Sports talk radio-active
We don't change the station, and so the station sees no need to change. Ratings are huge, possibly even as huge as the station claims. Its primary demographic has tremendous appeal to advertisers. And New England’s fanatical dedication to the professional sports teams that the station’s hosts bloviate about in four-hour blocks is seemingly endless.
What’s that adage about pompous silver-spooners? He was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple? That fits certain WEEI hosts as comfortably as a Bloomin’ Onion–stained Tommy Bahama shirt. They think the station’s success somehow reflects on them, that we tune in for their shrill banter, contrived characters, and prefabricated opinions. We don’t — never have, never will. We listen because we love sports, our beloved teams are enjoying a remarkable run of success, and WEEI happens to have both access and broadcast rights. Most of all, we listen because there is no other decent local alternative with a signal stronger than that of a ham radio.
Now, I’m not suggesting all WEEI programming beats your eardrums into submission. Dale and Holley are engaging in the midday, and Mut and Bradford make those weekend chores pass quicker. But it is telling that the two smartest sports radio shows in the city in recent years — Michael Felger’s drive-time program on ESPN 890 and the Ryen Russillo/Jon Anik/Anthony Pepe crew on WWZN 1510 — were broadcast elsewhere on the dial. If only either had owned a signal that didn’t turn into a French-language station a mile from the Zakim Bridge, they might have gained the appropriate audience.
So to feed our unquenchable sports jones, we have no choice but to suffer the WEEI banshees. But that doesn’t stop us from longing for something better, something not only entertaining but intelligent, passionate, and insightful.
We’re not here today for the purpose of holding a sports radio fantasy draft, but for a moment consider the station you could build — and the one ESPN Boston should have built — with roster depth that included the best of the Globe and ESPN, underrated talents such as Russillo and Mike Giardi, as well as the requisite WEEI refugees. (Remember Steve DeOssie after he skipped over to 1510? Thoughtful and articulate. On WEEI? An overgrown Scut Farkas.)
Maybe I’m naïve. Maybe the average Boston sports fan is less sophisticated than I want to believe. But I’m convinced that provided with an equal signal, some savvy program director could build what WEEI claims to be: the premier sports radio station in the country. And just in case such a benefactor happens to have read this far, at no charge we offer you a thinking fan’s guide to the real dos and don’ts of sports radio in Boston.
Have a well-considered opinion and the knowledge to defend it in an entertaining manner: No, passing yourself off as some sort of insider because of an association with the Celtics two decades ago does not count, particularly when there is mounting suspicion that you haven’t watched more than a handful of out-of-market NBA games since the days of short shorts and sky hooks. In a related note: Yelling the loudest doesn’t make you right. Didn’t your mom ever teach you that?
After you've beaten a story to death, please resist the temptation to beat on the corpse daily for another several weeks: Wait, wait, wait … you’re telling me Manny Ramirez quit on the Red Sox? And they traded him? When did this happen? How come you never mentioned this, Mikey? HOW COME YOU NEVER MENTIONED THIS??!!
No more celebrity callers ...: Call it the Glenn Ordway Corollary: The more obnoxious the caller, the more airtime he gets. It’s a cornerstone of the lucrative business of pandering to the lowest common denominator. But I can’t be the only one who lunges for the scan button as soon as “Angry Bill” and his miserable brethren begin spewing their first word of venom.
... or sycophantic co-hosts: Ah, another Ordway self-preservation tactic. Surround yourself with a couple of knowledgeable co-hosts, then fill out the rest of the cast with talking-head lightweights and cronies who will argue with you only to the point where you say zip it, refuse to point out your factual missteps, and, for the sake of a paycheck, willingly play clichéd characters appropriate for a failed soap-opera actor. That way, you’re irreplaceable, since there’s no obvious successor to the throne. Brilliant! Also: Unlistenable!
In order to qualify for airtime, a co-host has to be able to put two consecutive syllables together without his tongue tripping over his mustache: Don’t worry, big guy. You’re halfway there.
Hosts are not permitted eight-part questions so long and windy that they require a syllabus and stretch from one commercial break to the next: That means you, Dennis … Denito … Dentillo …
Talk politics or the news story of the day when the moment calls for it: Credit where credit is due: WEEI was riveting radio in the days after September 11. The tone was sincere, heartfelt, and human. Since then, however, the tone regarding politics and world matters has become so extreme that certain hosts make Dick Cheney look like a beatnik. Worse is the increasingly snide disregard for those with different circumstances, views, and — the case certainly can be made — pigment. It’s one thing to be provocative, but too often that crosses the line to irresponsibility. Sure, a certain element is enthralled — hillbillies and cavemen, mostly. Others are simply waiting for the inevitable repulsive comment that leads to your downfall.
Enough with the drop-ins from comedians who'd bomb at the Ha-Ha House of Whiskey and Waffles: And if some clown named Shecky does find his way into the studio — either as a guest or as your nighttime host — have some dignity and refrain from hee-hawing and chortling and racing to laugh loudest as if he’s the reincarnation of George Carlin. He’s not. He’s a D-lister with a captive audience, and his best jokes wouldn’t make the cut for the Whiner Line. Which, by the way, is the best thing you have going. We might note the material comes not from you, but from the listeners. We’re going to assume you miss the irony of that.
OT columnist Chad Finn is a sports reporter for Boston.com and can be reached at finn@globe.com
Sounds like sour grapes to me!
You're joking right?? Chad finn can't even write a decent article in the paper? Now he's going to criticize talk radio!! Try fixing your writing first you HUGE HACK!!!!!!
Thank god someone wrote this. WEEI in mornings and afternoon drive is unlistenable.
AMEN!
Some hosts are Ok, some drive me nuts. Can we keep the politics out of it? I never listen in the AM anymore. My biggest complaint is the long long long long commercial breaks.
Anyone who disagrees with Chad Finn's statements does NOT understand radio.
Real radio, true radio. With the exception of Dale and Holley, these amateurs who've come from TV and print always chant the mantra that, 'anyone can do radio'. True to the point of talking into a microphone but not good, effective radio. This is why the undustry is losing out to satellite and the internet. Where are you GM's and PD's who have a spine? Cultivate a format that can hold and entertain an audience where they'll devote their listenership and eventually their wallets to you. It's called investment. Having working in radio
Ha...The whine and cheese crowd is sounding off...EEI has the higher ratings
than your stupid National Socialist Paper sounds like sour grapes....guess
you want the fairness doctrine for WEEI.
Gutsy column, sure to bring out the basement dwellers. I confess what bothers me the most is the constant interruption of callers (most egregiously and often done by the self-appointed historian of all things Boston sports.) Personally, I've stopped listening entirely to Reich Radio in the morning and tune in mostly from 10 to six. Saturdays have improved immeasurably since they've transitioned from Yankee talk. Anyway, look forward to the discussion!
Sounds like someone is a little upset he can't be heard, you sound like a whine bag, jealousy gets you no where but on something called the OT.
Chad, did you put that bull's eye on your back all by yourself or did someone help you do it? You'll either get creamed as a no-talent hack or dismissed as a no-talent hack. No worries, we all and your mother know the truth.
You are absolutely right, of course, down to the part where the ESPN signal was lost right in the middle of Felger being cranky about something Belichick.
Unfortunately, you tip-toed around the most aggregious offense of the WEEI screaming grunts, particularly the pseudo-intelligent duo in the morning. That is their outright racism. They were censored and re-instated by the station some years ago for the Metco student insult. That episode spoke volumes about their true feeling as individuals and the station's stand in the matter of who they hire and the quality of what goes out over the air waves every day. It's sad that a major market like Boston only serves our worst selves and doesn't provide something better and smarter.
Wow. Chad Finn is absolutely dropping bombs. Many of them are spot on.
The only problem: it IS the best, most successful sports radio station in the country. I've been around most of it, and what's out there isn't much better. In fact, it isn't better. I'll pass on Mike Francesa and Jim Rome, thanks.
Big props to Dale and Holley for being the best show on the station.
I agree with much of what is said. WEEI has become unlistenable in recent years with all it's comic bits and silly promotions. The Big Show is by far the worst show with co-hosts like studdering Smerlas and that ridiculous Pete Sheppard. It is 4 hours of moronic commentary with 4 people shouting over each other. How does that show get top ratings? I used to listen to Felgar's show on ESPN instead whenever I could get the signal.
Dale and Holley is the most cerebral of the shows, but even they resort to stupid gimmicks and cheesie sound effects instead of just talking sports. I enjoy have enjoyed the balance of politics and sport on Dennis and Callahan and think they raise some good issues. At least they bring some intelligent conversation to the table rather than the crap from Planet Mikey or the Big Show.
Wonderful piece...I've felt this way forever.
I am desperate for a good local sports talk in the morning, but suffer through Mike & Mike steroid talk on 890 because D&C is so off-putting.
I live in NJ but was brought up in Boston and look forward to listening to WEEI whenever I'm in the area...until I get there. I always thought that much of NY sports radio appealed to the lowest common denominator, but Boston shows are so incredibly amateurish they make Wayne's World look like Face the Nation. Why the constant shouting over each other's voices, the corny and competely unfunny bantering? You can be successful simply talking sports with listeners and interviewing guests. You don't need all the extra commentary that makes most of these shows unlistenable.
Absolutely. If I want political opinions to the right of Atilla the Hun, I will listen to Russ L. I would prefer sports and, ideally without the gender and racial bias.
I love listening to WEEI for sports, when they are not talking politics the whole time.
awesome!!!!...i also love th 20 minute commerical breaks
I only listen 10 - 2 so I'm pretty happy with the station. Unless it's something special like a trade deadline in the late afternoon, four hours is enough to keep you well informed, and for the most part you can avoid the shouting matches.
This column is absolutely on point. I live in CT, I lose the signal to WFAN often, so I go to WEEI. I prefer to listen to the ah...New York broadcast even though I am a die hard sox/celts fan. Listening to WEEI gives me nausea, it frustrates me how 3,4,5, "hosts" talk over each other, the callers, and make it unlistenable. Forget the fact that a callers opinion will be ridiculed even if it was the same opinion as one of the hosts just moments before the call.
Then there is the politics in the morning. I am neither a Republican or a Democrat. I tend to go with the best person for the job, and the one I believe can lead us the best. Unfortunately, the 2 morning hosts are so far to the right it is scary. They also seem very out of touch with reality. To quote one of them "we are winning the war in Iraq". Winning? We are in Iraq to liberate them, not to conquer! We are in that country based on false pretense "WMDs" and we are winning?
My suggestion, Keep Dale and Holley, get Merloni full time for baseball season, and start over with the rest. The weekend crew is adequate....
AMEN! thank god for Sirius radio when I'm in the car. Also 'eei should be the all "commercial break station", from 6AM til 6PM half the air time is spent listening to windshield replacement and "the biggest no brainer in the history of earth" ads!
Well said, Chad. Wonder if they'll be grunting and spitting over this column today at 2pm to paint you as some kind of jealous BG liberal.... Doesn't matter though, because I won't be tuning in to find out. The narcissism of the EEI hosts is sickening
Best column that I can remember. WFAN has more to offer at all hours of the day.
None of the Spiro Agnew worshipping or talking down to each caller when your
not outshouting them. By the way, is the most used phrase in the after noon,"Hold
on, Hold on , Hold on ?" How about the mentions of the side businesses in Rhode Island and Foxborough. Yeah ,I need to know how I can shell out hunderds of dollars to stand in a tent and rub elbows with these big shots.
The cockiness of these over fed elephants is sickening.There is nothing for themto be cocky about.
I couldn't agree more. I actually did listen to 890 for Felger's show and 1510 for Sean McDonough's show and wish those alternatives were still available. Holley and Dale are not as arrogant as the others and Mike Adams, though not arrogant, is just not very knowledgable on any sport including baseball. I think the good co-hosts are Tom Curran, Steve Buckley, Cedric Maxwell, Steve Nelson, Paul Perillo, and I wouldn't mind Fred Smerlas without Deossie. The worst are Butch Stearns, Bill Burt, Brian Daubach, Larry Johnson and Pete Shepard as flashguy. I can't believe D&C survived their Metco joke and clearly their arrogance will do them in at some point
It's encouraging to finally see that someone has come out and state what so many sports fans, with even the slightest desire to hear a well rounded sports story or argument, has been thinking for years. WEEI is such a poor excuse for a radio station that it's an embarrassment to know that it emanates from Boston (a city which remains home to many of the elite educational institutions, is a cultural and historical center and medical mecca). It would be more acceptable if we were picking up a radio signal from some hick "anywhere" town in the US. Chad Finn hits it on the head when he points out (the obvious fact) that this is a station which is benefitting from the riches of a great and lengthy sports history (much of which is dotted with success). "Lowest Common Demoniator" is a kind term to use since it suggests an average of poor and well informed opinions. And this doesn't even scratch the surface of the deep frustrations many must feel in tuning into a SPORTS show to hear about everything other than that. - Current Events, Politics, Entertainment, Movie Reviews...most of which come from people who have a historical perspective that barely reaches beyond the borders of Attelboro, Stockbridge and Andover and whose point of reference and personal experience can be encapsulated into the "currency of the cultural realm of contemporary America" and our exposure to voyeuristic, juvenile, and prurient fascination with shows like "24", "American Idol", "Survivor" and personalities an inch deep and a foot wide. As Mr. Finn pointed out there are, to be sure, lights at the end of that dark and fecal tunnel: like Michael Holley, Ryan Rusillo, Dale Arnold and Michael Felger. Smart, focused, responsible and respectful hosts who understand, it’s not about THEM. However much this station may feel like they have a monopoly they do not...you simply change the dial and tune in every so often (as I now do) on the rare chance that you might actually hear SPORTS TALK and it might actually be illuminating. It's like playing the lottery, you take a chance every once in a while and hope you get lucky. Kudos to you Mr. Finn for speaking up and pointing out "The Emperor Has No Clothes".
I stopped listening to WEEI about six months ago for exactly the reasons you state. I loved to listen to Michael Silverman, Felger, and Tony Mazz, but Ordway et al just got too much for me to take. I also read BostonHerald.com daily, but now that Mazz is on Boston.com I am a convert tere as well. I can imagine Ordway going ballistic after he reads your column, but I won't be listening.
EEI is pretty good....they (like everything else in life) have their ups and downs. I think Dennis and Callahan have some decent guests but Callahan drives me crazy with his closed minded political rants and Dennis can have somewhat of an elitist /pompous attitude....Dale and Holly are ok.. but I do like the hockey guests and interviews...the Big Show can be funny at times but Ordway drives me crazy when he interrupts callers and tries to domninate the conversation(let the callers finish a sentence before you interrupt by saying "hold on...hold on...hold on"...that drives me crazy!! and Pete Sheperd is a know-nothing screaming jerk
"Worse is the increasingly snide disregard for those with different circumstances, views, and — the case certainly can be made — pigment."
I couldn't disagree more. I know you are referring to Callahan. You are 100% correct regarding him not understanging or refusing to see someone else's views but to suggest he might be racist (essentially you are by making that comment) is absurd and extremely unfair. I just wish you had left the 'pigment' comment out because that type of slander angers me more than anything.
I could not agree with you more. When there is a moment in the hour when they aren't playing commercials, you are forced to listen to people speak over each other, cut each other off, and argue a point without giving factual information. The level of intellect and insight could be found in any dive bar where you would stop for a beer waiting for a train, and be forced to listen to a factless and illogical debate. The Mcdonough Group was exactly what was right with sports talk radio. Well-delivered, educated opinions held in a forum of professionals (let alone adults). Thank you for pointing out something that most of us with brain matter actually believe in. This town needs a serious alternative to the pompous, child banter that is WEEI.
Wow, I couldn't agree with you more. I can't believe how these "radio personalities" can think their opinions are always the only one's you should have. Their arrogance, outright rudeness to callers and almighty attitude is irritating. Also, why is it that some sportscasters on tv turn try to turn their segment into some comedy show? Just report the scores, I'm not really interested in any of your snide, sarcastic silly puns.
Thank you Chad for saying what a lot of us have been thinking.
I despair of Sports Talk Radio in this current form
I grew up listening to Jake Liston (who was my uncle by the way) and the others back in the 70's when Sports Radio was insightful and intelligent.
What passes for it today whould dissapoint him no end..
It was refreshing this morning to wake up and hear Felger instead of D&C.
why bother? SIRIUS XM Radio
WEEI sucks across the board. D&C are conservative blow hards, Dale and Holly are homers, at least you can listen to them without your ears bleeding. In hell people are forced to listen to the best of Glen Ordway...planet Mikey lacks insight.
Good work Chad
Couldn't agree with you more. Da;e and Holley are ok but Dennis & Callahan hardly talk about sports and I can't really understand the Big Show cause all they do is talk over each other
Are you people crazy? Go anywhere else in the WORLD and listen to sports radio. Then get back to me.
EEI is horrendous except when Felger is on
Sounds like a guy who is desparate to get people to read his column. I, for one, love listening to Dale and Holley (more so for Holley)...However, when you call out a host of a show, that is just wrong. He is there to raise points and get topics on the table. Are you telling me that Lou Merloni isn't credible? He is the best thing that has happend to that station since the departure of Neumi.
So please Chad, this will be the last time I read an article of yours. It's funny when Red Sox camp is quiet, the media starts to turn on each other. I have a feeling you are going to be BLASSSSSSSSTED this afternoon on the show, and I will happily be listening. Jeaslousy is a funny thing. Even when you type it out.
Spot on. The morning show has way too much political talk and is too right wing (and I'm a republican!). Even during the playoffs they need to dedicate half their show to right wing rantings. Afternoon show is good. Drive show show is cronny hour - Fred and Pete gotta go. Their homer TV Football show is no better. Whinner line is great however.
I did enjoyed Felger on 890, but could barely listen to the station and it had too much national contenet for my taste. Why to speak up against WEEI.
Ok, I get where all this is coming from, and I agree that the talking over each other and the routine shouting has simply got to stop. But I do love Freddy, like Dale (not Holley), and the station does have the access, which covers somewhat for the of subtlety they obviously lack. So that alone gets them at least a B.
I live in the Atlanta area and the college coverage is so bad (read: constant) that I listen to EEI on the 'net. I think if you had to listen to some of what passes for sports radio down here, you'd not be so heated in the criticism. But yeah, they could make some simple moves and move into A category pretty quickly, imho.
do yourselves a HUGE favor. get sirius radio and listen to Mike & Mike in the morning, who actually like to discuss sports, as opposed to simply sputtering angry and hateful comments on all topics non-sport related.
If any - ANY - any any any station with the same wattage covered sports, that's right covered SPORTS, EEI would see their market share start to dwindle and, if they didn't change, even rotund Ordway would die on the vine.
In all honesty, it's half-not their fault. I'm sure they are encouraged by the station to do just what they are doing. joen dennis must look in the mirror every morning and laugh himself to the station. Callghan has become a caricature of himself -- he sounds so extreme now, I expect to listen to the John Birch Society editorials. He used to be a welcome balance to a left-leaning state -- now, I keep expecting him to explain how McCarthyism was a myth and that Ann Coulter should be on the supreme Court in the next Republican admin.
Love that Felgie is on -- they guy has his wacky side, but not like Mikey -- he knows his stuff. Dale & holley are great too.
Know who wouyld be great in either the AM or PM Drives? Neumie and Felgie -- geez, save the big bucks for these guys instead of the blowhards. At least I can listen to ESPN with just a little static instead of these guys.
EEI PM drive time is more a place where guys have a chance to put themselves on the stage between call in and the Whiner Line... and oh yeah, beating long-dead horses.
This article is waaaaaayy to long in coming.
Wow. Spot on. This column picks up on the comments that were recently made on WEEI.com concerning Callahan's blatant racism, and the general bashing of the morning show. Strangely, WEEI has removed that blog entry and the comments. WEEI CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!
Dale & Holley are the only two talented broadcasters, but unfortunately they are stuck in the 10-2 time zone.
Give me a break. Sports are entertainment, and WEEI is very entertaining in the way they deliver. I've listened to nationally syndicated shows which are awful and talk about things irrelevant to us here in the New England market, and even when the topic is intresting, the way it is delivered is boring and stale. This is fun, sports are fun. Its like having a disagreement with a colleague about whats happening in the world of sports.....its funny, its entertaining. We can only hear about Steroids or Spygate for so long. During the course of the day if we just suck with the stories and didn't have the entertainment, the chemistry that shows like the big show deliver, WEEI would have run its course. This is a great station, and I'm glad to have it. We are passionate about our sports here, and its nice to get some laughs with it, and also to hear people with opinions instead of people afraid to have one.......Get a life Chad Finn....you essentially write a blog....who cares what you think........
People still listen to WEEI? I would love to see the correlation between EEI listeners and Boston Herald subscribers.
Chad - don't overestimate the intelligence of the local fandom. Just read the various mailbags your colleagues post on a weekly basis, and listen to the callers to the EEIdiots and you'll see the true level of most of the "smahtest fans in the country".
If that entire station disappeared tomorrow, the world would be a better place.
"but to suggest he might be racist (essentially you are by making that comment) is absurd and extremely unfair."
Oh please. What is absurd is painting Callahan as anything BUT a racist.
Chad who? I am amused by the comments of those that don't listen, and their keen insight into the goings on of the broadcasts. Hmmm, neat trick, maybe they read the transcripts - or they listen to the segments posted here at Boston.com. Either way, the whine and cheese folk (gender bias? - Yeah let's hear that riveting BC Women's basketball talk) complaining here about whine and cheesy folk at the local station sounds odd to a dedicated channel flipper such as myself. Why complain about 20 minute commercial breaks (which occur when they are recording interviews with people like Francona, Belichick, Rivers, Brady, Bruschi, Garnett, etc.) unless you miss what you are listening to? With soooo many bad FM stations in Boston (including one run by a computer with the same name as the robotic PM host at WEEI - on that point I agree) why doesn't the Media heavyweight author here campaign for a challenger? Hell, WBCN toyed with the idea when they negotiated with D & C awhile back (yeah, what does make them think they are responsible for ratings - maybe the actions of their competitors?). Stop complaining and get it done...if you are right, it'll work.
EEI, you are slightly moronic. Of course Chad will get blasted on EEI for this article. That's the point. They don't even care. 95 percent of these comments are in agreement with Finn, but will anything change? No. Why? Because the hosts of the shows are so arrogant that they can not comprehend criticism. They only know how to BLAST. Instead of understanding that a column was written, and that most people agree with it, the Big O, Callahan, etc. will just blast away and call Finn a hack.
Chad Finn is giving Boston sports fans entirely too much credit here. The days of this being a region of nothing but die-hard, super knowledgeable sports fans is long over. Sure, those people are still around, but they're greatly outnumbered by bandwagon jumpers, homers, and morons for whom people like Mike Adams and everyone on the Big Show are actually entertaining.
Wah, wah, wah. If you whiny bitches don't like the content on 'EEI, then change the channel. No one is forcing you to listen. You people who cry about the hosts talking politics are the same ones bitching about them beating topics to death. When it's a slow news day in sports, what would you like them to talk about? Can't have it both ways, whiners.
'EEI is far from perfect, but if it is such a flawed radio station, as all of you geniuses point out, they would have gone out of business years ago.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I share your opinions across the board. Can't stand to listen any more. I will tune in for the occasional breaking story, but find myself switching stations as soon as I get the update.
Bravo. Yesterday afternoon Glen was trying to look at a photo of something on Google all by himself.
He did not know what Google Image was.
Butch Stearns had to point it out to h im.
Thank you Chad for writing, what I, and EVERY other Boston Sports Fan have been discussing for years.
WEEI's ratings are a reflection of being the only game in town... NOT because of talent, or work ethic.
In 11 years, I have never heard a well researched, thoughtful opinion.
Would it be that difficult to bring some elegance, and intelligence to the station?
Thank you again for your article.
YES YES YES!!! I agree 1000%
Many good points made, CF. If I was building a 'fantasy sportsradio station' as you suggest, I'd leave D&H at midday and put Felger and Merloni in PM drive...call it the 'Real Lou & Mike Show' if you want. I think Lou actually wants to be an all-around sportstalk host, not just a baseball analyst, and he is knowledgeable about other sports. In the mornings, Tom Curran's combination of knowledge and wit would make him an ideal morning co-host in my mind. He would probably pair up best with a McDonough/Russillo type, perhaps even John Rooke if you want a nice contrast of regional accents.
Coming to you from Chicago, where, believe it or not, out sports talk is worse. That's why I listen to EEI on the internet. Correction, I listen to Dale and Holley, and I enjoy Lou Merloni's insight. But I gave up on D&C two years ago. And I gave up on Ordway this week.
Ordway this week has had idiotic, boorish, bloviant rants about Sean Penn, the economy in Fort Myers (we should care because Glenn owns property there? REALLY?) and the Jim Calhoun post-game exchange. And he's been as knowledgeable and insightful on these topics as a bucket of sand.
And Pete Sheppard ... Why does he have this job? What does he bring to the table, aside from a bucket of fried chicken?
But lets face it - sports talk radio is lowest common denominator entertainemnt, period, no matter where you are. In general, it's not good. The fact that Ordway has high ratings is proof of that.
(I do enjoy Dan Patrick on his new non ESPN show, and Tony Kornheiser (yes, when he's not on MNF he's VERY, VERY good). Patrick and Kornheiser are on XM.)
ok, fine, just don't make it sound like Felger is somehow a man apart. he's just as much an exhibitionist as the Big Show guys. Actually, more so.
You lose all credibility when you mention Anthony Pepe, John Anik and the Felger show as viable alternatives. Sorry Chad, but that's fraudulent... that proves you and the Bruce Allen crowd and his sycophants are nothing but axe grinders. Anthony Pepe is an off-air promotions guy that BOUGHT AND PAID FOR his air time... and you talk about being born on third base ? Mutt and Bradford is one of the most awkward, contrived pieces of crap on the radio... but the next time you see your blogging buddy Rob at Fenway I'm sure he'll be glad you gave him a plug.
Also, you might want to do a little research Chad. 1510 and 890 both have signals as strong as 850 within the 128 belt. There are PLENTY of potential listening sports fans within that range... so why could neither station muster more than a 0.4 or 1.0 in the ratings ? If these shows are so good, such a viable alternative, if sports radio fans are craving an alternative so badly... shouldn't they be able to muster something more than that crap number within 128 ? 1510 and 890 had MANY print and tv ads to promote their station... something I've never seen WEEI do. Stop with the excuse making... with 1510 and now 890 you claim its the signal that caused their failure, when the fact of the matter is, in the greater Boston area their signals are not nearly as bad as you make it out to be and there are PLENTY of potential listeners who tested it and found WEEI better. No ! That's not possible ! It must be the signal !
You've done yourself proud with the Bruce Allen crowd and the pseudo-intellectual frauds who believe they're better and more educated than the average sports fan and WEEI listener... this will be top story over there and the 50 people that read that site will call you a hero! And WEEI will still continue to be the most successful station in New England.
Thank you Chad for having the guts to write this article. I agree that Dale and Holley are the most credible commentators. It's a shame I miss them most of the time. People in the afternoon slots should let people call in regarding Patriots, hockey, badminton , volley ball, WHATEVER THEY WANT! They should not have to be ridiculed by large people with small brains who have a man crush on Brady. It is not THEIR show. It is OUR show. Shouting down callers only leaves you with homers and drunks calling in. Very little insight is discussed. Dennis and Callahan in the morning are the most elitist, pompous people I have ever heard. How the hell does this pass as a sports show when Jerry gets to read the Herald to us every morning? He is a hateful, vicious person whose vitriol only fuels the right wing and the racists. Any competing station that was allowed to challenge these Howard Stern Jocks with anything credible would steal most of the silent sports fans.
Kudos for the article. WAKE UP EEI !
They certainly have a successful business model. However, that doesn't mean they don't suck.
I wouldn't expect the typical EEI fan/employee posting here in defense of them to be able to comprehend the distinction however.
I consider myself a sports fanatic and think that you are way off the mark. These guys are knowlegeable and usually spot on with sports commentary, updates and entertainment. And, by the way, what would ever posess you to endorse that most arrogant, pompous twit Felger! Talk about a contentious, no talent meathead! In fact, if he were on the show, it would be the only reason I would even hesitate to tune out WEEI.
Nailed it, Chad. I can listen to 'EEI on that rare occasion that I am craving something -- anything sports -- or my iPod is out of battery, or all of my 6 preset music stations are on commercial. Unless I'm in the car when the Whiner Line is on, I don't go there.
Ok, I have been waiting to unload on this topic,so fwiw here is my 2 cents:
The EEI day begins badly & ends even worse. D&C in the am & that bufoon in the evening are each virtually unlistenable. In between, it’s not too shabby. I like D&H & I can listen to the big O. Smerlas is another loud mouthed bufoon as far as I’m concerned so when he’s on I tend not to listen. Call me crazy but I liked the interplay between the teacher & the preacher on Sat am, though I don’t miss all the Yankees chatter. This “Mutt man” replacement is a tool IMO & I don’t enjoy his broadcasting personality/style. He’s also on a local station up here in Nashua & I never liked him there either. You talk about beating a story to death? This guy gets on a subject & just refuses to let it go, ie., the Texeria signing by the Yankees. Let it GO already for cryin out loud! I think Ryan Rusillo would be a great addition to the ‘EEI team, maybe as a replacement for “Mikey” the village idiot? What an upgrade that would be! In the morning I have all but given up hope, those guys just signed new contracts & apparently their ratings are good so they are going to be there for awhile. So it’s FSR in the am for me, tho they just botched their programming lineup w/ some recent changes, [sigh].......
I haven't listened to WEEI consistently in many many years. I suggest you do the same. It's not worth it. They will never change.
I keep hoping for a real challange to EEI. I talmost happened at least twice when the Red Sox were looking at buying a station and when D & c were going to some local network deal using I think 99.5.
I wish BCN would go all sports they have the Pats they could grab the Bruins who are up for bid to give them product and then hire some intelligent hosts.
Good for you, Chad Finn. The morning and afternoon ARE unlistenable. IF this article does get discussed on the air, you'll be branded as some sort of communist sympathizer, left-wing nut, and that will be the end of it.
Personally, I can't take listening to those idiots shout over each other for more than 30 seconds.
Funny. Many of these comments look like they were written by 3rd grade English class dropouts. People who can't spell, punctuate nor use proper grammar ought to think twice before slamming the communication abilities of others. Some of you make Smerlas and Ordway seem like Mensa candidates.
WEEI is just fine for what it is. Brainless radio. The audio equivalent of watching a movie like "Caddyshack". If you are expecting the quality of "Raging Bull" you might be disappointed. If you take it for what it is, they do a really good job at it.
Sad to say back in the old days like the 1970's there were actually very good sports talk shows in Boston - Calling All Sports on WBZ was serious sports discussion and Sports Huddle on WHDH more off the wall but nothing like the idiotic Shepard, Smerlas, & Ordway mess.
I like Dale and Holley right where they are. They fill my work day up just fine and that's really all I listen to on 'EEI. I do like Planet Mikey, but I only get to hear him when I'm in the car after 7.
Looking forward to the baseball show with Mike this upcoming year. Hopefully they do the right thing at 'EEI and put McAdams and Buckley back together with Mike. Didn't like the format last year: McAdams one week Buck the next.
Come on 'EEI McAdams and Buck can't cost that much!?!?!?!
Also, hopefully now that the Yankees are semi- relavant again (at least until July) they also bring back ":Yankee Talk" on 'EEI with Craig and Larry. Love to listen to the Yankees fans wish, hope, pray and dream that they can be as good as the Red Sox!
I couldn't agree with you more, Chad. Like you said, there is plenty of listenable, entertaining content on WEEI, but unfortuneatley, the bad outweighs the good. Dale and Holley is the only show I can really listen to anymore. I can't stand Dennis and Callahan for their extreme right wing politics. Sports radio should be about exactly that...sports! And the "Big O" has some moments of brilliance, especially when he has McAdam or Curran on, but then he ruins it with those rejects DeOssie and Smerlas. And worst of all, he lets them do it and he generally agrees with them! Look, I like WEEI, but when it starts to be too much of a geriatric frat house, that's just not entertaining to me anymore. I think they need to make some adjustments to their format. Keep things like the "Whiner Line" and "Beat the Frauds" but STOP the right wing banter and the gay bashing (case in point, Fred and Steve mocking "Brokeback Mountain"). Plus, it just makes them look bad...grow up guys!
'Any competing station that was allowed to challenge these Howard Stern Jocks with anything credible would steal most of the silent sports fans.'
Don't paint Howard like that he can actually conduct a professional interview even though it may be with a stripper.
The "big show" is one of the most obnixious programs on the radio. The fact that they yak on like a bunch of frat boys tryinig to out shout each other is annoying enough but when they go on about how great the show is I can't listen anymore. It is literally one bigger meathead than the next on that show. I am a New England fan all the way around but if you want to listen to quality sports talk, tune into WFAN in New York.
Chad is absolutely correct. I have not listened to EEI in years.
Hard not to agree with just about everything Chad said. Not that it will make any difference at WEEI. When you're making tons of money putting out an inferior product, there's little incentive to improve.
Dennis and Callahan are crapt at best never even listen at all anymore !
Oh my God people, get a grip. WEEI is ENTERAINMENT. If you want to be informed, enlightened, etc., etc., go read a good book.
And to Chad Finn: You are just as much an arrogant bloviator as the guys on WEEI. The only difference is You WRITE it, they TALK it.
I agree with most of what Chad writes. There is no other alternative available, so you either listen or don't. They really aren't like their radio personas (well most of them, never met D&C, but have talked with Pete, Meter, Dale, Holley and O at various times throughout the past couple of years) they pander to the LCD, and play the contrarian, good cop/bad cop routine to a T.
I choose to ignore the screeching and check in once in a while to hear the scheduled interviews (Bellichick, Ainge, Francona) and that's about it.
We reap what we sow.
You are 100% correct. The whiner line is the only orginal entertainment on the station. I don't get to listen much as I only listen in my car and my commute is only 20 minutes so alI ever hear are commercials.
As Boston becomes more and more cosmopolitan you’re seeing a larger percentage of those at the top end of the sports talk radio demographic migrate to Sirius XM. Why listen to D & C or Dale & Holley when you can tune into Dan Patrick or Colin Cowherd? Chris Russo, who plays opposite the Blow-Hard Show, can be a bit much, but he has no sidekicks and keeps things moving along. If you think WEEI is currently lowest common denominator radio, just wait a few years.
get sirius radio = problem solved.
I love WEEI. Really cool guys who do really cool "guy talk radio." I especially love Mikey Adams...what a nut!!! Any guy that locks himself in the station to earn his job has all the respect in the world from me. What a stunt!!!
Ordway? He's a radio legend. He knows how to stir up the conversation and really keep the show moving.
Dale and Holley are really fun to listen to. Dale seems so genuinely nice, and Holley is a perfect "hip" sidekick to the some what "Ward Cleaver-Like" Dale.
Dennis and Callahan may alienate some with their strong political views, but those aside, they are both smart experienced men who have earned their stripes in the world of sports reporting. You have to repect their knowledge on sports...they've been in the locker rooms.
I think the only mistake EEI made was bailing out on Mustard and Johnson. I really, really miss Larry on the weekends. I felt like he spoke for me...the fan...the kid that still loves the local teams. I'm glad he fills in from time to time and it's awesome that he still contributes his great artwork to the cool WEEI website.
Oh well...gotta go shoot myself in the head after spewing so much nonesense.....toodles!!!
Sweet! #58 says I have my own crowd. I guess I've arrived.
Most of your column is right on.... Except for the fact that Dale & Holly are the best the station has to offer....are you serious? It is painful to listen to Dale kiss every inch of Terry Francona's everytime he interviews him or his name is mentioned. He has become the biggest Red Sox apologist I have ever heard.......and by the way, mentions the Bruins in passing because he has to based on this season's success. Felger is excellent. When Fred & Steve join the big show it is horrible. How do two people that can't speak get regular spots on a drive time talk radio show?
I would rather listen to the Mike Tirico & Scott VanPelt show....or The Jim Rome Show...though I love the Boston sports teams a national perspective is a nice change of pace.
Chad you should ask Barney and Ted for a station on NPR to broadcast your highly intelligent opinions without the need to sell advertising. You will get a 0. something rating too but you need not worry because I will be paying for your toy with money stolen from my paycheck. EEI works as a business. EEI is owned and operated by Democrats. Check Entercom and David Field's politics. Soros and Joe Kennedy have plenty of Venezuelan oil money to invest. Compete...dont complain.
890 ESPT 4-7 The Lew and Mike show. Its great, give it a try
if they suck so much why are they the highest rated? and why can they beat out any station in the country? Sure D&C are annoying and Big Show yells, but come on Felger? that man barely knows what he is taking about....he is a DB who says things to get people to react...........
Absolutely Right!
Overall the conversation on EEI is shrill and almost unlistenable.
Dennis and Callahan: Two idiots who need to focus on why people actually listen to Sports Radio. . .The Sports. Stop talking about current events and politics. Your opinions are crude and uninformed. Only bright spot is that they have great guests like Boomer Esiason, Adam Schechter, et al.
The Big Show: This is basically a tribute show to absolute morons. What makes it even worse, are the call in regulars that they have to the show. The local yahoos who think that the rest of us actually care about their opinions . Much of it is self-indulgent garbage. This isn't sports, its a bunch of fat slobs talking on their porch.
The Mikey Show: Does he even talk about sports? Half the time, it seems like he has nothing to say. Blah, Blah, Blah. Why is that guy Lenny on the show? Is this a job retraining program for unemployed Boston Comediens? Mikey has nothing to offer except more of the same self-indulgent garbage. Like when he did his version of American Idol with different WEEI personalities including himself singing songs. I usually tune in for about 15 seconds and then I go somewhere else when it becomes clear that he has no interest in talking about sports.
Sounds like someone wants the Fairness Doctrine to be applied to Sports Radio!
Time to get your house in order men of Kahn.
Right on. I used to spend a fair amount of time with WEEI, but the ratio of useful information to garbage is just way too low these days.
Except, Joe... Sirius is hemmoraging money right now, they've spent millions more than they're bringing in... and losing thousands of subscribers on a daily basis because its a frivilous, unnecessary expense in these times... there are Chapter 11 rumors abound... that's the future?
I like all the shows except for the BIG O show where they continously think that because they have a microphone they are gods gift to sports. All that show is, is that fat slobs bs opinions and him ripping everyone elses..Thank god someone wrote this article!
I love sports. I can watch the Sportscenter loop indefinitely. I spend whole Saturdays watching highlight reels. I can recite an embarrassing litany of stats.
I hate sports radio. WEEI is straight-up painful to listen to. I don't get how anyone can listen to it. I love a good internet flame war, but I don't want to hear the mouth-breathing knuckle-draggers, I guess. It's best left to the suave suits on espn, or kept in text.
WEEI...wake up and get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....Change the old guards...The afternoon show is a joke, It is 4 hours of Big O talking about his stupid, ill-informed ideas. I only listen to Dale and Holley, don't even bother with morning and afternoon segments. I am lucky and I can get ESPN radio on my car radio. I love how idiots think that WEEI is going to trash this criticism on the radio today when 90% aggrees with the column.
it would not have anything to do with having a different political opinion, would it?
I couldn't agree more. I haven't listened in a couple of years. Thank you Sirius/XM.
The worst thing on EEI is listening to Joe, with the voice of a rat, doing the Sox games! If you watch TV while listening to him, you'd think they were different games. He needs to retire!! Ordway thinks he knows everything about everything! Holley is good, and I got to like Dennis & Callahan after a long while.
I dont mind dale & holey but the big show is crap . I can never understand anyone because there always yelling over each other. God forbid you disagree with one of them , prepare to get blown up or insulted. I'd rather listen to chalk board scratching!!!
callahan is a racist D***
Toucher and RIch BABY!!!!!!!!!
The Big Show on EEI makes me want to punch something. Tune into ESPN Radio on the drive home, 890, for a much better listening experience.
WEEI stinks. Lately though I have been listening to JoeyMurr SportsBlast on 1120am. JoeyMurr is refreshing, and not contrived.7-8am every weekday
This all needed to be said. EEI has turned into right wing talk radio in the morning and the afternoons. Sports talk is an aside to D&C. I stopped listening during the week, its not worh it.
The PM, ex BC jocks (think "Biff" from Back To The Future), spout their right wing propaganda with the self interest only former pro athlete millionaires could have. Can you be less secure in your masculinity? ( big cigars, Harleys, wardrobes that would make pro wrestlers envious) The "I may be wrong but I can kick your ass" mentality. It's all compensating for some other shortcoming {If you know what I mean) .Unfortunately Mr. Finn, I think this overdue article will be shouted down as sour grapes. Until the ratings drop, this drivel is what we get. I do have to give kudos to Buck, D&H, Bradford, Mikey,and McAdam.
RIGHT ON CHAD!!!!!!!!! I'm as huge a Boston sports fan as any and I will NOT listen to the Big Show or Dennis and Callahan. They irritate the hell outta me. Always talking over callers with adverse opinions to theirs only to do their stupid blow up thing. How their so listened to, I have no idea.
Its sad like you say, cause I certainly wanna hear sports talk, and that junk EEI throws out there sure aint it. 890 and 1510 are decent alternatives so I pop those on when I'm in the right part of town. But other than Dale and Holley, and I like Mikey too, EEI = JUNK!!!!!!!
WOW! You hit the nail right on the head. I now have Sirius Sattelite radio just because I can't take the anger that was building each morning listening to the "extreme", Dennis & Callahan. Hate filled, racist and as you said, only their opinion is heard. On the other side, I do find the "Big O" to be pretty funny.
It was great to see this article because I was thinking I might be the only one. I really used to enjoy the mornings and afternoon on WEEI. But I have found myself changing the station away from WEEI much lately. The yelling, the drama, and repeating topics have made it more like a reality show then an informative and inciteful conversation. John, Gerry, and Glenn - I hope you put your ego's away and stop talking for a whole 60 seconds and at the very least digest this article, its comments and let Boston fans talk for once.
Also, way to skew the poll Globe. It's either awful or intellectually redeeming?
How about a couple of more options?
How about : It's entertainment. Take it for what it is.
I'm in Western Mass., every bit the sports fan as anyone in Boston. I use to look forward to vacation on the Cape to listen to WEEI on transister radio on the beach. Since it's come to local radio the novelity has worn off. With the exception to Dale & Holey, the screeming and holaring is too much. I've switched back to local stations for the chit-chat and WBZ am for sports on the 1/2 hour. Its a little much trying to be told the host' knows everything, their opinions are always the way it is.
I only listen to two segments of sports radio, the "NE Hockey Journal Show" on Saturdays on AM-890 and the "Hockey On Campus" show, also on 890. Otherwise, I generally listen to WBUR. I don't follow basketball much, but I presume there are Celtics fans who appreciate the weekly "Celtic Pride" show and don't really need 18-hour-a-day blathering.
Look at me!! My name is chad and I am an attention whore!!
I think it would be awesome if EEI didn't mention this article today at all to get the exact opposite reaction of what this hack is looking for.
I'm a liberal, and it's obvious how right-leaning EEI is, but I actually enjoy Ordway and the Big Show. When Fred Smerlas isn't on, they don't talk politics all that much. I can't take the racist, homophobic D&C, so you know what, I turn the channel, you can do the same thing. I like WEEI, I find it entertaining. I listened to Felger's show and the ESPN shows and I just didn't find them interesting enough. I always found my way back to EEI. A few people have tried to compete against EEI and so far they've lost - so Chad, perhaps you are in the minority when it comes to what you want in sports radio. Sorry, dude.
EEI should stick to better understanding of sports and have better knowledge of the players and teams beyond Boston. Michael Holley is the one diamond in the rough. The guys that rely on narrow conservative politics are 1: getting around the fact they cannot talk about the current topics in sports and 2: are lame rush wannabees and will try anything just for stunts. Get some depth and raise the bar, go find some people with brains not insecure - oh I can't get a job elsewhere - narrow minded, read only the headlines and look at pictures talking heads.
great write-up Chad. I tune into WEEI because I'm a sports fan, and they should have the access to the right people in the industry to deliver me information about the Boston sports scene that I can't get anywhere else. unfortunately this info I seek is buried by the nonsense of sports guys trying to talk politics, or worse, callers who think they are comedians. I understand there is a level of entertainment there for some, but for real sports fans who want to talk sports, WEEI is almost a waste of time. thanks for taking a stand against bad radio, I hope the backlash you get from other media members and the yahoos who love them is less than the appreciation you get from fans like me.
Only dale and Holly are worth listening to. The sad question is whether New England deserves a smarter, more respectful and respectable sports station if this one can do so well here. I suggest shutting them down by shutting them off, with the exception of the above named duo. (How do they put up with the rest, I wonder?) Thank god for podcasts.
In my opinion, if they would only talk one at a time, I would listen.
Talk about outdated. You're using this article, which you know will grab sports enthusiasts' attention, to promote OT, a weekly sports publication. Get real. By the time it comes out, the events have already been discussed ad nauseum and may no longer be relevant. Sports radio is entertainment for people driving around in their cars who are sick of commericals on music stations or tired of hearing Bachman Turner Overdrive on the classic rock station. The morning and midday shows discuss current events in addition to sports. The afternoon show is part sports discussion and part comedy. It's a winning format. If you don't like it, turn the dial. You'll be in the minority if you do. At times they all beat topics to death, and I do turn the dial. I do the same thing whe I look at a headline about a story that's already been beaten to death. I turn the page. If ESPN couldn't produce a competitve show on a formidable signal, that's not EEI's fault. The fact is that a weekly sports magazine is pretty irrelevant in today's media. Every topic you discuss will likely have already been beaten to death. I give it 6 months, 1 year tops. Why doesn't the Globe buy a real signal and put all it's PC talent on the air and see how they fare.
The only annoying part of WEEI are the callers. I enjoy the hosts, even D&C, who are entertaining and like Felgar have a schict that they play too. The Big Show is just really good and for the most part the co-hosts are great. I wish the globe would lift their ban and allow Scoop, Ryan and Mazz to go back on, get off your high horse and its funny how their intwervwiws are all over the globe's website but their people can't go on the dial
In reference ot Chad Finn, this is the first tiem I have read your stuff and congrats you are going to get a lot of coverage, smart move, nobody knew who you were beofre and good angle to increase hits on your page/articles. Really the Concord Monitor, great what's next we get Tom King from the Nashua Teleegraph.
I agree completely. I am a Mass. native, but now I live in CT, where the WFAN signal comes in loud and clear. It really puts WEEI to shame. Mike Francessa can be a blow-hard sometimes, but he knows his stuff and he's a pro on the radio. The rest of the regular hosts do a good job. Listening to WEEI when I'm in Boston makes my ears bleed. Seriously, how many people can they pack into one radio booth?
I really dont have a problem with the Big Show, as at least it is humorous sometimes, but the AM commute is awful. Gerry Callahan is a neanderthal who is so far right that he makes Rush look like a democrat. He is racist, sexist, and is just a nasty, dumb, uneducated jerk who does not belong on the radio. Dennis may be arrogant, but at least he does seem to have some ability to think clearly. Frankly, if Callahan were gone, and replaced with someone like Felger or Neumy, the show wouls be MUCH better.
Translation: D&C are annoying right wing wack jobs and the Big Show is a loud scream over each other festival of mediocrity.
Couldn't agree more. I only listen to Dale & Holley. Gave up on all the others -- talk over each other and the callers. Not just arrogant, rude and without manners. Too many commercials.
am i the only one that listens to ESPN on 1400. Actual Sports talk.
This was really good. THANK YOU!
WEEI made a Sirius/XM subscriber out of me. I love sports. I love Boston sports. WEEI has not been listenable for years. At least since Fred Smerlas, who talks like he's got a mouthful of dirty socks, came on the scene. I tune in on weekends sometimes, but never in the morning or afternoon during the week. They turn the entire conversation into racist bathroom humor. No more for me, thanks.