Tim Blair

Overseas people might be able to catch the show live online using Real Player.

Yes, and I believe the ABC will put a recorded version of the interview up tomorrow.

Damn, the host cut you guys off just as it was getting interesting (ie just when people started talking over the top of each other).

Tim, please tell me you at least had the chance to run over one of your naysayers in the carpark afterwards.

ok, i just cranked up the wireless to check it out. you were cool tim but those other dudes with you were knobs!! one of em' even called the ABC 'centrist' in the views it projects. was that Fahey?

I thought Faine's complaints about the money his commericial rivals to be a bit off-putting. No one's forcing these guys to work at the ABC after all. I hear McDonald's is still hiring...

I liked the segment, but it was way too short - it was just getting started when the bell rang. Still, it was a good precis of the problem with Tim, Hywood and yes Faine all making worthwhile contributions. I can almost imagine the three of them retiring down to Southbank afterwards (assuming Tim's in Melbourne) to debate the matter further over lubrication.

John Faine's a clever guy, but I reckon he was sailing close to the wind when he said there was no bias at the ABC -- "I just totally reject the notion that they're [ABC workers] biased" -- then later said they had to dump Bolt to better reflect their listener's (plural ... I assume) leftist leanings. Ergo, ABC radio must also be left.

In fact Tim, I think you picked him off neatly with your rejoinder about popping right-wing Bolt into the cultivated leftist culture.

Faine was honest enough to admit that there is a common "world view" about the ABC, because of hiring policies and the the gap between ABC salaries and not only the real world, but even the rest of the make believe media world. There's a reason why there's no leftys working for Kerry Packer.

Hywood's editorial experience was good to hear. He made the concession that for outlets like Fairfax, bias is seen as a viable marketing strategy targeting specific demographics. He has a point - it could be all cynical schtick. I'm inclined to agree.

Faine got into a little trouble at this point over Andrew Bolt, by effectively saying that his program is designed to pander to his lefty audience (which it is). Tim & Hywood nailed him on the point that unlike Fairfax, people don't have a choice as to whether they pay for that pandering, and that the ABC therefore has an obligation to present views from the right.

It could have easily gone on for hours, and it was refreshing to not only hear a lefty speak honestly about this problem, but even to expose his beliefs to real-time criticism in a very un-ABC two-sided debate.

Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

Was Tim paid for his appearance on the ABC, I assume he would not take the coin (if offered). What a wonderful gesture of donated content to the public broadcaster.

I wasn't paid. I did, however, steal two staplers and a green Mao cap from Phillip Adams' office.

You should also have taken Adams' stash of Cuban cigars and his McDonalds Gold Card as well. Hit him where it hurts.