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Information About

The Majority Report




The name is a reference to Al Gore winning the popular vote (but nevertheless losing the electoral vote) in the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election , as well as a play on '' Minority Report '', a popular movie in 2002.

The show debuted with the network on March 31 , 2004 . It airs from 7 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time weekdays and is available for live streaming at AirAmericaRadio.com and downloading at AirAmericaPlace.com .


HISTORY

According to Seder in an interview for Gothamist in late August 2004, the inspiration for the radio program occurred on Election Night 2000 , when Seder witnessed via the television media what he perceived to be a veritable theft of the presidency by George W. Bush . In February of 2003, Garofalo appeared as a guest with Seder on '' The Best Show On WFMU With Tom Scharpling '', a comedy/talk radio program on the New Jersey station WFMU . In discussing the political atmosphere of America, the chemistry between them as radio talents was evident, and their agreement on many liberal political views made them kindred spirits. In the summer of that same year, Garofalo was approached by representatives of Air America Radio to be a radio personality for their programming. She insisted that they hire Seder and that he share the hosting responsibilities. Less than one year later, The Majority Report was born.


BEHIND THE SCENES


Issac Aronson, Josh Orton, Michael Goodfriend, Logan Nakyanzi, Mark Hatch-Miller, Jackie Bell and Stephen Sherrill are among those who have participated as producers. The show's producers are responsible for, among other duties:
  • screening callers for use on the air;

  • preparing extensive information packets on upcoming guests;

  • pulling news stories from publications, websites, and other sources;

  • helping to develop story angles and comedy bits for segments;

  • editing audio clips and Sound Effect s.


Seder pulls news stories and structures the events of the day into talking points for himself and Garofalo about eight hours before the show. They also have access in the studio to cable news channels so that they can remain up to date on breaking news stories during the live broadcast. Along with the live commentary, Seder occasionally records comedic bits and prank phone calls in advance for use on the air.

For her part, Garofalo does extensive research for the program, bringing into the studio books and extensive notes, some of which she keeps on the floor near her chair during the show. She can sometimes be heard leaning away from the microphone as she is talking to pick up an item from the floor. Much of Garofalo's discussion, however, is extemporaneous, incorporating a wide variety of references from classical literature to modern pop culture. Humor is injected throughout the show, but care is taken to keep the facts straight.


GUESTS

See List Of Guests On The Majority Report .


MUSIC


(Incidental/Segway Music)

  • The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Maps"

  • The Stranglers - "Peaches"

  • Green Day - "American Idiot"

  • Le Tigre - "Hot Topic"

  • The Afghan Whigs - "Conjure Me"

  • The Cure - "A Forest"

  • Camper van Beethoven - "Take the Skinheads Bowling"

  • Louis XIV - "Finding Out True Love Is Blind"

  • Pretenders - "Message of Love"

  • The Chameleons - "Swamp Thing"

  • Eagles of Death Metal - "Bad Dream Mama"

  • The The - "Uncertain Smile"

  • Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun"

  • The Smiths - "Hand in Golve"

  • Caesers - "Jerk It Out"

  • Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

  • Jane's Addiction - "Jane Says



SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS