Mark Madden and Jim Wexell get physical

[apostate]

Madden and Wexell are minor figures. Even among Pittsburgh sports "media personalities", they're barely second tier.

Can you tell me who's in the first tier, so I can understand how the market's dominant sports talker over the last dozen or so years fits into the tier system?

I can't stand his act, but he delivers bigger shares than anyone ever has doing sports talk in this market.

The first tier sports people are the ones who actually cover games and do play-by-play or analysis during games. There are lots and lots and lots of people who'll never miss a game of their favorite sport (or sports) who never listen to sports talk. So, those people who get the mega-audiences for their actual game coverage are the first tier. Back in the day, Myron Cope both covered games and also did a talk show. He was first-tier because of his work on Steeler broadcasts, and that carried over to his work on sports talk. I'd also include anyone who is a TV sports anchor who also does a talk show.

Those who only host sports talk shows are the second tier. The sports fans who listen to sports talk may know about them, but for every sports fan who listens to sports talk shows, there are a dozen who only listen to the games themselves, plus the pre- and post- game shows but never the kind of stuff Madden does.

No matter how often someone points out the obvious that Madden is the top sports talk show host, it makes no difference. Anyone who only hosts a sports talk show and who doesn't do play-by-play or analysis of actual major league teams like the Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates (OK, calling the Pirates "major league" is a stretch), or even top NCAA teams like Pitt or Penn State, is second tier. As I said earlier, Madden is the biggest duck in a little puddle.

Thanks for the clarification. Now I understand that Tim Neverett, Bob Errey and Jory Rand are in the first tier, while Madden, Savran, Junker, et al are the B Team. I try to learn something new every day. Now I feel fulfilled for the day.

 

[DToTheJ]

...my little birdies (it's a talk show reference - you wouldn't understand)...

I thought it was originally a W.C. Fields reference... :

 

[Pratte4Life]

Myron Cope is bigger than W.C. Fields.

 

[corporateradiosucks]

...my little birdies (it's a talk show reference - you wouldn't understand)...

I thought it was originally a W.C. Fields reference... :

That's chickadees. :-*

 

[FreddyE1977]

next time let's dress one as a carp and one in a pig suit and.....

 

[KeyTimes950]

Clearly, you earn a Silver Sow award for that observation.

 

[COPANUT]

Wow, 2 WKRP references, this is an old board.
and sadly, I'm part of it.

 

[Pratte4Life]

Do John Boy and Billy still use WKRP's closing theme to close their own show?

 

[Boss Radio]

Clear Channel relieved Wexell of his duties for them.

 

[altexpert]

Actually, Madden does a combination sports talk and music show.

That is of course only to make it seem like he fits into the idea that the station he spews on is actually a music station the rest of the time. He has little to no interaction with the music played, it's played to hopefully keep people passing through on the dial for a few minutes longer.

 

[Boss Radio]

Actually, Madden does a combination sports talk and music show.

That is of course only to make it seem like he fits into the idea that the station he spews on is actually a music station the rest of the time. He has little to no interaction with the music played, it's played to hopefully keep people passing through on the dial for a few minutes longer.

Nonetheless, it's a combination. It's not a talk show. And it's done that way in part so the calls can be taped and a producer can review everything he says.

 

[apostate]

Actually, Madden does a combination sports talk and music show.

That is of course only to make it seem like he fits into the idea that the station he spews on is actually a music station the rest of the time. He has little to no interaction with the music played, it's played to hopefully keep people passing through on the dial for a few minutes longer.

Nonetheless, it's a combination. It's not a talk show. And it's done that way in part so the calls can be taped and a producer can review everything he says.

Yes, but my original point about Madden having had the highest sports-talk ratings in the history of the market referred to his work at the worldwide leader, as opposed to the "combination" show he does now. So, when he did a "pure" talk show, he still generated ratings that put Myron Cope, Bruce Keidan, Thor Tolo, Stan Savran, Ellis Cannon, Tom Bender, Guy Junker, The Fan's guys, et al, to shame.

I still can't stand his act, but his ratings for sports-talk are the highest this market has ever known.

 

[Parttimer]

Nonetheless, it's a combination. It's not a talk show. And it's done that way in part so the calls can be taped and a producer can review everything he says.

You can drop the "in part." It's entirely to buy time so they can edit him.

 

[pman44]

Nonetheless, it's a combination. It's not a talk show. And it's done that way in part so the calls can be taped and a producer can review everything he says.

You can drop the "in part." It's entirely to buy time so they can edit him.

I think's it's also done to keep his demo's young by driving the old people away.

 

[Boss Radio]

To say his ratings put Cope's "to shame" is incredibly inaccurate.

In total listeners 12+, he always trailed Tolo.

Actually, Madden does a combination sports talk and music show.

That is of course only to make it seem like he fits into the idea that the station he spews on is actually a music station the rest of the time. He has little to no interaction with the music played, it's played to hopefully keep people passing through on the dial for a few minutes longer.

Nonetheless, it's a combination. It's not a talk show. And it's done that way in part so the calls can be taped and a producer can review everything he says.

Yes, but my original point about Madden having had the highest sports-talk ratings in the history of the market referred to his work at the worldwide leader, as opposed to the "combination" show he does now. So, when he did a "pure" talk show, he still generated ratings that put Myron Cope, Bruce Keidan, Thor Tolo, Stan Savran, Ellis Cannon, Tom Bender, Guy Junker, The Fan's guys, et al, to shame.

I still can't stand his act, but his ratings for sports-talk are the highest this market has ever known.

 

[apostate]

Madden achieved his highest ratings when he did PM drive at 1250. No one else has ever come close with a sports-talk show, particularly in the demo.

 

[Boss Radio]

Tolo regularly beat him in total listeners 12+, as would be expected. Madden has no female audience.

 

[Pratte4Life]

Not only that, but Ellis Cannon was beating him when they went head to head from 6-7.

Madden used to make excuses for it on his show, among them that it was his fourth hour on the air as compared to Cannon's first.

That didn't wash too well with me considering when I would listen to Cannon's first hour, it usually was hearing John Duffy tell us what the starting lineup of the Pirates game was going to be.

I will say Madden has perhaps the most DEVOTED audience. I've heard cars blare his show from their speakers as if it was gangsta rap, which I can't say for any other show.

But in terms of largest, no.

By the way, I'm hearing I may need more birdies. Another board is reporting Clear Channel has severed ties with Wexell.
I wasn't aware Wexell was working for Clear Channel. I knew he did guest spots on the WBGG talk shows but wasn't aware they were paid spots.

Any info?

 

[Snafu]

There are people in every media market who, despite sharing the same press box, can't stand the sight of one another. Its more than station or newspaper rivalries. There are jerks in every walk of life.

Not surprised that Smizik can't stand Madden. Several back stories not fit for repeat here. Let's just say that Madden isn't the only guy in the local media not on Bob's christmas card list. Madden's is even shorter, but he gets along great with all of the hockey guys.

Also not surprised that Bob brought it up in his column. He hasn't learned how to live without an editor yet.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Wow, 2 WKRP references, this is an old board.
and sadly, I'm part of it.

it's just the mental image of Madden in a pig suit....