Friday, March 29, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
Al Franken: Man of the Publicist

APRIL 2, 2004 --

LPR is pleased to provide a photo of Three Park Avenue, where the newly-formed anti-Bush radio network, Air America, broadcasts its weekly tirades against President Bush, his administration, and conservatives. The tirades are aired (erred?) from the studios of WLIB, until March 31 a broadcast source for the Caribbean community in the metropolitan area. (There have been reports the switch to Air America has not pleased members of this community.)

LPR almost did not get this photo. A security person from the building questioned this writer about using his camera to photograph the building. On learning that this writer had just come from WLIB, the guard permitted the photo, possibly under the impression that it was being taken for Air America.

Actually, LPR is not convinced that Air America would have permitted this outside photo. I did not - through Al Franken's publicist, a young woman taller than this writer - permit a photo of Mr. Franken, at the conclusion of his second show, April 1. Mr. Franken, whose program airs Monday to Friday, from noon to 3 P.M. - directly opposite Rush Limbaugh - had just interviewed Senator Hillary Clinton (at one point he called her "Hillary"). Among other things, he said that he was wondering if he should run for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, explaining to the Senator that he is from Minnesota. Perhaps she replied "I know." If there was a frosty tone in her voice, could she have thought Mr. Franken had called attention to the fact that she is not from New York?

LPR thought it would have no problem getting a photo of Al Franken, at WLIB perhaps even in his broadcast studio. Wrong. The many articles about the launching of Air America did not mention that Mr. Franken is a man of the publicist, first, and perhaps later, man of the people. On reaching WLIB, on the 41st floor of Three Park Avenue (soon to be a media shrine for United for Peace and Justice?) LPR was informed there could be no photo of Mr. Franken without the okay of his publicist. LPR did succeed in being taken to the 31st floor, perhaps where the Air America studio is located and where this writer's photo request was given a "just not right now" ruling by Naomi the publicist. Oh well, off to the west side…

…Where LPR got a parking spot right in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater, home to "The Late Show with David Letterman." (LPR did not know that Mr. Letterman was going to tell his audience about some difficulties with CNN concerning a report of a yawning boy next to the president.) LPR took some photos of the line of people waiting to attend the show's taping, including these of a Late Show waiting line warmer-upper, and of a couple from Austin, Texas, at the end of the line.

Interesting that citizens are permitted to park in front of the Letterman location, on Broadway. LPR spotted a couple of no parking-because- of -tv- program signs earlier in the day, and the day before. First, on March 31, a spin-off of the Law & Order empire – SVU, was on location in northern Manhattan, with part of the curbspace given to traveling dressing rooms for cast leads. Apparently one of the cars connected with the show, given parking privileges for the day, originated in California, with a license plate equal to the task.

On April 1, LPR spotted another Manhattan TV no parking sign, this for a new Fox program, "The Jury." The sign indicated that parking would be banned from 8 P.M. on. The orange cones were in place hours before - - suggesting that the Fox people jumped the gun on their no parking privileges. LPR spotted no "No Parking - Air America" signs outside the LIB studios. One of Mr. Franken's opening day guests was Michael Moore, whose career got off to a terrific start with the documentary about his inability to get an interview with a CEO named Roger. LPR now wonders if Michael Moore also has a publicist, and, of course, how much longer citizens who are not part of the media will be permitted to park on the streets of Manhattan.

"Authorized" double parking?


Three Park Ave., broadcast home of Air America


A staff member warms up the waiting crowd outside the Ed Sullivan Theater prior to a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman."


A couple from Austin, Texas stands at the end of the Late Show line.


No Parking Notice for Law & Order SVU


Motor Homes used as portable dressing rooms line a Manhattan Street for Law & Order SVU.


License plate from one of the L&O SVU vehicles.


Parking reserved for Fox's "The Jury"


Premature parking reservations for "The Jury."


Another form of west side no parking sign, also the rule outside the Air America building.