Watchdog

Bob Heussler would be a good fit. But if they want to have different personalities they should just put Joe Beningo with him. Also Mike needs to talk about all sports during the winter months, not just Football and hot stove baseball....Hockey & a little Basketball needs to start being discussed- not twice a month. Maybe if they can get a few of the broadcasters from some of the local teams a day here & there when they are not working would be good. (Kevin Burkhart, Keith Hernandez, Howie Rose, Stan Rosen, John Sterling, Bob Papa, Joe Miceletti)

For Updates; No question about it, Bob Heussler wins in a landslide

For Number '2' - please do not even consider Rosenberg or Carlin they will drive away listeners. Ian Eagle would be good, but so would Kevin Burkhardt if you can get him. Also, please see if Suzyn would return to WFAN. She'd be perfect.

Mike has a hard job ahead of him.

I think what I most valued from the M&MD show was when they had guests that I felt I learned something. Now Mike seemed he could do this himself on several topics and also Dog when talking tennis. Also a recap of an event that I missed. They could put up guest spots to cover this

But the banter between Dog and Mike would often make me laugh. I think Mike can recreate some of this with Heussler, Carlin, and/or Howie Rose. Not sure about the rest.

Simmons might be interesting. His near live comments on a blog during the last NBA draft had me laughing into the next day. I wonder if he could bring that to radio.

Any reason why Minko is not on the list?

I was just going ask about Minko, Mike. Minko's been a mainstay over there.

Wow I know it's still early in the process, but this is the best they could come up with? Heussler would be a good update guy becuase like you mentioned he's not afraid to talk back to Francesa like the rest of the FAN employees.
Nothing against guys like Carlin or Eagle, but I don't think they have enough personality to really add to Francesa's show. You need someone in there like Chris Russo whose going to rub Mike the wrong way, that's what really made the show work, the friction between the two hosts. People like Carlin, Eagle and even Suzyn Waldman are just too vanilla. I guess Sid Rosenberg would give the show some personality and friction, but who knows how long Francesa could deal with Sid? Not so sure about this Bill Simmons guy, I've heard him on WFAN a few time with Mike and Chris, but I don't know if he could carry himself on the air for 5 hours a day?
I think WFAN still has a lot of work to do when it comes to there new afternoon show. There's got to be more people out of there to interview, between Satellite and AM/FM Radio. I mean WFAN did find a new morning team out of nowhere that's doing pretty well.

It has to be Huessler for updats and I think Jonas Schwatrz would be a great addtion if you've ever seen him on ch4 on Sundays joking with Cindy Adams he is pretty funny.

Simmons is a MUST for this show as his wit will keep Mike on his toes and he is an NBA fanatic. I agree also that even with baseball and football being the station staple they must move forward and include more basketball and hockey talk and Mike has to realize there is a whole new world out there on the intrahnets (copyright mikefrancesa.com)

Don't listen to the "fans"

Bringing back voices that have been or are still a part of every listener's life is not going to make this show a must listen.
Bring in a voice that is fresh and smart and younger.

Bill Simmons is perfect. He's knowledgable, funny, and although he is not as hip as he was five years ago, he is surely an upgrade from the others mentioned. He would bring in the 18 - 35 demo more than anyone else. He will cost a lot because he would have to leave ESPN, but he is very unhappy there and might be lured away.

WFAN is too limiting for a guy like Simmons. ESPN allows him to dabble in all of their platforms. He has his own website within ESPN.com, a column in ESPN magazine, appearances on E:60 as well as a guest on ESPN radio.

Now if WFAN wants to throw crazy money at him, that's a different story. Outside of that, it will be difficult for FAN to compete.

Bill Simmons is a much bigger national star than Mike, he's not going to be Mike's sidekick.

Don't have much of an opinion about most of the guys mentioned, but please, not Sid Rosenberg, if I want to hear High School humor, I can just go to work.

Anybody but Rosenberg; a man who knows nothing about sports.

I nominate Sweeny Murti who has worked at WFAN off and on since it's inception. He could handle either of these jobs or both. And, Mike really knows and likes Sweeny.

Neil,

Having been a listener of Mike and Chris since 1990 I would like to see more appearances by guests who are knowledgeable in a particluar sport, e.g. John Heyman, that can come on regularly during their respective season or during relevant events.

By having someone that can speak about a particular sport in more detail and who may have closer access to it will make for a much more thoughtful and insightful program. Such so called expert analysis will compliment Mike and add to the caliber of the discussion.

I urge the Wfan to take the time needed to get it right. Unfortunatly, we have seen too much turnover amongst hosts in other time slots. You also may want to entertain some type of online format other than instant messaging, whereby listeners can communicate with Mike but are unable to call in.

Finally, we need to get away from the notion that an edgy program with tension between the hosts is attractive....it is not and to think that you'll do anyhting but drive listeners away in droves should you replicate the sophmoric format heard on the morning program is foolish.

John

Joan- How can you tell Mike likes Sweeny? Everytime he has him on, he keeps yelling and cutting him off

I'd love to see Sid Rosenberg to mornings at SIRIUS as a lead to MadDog's 2pm slot. I've also heard Adam Schein mentioned as a morning possibilty.

Heussler is the perfect update guy for the show.

WFAN in general needs more personalities. There are too many guys on that station that are Francesa-lite!

Neil- Jets PSLs are out- back to work!

BRING SID HOME !!!!!!!!!!!!! HES THE BEST IN THE GAME !

With all of the talk that Mike has given to the new show, they have to go in a fresh direction. They can't recycle any of the old people from the FAN; certainly not Sid! It sounds like Mike wants to make it an Imus-type show. I think in the end the advertisers will be there as ever so anything will seem "successful".

Ian Eagle would be great. You wouldn't necessarily know it from listening to him call a game, but the guy does have a lot of personality and is very funny, as well as knowledgeable and credible because of his success in the industry

It doesn't matter who they put on with Francessa because he will just give his opinion or make sure the guest knows his opinion. Mike isnt going to change. Russo was the only one who could banter with Mike. He will probably be even worse now. So get ready for a daily dose of inside the Dolphins and how Mike watched Direct TV on Sunday so he knows everything about every game.

Sid does too much crack

Neil, do you know exactly when mad dog's first show before sep. 15 will be?

I am going to throw Jim Nantz's name out there. They obviously have a very good repore and Nantz is with CBS which is also affiliated with WFAN. I know it would be hard with his schedule and he would not be in the studio all that much but call ins on a more frequent basis and he certainly knows a lot about a lot of sports.

Its not going to be anyone whose name overshadows Francesa's so forget anyone with a national reputation. Besides they won't put up with francesa for long anyway. That leaves bloggers, WFAN employees and local TV personalities and newspaper reporters. And radio personalities who are big in other cities, but unknown in NY or nationally.

how about bring in this guy chris russo to be mike's sidekick

Mena: No, I don't. I know he'll do one show from U.S. Open. I believe he'll be at Giants opener Sept. 4. As will Mike!

Warner Wolf

Sid is the clear choice here. And what a way for mike to pull back in a guy wronged by the FAN (something Francessa seems to crusade for). Sid has a great personality and will add the younger edge the show will need. Someone mentioned it might not work because mike won't be able to deal with sid for too long. Ummm....that's the best part! Wasn't that exactly why he worked well with chris?!

Neil:

First time, long time here...

Is John Minko not being retained by WFAN? Can't figure out why their #1 update person isn't being considered for their #1 show.

Thanks.

fooch,no brainer

Annie Savoy:

You cant be serious about your Suzyn comment. Pass the bong over here when you're finished.

I can not see them going with Sid Rosenberg, Mike would not stand for his antics. It would be too much like the old show, time for something new and fresh.
I like what "Kranepool" said above about Jonas Schwartz. If you have seen him on SNY or NBC he does have a good knowledge of NY sports and a great personality. He would also fit with "Harry Doyle's" comments above about "Bring in a voice that is fresh and smart and younger"
Ian Eagle and Bill Simmons would be great too, but would they really want to play "second fiddle"? These are not easy shoes to fill... should be interesting

heussler is a no brainer for updates

Simmons would be a home run, but he is living the life in LA and I seriosuly doubt the Fan would woo him with better $$ and exposure than ESPN.

I would like to see Carlin, he seems like he could be a good fit with Mike.

But I think Sid would be a step back for the show, been there done that.

Ian Eagle would be an inspired choice.

I agree that my choice would be Bill Simmons. The Sports Guy is funny, knowledgable and with a Boston slant, would be good for Mike to play off of.

Heussler, while he would be good, is likely headed to Sirius (Russo said he called him to tell him he was leaving before the announcement, so obviously they're close, so why wouldn't Mad Dog hire him to do updates?) unless the FAN throws more money his way (unlikely).
Simmons would be great but don't hold your breath--again a money issue (if they wouldn't throw that kind of money at Mad Dog why would they throw it at someone unproven).
Yet another job Chris Carlin gets offered? I really don't get it.
Jerry Recco would be good, so would Rich Ackerman.
If the FAN hires Sid Rosenberg, upper management deserves to be fired. How many chances does such a limited talent get?

How about Ian, Carlin, and Jones. All funny, young, and entertaining.

Bill Simmons would be perfect. He'd force Mike to be more money-ballish in his approach, plus he'd give the show a tangy Boston-NY edge.

As others above have noted, Simmons is a big star and his price would probably be way too high. BUT... Simmons is also a HUGE Mike and the Mad Dog fan. See the hilarious Sports Guy column:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060512

Huessler is a perfect fit for the updates, because it usually is quite entertaining and good natured when he gets into it with Mike. Also there have been times where Francessa, Dog and Huessler would go at it for 10-15 minutes and just blow off the 20-20, which would be good for a 5 hour show with Mike flying solo.

As far as side-kicks, the one I think that fits the best is Ian Eagle. He is smart and knows his sport and his personality is low key and will allow Mike to still be the dominant personality. Also at he know his football and his basketball so at least there could be some intelligent basketball discussion during the winter.

Eagle is a much better fit than god forbid Rosenberg.

Ian has too many commitments to be considered a real sidekick as he has the NFL, games Marv is not doing on YES, and also being in the land of 1,000 announcers during the NCAA Basketball tournament.

Bill Simmons loved the show, indeed, but he lives in LA, would immediately tick off the average listener on WFAN how have no idea who he is since half don't seem to have a computer, and his interview with Mad Dog was like David Letterman's take of the show.

I wish Kim and Carlin had their own show really on the mid-day instead of Crazy Joe and Screech.

Rosenberg is probably tired of South Florida. He cannot stand ball-washing those piss-poor Marlins announcers any longer, especially as a Mets fan, but let's just say his colleague's also are mostly NY fans like Jorge Sedano. But I think Mike, like a true Imus protege, would happily take him back. Russo hated Rosenberg for his constant taunting and when he went AWOL due to drug problems he tore Sid apart despite the fact he is an addict. Mike understood his release as a business move but he was a guest on Sid's show a couple of times where they bashed Boomer and Carton. I think Sid has a good shot at coming back.

Mike,

Where the hell are you? You are like MIA during an absolute critical time during the show with Chris leaving and all.

I am so disappointed.

Joe