When I got the go-ahead from the New Haven Advocate to write a story on Air America seven or eight years ago, back when that Leftist network first aired in the New Haven area, big names like all Franken, Janeane Garofalo and chuck D were the on air talent everyone else was looking to interview. The up and comer in our region was Rachel Maddow, not yet a national presence. Some were branded by previous accomplishments, like daily show creator Liz Winstead.
I chose to hang my story on Marc Maron. As the host of the wake-up slot Morning Sedition, Maron was probably the least well known, most overlooked host from Air America’s original celeb-studded ine-up. But I’d been a fan of his for at least five years at that point, from his frequent appearances on the 12:30 a.m. talk shows to his game-changing Off Broadway theater monologue Jerusalem Syndrome.
I thought Maron was the only host on the network doing something original and not just trying to ape traditional radio chat formats. Most of his Air America peers filled most of their airtime fact- checking and causing right wing radio, so much so that I started to feel out of touch because I didn’t listen to right wing radio at all myself. (Probably not the message Air American was trying to convey.)
Maron was creepy casual in his delivery, a real change from the brash, overconfident junk types you usually get on morning radio. His scripted routines were cerebral, his interviews challenging and wide-ranging. There was no false cheer. You really felt he’d just gotten out of bed with lot on his mind.
In our phone interview, he was as Frank and free-thinking as he was on the air, open and gracious. No condescension or leaping to conclusions.
When the article ran, several other air America shows, and some syndicated liberal talk shows not on that network, sent prissy missiles pointing out how they had higher ratings, or greater reputations. Made me even prouder to have given Marc Maron a little ink.
Maron’s Morning Sedition show got canceled, as did his second and third Air America programs. Then the whole network died. I lost track of Marc Maron for a while until he resurfaced on the iTunes podcast menu with his own self produced twice-weekly program WTF. The early episodes were hysterical. The pretaped opening announcement didn’t reflect that Maron was in the process of moving from New York to California, leading to confusion and consternation from his more geographically astute fans.
Maron would go so far with his ad libbed commercial breaks that you thought they must be parodies. Did he really hawk coffee by mentioning enemas and pooping?
When he started attracting regular guests, his nonchalance and recklessness was riveting. The interviews would go off on wild tangents. When the guests wondered how Maron would edit the rambles, he’d respond as if he’d never heard of editing. Such radio verite is pretty rare, even on low- budget podcasts.
Marc Maron’ s interrogations lead you to respect certain stand-up comedians in ways you never thought you would. Jim Gaffigan agonized that he would always be known for his “Hot Pocket” routine. Movie stars invited Maron into their on-set trailers and acted like regular guys who’d gotten lucky.
WTF quickly became one of the top shows in its format in its medium. Not like having a hit TV series, even on cable. Probably not even like having an Air America program. But especially given its daring content, Maron really crated something to be proud of. The guy’s obviously got an intense work ethic, too, since he’s kept up the pace for almost two years now.
Now Marc Maron’s getting the interviews and press attention and book and TV offers that largely eluded him when he was a hardworking stand-up comic and radio host. His podcast has defined him as not just a curmudgeonly commentator but a good listener and a gracious host. He’s appealing to fans who feel their support is deeply appreciated, and who send in contributions to WTF by their own free will.
This is the sort of Independence, freedom of speech, community agitating and, yes, sedition I’d like to honor this Fourth of July. Merry Marc Maron to all our readers.
