Boston Sports Talk Radio Wars: More Changes at WEEI

[PatsFans.com Article]

Boston Sports Talk Radio Wars: More Changes at WEEI
By: John Morgan

It didn’t really click at first, but listening to WEEI yesterday I noticed something distinctly different from what I usually heard. Mike Adams was on the radio along with Glenn Ordway and Dale Holley – but this wasn’t the 6:00 crossover; it was only about 3:00 in the afternoon. Okay, for some reason Adams is in the studio early I figured; no big deal. Then a few minutes later I hear him doing the “flash”, those brief in-studio sport news updates. Kind of strange, but then I just dismissed it as a one-time anomaly, ignoring Holley’s reference of Adams being prepared to come in to work at 3:00 to a caller later in the show.



Lo and behold today I found out that this is a semi-permanent move...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[Rob0729]

Good to hear that they add a guy with zero depth of knowledge beyond old time Red Sox. I can't wait for the endless jokes about the Yankee tattoo on his arse.

Apparently Jason Wolfe wants to be the guy known for tearing down WEEI from market dominance to chasing 98.5 for scraps.

The article is right that the Big Show lost its way years ago and they have only been successful because there was no viable alternatives. I thought dumping the panel of mostly baffoons (although some good panelists) for Holley might be a step in the right direction (although Ordway and his "All Star callers" are still there), but adding Adams to the mix is definitely a step in the wrong direction. I can stand Mike Adams. I know some love him, but they are not the majority from what I can tell.

 

[reflexblue]

Good to hear that they add a guy with zero depth of knowledge beyond old time Red Sox. I can't wait for the endless jokes about the Yankee tattoo on his arse.

Hes been living off his ass for what 15-20 years now? I think i'd rather stick needles in my eyes than listen to Adams

 

[RhodyPatriot]

It's hard to believe but Ordway is the most obnoxious I've ever heard him. It's to the point where I can't listen to that show anymore. I knew the Ordway/Holley duo would never work because there simply isn't enough oxygen in the room. The real accomplishment with Ordway is that he's somehow managed to minimize Mike Holley and his grating "if you say the sky is blue Mike will say no it isn't" personality by simply talking over around and through him. Adding Mike Adams to the mix only confirms my belief that the "new" Big Show is going nowhere.

 

[Tunescribe]

Adams knows NOTHING outside of '60s Red Sox trivia. I remember a while back he kept screwing up which conference certain NFL teams are in. It still amazes me he has a job in a major market, especially considering his pre-adolescent sense of humor.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

It's hard to believe but Ordway is the most obnoxious I've ever heard him. It's to the point where I can't listen to that show anymore. I knew the Ordway/Holley duo would never work because there simply isn't enough oxygen in the room. The real accomplishment with Ordway is that he's somehow managed to minimize Mike Holley and his grating "if you say the sky is blue Mike will say no it isn't" personality by simply talking over around and through him. Adding Mike Adams to the mix only confirms my belief that the "new" Big Show is going nowhere.

Its too bad 98.5 didnt team Felger up with someone to reign him in and stop him from beating a dead horse. He doesnt just beat a dead horse he butchers it and makes it into dog food.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

The problem of pairing Holley with Glenn is that Holley uses logic, statistics, and his brain to come up with arguments. He isn't going to be a yes man to Ordway nor his he going to let Glenn sit on the fence and/or flip flop. He's too smart for Glenn's games and doesn't play them. Glenn is unable to change, however, and persists. I heard MH today (rightly) correcting Glenn on something Glenn had just said. Glenn couldn't believe it and tried to say that he didn't say what the entire (shrinking) listening audience had just heard him say. Glenn's contract is up first, I believe, and would be shocked if he is back under the same arrangement.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I enjoyed the Big Show when Pete (you turd) was running the board and Ordway was on vacation. All the guests would come on and there would be a nice conversation and call ins.

What does that say about Ordway ..............

Let's go back and find a member here who enjoys Ordway?

Does anyone ever say they like Ordway?

Some like the guests but does anyone ... one person here ... like Ordway?

 

[IcyPatriot]

Also ... by the time Ordway comes on the topic of the day has been beaten to death. that is why the guests hosts were important ... it was a break from the daily rant. The daily rant by the afternoon is like fingernails on the chalkboard.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Harsh, but painfully accurate

Nice job by John Morgan

I actually enjoy Adams' schtick - but like the article said that's great for the nighttime drive... the junior high humor works well there... in the afternoon? I'm not so sure.

They want fresh and new?

Heck if I were them I'd take the whiner line one further and start giving actual fans try outs, letting some of the better ones get some air time

What better way to engage with your listening audience while also sending the message that they care about fans opinions on sports as much as some of these so called experts who actually know much less than listeners on far too many subjects.

It might be painful on occasion, but not much more painful than listening to some of these experiments where they're putting make up on a pig or serving the same old pork chops. The whole experiment might be entertaining and they might even find someone halfway decent....

.... a bit of American Idol on Sports Talk radio, giving some fan his (or her) dream job - hopefully getting a nice paycheck like many of these on air personalities.

So there you go - an outsiders view, something that's at least a little bit different and maybe even something that could reverse their failing trend

... and of course I'm sure WEEI would want to offer a generous share of the advertising revenue from this little venture in return for what could be a valuable creative concept!

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Harsh, but painfully accurate

Nice job by John Morgan

I actually enjoy Adams' schtick - but like the article said that's great for the nighttime drive... the junior high humor works well there... in the afternoon? I'm not so sure.

They want fresh and new?

Heck if I were them I'd take the whiner line one further and start giving actual fans try outs, letting some of the better ones get some air time

What better way to engage with your listening audience while also sending the message that they care about fans opinions on sports as much as some of these so called experts who actually know much less than listeners on far too many subjects.

It might be painful on occasion, but not much more painful than listening to some of these experiments where they're putting make up on a pig or serving the same old pork chops. The whole experiment might be entertaining and they might even find someone halfway decent....

.... a bit of American Idol on Sports Talk radio, giving some fan his (or her) dream job - hopefully getting a nice paycheck like many of these on air personalities.

So there you go - an outsiders view, something that's at least a little bit different and maybe even something that could reverse their failing trend

... and of course I'm sure WEEI would want to offer a generous share of the advertising revenue from this little venture in return for what could be a valuable creative concept!

Thats a good idea but maybe a different listener gets on for one day per week, maybe make thursday the day a new listener gets to sit it on the show and participate. I bet some would be better than some of the guys they have on now.

 

[jmt57]

Thats a good idea but maybe a different listener gets on for one day per week, maybe make thursday the day a new listener gets to sit it on the show and participate. I bet some would be better than some of the guys they have on now.

Yeah, you'd have to be careful and clearly defined with that idea. The 'all-star callers' are in my opinion one of the downfalls of the show. You end up with not only the talk show host thinking he is bigger than the news and topics of the day, but now you have the audience thinking the same thing. Time to ratchet the egos down several notches.

If you do this on a daily basis it'll be like American Idol tryouts. There's already way too much 'look at me' and far too little 'listen to the show', at least in my opinion. It may work for some (is either Howard Stern or Jim Rome, and their followers a good example?) but it doesn't seem to be working here - and personally it's definitely not working for me.

 

[DarrylS]

WEEI was my long time favorite, but they have morphed into something that is no longer recognizable... never like Ordway all that much, but always enjoyed Max, Fred & Steve, Curran, McAdam, Buckley et al. Their new product sux... throw in an occasional Bob Ryan and it was great listening.

The midday show with Merloni and Munansky is unbearable, Merloni is ok, but Munansky is trying to become a Felger Clone..

In about 6 months they may become a memory..

 

[Rob0729]

The problem of pairing Holley with Glenn is that Holley uses logic, statistics, and his brain to come up with arguments. He isn't going to be a yes man to Ordway nor his he going to let Glenn sit on the fence and/or flip flop. He's too smart for Glenn's games and doesn't play them. Glenn is unable to change, however, and persists. I heard MH today (rightly) correcting Glenn on something Glenn had just said. Glenn couldn't believe it and tried to say that he didn't say what the entire (shrinking) listening audience had just heard him say. Glenn's contract is up first, I believe, and would be shocked if he is back under the same arrangement.

I think Ordway knows the handwriting is on the wall. When his contract is up, he won't be around anymore. Not on that station or even this market unless he takes a substantial paycut. None of the shows have lost ground to 98.5 more than the Big Show (although I expect that to change with the midday show downgraded). This really parallels Eddie Andelman's fall from grace when the radio talk show business passed him by like it has for Ordway.

As for Holley challenging Ordway, Ordway is used to a bunch of Yes Men in his booth who fawn over his every word. The only ones allowed to challenge him were the "All Star" callers and all of them are moronic loudmouths who make the most outlandish arguments that even the most fairweather pink hats could sound intelligent shooting down their arguments.

 

[Rob0729]

Yeah, you'd have to be careful and clearly defined with that idea. The 'all-star callers' are in my opinion one of the downfalls of the show. You end up with not only the talk show host thinking he is bigger than the news and topics of the day, but now you have the audience thinking the same thing. Time to ratchet the egos down several notches.

If you do this on a daily basis it'll be like American Idol tryouts. There's already way too much 'look at me' and far too little 'listen to the show', at least in my opinion. It may work for some (is either Howard Stern or Jim Rome, and their followers a good example?) but it doesn't seem to be working here - and personally it's definitely not working for me.

I think an entire day of Dakota from Braintree or Steve from Fall River would cause mass suicides all over the Boston area.

I personally think it would be a bad idea for callers to be on for an entire show. It is one thing to be interesting for 5 minutes on the air, but it takes a lot of skill and practice to do it for four hours. If they wanted to try it at night, it might work. If they do it during the day, they will end up conceeding those timeslots to 98.5.

 

[BradyManny]

What a nightmare this station is becoming.

I thought the addition of Holley to the afternoon would be a positive move, but this negates it.

Not to mention Holley hasn't been able to curb Big O's practice of taking dumba** callers to inflate his own ego and hide his lack of sports knowledge.

Mike Adams is reasonable as an evening Host. He's a nice enough guy, keeps it light, takes callers and talks to them. He's not my favorite, but he's harmless.

But he has no place in the afternoon show.

WEEI is a sinking ship. The only thing they've done right is the NESN Simulcast in the morning (not that that has any personal impact on me, but I imagine it's a lucrative move) - and they're lucky that 98.5's worst show airs in the morning.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Both 'sports radio' stations have been dead to me since December.
Have not listened.
Will not listen.
Problem solved.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Yeah, you'd have to be careful and clearly defined with that idea. The 'all-star callers' are in my opinion one of the downfalls of the show.

Yes - I agree, and Morgan made that point very well.

The "all-star callers" allowed to drone on each day are part of the problem - not the solution.

Giving the Joe and Jane Six Packs out there a chance to audition and go on air (every day might be a bit much) would be a great way to engage the audience as a whole, and, as with American Idol, actually give an avid, knowledgeable sports fan a "break" and earn them some time in the spotlight as well as some decent pay.

I'd think that EEI could hold some open auditions, select 1 or 2 dozen, hone down the compeition and give the finalists a week each. Management and listener voting would help decide who ultimately gets "the job" and a nice paycheck to go with it.

It's a proven idea, applied to sports talk radio where many listeners feel they could do a better job than the on air personalities. This would be their chance to prove it and cash in.

Bottom line for EEI would be increased ratings and revenue while breaking new ground in sports talk radio

 

[SeanBruschi54]

I agree with the poster above about Mikey Adams. The guy is fine for the evening shows but during the day?

Ugh i've been listening up until now but will not listen to Adams, Ordway and Holley

 

[BradyManny]

Both 'sports radio' stations have been dead to me since December.
Have not listened.
Will not listen.
Problem solved.

I tried no sports radio when I went on my sports-vacation after the Pats lost to the Jets. It was actually pretty OK I have to say.