Boston sports talk radio feuds

[jmt57]

Yes, I know this isn't actually about the Patriots, but the two sides involved are major sources for information and discussion about the Pats - well, at least during the NFL season. Besides, maybe it's something to talk about other than another 'let's sign this free agent' thread.


WEEI Producer Suspended For Vulgar Texts To Rival 98.5 FM by Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch
I thought 98.5 wasn't even on WEEI's radar?

Here's the column Allen commented on: WEEI Guys Texting Ignites Radio War by Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald

The simmering feud between the city’s two sports radio powerhouses boiled over yesterday when a WEEI producer got slapped with a one-week suspension for texting “vulgar” messages to upstart rival the Sports Hub.

Andy Massaua, who works for Glenn Ordway’s “The Big Show,” was suspended yesterday and has been banned from texting anyone at WBZ-FM (98.5).

 

[mcsully]

Just another reason to get Sirius

 

[Jackson 2]

I looked forward to the arrival of 98.5 with great anticipation, but I've been really disappointed in most of the programming. The rotating hosts concept employed on the Big Show isn't a bad one, but the quality of some of the hosts, i.e. Larry (just call me Jesus) Johnson, Butch (I'm the Emperor) Stearns, Fred (the toughest guy on the face of the Earth - just ask me) Smerlas to mention a few, is poor beyond belief. Add in a self-absorbed blowhard like Ordway, and you've got talk radio that gives me an earache a lot of times. From 2:00-6:00 if you want anti-Patriots talk tune in to 98.5 with Felger and Mazz, who both simply hate Kraft, Belichick and almost everything else associated with Foxboro. From 2:00 - 6:00 if you want pro-Patriots talk, tune in to the Big Show on WEEI. If you want something right down the middle, your only choice is probably to listen to NFL radio on Sirius 124. The problem is, the Patriots talk will be limited because it's a national show. All of that aside, it's clear that 98.5 has really gotten under the skin of WEEI. WEEI made the mistake of under-estimating the listening world's desire for an alternative to themselves. It's kind of fun to watch the pompous asses at WEEI squirm.

 

[chevss454]

I have gotten really tired of people talking over one another at EEI. Too much inane arguing and very little actual information of substance. No actual journalism or investigative work...just boring, loud and annoying chatter and opinion. It's not even entertaining anymore...

 

[Jackson 2]

I have gotten really tired of people talking over one another at EEI. Too much inane arguing and very little actual information of substance. No actual journalism or investigative work...just boring, loud and annoying chatter and opinion. It's not even entertaining anymore...

Good analysis.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Months ago, I listened to the Big Show more than 98.5. That has now flip-flopped. It's not that 98.5 is a better show, IMO EEI has gotten worse. It's even gotten to the point where I'll put on 96.9....

 

[The_Riddler]

I sit in the car and laugh at Butch Stearns, some of the comments that come out of that guy and the lack of sports knowledge, you wonder how he's even on the show.

 

[blackglass3]

Sometimes it's good to live in NJ. I love WFAN, and even though it's NY slanted, it's usually very solid sports talk. No feuding with another station or anything ridiculous like that, and no generic sports stuff like the ESPN hosts usually spout.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The thing that amazes me about all of them is this is their livelihood and they can't seem to take the time to prep for it. Even Holley who is the best of the lot in many respects. I get that to some extent the format is tilted towards saying things that will frustrate or enrage and fuel callers. But it's down right depressing to think these clowns are almost all hauling in six figures or more based on their for all intents and purposes captive audience still tuning in for lack of a viable alternative. Some of them are flat out football dense, not to mention thoroughly clueless when it comes to the big picture business of sports. What's really pathetic is how many callers still start out by saying I called to see what you guys think about <whatever>...as if what they think matters. Most have little access and even less insight. What you know might be interesting, but they're all too busy being mini comedic celebs to actually do the footwork necessary to know much of anything.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yes, I know this isn't actually about the Patriots, but the two sides involved are major sources for information and discussion about the Pats

I respectfully disagree with this. As Mo highlights, Holley may be the only source of decent insider info but even that kind of value he brings to the discussion has waned. The rest like Smerlas & Zo thoroughly annoy me. The only one that I'll actually pause and listen to is DeOssie and even he gets on my nerves sometimes, but more often than not I'll agree with his observations.

 

[Section103]

I have grown weary of WEEI's format of 'who can yell the loudest' or 'let's take a caller, talk over him about something unrelated, interrupt them when they have only made half their point, yell and hang up on them'

At 98.5, I don't mind the contrarian views of Felger and Mazz. It's makes for better discussion. (just like listening to 96.9) The morning show is impossible to listen to. I don't listen mid-day anymore to either one. I used to like Holley and Dale on WEEI (not as much Dale).

As for the sports knowledge of the hosts, well, it's no worse (and maybe slightly better) than most callers. Frankly I don't think fans or the media, myself included, ever know as much as the people running the sports organizations. The difference is that the media at least gets better info than the fans do. Whether they use or understand that info is another thing.

The credentials of most callers are from one or any mix of the following:
- The Al Bundy - 'I played a little highschool ball' (This can be substituted for Comm. College or Div 1AAA college ball)

- 'I coach my son's Pop Warner Team'

- 'I've watched football at levels for the last <insert #>years and I've seen it all.' Usually followed with 'But you don't understand I REALLY watch EVERY game, I even tape some and watch in the offseason'

- 'I'm the champ of my Madden League' (or 'I make my own playbook on Madden')

None of this makes anyone qualified to run an organization, make a game plan or call plays on the sideline. Yet we like to pretend we could because that's the fun of sports... But questioning others knowledge when ours is so limited as well is amusing. They just have a different uninformed opinion than our own.

 

[PatsGuy]

Sometimes it's good to live in NJ. I love WFAN, and even though it's NY slanted, it's usually very solid sports talk. No feuding with another station or anything ridiculous like that, and no generic sports stuff like the ESPN hosts usually spout.

Although the reception isn't the greatest, I enjoy the Fan. The talk is not just informd but also varied. When did u ever hear college b-ball talk! I do miss mad dog but not enough to get Sirius

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Lets compare the 2 ...

Morning

D and C , Toucher and Rich- 2 are more concerned with politics, and should not have Tom Brady on the show.. the other 2 are more comedy than sports, but if i had to choose, its Toucher and Rich..

Mid day- Tanguay and Zolak/ Dale and Holly- replace holly for Zolak and 98.5 is the true winner.. But this is a push.. Not a fan of Zolak.. met him twice now and is to full of himself...

Afternoon- Felger and Mazz/ Big Show- Say what you want about Felger he brings it, and is solid- Not a fan of Smerlas who even though is a Pats homer, is dumb as a brick and cant understand him... Felger and Mazz by a land slide...


My vote is 98.5.:rocker:

 

[RhodyPatriot]

The more you listen to sports talk in Boston the more you realize just how "dumb as a stump" most mediots are. They have no concept of the real world and few can speak with any insight or knowledge on specific sports.
(love DeOssie because he knows his football and he's not a homer)
Gary Tanguay, a MAJOR mediot, actually said Tiger Woods press conference was bigger than the moon landing. Maybe in his pinhead world it was but not in the real world. Butch Stearn is another absolute moron. Anything funnier than Gerry Callahan trying to breakdown an NFL game??
Sports talk is very low level entertainment. Anyone who takes it or its' personalities seriously is a idiot.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Sometimes it's good to live in NJ. I love WFAN, and even though it's NY slanted, it's usually very solid sports talk. No feuding with another station or anything ridiculous like that, and no generic sports stuff like the ESPN hosts usually spout.

WFAN is far superior to Dennis and Callahan in the morning (I can get it in RI: 660 AM BTW). Sure Greg Carton is a wiseacre but he is not mean spirited and nasty like Callahan. Callahan has some sort of psychiatric problem and he like to take it out on people like Moss; just wish listeners would revolt.

The unfortunate part is that there is alternative since Toucher and Rich is so appalling. If the Sports Hub would use Gresh full time (and hire Pete Sheppard?) then they would kill D & C.

 

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

Lets compare the 2 ...
Morning

D and C , Toucher and Rich- 2 are more concerned with politics, and should not have Tom Brady on the show.. the other 2 are more comedy than sports, but if i had to choose, its Toucher and Rich..

Toucher and Rich might be the worst show in the history of radio. The second would be Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio. Even though I would like to punch Gerry Callahan in the face over his sports takes, it still is better than T&R

Mid day- Tanguay and Zolak/ Dale and Holly- replace holly for Zolak and 98.5 is the true winner.. But this is a push.. Not a fan of Zolak.. met him twice now and is to full of himself.

Give me Dale & Holly, Tanguay is a sniveling little dweeb and Zolak has the 2nd least amount of Fottball knowledge out of any former player on the radio, Mike Golic being far and away 1st.

Afternoon- Felger and Mazz/ Big Show- Say what you want about Felger he brings it, and is solid- Not a fan of Smerlas who even though is a Pats homer, is dumb as a brick and cant understand him... Felger and Mazz by a land slide...

I agree with this 100%, Felger's rant against ESPN the other day was the best thing I heard on radio in a long, long time.

I will also take DA over that goof Mikey Adams.


My vote is 98.5.:rocker:

Mine would be a split decision.

...................................................

 

[IcyPatriot]

The more you listen to sports talk in Boston the more you realize just how "dumb as a stump" most mediots are. They have no concept of the real world and few can speak with any insight or knowledge on specific sports.
(love DeOssie because he knows his football and he's not a homer)
Gary Tanguay, a MAJOR mediot, actually said Tiger Woods press conference was bigger than the moon landing. Maybe in his pinhead world it was but not in the real world. Butch Stearn is another absolute moron. Anything funnier than Gerry Callahan trying to breakdown an NFL game??
Sports talk is very low level entertainment. Anyone who takes it or its' personalities seriously is a idiot.

They are there to entertain and facilitate discussion.
They are there to interview experts ... I think you're expecting way too much from them.

 

[mcsully]

Mods why is this in the main forum? This isn't directly related to a Patriot topic and probably should be moved.. Its depressing seeing people hang onto WEEI and 98.5 when there is a better alternative.. SIRIUS

 

[Patjew]

I wish Mike and the Mad Dog would get together again. I could listen to those guys talk all day about anything (except Mike's stupid horses).

 

[blackglass3]

I wish Mike and the Mad Dog would get together again. I could listen to those guys talk all day about anything (except Mike's stupid horses).

This. They made Mets and Yankees talk interesting, and baseball is by far my least favorite sport of the big four.