Air America host Rachel Maddow will replace Dan Abrams as host of MSNBC’s prime-time programming just in time for the upcoming presidential election, taking over the 9 p.m. time slot right after Keith Olbermann beginning Sept. 8. Labeling itself as “The Place for Politics,” MSNBC has put a priority on coverage of the presidential election and often used Maddow as a guest and fill-in host. I’ve always thought that Abrams’ …

As reported in Radio Ink, veteran broadcast exec Bennett Zier has joined Air America Media as it’s new CEO. Zier, who exited Dan Snyder’s Red Zebra network back in March, will oversee all of the company’s on-air, online and video initiatives. This is the second big hire for the progressive talk network in recent weeks following the appointment of Bill Hess as it’s Senior VP of Programming.

I didn’t forget the Randi Rhodes story…just wanted to wait and see how this one was going to play out. Monday, just four days away from her separation from Air America for her infamous comments during a KKGN San Francisco event, the Randi one landed with Chicago based syndicator Nova M Radio and has pulled off quite the syndication feat. Working out of WJNO West Palm Beach, Rhodes has not only maintained her affiliate base …

Jones Radio Network’s progressive talker Ed Schultz and his legion of “Ed Heads” debuted today on Access .1 WWRL New York. Ironically the talent Schultz replaces on the Air America flagship is Thom Hartmann, who was a part of the big Ed Shultz vs. Air America controversy last year. The flap, in which Air America hosts ridiculed Shultz’s social conservative views and his North Dakota location, caused a verbal back and forth …

WOL Washington’s Madison along with Air America’s Thom Hartmann, Talk Radio Networks Rusty Humphries and a few others are broadcasting from the Sudan this month, focusing on the “Sacks of Hope ” relief effort as well as physically helping out with distribution. With all of the trivialities that we are bombarded with from the media on a daily basis, the fact that there is some actual work being done to keep this tragedy top-of-mind is …

Comic/Actress Roseanne Barr and her latest boyfriend Johnny Argent are filling in all this week on Air America’s night show “Clout” for host Richard Greene. Roseanne’s done it all and radio isn’t completely new to her having briefly done a show last year with Argent on KCAA Riverside CA. Talk about leaning left! I spent some time on her “Welcome to Roseanne World” website and was stunned. I think we all knew that Roseanne has …