» Joe Scarborough Returns To Radio: The current MSNBC Morning Joe host returned to radio today as anchor of a new ABC Radio Networks daily 10am-noon (ET) show. Scarborough's MSNBC co-host Mika Brzezinsky fills the same role on the new radio program. Asked to respond to the inevitable criticism that he's, "just another conservative Republican talk radio host" Scarborough told NTS Aircheck Today, "That would be a nice change because for the past few years I've been called a leftist 'Benedict Arnold,' and a 'traitor to the cause' because I've been very critical of the Bush administration on things like how they've handled reconstruction in Iraq, Katrina, and the economic crisis. I plan to treat Obama the same way I've treated Bush in the past four years. I'm going to be tough when he screws up and compliment him when he does something right. Listeners will be able to trust that we are not ever going to be apologists for either party. Yes, I'm conservative, but we're not going to be a show like a lot of others out there that I honestly can't listen to because they're little more than the voice of the GOP."

» Not A Silent Sidekick: As co-host of the aforementioned Joe Scarborough Show Mika Brzezinsky -- who Scarborough jokingly calls "a Marxist" -- says her role is to not only read the news, but also to serve as a sparring partner for Scarborough. "Joe and I make fun of each other and put each other in ideological boxes, but we both know, at heart, that we always approach each issue we talk about fairly and if we disagree we'll hash it out. We both want to learn from the other. Having now worked together for awhile on the TV show, we know that we have each swayed the other on certain issues. To me, that is the product of a great conversation and debate and that's what we always strive for. And while just as he does on our TV program Joe will drive the radio show, I won't ever hesitate to take on a good fight when there's one to fight. I'm not afraid to take him on when he's dead wrong on an issue, which sometimes he can be."

» Joe's Flexible:That's the word from ABC Radio Networks about the clock for Scarborough's new daily Talk radio show which will is being offered as either a one-hour, forty-five minute or two-hour show. "The flexible clock will accommodate many longtime Paul Harvey affiliates that carry the midday portion of Paul Harvey News and Comment at 11:45am (ET) and are interested in adding Joe Scarborough to their lineup," says network spokesperson Louis Adams. "Affiliates will be able to carry both programs." Harvey continues to host the midday edition of News and Comment three days a week and also hosts The Rest Of The Story five days a week. His son, Paul Harvey Jr. anchors the Monday-Friday early morning edition of News and Comment.

» Tribune Files For Chapter 11: The parent company of News/Talker WGN/Chicago filed the action today seeking relief from a reported $12 billion in debt that stems largely from last year's leveraged buyout of the media firm by financier Sam Zell. The action comes as the result of a steep drop in ad revenues at the company's 23 television stations and eight daily newspapers. WGN-AM is Tribune's only radio property. In a memo to employees Zell said that the Tribune-owned Chicago Cubs are not part of today's court filing with a sale of the Major League Baseball team expected to take place in 2009. Additionally Zell noted that employee payroll, benefits and retirement accounts should not be effected by the bankruptcy. "Our challenges are consistent with those facing all media companies," wrote Zell. "The reality is that we, along with the rest of the country, have very little visibility on where the economy is headed and how our businesses will perform given the recession."

Anything But Fair: That's the take by nationally syndicated op-ed columnist and commentator George Will on any attempt to revive the Fairness Doctrine by Democrats in Congress and a soon-to-be Democratic majority at the FCC next year. "Because liberals have been even less successful in competing with conservatives on Talk radio than Detroit has been in competing with its rivals, liberals are seeking intellectual protectionism in the form of regulations that suppress ideological rivals," writes Will in his December 7, 2008 column. "If liberals advertise their 'illiberalism' by re-imposing the Fairness Doctrine, the Supreme Court might revisit its 1969 ruling that the doctrine is constitutional. The court probably would dismay reactionary liberals by reversing that decision on the grounds that the world has changed vastly, pertinently and for the better." You can read Will's full take on the topic HERE.

Talk Media News Notes: After most recently hosting mornings at Chicago's "Jack FM," legendary Windy City talk personality Steve Dahl is off the air at the CBS Radio adult hits outlet as the result of budget cuts ... T.D. "Tommy Mischke exits Hubbard Broadcasting Twin Cities News/Talker KSTP-AM/Minneapolis ... Dial-Global syndicated yakker Clark Howard can be seen all this week on CNN Headline News hosting a series of special one-minute consumer features entitled Stretching Your Holiday Dollar ... Condolences: To the family and co-workers of WSB/Atlanta weekend Money Matters host Mike Kavanagh who died suddenly over the weekend following a heart attack. Kavanagh was 57.