Oh, the pain: It's time for WatchDog Nation to weigh in

mad_men.jpgOK, people, here is your chance to weigh in on what you think of the Mike Francesa-Joe Benigno pairing on WFAN so far.

Trust me, many of the station's staffers read the blog, so your opinions will reach the right people. As always, keep it focused on the content.

Newsday readers named Benigno their favorite local sports talk radio host in a non-scientific poll last year, but let's see how popular he is in this context.

We'll have a big, all-encompassing poll when the parade of potential sidekicks is over.

What does January Jones have to do with any of this? Not much, really. But I was thinking recently about how Francesa ripped "Mad Men" after the premiere episode and presumably hasn't watched it since. He was wrong.

Ms. Jones and I both perform on Cablevision-owned platforms - AMC and Newsday - but our paths have yet to cross, alas.

That's it for me today. Enjoy Lynbrook's own Tony Kornheiser tonight.

Comments (18)

Benigno is great!

Benigno is a lot of fun - but he had that look on his face the entire time like a Michael Vick bait dog just waiting. That's no way to have to work.

Mike should stay by himself to float or sink. Joe is too good for him.

Or, WFAN and Dana get a UFC style oldschool brawl. The guys who want to work with Mike fight each other bracket style. Kim can probably take all of them so she gets a first round bye. Bruce Lee's Game of Death type one after the other.

Carlin needs to fight Mike in order to get into the competition. Because this here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roi9yIS3Phg
was a beat down.

The Blitz
www.Bobsblitz.com

I've made an effort to try and listen the past two weekdays to their show and I think it's great. Mike sounds different, like there is a spark. And Joe is great. I think he can keep the show grounded a bit, whereas in the last years with Russo they seemed to lose touch with the average fan.

Benigno was better then Carton and Jones. He's better then Mike.

Best loves January Jones. He posts her picture more then anyone. I see a restraining order in his future.

Joe B. and Mike together are excellant. Joe is not afraid to challenge Mike on things and provide a true Mets and Jets voice on the afternoon drive. Joe also prys for some of Mike's juicy inside information that Mike usually does not share on the air. I fully support this pair full time.

Guilty as charged.

He's not as good as me!!!!

First off, I agree with Bob, I think Mike by himself is the best choice. The great thing about Mike is he finds ways to fill the air-time with things other than calls -- lots of guests (which I love), banter with Eddie and the crew. Mike like me, can only listen to so many calls about the Mets bullpen in a day.

All that being said, Joe is the best guy for the job by far. He handles the callers well. He's more emotional than Mike, he's great with the callers, he knows his sports — including hockey. And unlike many others, he roots for all new york teams, which would be a very welcome change from Russo.

Because Mike can be condescending at times, you need to pair him with someone likeable, and Joe is very likeable.

I am unable to listen to Mike by himself. He gets too cocky and arrogant, and he starts to be condescending to the callers.

Joe is a regular guy and brings some balance to this show. He's able to have a good time, that keeps the show from getting boring.

The most important thing is that Benigno is not afraid to get into it with Mike. Coleman just agreed with Francesa on everything he said (even during the "Trade David Wright" fiasco). Carlin/Jones would "respectfully" disagree with him but they wouldn't dare go after him like Dog used to. Joe brings some of that Mad Dog style to the table. He doesn't just disagree, he lets you know that he thinks you're crazy for making such a ridiculous point.

My vote's for Joe.

they were good. joe definitely stood up to mike. thats what the new team should be. i know people wont like this but move malusis with evan and put adam the bull on overnights.

I agree with the call that Mike sounded more energized yesterday than he did in weeks. Joe fits the requirement for an ideal co-host: emotional, Mets fan, seasoned radio guy. And he knows his sports and NY sports history (unlike Carlin & Evan who believe that anything before 2001 is "pre-historic"). Mike needs to "play off" an emotional co-host so that his cool, pompous style is a contrast. By himself, that style gets old quick. I would even suggest pairing Joe AND Kim with Mike so that Mike can be the referee between the emotional Mets/Jets guy and Yankees/Giants lady. Kim know her Yanks and Giants better than almost anybody at that station. And she is a very good listen. Carlin is too much like Mike to be a good co-host WITH him. Just my two cents.

I thought Francesa and Benigno talking about movies, and how Benigno wanted to be a character actor, was unbearable. The off-topic stuff is fine, but it has to come from the heart, and this didn't sound like it did. It takes a good sense to know when as commentators you're having an inside conversation, and when you're having one that makes us feel in the loop and like we know you better. The best of Mike in the Mad Dog's off-topic discussions achieved that inclusive and revelatory feel. This just seemed private and self-indulgent. Francesa seemed to have no idea that he was driving the bus off the cliff and kept at his tack for a good 40 minutes plus. There was a bit of an ear lacking there.

For full disclosure, I love Benigno's genuine warmth and passion. I think Francesa is overpaid, overrated, and insecure, but certainly competent, and a good interviewer. In that vein, he takes genuine interest in his interlocutors and provides invaluable information.

If you had to give Francesa a sidekick, I liked Benigno on paper, but I didn't think they played well on Monday, maybe because Francesa was trying too hard.

Mike stinks alone. Everyone knows it. The FAN knows it... even HE has to know this. He needs a cantankerous presence with him. If he has someone to argue with.... it gives him credibility. When hes all alone, he just sounds like he is talking down to the audience. especially the Met fans. Beningo is perfect. He is an "average guy" and he's a typical Met fan. Mets fans can identify with Joe, and Yankee Fans can identify with Mike. Its perfect. PLUS, Joe likes Hockey... which is an added plus for Mike. it takes the pressure off of him when Callers ask about hockey. Joe can take care of that. Similar to dog with Tennis... but this is even better...because at least people CARE about hockey. Dog's tennis time was just brutal.

Joe is perfect and he deserves it. Give him the promotion he deserves. The fans love Joe. He is your best asset. I would love to hear him fight Mike for the next 5 years. Give it to him Chernoff!!

Mike is on with Evan now.... He's asking about his formative years .......... (wait for the crickets) ................................... Now, Evan is trying to talk about his sucess with the ladies AGAIN .............................................................................
..............................................Now they're talking politics ?
.........................................................................................
.......................................................... All right, I give
............................................................................................
Please, if there's a God in heaven, MAKE THEM STOP!

anyone but Evan...

I still liked day two of Mike and Eddie Coleman the best. The one thing about Evan is that he is the opposite of Mike, age wise, Yanks/Mets, etc. which should make some good radio.

Neil - I do work at AMC and have yet to get closer than my TV set to January Jones. Good Luck

Mike and Joe works, you can see in Joe's eyes on Yes how much it means to him too, this is a big chance for him, it's his time, so if you really care, you should want this for Joe as well. Plus he is the best one, and rarely do you get the best qualified to be the one who deserves it and who wants it the most as well, so don't blow it WFAN!

Benigno's speech and delivery sounds wayyyyyy too much like Dog for my tastes. I also think he's too deferential to Mike...isn't Francesa the guy who basically gave Benigno his start?

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