Mike and the Mad Dog May Be Through
Newsday’s incomparable media reporter Neil Best comes through with the stunning news that WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog program may not live to see September. Best cites industry insiders who suggest that the duo’s newly rekindled personal feud may have the show’s existence in serious jeopardy.
The pair reportedly hated each other when the show started in the early nineties, but had become close friends over time and seemed poised to breeze past their 19th anniversary on September 5th. However, with both seemingly obtaining more national exposure of late, they are each in a position where they could move on to a gig with a similar prestige factor to the ones they held at WFAN.
There are those at MikeFrancesa.com who believe that this is just a negotiating ploy, claiming that the duo is attempting to play their humongous leverage at WFAN (even greater with Imus off the station) into one final mega contract.
If the team does break up, it would be a major blow to WFAN as well as NY talk radio as a whole. No matter what you think of Mike and Chris both personally and professionally, it is hard to deny the fact that they produce a regularly entertaining show that is always a place for legitimate sports debate.
Furthermore, they have avoided the sophomoric and idiotic humor and rhetoric that plagues the sports radio industry, as shock-jocks have largely replaced individuals with a reasonably informed opinion. It is the best sports radio show I have ever heard, and they will be sorely missed. If I had to select one of the two to remain, I think Chris Russo is the definite choice. He is not nearly as knowledgeable as Mike, but he has a more lively demeanor and definitely has a better rapport with the fans.
The shows that Mike does alone always feel a bit drab and uninspired. I would either have Russo alone, or put him with Joe Benigno, with whom he seems to have a pretty good on air rapport. However, I hope that none of this comes to be, and we can enjoy Mike and the Mad Dog for at least a little while longer.
Original Source : http://mvn.com/mlb-yankees/2008/06/22/mike-and-the-mad-dog-may-be-through/----------------
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