Mike and the Mad Dog: Done
After 19 years, the Mike (Francessa) and the (Chris)Mad Dog (Russo) show on WFAN 660 in New York City is no more. Russo was released from his contract after they got wind he may not resign with WFAN. They still hold his contract, and he can pursue other interests, including a multi-year deal from XM Sirius to be some sort of flagship sports talkie. What he can't do is work for the other New York sports radio station, the local ESPN affiliate.
For those outside the New York area, this show is the reason many sports radio talk shows have 2 hosts, Mike & Mike on ESPNRadio being the biggest name. It was a wild run, I'd been listening since WNBC switched over to WFAN back in the 1980s, and a few years later these two put together to make a go of it. Personality conflicts aside, these two had a chemistry where it was like you were listening to old buddies talk about (many times, argue) sports. It was definitely an acquired taste radio program, and the fact it has lasted this long is equally a testament as much a bafflement.
MaxShrek .. Do it first, do it yourself, and keep on doing it.
Horror Vacui
I don't know about Mike and Mad Dog specifically, but the vast majority of sports talk radio hosts need to be booted from the airwaves and be employed as circus barkers or something else more suited to their skill sets.
It's amazed me how many dumb people can speak so loudly on subjects that they know so little about. I think I love SIRIUS NFL Radio so much because it is quite literally the first time I've listened to sports radio comprised of people who have an understanding of the game they're talking about.
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tits || gtfo
I remember when it was "Fatso and Fruitloops"
You don't have to call me Lieutenant, Rosie......
Woof Woof! That's my other dog imitation...
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Yeah! Of course, now Imus and Russo are gone. I wonder if he left with the Imus situation in the back of his mind.
MaxShrek .. Do it first, do it yourself, and keep on doing it.
Horror Vacui
I doubt it. He seemed pretty happy with the station from the times I listened to it (When I have a case that takes me to SE CT I always turn on the FAN).
You don't have to call me Lieutenant, Rosie......
Woof Woof! That's my other dog imitation...
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I'll miss Chris on saturday morning the most. Especially after a bad yankees or mets loss. BRUTAL and hilarious.
They would routinely piss me off to no end and I've had my fair share of Mike and the Mad Dog bans where I wouldn't listen for months, but i'll miss it.
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Hey, I hear Jay Mariotti's looking for work.
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The pieces: Francessa on the FAN, and Mad Dog Radio on XM Channel 143 and Sirius 123.
MaxShrek .. Do it first, do it yourself, and keep on doing it.
Horror Vacui
They were always much better as a team than when one of them was out one of them was doing their show solo. Francessa is one of the most arrogant guys in radio and often comes across as a major league blowhard. Having the high-pitched, excitable Mad Dog helped tone that down. I can't imagine listening to Mad Dog by himself, either.