Morning sports talk might have a new player

[riverboatman]

The morning after the Bonds indictment, Friday morning, I grit my teeth, and against all good judgment, I tuned in Dennis and Callahan. I wanted to get more of the story. But as usual, I couldn't take more than 5 or 6 minutes of John Dennis' cheerleading with his incessant "Yeah, Oh yeah" timed chant, behind the intollerant rants of his partner, Gerry Callahan. Nor could I negotiate any further doses of John Metaperal's (if that's the correct spelling) yearning to be Dennis Miller. So, in frustration, I skipped along to ESPN 890, and landed on Mike and Mike. It's not the worst thing in the world, but it's nothing local. And while the Bond's indictment is a national story, I'd rather hear from a voice inside of 128. So, out of desparation, I went to the old 1510 The Zone, only to find it still is 1510 The Zone. I listened to the Lou (or Lew, not sure which) and Mike Show. I have no idea who either of these guys are, but they were good. Real good. Informed, likable voices, respectful to the callers, and funny. Yeah, I know, I couldn't believe it either. I called the station during the show. The prodicer couldn't provide alot of information about the show because he said he was there alone and he too busy to chat. But he did tell me they are there every morning, 7-9. At least for now, bye bye D&C. I hope Lou and Mike make it. Or do they spell it Lew and Mike? At this point does it really matter?

 

[ChrisNH]

Great observations, and I sure hope the aforementioned trio on WEEI comes to this message board so that they can get a clue how awful they are. You have the three of them nailed, with 'meat-puppet' 'yearning' to hear his amplitude-modulated voice reach the nether reaches of WEEIs signal footprint...which means Lowell, Southborough, Foxborough, and Boston Light. But mostly, you did a good thing by calling 1510 to pay your respects. It's very easy to call or write when things are bad (which is why WRKO and WEEI gather momentum here on this Board). But when they are doing a good job, that's meaningful input as well.

It would be nice if some other well-chosen stations could 'repeat' or simulcast 1510 so the content could reach more people. My sports radio has, for the longest time, been limited to the daily ESPN Podcasts--free on their web site. PTI, Mike & Mike, and so on. My commute here in southern New Hampshire is only a half-hour each way, so just two of those downloads covers me for the ride to work and back home again. And with the Red Sox winning the Series and the Patriots foraging on NFL plankton, these 'national' shows focus on 'our' teams anyway.

 

[ciao99]

Great observations, and I sure hope the aforementioned trio on WEEI comes to this message board so that they can get a clue how awful they are. You have the three of them nailed, with 'meat-puppet' 'yearning' to hear his amplitude-modulated voice reach the nether reaches of WEEIs signal footprint...which means Lowell, Southborough, Foxborough, and Boston Light. But mostly, you did a good thing by calling 1510 to pay your respects. It's very easy to call or write when things are bad (which is why WRKO and WEEI gather momentum here on this Board). But when they are doing a good job, that's meaningful input as well.

It would be nice if some other well-chosen stations could 'repeat' or simulcast 1510 so the content could reach more people. My sports radio has, for the longest time, been limited to the daily ESPN Podcasts--free on their web site. PTI, Mike & Mike, and so on. My commute here in southern New Hampshire is only a half-hour each way, so just two of those downloads covers me for the ride to work and back home again. And with the Red Sox winning the Series and the Patriots foraging on NFL plankton, these 'national' shows focus on 'our' teams anyway.

"It would be nice if some other well-chosen stations could 'repeat' or simulcast 1510 so the content could reach more people."
Why on Earth should the Boston radio dial take up anymore space on this non-rated radio station?

 

[raccoonradio]

>>I sure hope the aforementioned trio on WEEI comes to this message board so that they can get a clue how awful they are

Boston Globe, 9/10/07
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/article.../?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today's+paper+A+to+Z

"The new contract for Dennis and Callahan, who consistently topped Boston's morning radio ratings for men ages 25-54, is expected to keep them on the air for another five years."

Herald the same day:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1030462

"Boston sports talkmasters John Dennis and Gerry Callahan are due back on WEEI’s airwaves today after striking a reportedly lucrative deal following a month-long lockout."

Dennis and Callahan each get into their luxury cars and they take a peek into their wallets to see
the figure on their paychecks. The same thought crosses each's mind: This isn't right. We're awful.
We don't talk about sports. People on messageboards are complaining about our show. Then they
both laugh and each drives home to their luxury mansions...

Such is Boston radio...

 

[riverboatman]

Have any of you noticed the John Dennis chant to which I referred? Callahan will go off on some viceral tangent, and when Dennis is in the black about what Callahan is talking, Dennis will throw in a series of emphatic "yah"s and then a couple of "oh yah"s. Now should Callahan be speaking in the other direction, Dennis will do the same chant, but only with "no"s and "oh no"s. It is shootingly painful. Love to see if anyone out there notices this. I am curious if any will agree with my review of the 1510 morning show. I'm convinced many will find it worthy. But what do I know? It's Sunday ay 1pm, and I'm blogging. Oh yeah, the Celtics don't start until 6 and the Patriots until 8:30. So, I guess I don't feel that bad about the blogging.

 

[ArtSpooner]

Have any of you noticed the John Dennis chant to which I referred? Callahan will go off on some viceral tangent, and when Dennis is in the black about what Callahan is talking, Dennis will throw in a series of emphatic "yah"s and then a couple of "oh yah"s. Now should Callahan be speaking in the other direction, Dennis will do the same chant, but only with "no"s and "oh no"s. It is shootingly painful. Love to see if anyone out there notices this. I am curious if any will agree with my review of the 1510 morning show. I'm convinced many will find it worthy. But what do I know? It's Sunday ay 1pm, and I'm blogging. Oh yeah, the Celtics don't start until 6 and the Patriots until 8:30. So, I guess I don't feel that bad about the blogging.

I've noticed Dennis' smarmy yup, yup, yups for a while now. I'm really happy to hear that Imus is coming back. I live out in Worcester county so my choices are more limited than most Bostonians. I have a lot of interest in sports so from time to time I turn on D&C. I've listened to them a lot since Imus went off the air. I've come to the conclusion that this show is manned by three of the most reprehensible people I've ever heard of. Dennis is a smarmy, pompous jerk. Callahan is a tough guy wannabe, who makes snide cheap shots for four hours every day. He'd love to be Bob Ryan, but just doesn't pack the gear. Neither has a lot of contact with sports. They're not at the games or in the dugouts and locker rooms. The third member of the trio, Meterparel, reminds me of something I'd scrape off my shoe. I find myself rooting against B.C. just because he's their announcer.

This isn't a radio show, it's just four hours of sarcastic, snide remarks and condescending smart mouth replies to anyone foolish enough to call. Every utterance is a sarcastic cheap shot, to the point where I find it hard to distinguish between factual information or smart-ass remark.

 

[SonicOverload]

I've mentioned this show before... it's a breath of fresh air and I listen every morning. One thing that's different is they constantly rip Theo Epstein, unlike on WEEI. I mean, I don't even agree completely with their skewering of Theo but it's different. It's Lew Goldstein, who calls himself Lew In The Car, which is kind of silly and Mike Valley, who has an athletic background but I honestly forget what it is. It's good to have an alternative.

it's disappointing that many of the new brokered shows have nothing to do with sports, while they call themselves "Boston's Sports Station." There's no way an informercial should be running in the 9 AM slot and Raccoon has written about the doomsday preacher or whatever he is who's on overnight.

 

[raccoonradio]

Yes and other brokered shows are airing like Irish music on Sunday nights (WWZN)

>>It's good to have an alternative.
Yes though their signal isn't the best (the few people listening to WTTT as a talk alternative are
in the same boat)

>>by three of the most reprehensible people I've ever heard of.

I don't know for certain if their ratings are still good or not, but someone out there must like 'em
(no accounting for taste, some would say) and they did bring 'em back instead of having them
jump to the sports-network-that-almost-was (shot down when Entercom did the deal with
Nassau). Go figure with Entercom--D&C on one station, Finneran on the other. If ratings or
especially billings suffer they'd be gone.

 

[SonicOverload]

Lew and Mike just quoted this post on their show... congrats Riverboatman--they seemed appreciative. They were less appreciative of when I said they blew smoke up Duquette's ... well, fill in the rest... on an earlier post but, once again, they're talking about sports. Not just the Pats but the Celtics' game from last night. One thing that is starting to happen, though, is they're starting to get one or two annoying callers who I imagine are auditioning to become paid performers on WEEI, esp. now that Frank has "retired"

re: my posts about the station, no damning with faint praise intended. Once again, it's great to have a sports show on in the morning, instead of a talk show with sports content.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Great observations, and I sure hope the aforementioned trio on WEEI comes to this message board so that they can get a clue how awful they are.

The idea that the market's top-rated morning show among men would get programming ideas from a message board (especially this one) is laughable. In fact, so is the idea that they would even read this message board. And as for "awful," why Entercom (or any owner, for that matter) would tamper with a show which is a demonstrable success in both ratings and billing is obviously beyond the understanding of the usual suspects who inhabit this board.

 

[TSBench]

Great observations, and I sure hope the aforementioned trio on WEEI comes to this message board so that they can get a clue how awful they are.

EDS as a spectator sport? Interesting concept.

Regards,
TSB

 

[riverboatman]

When I started this topic, it was more about the fact that there may be an alternative to Dennis and Callahan on the respirating 1510 The Zone. The Lew and Mike Show seems to work, at least for me. Without any evdience to the contrary, WEEI is a smoking hot entity. And it would be a thorough waste of time to think that anything spoken on these blog pages will have an ounce of impact on the position EEI's morning show holds. That said, Hair Box, is it more naive to believe that WEEI would utilize the programming suggestions on this message board, as you have asserted that ChrisNH does, or for you to assume that ChrisNH, or anyone else who inhabits this board, does? Either way, you missed it. The question is not about an blogger's ability to change WEEI. This board is where we go to speak about, well, what we speak about, with some degree of an audience. If you find the blogging community beneath your ability see as clearly as you do, why do you take the time to leave messgaes here, but more importantly, why do you read anyone else's? Lastly, Mr. Hair Box, if you are a devotee to Dennis and Callahan, and oh yeah, John Metaperal, you're all set, cuz they're all your for 5 more years. Enjoy

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

is it more naive to believe that WEEI would utilize the programming suggestions on this message board, as you have asserted that ChrisNH does, or for you to assume that ChrisNH, or anyone else who inhabits this board, does? Either way, you missed it. The question is not about an blogger's ability to change WEEI. This board is where we go to speak about, well, what we speak about, with some degree of an audience. If you find the blogging community beneath your ability see as clearly as you do, why do you take the time to leave messgaes here, but more importantly, why do you read anyone else's? Lastly, Mr. Hair Box, if you are a devotee to Dennis and Callahan, and oh yeah, John Metaperal, you're all set, cuz they're all your for 5 more years. Enjoy

Devotee? Hardly. But, as usual , you miss the point entirely. I see the same postings repeatedly here, on all sorts of topics, paraphrased as: "The successful shows have it all wrong. They should read this board and see how to do it right"...also sometimes stated as "I hate the show, therefore it should be changed, and I can tell them how." The end result is usually either "they are doomed and will be fired because they didn't take my advice" or "they're so angry because they read this board constantly." There's a name for that: Being full of yourself. Whether or not you believe it, there are people here who actually believe that taking the advice posted here will make their pet radio station better. Whether or not that advice is based on anything at all is always irrelevant.

Cliff's Notes: Opinions resemble a certain bodily orifice. Everybody has one.

 

[TSBench]

Or do they spell it Lew and Mike? At this point does it really matter?

No.

Regards,
TSB

 

[TSBench]

Devotee? Hardly. But, as usual , you miss the point entirely. I see the same postings repeatedly here, on all sorts of topics, paraphrased as: "The successful shows have it all wrong. They should read this board and see how to do it right"...also sometimes stated as "I hate the show, therefore it should be changed, and I can tell them how."

It's always a hoot how folks seem to think that these shows just happen spontaneously. They sound the way they do because that's how they're supposed to sound; they're not making it up as they go along. Since what they are doing is working, they're probably not all that interested in hearing how they could improve it from people with no vested interest in the outcome, no matter where it's coming from.

The end result is usually either "they are doomed and will be fired because they didn't take my advice" or "they're so angry because they read this board constantly."

Well, consider the source. EDS writ large. Remember, this is coming from someone who thinks Meterparel is injecting himself into the show by this own accord. OTOH, it does give him an opportunity to use his new favorite expression, "Meat puppet", so he must know what he is talking about.

There's a name for that: Being full of yourself. Whether or not you believe it, there are people here who actually believe that taking the advice posted here will make their pet radio station better. Whether or not that advice is based on anything at all is always irrelevant.

Perhaps they think that the way to program a station is to take 500,000 individual surveys and tweak it to make sure everyone is happy. Sort of like all-format-request talk radio. Maybe I can get 'MJX to program more Supertramp and Meat Loaf. Wouldn't cost anything, and I know a number of people who think Paradise by the Dashboard Light is the greatest song of all time.

Come to think of it, why not a Jim Steinman-ony station. I'd love to hear it, as would millions of others, but it won't happen because all those corporate suits and group owners don't have the cajones to give it a shot. No wonder radio sucks.

Regards,
TSB

 

[SonicOverload]

[
It's always a hoot how folks seem to think that these shows just happen spontaneously. They sound the way they do because that's how they're supposed to sound; they're not making it up as they go along. Since what they are doing is working, they're probably not all that interested in hearing how they could improve it from people with no vested interest in the outcome, no matter where it's coming from.

EXACTLY... they're performers, actors, playing a role. Pete as the bumbler. Meter as the smarmy jerk. Craig Mustard as the Yankee lover... setting up the contrived good cop/bad cop with Johnson, although I think Craig's the good cop, whereas he's being presented as the opposite, against the righteous Rev.

 

[riverboatman]

Pretty sad, TSB, pretty sad......You spend, what I assume to be, discretionary time, in and on a message board devoted to a medium that you think "sucks." Now, I agree with your long winded and circuitous comment that no one here will likely impact the programming direction of a succesful station's format, nor its talent. But the fact that you spend time here disparaging the medium, as well as the displaying an indignation to attack those you appreciate it, is, well, acutely sad. As for the spelling of "The Lew and Mike Show," I'm sure they care. Funny, I don't recall hearing your work on the air, brokered or paid, no matter how you spell your name. I haven't checked other subjects on the message board, but the smart money says you do the same in those, as well. I am ever so anxious to read the TSB friendly response, although I'm more looking forward to not reading any of it.

 

[Finn]

Pretty sad, TSB, pretty sad......You spend, what I assume to be, discretionary time, in and on a message board devoted to a medium that you think "sucks." Now, I agree with your long winded and circuitous comment that no one here will likely impact the programming direction of a succesful station's format, nor its talent. But the fact that you spend time here disparaging the medium, as well as the displaying an indignation to attack those you appreciate it, is, well, acutely sad. As for the spelling of "The Lew and Mike Show," I'm sure they care. Funny, I don't recall hearing your work on the air, brokered or paid, no matter how you spell your name. I haven't checked other subjects on the message board, but the smart money says you do the same in those, as well. I am ever so anxious to read the TSB friendly response, although I'm more looking forward to not reading any of it.

riverboatman, I think you may find you wish you'd checked other subjects on the message board. good luck.

 

[SonicOverload]

one thing they DO need to do on that show is make sure they're not running Boston Phoenix ads that are three weeks old... "this week in the Phoenix"...

(cue "people still reat that?" "What about those (HORROR!) sex ads"--yeah, I think the latter is kind of pathetic but different strokes... oof!)

 

[TSBench]

I'm going to assume that Riverwhatever isn't really Finn yanking my chain.

Pretty sad, TSB, pretty sad......You spend, what I assume to be, discretionary time, in and on a message board

No, it's not. It is mandatory time. I made a deal with the Devil....if I broke 90 at golf I would read the posts of our less promising “new” members. I shot an 88 last week.

devoted to a medium that you think "sucks."

Ummmm…handling nuances isn’t exactly your long suit, is it.
But, then, it never has been.

But the fact that you spend time here disparaging the medium,

No, not at all. It’s not the medium that I disparage from time to time but folks who post under various beards, if you get my drift, which I’m sure you do. There seems to be people around here with more names than a French visconte.

as well as the displaying an indignation

I think the word you are looking for is inclination or, perhaps. proclivity,

to attack those you appreciate it, is, well, acutely sad. As for the spelling of "The Lew and Mike Show," I'm sure they care.

As an aide memoire, I should point out that it was you who posted. ”Or do they spell it Lew and Mike? At this point does it really matter?”
If you think it does matter, why did you ask? Or have you since decided that it does matter? Of course, I could point out that whether they care or whether it matters are two separate questions.

As to my reply, No, to me it doesn’t matter, because the show is going nowhere, and also because I know the correct spelling.

I haven't checked other subjects on the message board,

No, please, don’t. I just cut a new deal to break par.

I am ever so anxious to read the TSB friendly response, although I'm more looking forward to not reading any of it.

Well, in a friendly manner, I’ll eagerly suggest that you relax.

But, thanks for playing.

Regards,
TSB