Never Saw It Coming: Air America Files for Bankruptcy

Mary Katharine Ham | September 13, 2006 5:35 PM

Whitney files for divorce from Bobby?

And...

Air America files for bankruptcy?

Man, my new judgement is way off. I just...I had no idea. Heh.

The headline on the ThinkProgress post on the Air America story is priceless:

Air America to Declare Bankruptcy, But Progressive Radio Remains Strong

Ahh, but of course. This clearly has nothing to do with whether the progressive talk radio format is a viable business model.

The right wing is sure to seize on Air America’s financial woes as a sign that progressive talk radio is unpopular. In fact, Air America succeeded at creating something that didn’t exist: the progressive talk radio format. That format is now established and strong and will continue with or without Air America.

Uh-huh. They created a format, and the format was sooo sucessful and strong that it necessitated filing for bankruptcy. Let me try writing a Think Progress story:

Whitney Files For Divorce From Bobby, but Crack-Head Pop Star Marriages Remain Strong

Bitter members of New Edition and Mariah Carey are sure to seize on the Houston-Brown divorce proceedings as a sign that the marriage is not working and the divorce will become just another stepping stone to career oblivion for the 80s icons. In fact, Houston and Brown succeeded at creating something that didn't exist: a loving long-term union between a fallen, drug-addicted pop princess and a washed-up, coattail-riding egomaniac, which only in the last several years succeeded in ruining the careers of both. That format is now established and strong and will continue with or without Whitney and Bobby.