June 23, 2008
Is it the End for Mike & the Mad Dog?
Over the weekend, Newsday reporter Neil Best suggested the wildly popular and successful 'Mike and the Mad Dog' radio show could be finished. According to radio industry sources, Mike Francesa and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo haven't been getting along well enough to continue their afternoon program on WFAN.
While Russo and radio station WFAN, deny the rumors (Francesa refused to comment), Best cites staffers witnessing the pair fight and "subtle" signs "such as Francesa declining to ask Russo how he is after Russo had opened the show by inquiring into Francesa's well-being." Russo said to Best, "I think we've been going through [some strains]...I think we've been fine the last couple of months."
Why would the pair, who reportedly make over a million each, leave? Perhaps to pursue other opportunities--for instance, Francesa hosts "Mike'd Up," an Sunday at 11:35 p.m. sports program on WNBC. Newsday's Jim Baumbach is embarrassed to love listening to Mike & the Mad Dog and, back in 2006, ESPN's Bill Simmons watched the pair and noticed all sorts of weird things.
| 
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
[ report this ]
Good riddance. Time to rid the radio waves of these douchebags
[ report this ]
i second that
i had listened to these guys for a long time
but in recent years francesa has become so full of himself. i actually like the dog, which when the show began i couldn't stand him
[ report this ]
having mike's know-it-all pontificating off the radiowaves would be a "blessing."
[ report this ]
I never liked either one of those gasbags.
[ report this ]
Best sports radio show in the world. And I'm not even a NY sports fan. Bummer if this is true.
[ report this ]
I hope this is true, we don't need any more LI racists and loudmouths.
[ report this ]
This is long overdue. All they do is piss people off so that they'll call in and bump up rating. And they're both extremely annoying to listen to. Does anyone actually like them anymore?
[ report this ]
Weren't these the two that had sex with each other in St. Pat's? I find that sort of homo behavior unacceptable in a house of God.
[ report this ]
I am not sure, I just read on The Big Lead that Russo opened up today's show by saying:
"It was the first I had heard of that. From Easter through May 9, Mike and I were having a lot of issues. Yankee Stadium, Ortiz, Ramirez, Don Nelson, Shaq with Phoenix, Escobar with the Braves, you name it, we were fighting like cats and dogs. The tolerance level was low. Does that mean last Wednesday was our final program together? That's taking a big leap. We are under contract. WFAN needs us - everybody's replaceable, we've learned that - and I need WFAN."
[ report this ]
If this is true, it's a terrible job by WFAN. Just a TERRIBLE job. A TERRIBLE JOB.
[ report this ]
just another ratings stunt. suckers.
[ report this ]
if its true, its LONG overdue. these guys were good when they first started 19 years ago, but over the past 8 or so years, theyve become the most obnoxious duo (without any humor) on the airwaves. they make a million bucks talking about sports and why do they have a problem with each other? because of their ridiculous egos that they dont even try to hide anymore.
this news, if true, made my day. no more listening to horse racing/betting news, tennis, and how great bill parcells is.
[ report this ]
Soon to replace them: Dingo and the Baby.
[ report this ]
Haven't listened to WFAN talk shows since the days when Jody Mac read every major league box score on his weekend overnight Rotisserie Roundup.
Thems was the days - no stinkin' world wide web to get your box score fix!
[ report this ]
Rather listen to Scott Ferrall on Sirius.
[ report this ]
Their typical listener: a 55 yr. old douchebag with a second wife, a house in New Jersey, and grown children who hate him. How can we possibly help this listener cope with the loss of his beloved radio gay couple? We can start by "trying to understand"...or we can just shoot him in his driveway.
[ report this ]
Much rather listen to Jim Rome podcasts.
[ report this ]
I hope this is true. These guys are the worst. Francesa is always annoyed at callers. Russo flips based on which way the wind is blowing. Russo once said Jimmy Rollins (last years mvp) was not a "winning player" and that Reyes was a "superior" player. Now that Rollins won the mvp he's the greatest and Reyes stinks.
When these two stray from sports it's painful. Try listening to them talk about movies or politics.
Bring Jody McDonald back, Dave Sims etc. Guys who actually know about ALL SPORTS.