Sam Seder

Last updated

Sam Seder
Sam Seder in August 2008.jpg
Seder in 2008
Born
Samuel Lincoln Seder

(1966-11-28) November 28, 1966 (age 57)
Education Connecticut College (BA)
Boston University School of Law (dropped out)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • political commentator
  • media host
  • scriptwriter
Years active1987–present
Notable workF.U.B.A.R.: America's Right-Wing Nightmare (2006)
Political party Democratic
Spouse
Nicole Cattell
(div. 2017)
Children2
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2010–present
Genres
  • Politics
  • news
  • humor
  • debate
  • interview
  • live call-in
Subscribers1.55 million [1]
Total views945,669,120 [1]
Associated acts The Michael Brooks Show

Last updated: Feb 12, 2024
Website majority.fm

Samuel Lincoln Seder (born November 28, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, left-wing [2] political commentator, and media host. His works include the film Who's the Caboose? (1997) as well as the television shows Beat Cops (2001) and Pilot Season (2004). He also appeared in Next Stop Wonderland (1998) and made guest appearances on Spin City (1997), Sex and the City (2000), America Undercover (2005), and Maron (2015). Since 2010, he has hosted a daily political talk show, The Majority Report with Sam Seder . He also voices Hugo, a recurring character on the animated comedy series Bob's Burgers .

Contents

Early life

Seder was born to a Jewish family in New York City, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is the oldest of three children. [3] [4] His father, J. Robert Seder, is a well-known lawyer in Worcester. Seder earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Connecticut College and enrolled at Boston University School of Law. Disillusioned by the school’s commercialized culture, he dropped out of studying law to pursue a career in comedy. [4] Seder became involved in the Boston comedy scene, associating with Janeane Garafalo, David Cross, Marc Maron and Sarah Silverman, whom he dated. These connections were used in his first film, Who's the Caboose?, which then led to Seder's appearances on comedy TV shows. [4]

Career

In March 2004, Seder became co-host of Air America Radio's The Majority Report , alongside Janeane Garofalo until July 2006. [5]

During Mark Green's restructuring plan to transform Air America into a profitable leader in progressive talk radio, called "Air America 2.0", [6] The Sam Seder Show was canceled on April 13, 2007, and replaced by WOR Radio Network late night radio show host Lionel. [7] Seder was relegated to a Sunday show entitled Seder on Sunday. [6] Lionel soon lost two-thirds of Seder's live affiliates and listenership. [8] The final Seder on Sunday was broadcast on June 1, 2008.

Seder also occasionally substituted for Randi Rhodes when Rhodes was on Air America, as well as Mike Malloy on The Mike Malloy Show on the Nova M Radio network. In 2008 he also began a collaboration with Marc Maron on Maron v. Seder, an hour-long video webcast. In January 2009, Maron v. Seder was renamed Breakroom Live with Maron & Seder [9] and aired live from the kitchen in the Air America offices weekdays. Seder and Maron also hosted a post-show chat with viewers after each episode. Air America Media cancelled Breakroom Live with Maron & Seder in July 2009. [10] In 2010, Air America was shut down. [11]

In November 2009, Seder hosted a pilot for NBC of an American version of Have I Got News for You . Three years later, in November 2012, it was announced Seder would again be the host of an American version of the show, this time on TBS. [12] [13]

In November 2010, Seder began an independent online podcast, called The Seder Channel (later renamed The Majority Report w/Sam Seder). The live talk-show format closely matches the previous Air America program, with politically oriented commentary by Seder and co-hosts, and interviews with various guests. Seder offers listeners different tiered levels of access to content around the show via crowdfunding platform Patreon.

In late 2010, Seder began occasionally serving as substitute host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann when Olbermann was on vacation. In December 2010, Seder also became co-host of the nationally syndicated progressive radio interview program Ring of Fire , co-hosted by Farron Cousins and Florida-based attorney Mike Papantonio. [14]

Seder also worked as a political contributor for MSNBC. [15] [16]

The Majority Report was associated with the TYT Network, with which the show partnered, from the 2010 relaunch until 2020, which generally followed its original format but was rebooted as a viewer-funded production. Following those structural affiliation and funding-production changes, the show won a string of international People's Choice Podcast Awards, [17] in five of the next seven annual competitions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017), for the "News and Politics" award.

2017 MSNBC controversy

In 2017, Mike Cernovich called attention to a subversive 2009 tweet by Seder and contacted multiple journalists asking them to write about the tweet. [15] As a result, MSNBC initially decided not to renew Seder's contract [18] despite Seder explaining that the tweet satirized a petition that had been circulating urging Roman Polanski's release from detention. [19] Shortly afterward, MSNBC reversed its decision after getting pushback from journalists, and MSNBC's president said the initial decision to part ways had been wrong. [20] [21] [22]

Personal life

On August 9, 2005, Seder's wife Nicole Cattell gave birth to their first child, daughter Myla Rae. [23] On March 7, 2013, she gave birth to their second child, son Saul. [24] [25]

On April 27, 2018, Seder announced that the couple were separated. [26]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997 Who's the Caboose? MaxAlso director and writer
1998 Next Stop Wonderland Kevin Monteiro
2000 Happy Accidents Ned
2000EndsvilleWood Salesman
2004Beacon HillRafe Coulter
2008The Bad SituationistArthur LiebermanAlso director and co-writer [27] [28]
2017 Fits and Starts Dressler
2022 The Bob's Burgers Movie Hugo Habercore

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 All-American Girl PhilEpisode: "Young Americans"
1995 Party of Five GregEpisode: "Best Laid Plans"
1996The ShowTom Delaney8 episodes
1996Boys & GirlsDavid WaitsTelevision film
1997 The Big Fall Gary SniderTelevision film
1997 Spin City George / Bogus Temp2 episodes
1997 The Magic School Bus VoiceEpisode: "In the City"
1998Grown-UpsPhilTelevision film
1999 The Dick & Paula Celebrity Special William ClarkEpisode: "Merriweather Lewis and Curly Howard"
1999Pulp Comics: Louis C.K.'s Filthy Stupid Talent ShowSeth the JewTelevision short
2000 Sex and the City LewEpisode: "Sex and Another City"
2002–2004 Home Movies Fenton Mulley / Cho / Paula's Father12 episodes
2004 Pilot Season Max Rabin2 episodes
2005 Wonder Showzen BugEpisode: "Patience"
2005–2007 Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil Special Father #2 / The Senator11 episodes
2006 O'Grady Mr. Chip HurleyEpisode: "A Stronger O'Grady"
2006 Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker Sir AglovaleEpisode: "Unbelievable Sports 1"
2008 Assy McGee Principal Jenkins / Douche2 episodes; voice role
2011–present Bob's Burgers Hugo Habercore / Harold Cranwinkle / Al Genarro32 episodes
2015 Maron Sam SederEpisode: "Patent Troll"
2017 The Good Fight Vaughn YenkoEpisode: "Stoppable: Requiem for an Airdate"

Related Research Articles

Air America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk radio. It was on the air from March 2004 to January 2010.

<i>The Majority Report with Sam Seder</i> Left-wing podcast

The Majority Report with Sam Seder is a left wing, progressive internet talk radio program and podcast hosted by Sam Seder. The program focuses on the discussion of current events and political affairs from a social democratic, democratic socialist and progressive standpoint; to this end, comedy and satire are used from time to time to make key points. Originally airing on the Air America radio network, from March 2004 until July 2006 the show was hosted by Janeane Garofalo; Garofalo was reportedly originally asked by Air America to host the program and suggested Seder as a co-host.

<i>The Young Turks</i> American online news show

The Young Turks (TYT) is an American progressive news commentary show live streamed on social media platforms YouTube and Twitch. It additionally appears on selected television channels. TYT serves as the flagship program of the TYT Network, a multi-channel network of associated web series focusing on news and current events. TYT covers American politics, wars and conflicts in the Middle East, sports, and a wide array of other topics. The program was created by Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz and Dave Koller. Uygur is Turkish-American and named the program after the Young Turks movement of the 20th century. Currently co-hosted by Uygur and Ana Kasparian, it is also often accompanied by various other in-studio contributors. The Young Turks began as a radio program that premiered on February 14, 2002, on Sirius Satellite Radio before launching a web series component in 2005 on YouTube, and then later Twitch; at some point it was also carried on Air America.

<i>Ring of Fire</i> (radio program) Podcast

Ring of Fire is a progressive syndicated American talk radio program hosted by Mike Papantonio, Sam Seder and Farron Cousins. The three hosts focus on: "exposing Wall Street thugs, environmental criminality, corporate media failure and political backstories rarely found in the mainstream media". The show has been on the air since 2004 and is currently aired on 43 radio stations across the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Maron</span> American comedian, podcaster, writer, and actor

Marc David Maron is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, writer, actor, and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H. Jon Benjamin</span> American actor, comedian, writer and producer (born 1966)

Harry Jon Benjamin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is known for his voice roles in adult animated series, including Sterling Archer in Archer, Bob Belcher in Bob's Burgers, Ben in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Kevin in O'Grady, Satan in Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil, and Coach McGuirk and Jason Penopolis in Home Movies, starring as the voice of Boy in the film Boy Kills World (2023) and the video game Super Dragon Punch Force 3 (2024). Benjamin was named 2014's male comedy performer of the year at Vulture's TV Awards for his work in Bob's Burgers and Archer. He also appeared in the 2001 satirical comedy film Wet Hot American Summer; its subsequent 2015 television series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp; and the final installment of the franchise, the 2017 miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lionel (radio personality)</span> American radio personality

Michael William Lebron, better known as Lionel, is an American syndicated radio, television and YouTube legal and media analyst. He is known as a leading promoter of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Mankiewicz</span> American television host (born 1967)

Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz is an American television journalist and host for Turner Classic Movies. He is a progressive political commentator for The Young Turks. He has served as a film critic for the 2008–2009 season for the TV program At the Movies and the web series What the Flick?!

Progressive talk radio is a talk radio format devoted to expressing left-leaning viewpoints of news and issues as opposed to conservative talk radio. In the United States, the format has included syndicated and independent personalities such as Arnie Arnesen, Michael Brooks, Alan Colmes, Jon Favreau, Al Franken, Brad Friedman, John Fugelsang, Norman Goldman, Amy Goodman, Thom Hartmann, Kyle Kulinski, Jon Lovett, Rachel Maddow, Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, Michael Moore, David Pakman, Mike Papantonio, Dan Pfeiffer, Bill Press, Randi Rhodes, Ed Schultz, Sam Seder, Hal Sparks, and Tommy Vietor.

Thomas Kenton Jones is an American writer and performer on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show. He is a comedy writer who also wrote and performed at Air America Radio.

Majority report may refer to:

<i>The Best Show with Tom Scharpling</i> Internet radio show/podcast hosted by Tom Scharpling

The Best Show with Tom Scharpling is a combination music, call-in, and comedy Internet radio show and podcast hosted independently by Tom Scharpling since 2014, which previously aired on New Jersey–based radio station WFMU from 2000 to 2013. The show's slogan is "three hours of mirth, music, and mayhem."

Breakroom Live with Maron & Seder was an hourlong webcast that aired weekdays at 3 p.m. Eastern. Marc Maron and Sam Seder hosted the show from the actual break room at Air America Media in New York; the show was evocative of past shows done by Maron and Seder on the network—political commentary interspersed with comedic elements. Unlike the other shows the two have done, no calls were taken; however, the two did chat with viewers during and after the show via email and instant messaging.

The following is a history of MSNBC from 2008–2015. MSNBC is an American basic cable and satellite news television channel that was founded in 1996. This era is known for its focus on more opinionated programming, which was drastically cut back in the recent shift towards hard news.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janeane Garofalo</span> American comedian and actress (born 1964)

Janeane Garofalo is an American comedian, actress, and former co-host on Air America Radio's The Majority Report.

<i>WTF with Marc Maron</i> Comedy podcast

WTF with Marc Maron is a weekly podcast and radio show hosted by stand-up comedian Marc Maron. The show was launched in September 2009. The show is produced by Maron's former Air America co-worker Brendan McDonald.

<i>Whos the Caboose?</i> 1997 American film

Who's the Caboose? is a 1997 comedy film co-written and directed by Sam Seder and starring himself and Sarah Silverman in their film debut. The supporting cast includes comedians David Cross, Andy Dick, Laura Silverman, Laura Kightlinger, Chuck Sklar, H. Jon Benjamin, Andy Kindler, Mark Cohen, Kathy Griffin, Leo Allen, Marc Maron and Todd Barry, most of whom had not appeared in a theatrical movie prior to this one. The screenplay by Sam Seder and Charles Fisher depicts a romantically involved couple who travel separately from Manhattan to Los Angeles to attempt to secure a television series role during "pilot season", a set period of months when producers cast new shows. The New York City sequence at the beginning of the film features footage shot at the Luna Lounge in the Lower East Side, which has since been razed.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Cernovich</span> American right-wing commentator, lawyer, and conspiracy theorist

Michael Cernovich is an American right-wing social media personality, political commentator, and conspiracy theorist. Though he initially called himself alt-right, he dissociated from the movement after Richard Spencer became its public face. Cernovich describes himself as part of the new right and some have described him as part of the alt-lite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Brooks (political commentator)</span> American talk show host (1983–2020)

Michael Jamal Brooks was an American talk show host, writer, left-wing political commentator, and comedian. While co-hosting The Majority Report with Sam Seder, he launched The Michael Brooks Show in August 2017 and provided commentary for media outlets, making regular appearances on shows such as The Young Turks. Brooks contributed to various publications, including HuffPost, The Washington Post, Al Jazeera, openDemocracy, and Jacobin. His book Against the Web: A Cosmopolitan Answer to the New Right was published by Zero Books in April 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 "About TheMajorityReport w/Sam Seder". YouTube.
  2. "The Majority Report". The Majority Report. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  3. Shanahan, Mark (August 23, 2006). "Failure is an option - Despite his best efforts to sabotage himself, Sam Seder is finding success on Air America". Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. I don't look anything like Courtney Thorne-Smith; she's blonde and good-looking," says Seder, who's Jewish and has dark curly hair.
  4. 1 2 3 Williamson, Dianne. "Worcester Living: Worcester native and podcast host Sam Seder takes life with a laugh - and thanks". telegram.com.
  5. Steinberg, Jacques (March 31, 2004). "Liberal Voices (Some Sharp) Get New Home On Radio Dial". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Comment from Mark Green about Sam Seder". Airamerica.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  7. "Radio Online". News.radio-online.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  8. "Sam Seder on TYT Network (Why Air America Fell, Obama & Much More!)". YouTube. February 5, 2010. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021.
  9. "The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Political Podcast & Radio Show". Breakroomlive.com. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  10. Lowen, Cynthia (August 9, 2009). "Whatever Happened to Progressive Talk Radio? Did Air America Kiss it Good Bye?". AlterNet. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  11. Stelter, Brian (January 21, 2010). "Air America, the Talk Radio Network, Will Go Off the Air". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  12. "Punchline Magazine Blog » Michael Ian Black, Greg Giraldo film pilot for NBC, get tickets - Comedy Blog, Comedy News, and all things in Stand up Comedy". Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  13. "Will UK Panel Show 'Have I Got News for You' Work in the US?". Screenrant.com. November 14, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  14. "Sam Seder joins Ring Of Fire". CBS Radio. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  15. 1 2 Kludt, Tom; Darcy, Oliver (December 5, 2017). "How a joke, and Mike Cernovich, got Sam Seder booted from MSNBC". CNNMoney . Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  16. O'Connor, Lydia (December 5, 2017). "MSNBC Gives In To Disingenuous Right-Wing Smear, Fires Sam Seder". Huffington Post . Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  17. "Past Winners, 2005–2017". Podcast Awards.
  18. "MSNBC to Cut Ties With Sam Seder After Roman Polanski Rape Joke (Exclusive)". TheWrap. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  19. Kirby, Jen (December 6, 2017). "How the alt-right duped MSNBC into firing one of its contributors". Vox. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  20. Kludt, Tom (December 7, 2017). "MSNBC decides to bring back Sam Seder after controversy". CNNMoney. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  21. Grim, Ryan (December 7, 2017). "MSNBC Reverses Decision to Fire Contributor Sam Seder". The Intercept . First Look Media . Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  22. Bromwich, Jonah Engel (December 7, 2017). "MSNBC Rehires Contributor Sam Seder: 'Sometimes You Just Get One Wrong'". The New York Times . Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  23. "Sam's Daughter ROCKS Global Climate Change Strike". YouTube. September 20, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  24. Seder, Sam (March 7, 2013). "My son born at 5:36 AM today. Mommy & baby both healthy!". Twitter . Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  25. Seder, Sam (March 7, 2014). "Happy First Birthday to my son, Saul. I wish him a happy healthy and "sleep more please" year". Twitter . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  26. Seder, Sam (April 27, 2018). "I am separated from my wife". YouTube. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  27. "A Bad Situationist". July 17, 2008 via IMDb.
  28. "As Heard on WTF with Marc Maron: Who's the Caboose? and Pilot Season.Sam Seder Movies". May 7, 2015 via YouTube.

Bibliography