women, like men, generally will buy into something based on substance more than some facile surface characteristic.

    Going onto the public airwaves with a philosophy meant to alienate half of the potential listenership sounds like a great way to fail.

    So, I’m still confused:

    Ellen Goodman whines because of the “partiarchy” of the blogosphere. But when Jane Fonda sets up a “No Boys Allowed!” radio network and it fails, that’s cause for whining, too.

    Form Follows Function. Give the readers/listeners hard-hitting, informative, entertaining content, and they will come. Michelle’s blog and Laura’s radio show are elegant proof of this concept. Why is this so hard for certain people to grasp?

  7. #7
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:54 pm, swj719AWG said:

    GreenStone CEO Susan Ness told the staff that no one gets paid after Friday—”No severance, no extension of health insurance (COBRA), no honoring of personal contracts,” some of which call for three months’ severance pay, the source said.

    Is that even legal????

  8. #8
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pm, taylork said:

    As Rush says, it’s about content. Why would anyone expect one of the most vapid celebs around know anything about content and substance?

  9. #9
    On August 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm, ajmontana said:

    oh those celebs know alot about substance…lmao

  10. #10
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:00 pm, ajmontana said:

    swj, I’m not sure if it’s leagal but what would it cost in legal fees to recoup 3 mos. salary?

  11. #11
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:00 pm, ajmontana said:

    corr. legal

  12. #12
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:01 pm, taylork said:

    they might know a lot about substances…

  13. #13
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    The only reason Rush is still popular is Michelle is not in radio.

    And, there you have it, my daily suck-up.

    Thank you, thank you very much!

  14. #14
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:05 pm, swj719AWG said:

    AJ, they could then also go for court costs…

    Talk about 5 kinds of shady. And they rail on big business?

  15. #15
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:08 pm, taylork said:

    Talk about 5 kinds of shady. And they rail on big business?

    …which is odd because it seems to me that Hollywood ought to be considered big business. Not too many other industries can earn $150 million in a weekend.

  16. #16
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Radio Hanoi failed? That’s a big surprise. Another success for the Vast Angry White Men Conspiracy Project.

  17. #17
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:23 pm, taylork said:

    I wonder if she had a station up in North Vietnam. That may be the only place where she could get ratings…though probably not there either.

  18. #18
    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    The only reason Rush is still popular is Michelle is not in radio.

    And, there you have it, my daily suck-up.

    Thank you, thank you very much!

    Kiss kiss indeed.

    Three words: Rush is Right!

  19. #19
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pm, traveler49 said:

    I like both Rush and Michelle. There is room for both in my life.

    How’s that for a double kiss?

  20. #20
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:17 pm, hadsil said:

    They’ll be chanting ‘we need the Fairness Doctrine now more than ever’.

  21. #21
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pm, publiuswarmac9999 said:

    The problem is that liberals (aka progressives) deal in emotion. When confronted with a legitimate requirement to use facts in a logical framework, they all too often demonstrate stupidity and ignorance. Are there a few who manage to control themselves - well, yes because they are constrained to do so by folks like Michelle.

    Intelligent folks can do more than walk and chew gum, but the liberals cannot appeal to logic because it constrains the rose colored socialism and moral relativity they are selling. Most liberal leaders know that emotion sells to their base, - that is the stock and trade of Bill Clinton and Obama. The problem occurs when the liberal leaders have to sell their ideas to a general audience, many of whom prepare with facts.

    To demonstrate just how illogical and emotional the liberals can get: Apparently, Soros and company are now trying to set up a blame and deflect argument in the event of another horrific attack on American soil. Their approach is that if another attack occurs it is because Bush wants to impose marshall law and suspend the national election in 2008. Their predicate is that Bush staged 9/11 and will again stage a second massive attack to preserve his power. These nuts have to link Bush to Nero and Hitler to make the case. (Conveniently hidden is the fact that 9/11 happened when the Presidency of Bush was at its most vulnerable point with new appointees just beginning to get in place and get fully briefed by the bureaucrats. Let’s not forget that Bush was delayed in taking the Presidency by judicial problems and the refusal of Clinton/Gore to cooperate even when the decision was reached Frankly, you can bet that al queda is aware of the amount of time it takes to make a Presidential change over and will take advantage of any weakness and confusion.)

  22. #22
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm, dadog said:

    she jane run…..

  23. #23
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:51 pm, i b squidly said:

    AJ,

    The last time an employer short changed me I won triple damages.

  24. #24
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm, allie said:

    Carrie Lukas mentioned the Lifetime channel with sappy dramas. Actually they are not sappy; but, nearly every one of the movies broadcast has the female character in some degree of pathetic victimhood.

  25. #25
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:56 pm, Bob's Kid said:

    I can’t STAND “women’s” programming, publishing, etc. It smellss worse than the litter box when the cat is finished with it. It’s smarmy, condescending, alarmist…consult your thesarus for more adjectives. I don’t know about lefty women, but this conservative woman doesn’t need to be pandered to for her to get on with her life.

    Leave me the heck alone.

  26. #26
    On August 20th, 2007 at 5:59 pm, zorro said:

    Most women as with most people have a lot to offer. It is the unhappy, twisted “progressive” message that is unpopular. The never-ending vitriol is so tiring, even when presented on FNC by the more moderate liberals, that they become very uninteresting.

  27. #27
    On August 20th, 2007 at 6:37 pm, walterc said:

    Sounds to me like Jihad Jane’s (aka Hanoi Jane) movie plug/apology tour was a complete failure. From what I hear, the movie didn’t do all that much at the box office either.

    I saw her on Letterman and if I remember right, she said she was sorry for having her picture taken on the commie machine gun, but didn’t apologize for meeting with the VC in the first place.

    My wife stopped me from shooting the TV screen.

  28. #28
    On August 20th, 2007 at 6:47 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    GreenStone CEO Susan Ness told the staff that no one gets paid after Friday—”No severance, no extension of health insurance (COBRA), no honoring of personal contracts,” some of which call for three months’ severance pay, the source said.

    Now imagine if all those women had husbands to support them…

    As a woman, I find modern feminism demoralizing, degrading, and insulting. The definition of feminism is “do what we want, or we’ll demonize you” — look at how these feminists constantly belittle and attack stay-at-home mothers and conservative women.

    They are hypocrites.

    As for COBRA and honoring contracts, one word: lawsuit!

    I believe it is illegal to deny employees COBRA and other contract-mandated benefits.

    Have fun in court.

  29. #29
    On August 20th, 2007 at 7:53 pm, DesertLover said:

    two words for Jane …

    HANOI …

    TRAITOR …

    New bumper sticker:

    Run Jane Run

    Liberals put it on the rear bumper …

    Conservatives put it on the front bumper

  30. #30
    On August 20th, 2007 at 8:01 pm, Old Tanker said:

    The only reason Rush is still popular is Michelle is not in radio.

    And, there you have it, my daily suck-up.

    Thank you, thank you very much!

    Suck up all you like….I would love to hear Michelle on the radio too!!!

  31. #31
    On August 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm, ArmywifeArmymom said:

    Personally I don’t want to hear anyone else talk when I am in the car or at home. I want a break from the kids and a silent movie with lots of popcorn. Most women want everyone around them to just HUSH UP for 2 minutes each day. Maybe Jane can fulfill my need for silence? :p

  32. #32
    On August 21st, 2007 at 12:12 am, p51d007 said:

    Every time one of these liberal so called talk shows fails, it’s just another “talking point” they will use to try and shove the fairness doctrine down our throats.

  33. #33
    On August 21st, 2007 at 4:40 am, gayle said:

    Michelle needs her spot in the media, I wholeheartedly agree! Her firm but soft spoken approach is not offensive!

    I’d like to see more of Ann Coulter as well.

    I actually detest when she’s on Hannity/Colmes. Colmes constantly interrupts her, never allows her to complete a sentence.

    She does burn with her choice of words, but she usually nails her verbal opponent! She is intimidating!

    Maybe they could team up?!?

  34. #34
    On August 21st, 2007 at 8:09 am, John Q Public said:

    Hmmmmm…let’s see now…Air America flops…Fem Radio flops… Micheal Moore is, well.. Micheal Moore, and the search for a leftie answer to Rush, Sean, Laura, and Michelle continues with no success. Could it be that that Hanoi Jane and her ilk aren’t as “mainstream” as they think they are. Maybe the theme song for the radio show was wrong. Maybe a tune from Jane’s heyday (when she was ALMOST relevent), the late 60’s, by Red Rider, “Lunatic Fringe” would be more appropriate.

  35. #35
    On August 21st, 2007 at 8:45 am, JoeS said:

    Poor Hanoi Jane. It is so much more fun giving away the money of hardworking people.

    Self-interest reveals the true motivations of these people giving high sounding lectures on the virtue of communism. Don’t forget, Jane was in favor of the purges in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. She lectured Joan Baez, “Never criticize our comrades.”

    Maybe she could get into the foreclosure business with the other feminist, John Edwards.

    I can’t believe I used to be a democrat. (and I used to think I was smarter because I was a democrat)

    It is a shame she can’t do plastic surgery on her accounts receivable books. It helped her workout videos.

  36. #36
    On August 21st, 2007 at 9:08 am, swj719AWG said:

    Michelle needs her spot in the media…

    I’d like to see more of Ann Coulter as well.

    Maybe they could team up?!?

    I’ll be in my bunk…

  37. #37
    On August 21st, 2007 at 9:24 am, JConrad999 said:

    Good riddance.

    And don’t let the door hit you on the backside on your way out.

  38. #38
    On August 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am, gayle said:

    IT would create fireworks wouldn’t it?

    Imagine the ratings! Through the roof!!!

  39. #39
    On August 21st, 2007 at 9:32 am, swj719AWG said:

    And don’t let the door hit you on the backside on your way out.

    Careful. If the door does that, it could find itself up on felony charges…

  40. #40
    On August 21st, 2007 at 10:01 am, englishqueen01 said:

    Every time one of these liberal so called talk shows fails, it’s just another “talking point” they will use to try and shove the fairness doctrine down our throats.

    What do you expect from the people who hate capitalism?

    They cannot fathom that the people drive the market, that money comes from being wanted and liked (as in conservative talk radio), and that if people won’t listen you won’t be successful in radio!

    They want this country to be a communist utopia - where they get to spout there drivel whilst anyone who disagrees is silenced and imprisoned or “re-educated”, where they get to redistribute the wealth of the hardworking and reward laziness and mediocrity.

    They truly are a frightening bunch.

  41. #41
    On August 21st, 2007 at 10:33 am, geminicontender said:

    Who gave this anti-American another chance to flaunt her hate. Good riddance Jane. Please, please go away….forever.

  42. #42
    On August 21st, 2007 at 11:17 am, 3Steps said:

    On August 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm, ArmywifeArmymom said:
    Personally I don’t want to hear anyone else talk when I am in the car or at home. I want a break from the kids and a silent movie with lots of popcorn. Most women want everyone around them to just HUSH UP for 2 minutes each day. Maybe Jane can fulfill my need for silence? :p

    ROFL!!! Tooooooo true. First thing I do in the car is turn OFF the radio.

    On August 20th, 2007 at 6:47 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    As a woman, I find modern feminism demoralizing, degrading, and insulting. The definition of feminism is “do what we want, or we’ll demonize you” — look at how these feminists constantly belittle and attack stay-at-home mothers and conservative women.

    They are hypocrites.

    As for COBRA and honoring contracts, one word: lawsuit!

    I believe it is illegal to deny employees COBRA and other contract-mandated benefits.

    Have fun in court.

    EQ… I totally agree with you about the hypocracy of most liberal women. As as stay at home mom I get ‘bashed’ all the time. Of course, I have 3 special needs kids and a disabled husband. She has one kid who has every gaming system under the sun, spends his allowance on drugs and beats up my geeky kid on the way home from school. I once had a ‘working mother’ explain to me once how being poor was harder on a child than being a latchkey kid. And that I had a responsiblity to get my kids designer sneakers because ‘everyone else has them’. It’s no wonder I have no female friends. *rolls eyes*

    However, I do have to call BS on your COBRA comment. As a former HR Bookkeeper I can tell you that COBRA is the right to continue to pay for your health insurance at the ‘group rate’. How long you can do this depends on the reason for separation. However, if the corporation itself is going to cease to exist than the ‘group’ health insurance plan will as well. Therefore there is no COBRA because there is no longer any group.

    Now I do not know from reading this if the corporation is going under or not. But if it is. That is how they are going to get away with leaving these people high and dry. Once the corporation ceases to exist then the health insurance group will as well.

  43. #43
    On August 21st, 2007 at 11:27 am, 3Steps said:

    On August 21st, 2007 at 4:40 am, gayle said:
    Michelle needs her spot in the media, I wholeheartedly agree! Her firm but soft spoken approach is not offensive!

    I’d like to see more of Ann Coulter as well.

    I actually detest when she’s on Hannity/Colmes. Colmes constantly interrupts her, never allows her to complete a sentence.

    She does burn with her choice of words, but she usually nails her verbal opponent! She is intimidating!

    Maybe they could team up?!?

    I expect that what I’m about to say will make me even less popular around here if that is possible.. but frankly I think MM should stay FAR AWAY from Ann Coulter.

    MM has class. I don’t know if Ann just has situational ‘tourettes’ or if she just likes the whole ’shock jock’ thing. But I don’t care for Ann. She doesn’t give off the aura of believing what she says. She gives off the aura of just loving the attention no matter how she gets it.

    But then again. I will admit to not having watched anything with Ann on it since the 2006 Election.

  44. #44
    On August 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am, feebiebabe said:

    Sorry, it may be stereo typical, but facts are facts. Republican women are indeed funnier and more interesting than liberal women and subsequently happier and cuter.

    Most Liberal women are angry, boring or ranting lunatics (one exception, Camille Paglia).

  45. #45
    On August 21st, 2007 at 11:50 am, ajmontana said:

    On August 21st, 2007 at 9:32 am, swj719AWG said:

    Careful. If the door does that, it could find itself up on felony charges…

    lol swj, hahahahhah

  46. #46
    On August 21st, 2007 at 12:10 pm, rightisright said:

    Jane Fonda should have been hung yrs ago…traitorous bi#ch.

  47. #47
    On August 21st, 2007 at 1:17 pm, Laree said:

    My child and I, went to the local movie rental store, and we were looking for a movie to watch, we came across “Monster In Law” my child said, what about this one? I said, we don’t watch that woman’s movies. She said, you mean Jennifer Lopez, I said, No the other woman. Everyone that was standing around us, got it and started laughing, we moved on.

    I have not used her name once but you all know who I mean.

    I always thought that this person, should donate their brain to science just to see if there is a medical reason, for the display of this person’s behavior.

  48. #48
    On August 21st, 2007 at 2:05 pm, ajmontana said:

    Just because I truly dislike Jane Fonda if she were a good actress I would admit it, but she’s awful, can’t act her way out of a paper sack.

  49. #49
    On August 21st, 2007 at 3:19 pm, walterc said:

    Republican women are indeed funnier and more interesting than liberal women and subsequently happier and cuter.

    It’s not just the women. Conservative men on the radio are more fun to listen to than liberals. I think it’s because Conservatives discuss the issues in a positive light with a goal towards finding a solution and protecting our culture and society. Liberals are just doomsayers and spend all of their time talking about whats wrong with America and the only solution is more government. It’s depressing to listen to the non-stop hate that liberal talk radio is.

  50. #50
    On August 21st, 2007 at 3:33 pm, Gator70 said:

    On August 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    The only reason Rush is still popular is Michelle is not in radio.

    And, there you have it, my daily suck-up.

    Thank you, thank you very much!

    I think MM does just fine with this excellent and very high quality blog and her tv spots. If you haven’t listened to Laura Ingraham she pretty much has the radio thing covered doing a fantastic job. This blog is the first place I go to when I log on because I can get all of the facts I need from each posting and nothing is said without backup/proof. Wouldnt want anything to take away from that but maybe I’m being selfish. As far as Ann Coulter I think she’s brilliant and just says things in a way that sometimes need to be said even though it might rub people the wrong way. She doesnt buy into our current culture that we have to be nice to everyone. You know what? Not everyone deserves to be treated nicely and needs a good swat on the butt now and again.

  51. #51
    On August 21st, 2007 at 4:24 pm, swj719AWG said:

    Not everyone deserves to be treated nicely and needs a good swat on the butt now and again

    I agree save for one issue… Everyone should be treated nicely at the begining. Those who don’t deserve to be treated with decency and respect tend to let you know very quickly…

    Start off respectful, until it’s shown you are wasting your efforts.

    Then swat away…

  52. #52
    On August 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm, swj719AWG said:

    But not if you’re a 13 year old school boy in Oregon. Then you best not swat anything…

  53. #53
    On August 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 am, bour3 said:

    Photographer: Put your arm down, Jane.
    Fonda: No.
    Photographer: Put down your arm.
    Fonda: No.
    Photographer: Arm. Down.
    Fonda: No!

    That 1970’s photograph reminds me how hawt she was in Barbarella.

  54. #54
    On August 22nd, 2007 at 3:39 am, Speakup said:

    Jane should be just about now getting out of prison, instead she validated herself.

    Four decades later, her contribution is no beneficial than if she had been put away where she belonged.

    Validating bad actors only gains more bad actors.

    We have a plenty.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

If the media is so “sexist”…

March 12, 2008 12:22 PM by Michelle Malkin

22 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Gerry-atrics!

The feminist quota-mongers screw with science education

March 10, 2008 09:12 AM by Michelle Malkin

54 Comments | 1 Trackback

Equity crusaders.

Ray Nagin is a “vagina-friendly” mayor

March 7, 2008 06:50 PM by Michelle Malkin

52 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

“I am in!”

Gloria Steinem and the roar of the gyno-saur

March 5, 2008 09:58 AM by Michelle Malkin

138 Comments | 6 Trackbacks

Harp and whinge.

Heather Mac Donald exposes the campus rape industry

February 24, 2008 08:18 PM by Michelle Malkin

59 Comments | 4 Trackbacks

“The campus rape and sex industries are signs of how hollow the university has become.”

Conservative girlpower quote of the day

August 18, 2007 12:15 AM by Michelle Malkin

36 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

The search for Ellen Goodman’s “intrepid graduate student”

August 15, 2007 02:28 PM by Michelle Malkin

79 Comments | 4 Trackbacks

Women, bloggers, MSM gatekeeper arrogance, and open-source journalism.


Categories: Feminist Nonsense



Pundit & Pundette

» Is the tide turning?