<p>Car Talk is ok. </p>
<p>The rest - no. </p>
<p>I listen to satellite radio in the car - mostly classical and blues.</p>
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<p>In my mind, alternative media could be right or left. I think of it as information that doesn’t come from large corporations (NBC, ABC, or CBS) and isn’t publicly supported (NPR, PBS). For example, Village Voice, the Boston Phoenix (newspapers) or websites like Democracy Now or The Real News (left) or Drudge Report (right) or magazines like Mother Jones or the Utne Reader (left). I’m a news junkie–would read them all if I had time or access.</p>
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<p>I recognize that I’m in the minority, but I can’t stand Car Talk. Every other NPR listener I know thinks it’s great. It’s the one NPR show that I will immediately turn off. I’d like a show about car maintenance and repair but not if I have to listen to those guys perpetually and obnoxiously laughing at their own unfunny one-liners. They may be great mechanics but they have absolutely zero talent for comedy. And they simply will not stop laughing.</p>
<p>Lol, I said “okay”</p>
<p>They can wear thin. </p>
<p>I don’t really listen to radio for news. NPR just started to feel like audio qualudes to me</p>
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<p>Car Talk is a car show for people who dont like cars and comedy radio for people who dont like comedy. Have they ever been legitimately excited by a car? The way guys on Top Gear are.</p>
<p>The mainstream media and the latest “news” and reality stuff (including Facebook which I am not a part of) in general gives me ADD. There is just too much information out there about everyone and everything and all of the commentary…I need to detox from all of it!</p>
<p>mainstream media is dead…they all run or choose not to run(even worse IMO) stories based on political agendas. The sheep will follow and flock to stations in which they agree with what is being said(or implied). That is not news.</p>
<p>I like my local newspaper. It’s very local and includes things like today’s winter-themed pet photo exhibition. Also recipes, obituaries, stuff like that including news by neighborhood and advocacy specific to the community. It doesn’t really have a political tilt other than local advocacy. THe best part of the newspaper for me are some of the hilarious letters to the editor. We have some very interesting characters. There are a couple of men (one of whom is my neighbor) who write letters to the editor every week or two ranting about this or that. When the newspaper set a limit on how often they can be published, suddenly the wives and children of those men were writing letters echoing their men’s exact sentiments! Love it.</p>
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<p>I’ve never thought of it as an exclusive club but I do appreciate the fact that they assume their listeners are smart. I think much of what passes for news on most programs is very water-downed and assumes their audiences aren’t very bright. Some of them, in fact, seem to believe their audiences are so dumb that they need to be told what to think!</p>
<p>I will admit that the constant fundraising on NPR is very annoying. I don’t mind giving to them but it would be nice if once you made a donation you could turn off the nagging for a year.</p>
<p>Don’t all news outlets assume their own audiences are special and good. I get that vibe from both the left and right wings of the media.</p>
<p>I think NPR and to an extent PBS both skew to a more upscale, urban audience. Which is great. Nothing wrong with a point of view or a flavor. I find that a good thing.</p>
<p>We enjoy our monthly community paper here in NJ. It’s free just shows up. I have mom friend who sent 4 kids to top schools who writes for it. I love her reviews of the high school plays. And marching band. It’s quite wonderful - and refreshing. </p>
<p>I actually don’t know what kardashian is.</p>
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<p>LOL…I recently had my SIL explain ‘them’ to me. I had no idea who they were and why they were famous.</p>
<p>Car Talk is a show of last resort for me, but I will listen to it unless the local college station is playing good music. I’m not a Prairie Home Companion or What’dya Know fan. I’m a big Ira Glass fan - heard him at a graduation ceremony in the spring and just find him very entertaining.</p>
<p>MomLive, I’m sure everyone is annoyed by NPR’s fundraising. But then when I listen to AM radio news, I’m reminded that constant commercials are a lot more annoying. I’m also reminded that NPR’s thoughtful, in-depth news coverage makes the fund drives worth it IMO.</p>
<p>“Wait Wait” might be my favorite radio program of all time. LOVE it.</p>
<p>“when I listen to AM radio news, I’m reminded that constant commercials are a lot more annoying. I’m also reminded that NPR’s thoughtful, in-depth news coverage makes the fund drives worth it IMO.”</p>
<p>-You have a choice of paying or not for AM radio news, you are NOT forced to buy products advertised on AM radio. I do not have a choice of paying or not for NPR. While I completely disagree with NPRs point of view, I am paying for it. I am glad that I support your listenning of NPR, but what is there for me except for the brainwash of my kids and grandkids?</p>
<p>It’s not bias that puts me off NPR. It’s tone. For a long time I loved the tone. It made me feel smart and enlightened and tasteful. I have an NPR mug to prove it! Just after awhile I couldn’t bear it anymore. My inner rube took over, I guess.</p>
<p>I’m with you LasMa. Viva la NPR! </p>
<p>(& as I mentioned earlier in this thread, I also enjoy BBC news for a different slant on things, anyone else listen to BBC?)</p>
<p>“I do not have a choice of paying or not for NPR”</p>
<p>We all pay for things with our tax dollars for which we have no choice. I’m not happy my money goes to wars, for instance.</p>
<p>The funding of NPR from taxes is very minimal these days. Here is an interesting breakdown:</p>
<p>[About</a> NPR: Public Radio Finances](<a href=“http://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/publicradiofinances.html]About”>http://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/publicradiofinances.html)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the decrease in tax $ has led to larger corporate donations. Yes, it’s not perfect, but IMO it is certainly superior to all other news outlets in our country.</p>
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<p>Shucks. I wish listening to it made me feel that way.</p>