Mike and the Mad Blog: THE SHIT HAS HIT THE WFAN: RUSSO HAS LEFT: CHERNOFF STATEMENT

Thursday, August 14, 2008

THE SHIT HAS HIT THE WFAN: RUSSO HAS LEFT: CHERNOFF STATEMENT

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo has left WFAN
BY NEIL BEST neil.best@newsday.com
7:17 PM EDT, August 14, 2008
Two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary, the "Mike and the Mad Dog'' show is no more.WFAN announced early Thursday evening that Chris Russo is leaving the company, making Mike Francesa the sole host of the popular afternoon drive time show."Mike and Chris pioneered the genre more than 18 years ago and have shaped the sports talk format into what it is today," WFAN operations director Mark Chernoff said in a statement."As we embark on this next step in WFAN's history, we wish Chris nothing but the best and look forward to all that Mike will do in a role in which he has excelled at for years.''
Chernoff said he did not know where Russo was headed, but he is expected to land at Sirius Satellite Radio.The announcement of Russo's departure coincided with the announcement of a new contract for Francesa, whose deal was believed to be expiring around the end of the year.For now, he will be the sole host of the show, including Friday. But over time new elements might be added.Newsday first reported June 22 that the partners likely would part this summer.

1 comment:

First Time, Long Time said...: a sad day indeed. somewhere Gabagool is 50% happy. But here, I cannot celebrate. Apparently, our petition failed.; August 14, 2008 at 4:50 PM

Post a Comment

Mike and the Mad Dog Glossary

Be careful: Mike and Chris' way of telling sports fans not to fall in love with a player or team ("Be Careful about falling in love with Pagan")

Let's be fair here: Russo's counter-argument to callers that attack someone ("Let's be fair here. If you are going to knock Rick Peterson, you gotta give him credit for John Maine")

This whole notion: When Francesa or Russo declares something to be fact when in actuality, they are making it up themselves ("This whole notion that Mike D'Antoni is going to make the Knicks a playoff team is a joke")

Pipe Down: Russo's way of telling a player to shut up ("Pipe down there Figueroa")

Tough Spot: This is usually a negative. 'Tough spot. Aaron Heilman. Can't trust him.' They rarely say, "I really like Chauncey Billups in a tough spot." Even though Mike and Dog don't trust a lot of athletes in a tough spot, you can earn your way out of this label. For example, they couldn't trust Eli Manning in a tough spot until the Super Bowl. Now he can basically retire and still be a legend. He proved he can perform in a tough spot. This phrase is used by both Mike and Dog.

Tricky Spot: This really means an awkward position. For example, Ian Eagle running into Marv Albert at the Garden. Or I'm sure that the Giants last game of the 2007 was a tricky spot. "Coughlin wants to get ready for the postseason but you have to try to end the Patriots' undefeated season. Tricky spot, Mike." And for clarification. This phrase is used primarily by Russo.

Timmy: Russo's son. ("I mean, let's be fair here Mike, Timmy can throw harder than Igawa")

Say Something Funny Mike (When Russo can't control himself and breaks out into laughter and tries to egg Francesa on to keep it going. Picture Russo hysterically laughing followed by "Say Something Funny Mike")

First time, long time (this term is announced by a fan calling to the show, who has been a long time listener of the show, but is making his first ever call in - hence, first time (caller), long time (listener)

I can't go too crazy - This is a Mad Dog special. Dog uses this phrase to throw cold water on enthusiastic callers("I can't go too crazy about the D-Rays in May. Talk to me in September.") or admit that he doesn't have strong feelings about a subject("I can't go too crazy about the Olympic torch protesters.").

A-Game - This is Mike's new terminology that he applies to a Yankees win in which the starter goes 7 innings, Joba pitches a perfect 8th and Mariano closes it out. "The Yanks need an A Game tonight."

Bad Job: This is Mad Dog's way of criticizing something. It can be applied to players, coaches, general managers, fans - even networks, as in "That's a bad job out of NBC on the Derby Broadcast."

I'm not a big believer in: This is mainly a Mike comment. It means he doesn't have much confidence in something. And just like other comments, this is mainly used in negative, eg. 'I'm not a big believer in starting someone on 3 days rest.'

The whole bit - Russo's phrase when he is alone and wants to keep the conversation moving along. Without Mike there to add any details, Russo will use 'the whole bit' to sum up a person or issue. 'Selig will make it into the Hall of Fame. Steroids, the whole bit.'

Mike and the Mad Blog

Thursday, August 14, 2008

THE SHIT HAS HIT THE WFAN: RUSSO HAS LEFT: CHERNOFF STATEMENT

1 comment:

My Blog List

Blog Archive

BEST OF MIKE AND THE MAD BLOG

The Stinks List

Contributors

Mad Dog.wav

Mike and the Mad Dog Glossary

Mike and the Mad Dog Photos

Mike and the Mad Dog Photos

Chris Russo

Mike and the Dog Photos

Mike and the Dog Photos

Mike and the Mad Blog Links

Mike and the Mad Dog Video Clips