Pete Sheppard laid off from WEEI

[Rob0729]

I cannot find any numbers that say Felger and Mazz are doing better than the Big Show. The Big Show will always be #1 in Boston for the afternoon drives. They cover the Boston teams better than any other station.

I cannot think of a guest that the Big Show has insulted, besides the guy who asked a question on Calhun's salary at a UConn PC last year. They are always nice and welcoming to every guest that they have. Pete was actually the one who listened to callers and let them talk, the Big O is the one that always interrupts. Some people dont like his approach, I happen to like it and think that it makes for great radio.

From a personal standpoint I am a frequent caller to the Big Show and have never been insulted or anything like that. The one time I called the Felger and Mazz, I was on the air within 5 minutes, I usually have to wait atleast 30 min on WEEI. That shows that the viewers/callers are definitely down on the Sportshub. Also the call screener with 98.5 was rude as well. I'll take the Big Show over Felger and Mazz anyday

From the Boston Globe:

The afternoon drive program “Felger and Massarotti’’ finished fourth in the 18-49 male demographic, edging the long-entrenched “The Big Show,’’ which was sixth.

‘Hub’ is climbing the charts - The Boston Globe

You can't remember a single caller that has been insulted on the Big Show? Really?!? Are you in the bathroom when Dakota from Braintree, Steve from Fall River, or fans from any other teams call?

 

[BradyManny]

You can't remember a single caller that has been insulted on the Big Show? Really?!? Are you in the bathroom when Dakota from Braintree, Steve from Fall River, or fans from any other teams call?

Seriously - I'd say probably 60% of all calls on the Big Show are hostile/confrontational/awkward/comic-relief in nature. They very, very rarely have good callers and even more rarely start up good discussions with callers.

 

[Brady_12]

If I could get 98.5 here in North Central CT, I would definitely not hesitate to drop the Big Show for Felger and Mazz.

If you're in the car you're out of luck but there is always the internet.

 

[Rob0729]

I'll take Pats-are-cheap talk over politics, or steroids, or whatever the Big Show has been talking about of late.

And frankly, I hate to admit it, but Felger has a point when it comes to Cap Hell, which has turned out to be a myth. We, as pats fans (except for Miguel, who knew better) thought the Colts & Jets were hurting themselves long term. The Colts, by always extending their players and doing so with rich contracts, and the Jets, by basically grabbing any player they wanted. As the cap has risen, the threat of Cap Hell has fallen.

Well, yes and no on the cap. If the league gets close to their way, there could be a lot of teams in cap trouble. If the league gets the players to give up anywhere close to 18% of the revenue for stadium rebuilds, the cap growth could return to the levels it was before the last CBA and teams like the Jets and Colts could be in serious trouble within a few years.

 

[Patsrock]

I did misread your post, thats my bad.

WEEI is still the superior station in my opinion even in the afternoons. They get all of the big interviews, who does 98.5 get? WEEI gets weekly interviews with Ainge and Belichick, as well as other Pats players and thats just in the afternoon. The interviews is what attracts the viewers in my opinion.

They get BB because of the contract of Patriots Monday. Ainge because being the Celtics radio network. I will not be surprised if Patriots Monday moves to the Sports Hub once the WEEI contract ends.

From a personal standpoint I am a frequent caller to the Big Show and have never been insulted or anything like that. The one time I called the Felger and Mazz, I was on the air within 5 minutes, I usually have to wait atleast 30 min on WEEI. That shows that the viewers/callers are definitely down on the Sportshub. Also the call screener with 98.5 was rude as well. I'll take the Big Show over Felger and Mazz anyday

Felger/Mazz take more calls an hour than the big show. Use less commercial time and less arguing and yelling over each other. I think that the Big Show lets callers talk way too long, use gimmicks and also take way too long to start taking calls. I listened the other day the came on at 2:08, set up the day till 2:18 then went to sports flash/commericals came back at 2:23 took one call, went to commercial till 2:33 took like 3 calls and then it was flash time again. They take like an average of 10 calls an hour. While Felger/Mazz are in the 30's for calls.

 

[The Dynasty]

You can't remember a single caller that has been insulted on the Big Show? Really?!? Are you in the bathroom when Dakota from Braintree, Steve from Fall River, or fans from any other teams call?

Chad Finn hates WEEI, so his reporting will be anti WEEI so he puts that in the beginning of the article. If you read on you will see that The Big Show is actually ahead of Felger and Mazz

Yet The Sports Hub’s gains did not come at the expense of WEEI, whose numbers generally remained as strong as ever - and in some cases improved.

In the 25-54 group, the station earned an 8.4 share, up from 7.7 in September, to again finish first in the market. “Dennis and Callahan’’ remained first in the demo in the 6-10 a.m. slot with a 7.7 share; The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Rich’’ was seventh, up from eighth, with a 5.2 share. And WEEI’s drive-time “The Big Show,’’ hosted by Glenn Ordway, was second among 25-54 with a 7.5; “Felger and Massarotti’’ was fourth.

If they truely are rude to Steve from Fall River and Dakota from Braintree why do those guys continue to call? Obviously its all in good fun, which makes for good radio. They have actually been relatively nice to Jets fans who have called in recently.

 

[Deus Irae]

In your opinion. I think the Felger & Mazz show is leagues better than the Big Show. And I can't stand either Felger or Mazz, individually. But together, they make for an entertaining duo, they always talk sports, they actually care about sports and generally follow it as closely as they can. They take callers who aren't mentally imbalanced and they have less commercials. Since 98.5 came on, I'd say I listen to it far more than the Big Show.

Yes, it is my opinion. They are both lousy hosts. They do everything you, and Rob, claim you hate about WEEI. They have the same basic number of commercials that WEEI does (WEEI is actually running a line claiming "less ads than the other guys"). Their callers are every bit as idiotic as the callers on the other station.

It's the same stuff with different hosts. And, since they suck as hosts, the show is terrible.

 

[The Dynasty]

They get BB because of the contract of Patriots Monday. Ainge because being the Celtics radio network. I will not be surprised if Patriots Monday moves to the Sports Hub once the WEEI contract ends.

Felger/Mazz take more calls an hour than the big show. Use less commercial time and less arguing and yelling over each other. I think that the Big Show lets callers talk way too long, use gimmicks and also take way too long to start taking calls. I listened the other day the came on at 2:08, set up the day till 2:18 then went to sports flash/commericals came back at 2:23 took one call, went to commercial till 2:33 took like 3 calls and then it was flash time again. They take like an average of 10 calls an hour. While Felger/Mazz are in the 30's for calls.

I disagree that Patriots Monday will move to the Sports Hub. Belichick could never be interviewed by Felger and Mazz on a weekly basis. BB is actually friends with the Big O, DeOssie and Smerlas and he is confortable doing interviews with them. He attended events to benefit the Big O's daughter. The Patriots have had a long standing relationship with WEEI and even post those interviews on their website and have advertisements during the games at the stadium. I cannot see that relationship ending anytime soon.

There is no way that Felger and Mazz can take 30 calls an hour. Thats just impossible. That is 2 minutes a caller, and that is with no commercials. There is no possible way that you can take 30 callers an hour. The Big Show does in fact have about 10 callers an hour and that is because they give callers the chance to elaborate on their point. WEEI has actually cut down on their commercials taking one long break at the top of the hour and then a 90 second break at the bottom of the hour.

 

[Patsrock]

I disagree that Patriots Monday will move to the Sports Hub. Belichick could never be interviewed by Felger and Mazz on a weekly basis. BB is actually friends with the Big O, DeOssie and Smerlas and he is confortable doing interviews with them. He attended events to benefit the Big O's daughter. The Patriots have had a long standing relationship with WEEI and even post those interviews on their website and have advertisements during the games at the stadium. I cannot see that relationship ending anytime soon.

There is no way that Felger and Mazz can take 30 calls an hour. Thats just impossible. That is 2 minutes a caller, and that is with no commercials. There is no possible way that you can take 30 callers an hour. The Big Show does in fact have about 10 callers an hour and that is because they give callers the chance to elaborate on their point. WEEI has actually cut down on their commercials taking one long break at the top of the hour and then a 90 second break at the bottom of the hour.

Well Patriots Monday is not up to BB. Also who says the interview has to be with Felger/Mazz? The Pats have moved from WEEI before so who says it won't happen again? Okay maybe not 30 calls, but take more calls. EEI also lets SOME callers elaborate if it is their view also.

 

[The Dynasty]

Well Patriots Monday is not up to BB. Also who says the interview has to be with Felger/Mazz? The Pats have moved from WEEI before so who says it won't happen again? Okay maybe not 30 calls, but take more calls. EEI also lets SOME callers elaborate if it is their view also.

Belichick does have some say in the matter since he is the one being interviewed. The only time he is really available for an interview would be in the afternoon. Even with that being said do you think he would want to be interviewed by Tanguay and Zolak? and definitely not Toucher and Rich. The Patriots relationship with EEI is much stronger than with the Sportshub.

Taking more calls sometimes is a bad thing. When you take more calls you dont allow callers elaborate on their points and actually have a conversation about the topic. Even this week when talking about politics Ordway has been criticized about not letting callers talk for long periods of time if their view isnt the same as theirs. The Big O addressed that and made references to where he let people go on for 10+ minutes about views that arent of him and other co hosts.

 

[okterrific]

I have a question, if this is just about "eliminating his position", why don't they just have him on as one of the rotating co-hosts? Surely Ordway has some input on who appears on his show daily. I don't buy it. Anyway, good riddance.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have a question, if this is just about "eliminating his position", why don't they just have him on as one of the rotating co-hosts? Surely Ordway has some input on who appears on his show daily. I don't buy it. Anyway, good riddance.

Big O likes to surround himself with "value" hosts who can add additional insight.

With all due respect, and I do feel bad that he received the axe, thats not Sheppard's role or shtick.

 

[okterrific]

That's my point. It's not solely a financial decision, as Ordway claims. It's a "we're getting beat by the Sports Hub and we need to make some changes, i.e. drop the uninformed, abrasive blowhard."

Is Meterperel also gone from D&C, and if not, why?

 

[RobertWeathers]

That's my point. It's not solely a financial decision, as Ordway claims. It's a "we're getting beat by the Sports Hub and we need to make some changes, i.e. drop the uninformed, abrasive blowhard."

Is Meterperel also gone from D&C, and if not, why?

I think its a different dynamic with Meter when comparing him to the Sheppard situation. Hes young, and seemingly connects with the show's younger audiences and that may be important as your two hosts are pushing 50 if not there already.

I'm pushing 40 and he annoys the hell out of me.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I chuckle at those who claim the WEEI crew is rude to it's callers. I think most who make that complaint are those callers. When you call in with idotic observations or analysis that doesn't merit discussion you get hammered. When you call in idiotic crap that jives with Felger or Mazz view that the Patriots are cheap bastids and BB is an egomaniac and the JETS are the new gold standard, Felger will wash your balls. If you challenge his or Mazz contentions you get brushed off ASAP because Felger doesn't want to hear it. Listen to his periodic exchanges with Jonathan...who routinely reminds him he's had all this explained to him multiple times over nearly a decade covering this team. But it doesn't sell in Felger's demographic which is anyone who has become disenchanted with WEEI since it became more team friendly on the heels of teams winning... Felger's smarter than he lets on but he learned early on confrontational and anti establishment and even entitlement fueled criticism sells in this market. Fellowship of the miserable charter members and smarter than the pros young madden players are his core demographic now. Tony's too since he lost touch with the championship team he was assigned to cover in the early part of the decade over his personal relationship based access via and stubborn support of guys like Grady little. Now's his turn to be right about them for being wrong about them when it mattered.

You always get more bees with honey. Don't have to sell out for access, that's a copout claim by guys who lack the patience and temperement to cultivate it not to mention the stones not to burn it for short term gain. Almost no one in the sports media today, let alone in this volitile market, has that, even if they start out intending to. All they care about is getting ahead in their own careers in a field where your insight is inconsequential because they only keep score by rating points.

 

[BradyManny]

I chuckle at those who claim the WEEI crew is rude to it's callers. I think most who make that complaint are those callers. When you call in with idotic observations or analysis that doesn't merit discussion you get hammered.

I've never called into WEEI in my life or any radio station for that matter. Nor will I ever, I hate public speaking, and would consider that a similar situation. So I can assure you that my dislike of how WEEI handles its callers has nothing to do with that.

I think your observation couldn't be further from the truth, which is odd given I find most of your observations very accurate. I tend to find that WEEI callers, in general, like the hosts, lean more towards the gimmicky & shtick than actual observations. The rare time when someone calls up and wants to talk about anything in depth, they often get laughed off or blown up. If someone calls up and mentions any kind of baseball metric, they immediately get blown up. Come draft time, if a caller wants to talk about any NFL prospects in depth, they'll likely get blown up. Any actual analytical thinking is forbidden on the WEEI airwaves when it comes to callers. I tend to think it has to do with the hosts wanting to make sure only they offer up good points and making themselves look good in comparison to the riff-raff they have calling in.

There are exceptions, of course. I think Dale & Holley take better calls, and ironically, as much as D&C drive me nuts, at times, the political talk they engage in (which bores the hell out of me) makes an attempt at some level of analysis. But I'd say the Big O show is the biggest culprit of attracting gimmicky calls - and it probably all has to do with the Whiner Line and the show's calls being an extension of that.

Really, I think the calls on The Big Show is as superficial as it gets and so infrequently is a valid point brought up from the listeners. I would say a fair chunk of the callers seem some combination of either a) drunk b) of questionable intelligence c) completely incoherent.

 

[okterrific]

I'll give you the perfect example:

Sometime before 2007, WEEI used to play a clip from Dale and Holley as a buffer/ad for their own station in which a caller calls up the D&H show and brings up the idea of the Patriots acquiring Randy Moss. He's blown up immediately, and Dale gives a smarmy little laugh and says something to insult the guy. Keep in mind this is something they used to ADVERTISE their product.

Of course when Moss actually came here, they all fell in line and rubber stamped the move like they do with everything else.

 

[DEVIOUS 1]

I'll give you the perfect example:

Sometime before 2007, WEEI used to play a clip from Dale and Holley as a buffer/ad for their own station in which a caller calls up the D&H show and brings up the idea of the Patriots acquiring Randy Moss. He's blown up immediately, and Dale gives a smarmy little laugh and says something to insult the guy. Keep in mind this is something they used to ADVERTISE their product.

Of course when Moss actually came here, they all fell in line and rubber stamped the move like they do with everything else.

All this EEI vs Hub talk, to me, is all apples to oranges. Both stations is a dog with different flea's.

The Big Show drives me crazy when they get off the subject and rant about silly things that have no relation to the original discussion. That being said, I find the Big O to be very insightful when he wants to be, and for the most part fair.

Felger and Mazz. I like there format and consistency (The Big show can be good or bad depending on the daily guest). Can be insightful. But i can't stand there smarmy "I know more then you" attitudes, especially when it comes to the Patriots. I have no issue with a critical view of the team, but those 2 are the worst. U agree with there viewpoint, great! If not? Well your a know nothing, blind homer. No thanks.

 

[BradyManny]

All this EEI vs Hub talk, to me, is all apples to oranges. Both stations is a dog with different flea's.

The Big Show drives me crazy when they get off the subject and rant about silly things that have no relation to the original discussion. That being said, I find the Big O to be very insightful when he wants to be, and for the most part fair.

Felger and Mazz. I like there format and consistency (The Big show can be good or bad depending on the daily guest). Can be insightful. But i can't stand there smarmy "I know more then you" attitudes, especially when it comes to the Patriots. I have no issue with a critical view of the team, but those 2 are the worst. U agree with there viewpoint, great! If not? Well your a know nothing, blind homer. No thanks.

I agree with everything here. Yet I still prefer 98.5. The format and consistency is there, on EEI, its not.

 

[Free_Pacman]

Yeah, because guys like McAdam, Larry Johnson, and Butch Sterns are all riveting and know so much.

Does McAdam ever report anything right? Whenever the Sox make a move, it's always a national guy reporting it, not this tool.

Larry Johnson has little to no knowledge of sports.

Butch Sterns knows absolutely nothing.

Pete is far better than any of those guys.