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Mike and Mad Dog Show All but canceled
Topic Started: Jun 22 2008, 11:04 AM (267 Views)
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'Mike and the Mad Dog' radio show could be history


BY NEIL BEST | neil.best@newsday.com
9:56 PM EDT, June 21, 2008
Mike and the Mad Dog," the most successful, influential show in sports talk radio history, could soon be history itself.

Barring a change of heart, the partnership between Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo is not expected to survive to see its 19th anniversary Sept. 5, industry sources with knowledge of the situation said.

They may have already done their final show together; their next scheduled broadcast is not until July 11.

It is not clear which host would remain on WFAN, only that it would not be both of them. One factor appears to be a fraying of their personal relationship in recent months.

Reached on vacation Saturday night, Francesa flatly said, "No comment."

Russo, meanwhile, denied knowledge of a potential breakup, and said that his contract, including a no-compete clause, runs through October of 2009.

"That is news to me," he said. "I have not heard that... That is fascinating information."

Later, he added, "The only thing I can say is I am signed under contract for another year and a half. I don't think WFAN is going to let me out of that... I wish I had leverage like that."

Operations manager Mark Chernoff said Saturday night, "They are under contract, and we expect to have a nice, long run with 'Mike and the Mad Dog.'"

The reasons for a potential breakup are not entirely clear, and likely are multi-faceted.

Each host has had other media opportunities, and would have no trouble getting another lucrative job. And there are ways of getting out of contracts early under certain circumstances.

Clearly, though, their relationship is one element in the drama. Several WFAN staffers have observed them feuding off the air in recent months.

On the air, Francesa and Russo have had some spirited arguments, but nothing out of the ordinary for talk radio. Still, avid listeners had been closely monitoring the show for signs of a rumored rift.

Those signs were subtle, such as Francesa declining to ask Russo how he is after Russo had opened the show by inquiring into Francesa's well-being.

But beneath the surface, what had grown from a rocky start in the early 1990s into a close friendship appears to have deteriorated.

Russo did confirm strains in the hosts' relationship, saying, "I think we've been going through that," but he added, "I think we've been fine the last couple of months."

While Russo said he is under contract through '09, Francesa's status is murky. Newsday reported earlier this year he had agreed to terms on a new deal beyond this calendar year, but there never was confirmation it was signed.

Francesa has a Sunday night television show on WNBC-TV, and Russo also has done TV work, including appearing as a guest on "Late Show With David Letterman."

They are believed to be among the highest paid sports talk radio hosts in the country. In 2005, New York Magazine reported Francesa made $1.4 million and Russo made $1.3 million.

The demise of "Mike and the Mad Dog," a consistent ratings powerhouse in the key demographic of men ages 25-54, would be the second blow to WFAN in as many years.

Don Imus, its morning pillar, was fired in April of 2007, and it was not until September that Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton took over the morning drive time slot permanently.

The show is simulcast on the YES Network, but its contract with that channel expires at the end of the year.

Francesa, who is from Long Beach, and Russo, who is from Syosset, are scheduled to work sporadically over the summer. If there is to be a new look for the afternoon slot, it likely would not be unveiled until after Labor Day.
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KOCUR

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJb1KvwuFvYLETTERMAN IRKS FRANCESCA! LMAO!!!!! WATCH FATASS LEAVE THE ROOM!

CALLER NEEDLES THE ARROGANT ONE AND RUSSO STAYS SILENT - LOVE IT!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZiC147b4w
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Mantlemurcer
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I've seen the Letterman one before..I honestly think Fatso is jealous of Russo. He think he's superior to Russo, but Russo is more popular.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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I think it's just a contract ploy.
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Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 12:20 PM
I think it's just a contract ploy.

no not at all - this is real....Fran hates Russo's aloofness...and he has to be furious that his own people would air a backhanded slap by Letterman on the air....you know all the production dweens were hi fiving eachother after fatass walked out....nobody likes him ....
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Nevertheless, this would be a crushing blow to WFAN. However, 1050 will still never take over because their signal sucks.
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Strider
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It's a damn shame that 1050 won't take over. It's got better programming and, now that S.A.S. is gone, fewer douchebag hosts. It's also a shame that we're not 100% on the Mike/Dog split. I'll never see what people get out of that show. I used to listen when I first found out about sports talk radio in 2001, but I switched after finding 1050. They're not good hosts, their show sucks and they're disliked by a lot of people (should be disliked by more, but I guess some listeners don't mind getting piss in their mouth). And I don't give a sh*t who their guests are - which is the usual reasoning by their liteners - because it's not like news is being broken or they're getting true exclusives. OK, they've got Coach K, some Soprano's star and Cashman on in the same afternoon. So? It ain't like any of them is saying anything they haven't said before, wouldn't say elsewhere or won't say elsewhere. Among the people I've met who've worked with them (WFAN hosts and elsewhere), I haven't found one who wasn't willing to talk sh*t. So what makes them special? It might be just the fact that they were among the first - if not the first - and they've held it down for 20 years. The 30 year olds who listened when the show first started are the 50-somethings who can't break away now. Old folks don't like change.

Drew, you might have to move your radio. I had the same problem. I'd found 1050 and gave it a try in 2002, but the reception was terrible so I didn't listen again for about a year. It wasn't until I moved the radio to a different room and angled it a way that I got it clear.
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Get it done - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBWFF1Shf4M
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Mattingly23
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Strider
Jun 22 2008, 01:50 PM

Drew, you might have to move your radio. I had the same problem. I'd found 1050 and gave it a try in 2002, but the reception was terrible so I didn't listen again for about a year. It wasn't until I moved the radio to a different room and angled it a way that I got it clear.

It's not that. You live close enough to the city to not be as affected. I can't even listen to the Knicks and Rangers in the car in Western Suffolk at night sometimes. Meanwhile, I could get WFAN in the car and on my little clock radio at night when I went to school at Geneseo, which is about 325 miles away from the city.

By the way, I will still like WFAN more. I've listened to WFAN since it went on the air as 1050 in 1987 and Mike and the Mad Dog since day one. I've given ESPN Radio a shot and do listen to it at times, but I really don't think I will ever make the switch completely. Competition is good though. It's good that we can argue both sides regarding which one is better.
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Bleedrngrblue
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Francesa has allowed his arrogance to get the better of him too many times to count. Dog is annoying, as far as his voice, but he is NOWHERE near as arrogant as Francesa is and has become. I kinda knew it would be the eventual reason for a downfal if there was one....maybe its finally come. I won't shed a tear for that arrogant fecker ...he has slapped peoples opinions down too many times for my personal taste. He is also as fake and as frontrunner of a fan as you can find. I hope he is off the air soon. I won't miss him!



Btw...I can still listen to WFAN all the way down in Fayetteville on most days, as well as 880 for Yankee broadcasts. Mornings are the clearest reception though. And unfortunately, I work in DC during the week, but I can still occasionally catch the broadcast during the week in the Va and DC areas.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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1050 isn't NY-centric enough. I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Mattingly23
Jun 22 2008, 02:04 PM
Strider
Jun 22 2008, 01:50 PM

Drew, you might have to move your radio. I had the same problem. I'd found 1050 and gave it a try in 2002, but the reception was terrible so I didn't listen again for about a year. It wasn't until I moved the radio to a different room and angled it a way that I got it clear.

It's not that. You live close enough to the city to not be as affected. I can't even listen to the Knicks and Rangers in the car in Western Suffolk at night sometimes. Meanwhile, I could get WFAN in the car and on my little clock radio at night when I went to school at Geneseo, which is about 325 miles away from the city.

By the way, I will still like WFAN more. I've listened to WFAN since it went on the air as 1050 in 1987 and Mike and the Mad Dog since day one. I've given ESPN Radio a shot and do listen to it at times, but I really don't think I will ever make the switch completely. Competition is good though. It's good that we can argue both sides regarding which one is better.

I was in the car the other night and was able to pick up stations in Louisville, Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Philly better than I could pick up the FAN or 1050.
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Mattingly23
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Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 02:08 PM
1050 isn't NY-centric enough. I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.

Yes, that too. Not only do you get the national shows, you also get the silliness(tm) that is ESPN.

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I was in the car the other night and was able to pick up stations in Louisville, Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Philly better than I could pick up the FAN or 1050.


It's pathetic we can't get 1050 in the New York area. I'm surprised you couldn't get the
FAN though.

I wouldn't be as pissed about 1050, if they didn't pick up the Knicks and Rangers.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Mattingly23
Jun 22 2008, 02:39 PM
Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 02:08 PM
1050 isn't NY-centric enough.  I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.

Yes, that too. Not only do you get the national shows, you also get the silliness(tm) that is ESPN.

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I was in the car the other night and was able to pick up stations in Louisville, Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Philly better than I could pick up the FAN or 1050.


It's pathetic we can't get 1050 in the New York area. I'm surprised you couldn't get the
FAN though.

I wouldn't be as pissed about 1050, if they didn't pick up the Knicks and Rangers.

I was in sort of a mountainous part by the Hudson River, so the FAN went out in certain spots.
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Mattingly23
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Oh yeah, anything goes in mountainous regions.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Mattingly23
Jun 22 2008, 02:52 PM
Oh yeah, anything goes in mountainous regions.

But ESPN 1000 in Chicago was coming in has clear has day!
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Mattingly23
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Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 02:53 PM
Mattingly23
Jun 22 2008, 02:52 PM
Oh yeah, anything goes in mountainous regions.

But the ESPN 1000 in Chicago was coming in has clear has day!

You know what was weird? When I was in Dallas, their ESPN Radio is on FM. I was listening to the unlistenable Michael Irvin Show when he had Pacman Jones has(tm) his guest.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Silliness. That was like when the Giants used to be on FM back in the day.
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Mantlemurcer
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1050 has been bad since I was a kid. The Yankees were on it then when it was WHN.
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Giambi_MVP_25
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Mantlemurcer
Jun 22 2008, 03:50 PM
1050 has been bad since I was a kid. The Yankees were on it then when it was WHN.

Posted Image
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amit
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I never had any problem with 1050 when I was living in NJ.
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Mantlemurcer
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Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 04:14 PM
Mantlemurcer
Jun 22 2008, 03:50 PM
1050 has been bad since I was a kid.  The Yankees were on it then when it was WHN.

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That was later.
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Mantlemurcer
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Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 02:08 PM
1050 isn't NY-centric enough. I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.

They're also not knowledgeable.

I know Vin loves Max Kellerman, but he knows nothing other than boxing. Steven A. only knew basketball and some would argue that. Michael Kay knows baseball and that's it. Legreca saves him on everything else.
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ONE-BUY-ONE
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What's "Mad Dog" ? Kinda of cheap whine??? :laugh:
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Strider
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Never had a problem picking up 1050, except upstate. The reception is only good in certain rooms at home, but it's fine in the car.

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I know Vin loves Max Kellerman, but he knows nothing other than boxing.


Kellerman knows baseball. And his sports knowledge isn't what sells the show. It's the jokes.

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Steven A. only knew basketball and some would argue that.


He doesn't know it all that well. Certainly not enough to pop off as if he's providing expert analysis.

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Michael Kay knows baseball and that's it.


He knows the basics of other sports and he understands how the leagues are run and he knows the storylines. That's what drives sports talk. You don't have to know what the SAM does on a Robber blitz. Just know what's going on in the sport, have opinions and generate discussion. I think he's corny and often has strong opinions on sh*t that doesn't matter, but I can't think of many instances where his lack of in-depth knowledge of a sport got in the way.

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1050 isn't NY-centric enough. I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.


Unless you're tuned in late night, the only national show that would get your listen is Tirico's. And that show doesn't suck because it's for a national auidence. It sucks because Tirico is as boring and bland as middle-aged Midwest mother.
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Mantlemurcer
Jun 22 2008, 08:15 PM
Giambi_MVP_25
Jun 22 2008, 02:08 PM
1050 isn't NY-centric enough.  I think I'd almost drop the ESPN affiliation to get rid of the nationally syndicated shows no one cares about.

They're also not knowledgeable.

I know Vin loves Max Kellerman, but he knows nothing other than boxing. Steven A. only knew basketball and some would argue that. Michael Kay knows baseball and that's it. Legreca saves him on everything else.

:please:

Kellerman knows other sports as well.
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Max Kellerman has more functional baseball knowledge than anybody I've heard on NY radio. He may not have entire world series box scores from the 50s memorized, but who honestly cares or is impressed by that? He's also kinda similar to me personality wise, so I like listening to him.

Kay is much easier to listen to on 1050, which I think contributes to why I hate him so much on YES.

Late night I'll listen to the Mets guy with the funny voice (Summers?). I find him pleasant and I'm not a huge Jim Rome guy.
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Venom
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Gordon Damer's show on 1050 is great. It's on weekdays 2-6 AM. He's a rising star, he actually filled in for Kim Jones on YES this weekend. Jerome from Manhattan calls in about every night.
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I like Gordon Damer. Apparently OBO thinks he's a spy though. He certainly is a better option than Tony Paige. The overnights on WFAN used to be money with Somers and then Benigno back in the day. I can listen to Malusis for a little while, but Paige is unlistenable.

Michael Kay knows more than baseball. Even before this show, he covered the Knicks for MSG. I actually used to call his show when it first went on the air because I was commuting a long distance, was in the car for his show, and nobody used to call when it was new, so it was easy to get through. I'm more likely to listen to his radio show during the non-baseball season. I hear enough of him on YES during the season.

Max Kellerman knows sports, but his analysis and voice annoy me. Even though Homie Hype Machine doesn't annoy me on the boards, and I believe I am the one who recruited him here, I don't think I'd want to listen to several hours of him on the radio either! However, Homie knows a lot more about players than Kellerman does. Kellerman picks a player or two, then obsesses over them. Last year it was Ryan Freel.

I dislike Mike and Mike in the Morning, but before WFAN had a morning sports show, if I wanted to hear sports, I put myself through the torture of listening to them.

I hated Stephen A. Smith with a passion. He's supposedly an NBA guru, and has covered it in Philly for years, but I know more than him.

It's really not the individual personalities that bother me about ESPN. It's the style of the radio station, the pompous self promotion of anything that has to do with ESPN (guests and so-called "experts" are always referred to as "the great" so and so), and the lack of a signal.

Love or hate them, we're not having this in depth a conversation about sports radio if it weren't for Mike and the Mad Dog.

I listen to both stations. I simply prefer WFAN.
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Yanks473
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1050 is trash radio. It's "guy talk" radio but in NY that's not needed. Stick to sports.
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