'Mad Dog' and WatchDog, a historic pooch pairing
This week’s comment contest winner is a loyal reader who does not post comments in the traditional sense, as far as I know: Christopher Russo.
During a discussion of WFAN’s strong autumn ratings Thursday, Russo referred to a post from Dec. 21 in which I off-handedly suggested he and Mike Francesa tweak their show to keep it fresh moving forward.
“This is for Neil Best,’’ Russo said. “We are going to add a 20/20 inside entertainment segment every day now, just to make sure we keep up with the culture of the times.’’ Then he turned to Francesa and said, “Say something funny.’’
This week's runnerup? Francesa, on the same topic. He said asking them to tweak their show is “like the Patriots going out and getting a new receiver’’ because things aren’t working well enough.
Chris did say, “I like Neil. I think Neil’s funny.’’ I like Chris and Mike and think they’re funny, too.
For example: They said they did not originally read the Dec. 21 post, insisting someone had forwarded it to them. But Thursday they referred to a WatchDog post from Tuesday. I guess someone forwarded that one to them as well.
It was the second time in three days Russo and Francesa gave Newsday free publicity by making fun of me at 5 p.m. In my next contract I’m going to ask for a bonus the equivalent of the cost of a Newsday ad in that slot every time the boys mention me.
For an insightful, amusing view on Mike and Chris' ratings, click below for regular commenter DuMont Berger’s take. (Anyone who works the word “shmatte’’ into a post deserves props.)
"Just goes to show you what dreck the WFAN competition really is.
No matter how much we gripe about 660AM, it is ours and has a distinct New York flavor. 1050AM tries but can be a pale imitation most times. The ESPN brand is not a help on radio here.
Go to any other city in the country and see how lame sports talk radio can be; most of it is affiliated with The Worldwide Leader.
I am sick of Fatso and Froot Loops, but they're like an old bathrobe. No matter how many holes there are in it, we take comfort in that ratty schmatta until it disintegrates in the washer.
Plus on afternoon AM radio there's a bunch of plateaus ... WABC's Limbaugh then Hannity ... then there's 1010 WINS or WCBS/880 ... then you see WFAN.
The boys will be going at it until THEY are sick of it ... or there's an Imus moment [probably at the mouth of Russo]."
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Comments (10)
Very funny. At least people know who you are now. You think they read this. Chris cant even use the internet. Maybe they will shout you out today too.
We are stuck with these guys. 15 years + and still sold ratings.
If Boomer and Carton are getting strong ratings, it makes me think anyone (quasi-known personalities) they throw in the 1-6:30 slot can get strong ratings, the 660 FAN signal is so strong, it's hard to ignore.
1050's signal is so bad, and its watered down local coverage from 2-4 make it only a quasi-listen.
If Kay were partnered with a real fan, someone who can call him on his Yankee BS, like Beningo, that would be a formidable combo against Mike & the Dog, but the stations signal would still limit them. But Kay solo is a very tough listen sometimes, his ego is monstrous, but he is a fresher sound the M&MD, but he can be nauseating at times.
How much longer though will we have to suffer with these tired FAN M&MD guys? They have constant contempt for the callers, there shtick is worn out by now, and they care more about there own picks than the actual game action. It train wreck radio half the time.
Beningo is the rising star on that station, I would love to see him in the later slot. The guy at least is a fun listen, a real FAN and a it would be nice to bring him in for Mike or Chris.
Maybe another station somewhere can lure one of these guys away with a huge contract so we can stop the M&MD insanity.
Neil: When is the M&MD contract up?
Mike: I don't know. But obviously WFAN has no reason to part ways with them at this point. My guess is I will leave this beat when MIke and Chris leave the show: On or about Sept. 1, 2015. You heard it here first. Remember this moment.
Perhaps I'm missing the sarcasm, but didn't the Patriots go out and get 3 receivers because things weren't working out so well?
Chris: I think Mike was referring to the idea of THIS year's Pats going out and getting new receivers.
Comparing Kay's show to Mike and the Dog is like comparing the jets to the Pats.
There is a reason they are #1 and have been for a long time. it's not easy to do what they do everyday for 5 hours.
Kay is annoying. And Beningo is decent not a rising star. You could put Kay with anyone and they wouldnt beat Mike and Chris.
Manhasset Fats and The Ghost of Steve Rubell (AKA M+MD) are arrogant, lazy, racist fools.
I just want to know how many Diet Cokes Mikey has sloshed in all these years. They should be a sponsor.
Thanks for the shout-out.
And nice to see your Cornell hockey folks win one, although the local cable production seemed a mite above public access ... and was very dark. [contrast, not content].
Have a good one ... watching Green Bay in the snow - classic.