Kirk and Callahan: Done

HomeBrew1901

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According to Finn’s follow-up, WEEI beat the sports hub 12.6 to 12.4 in the morning. Sports Hub is claiming victory because they disregard m the 0.9 share that listen to Kirk and Callahan on the 103.7 frequency in the Boston metropolitan area. Counting only 93.7 listeners, Toucher and Rich wins 12.4 to 11.7. I think that’s pretty disingenuous, but it’s hard to feel bad for WEEI, as they used to ignore WBZ-FM’s streaming numbers when it better fit their narrative.
EEI also used to pull in all of their numbers on various frequencies across New England IIRC

At the end of the day this is all a d*ck measuring competition in pursuit of advertising dollars.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Agreed, both shows are doing great ratings, unless one of them either spikes or nose dives it's really nothing.
 

CantKeepmedown

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Going after Kevin Cullen from the Globe pretty hard this morning. Cullen wrote articles about the marathon bombing and insinuated that he was there. Kirk said he spoke to Cullen this morning and Cullen admitted he was not there. They played a phone interview that he did with the BBC and he spoke about talking to his firefighter "friend" Shawn who carried Martin Richards sister to safety. Except this Shawn guy doesn't exist and it was a different firefighter who was off duty. K&C reached out to this guy and he has no idea who Kevin Cullen is.

Not a good look for Cullen or the Globe.
 

Dan Murfman

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He also said he’s friends with Bill Richard and told the story how after running the race Bill went and hugged Martin and after the hug Martin went back to his spot and Bill went to register his time. A few problems with the story . There is no hugging at finish line. And you don’t register your time. And of course Bill Richard didn’t run the marathon.
 

Rusty13

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Cringeworthy stuff about Cullen. Sounds like K&C are just scratching the surface and are looking into more of his previous stories. They are leaving no meat on the bones.

Question: given this is K&C we are talking about, what did Cullen initially say/write about them to get targeted? Obviously, they didn’t decided to bury this guy simply out of the blue.
 

Reverend

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According to Finn’s follow-up, WEEI beat the sports hub 12.6 to 12.4 in the morning. Sports Hub is claiming victory because they disregard m the 0.9 share that listen to Kirk and Callahan on the 103.7 frequency in the Boston metropolitan area. Counting only 93.7 listeners, Toucher and Rich wins 12.4 to 11.7. I think that’s pretty disingenuous, but it’s hard to feel bad for WEEI, as they used to ignore WBZ-FM’s streaming numbers when it better fit their narrative.
I no longer feel comfortable using the only vocabulary I have to express what I think of this crap.
 

shaggydog2000

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Cringeworthy stuff about Cullen. Sounds like K&C are just scratching the surface and are looking into more of his previous stories. They are leaving no meat on the bones.

Question: given this is K&C we are talking about, what did Cullen initially say/write about them to get targeted? Obviously, they didn’t decided to bury this guy simply out of the blue.
They like going after the Globe in general?
 

Rusty13

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They like going after the Globe in general?
Heh. You would like to think it's that simple, but I highly doubt it. Kirk admitted the reason they danced all over Borges' grave after one of their listeners successfully trolled Borges into the (eventual) unemployment line was because he had come at Kirk. It's always a specific agenda with them. Always. Having said that, I don't really have any sympathy for Cullen here.
 

HomeBrew1901

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Heh. You would like to think it's that simple, but I highly doubt it. Kirk admitted the reason they danced all over Borges' grave after one of their listeners successfully trolled Borges into the (eventual) unemployment line was because he had come at Kirk. It's always a specific agenda with them. Always. Having said that, I don't really have any sympathy for Cullen here.
While I tend to agree with you in this case it probably is that simple.

In addition, I think Callahan will always be a reporter at heart and when it comes to print journalism and what this guy is claiming it really pissed them off because the events happened here and they know the people that were involved so it's not unreasonable to believe that the are personally and professionally insulted.

The fact that it is the Globe is merely icing on the cake.
 

CantKeepmedown

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While I tend to agree with you in this case it probably is that simple.

In addition, I think Callahan will always be a reporter at heart and when it comes to print journalism and what this guy is claiming it really pissed them off because the events happened here and they know the people that were involved so it's not unreasonable to believe that the are personally and professionally insulted.

The fact that it is the Globe is merely icing on the cake.
Yeah, Gerry pretty much said that. He said what Borges did was just outright lazy. And while still really bad, he just got duped while trying to be first to break a story. Cullen flat out lied about stuff while trying to make himself a part of the story. They think what Cullen did is far, far worse than Borges.

After Cullen admitted to Kirk that he was not at the race during the explosion, he brought up his firefighter "friend" Shawn. Cullen hung up on him. I'm surprised the Globe hasn't even issued a "we're looking into this" response yet.
 

Dotrat

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This is a bummer because Cullen and Shelley Murphy did such a great job covering the arrest and trial of Whitey Bulger--which led them to co-author a book about the whole saga. His columns were also frequently good reads--he was like less a sentimental, bombastic, and self-aggrandizing version of Mike Barnicle. Now it seems as if he may join his predecessor in the disgraced plagiarist camp.
 

edoug

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He also said he’s friends with Bill Richard and told the story how after running the race Bill went and hugged Martin and after the hug Martin went back to his spot and Bill went to register his time. A few problems with the story . There is no hugging at finish line. And you don’t register your time. And of course Bill Richard didn’t run the marathon.
Other than that though...
 

ForKeeps

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He also said he’s friends with Bill Richard and told the story how after running the race Bill went and hugged Martin and after the hug Martin went back to his spot and Bill went to register his time. A few problems with the story . There is no hugging at finish line. And you don’t register your time. And of course Bill Richard didn’t run the marathon.
This was from his piece that ran two days after the bombing. He doesn't even mention the Richards family by name because he's just relaying a story that he was told by "some firefighter friends." I'm pretty sure their whole story was not known publicly at that point. It's sloppy, but it's not unprecedented to get an insignificant detail wrong so soon after the event. And nowhere in it does he say Bill Richard is his friend, was that somewhere else? I personally am not a fan of the kind of journalism Cullen specializes in, and by it's nature it leaves itself open to these kinds of questions, but the idea that this rises to the level of Stephen Glass or whatever is just a transparent narrative being pushed by some radio idiots with an axe to grind.
 

ForKeeps

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I will say that BBC interview is pretty damning, if indeed he did admit that he wasn't there for the bombing. That's a big if though because you're taking Kirk Minihane's recount of a private phone call at face value.
 

Dan Murfman

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David Wade‏Verified account @davidwade 25m25 minutes ago




NEW: The Globe now reviewing Kevin Cullen's work after WEEI said he embellished stories about the marathon bombings: Statement: "We are conducting a review, and if the record needs to be corrected in any way, we will do so forthrightly."
 

Dan Murfman

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Kirk is a vindictive person. Here is the tweet that got him going.

Kevin Cullen‏Verified account @GlobeCullen Feb 12

Shirley, she does not jest. Shirley Leung speaking truth to open racism and moronic shock talk. #MeToo, Shirley. #MeToo. There are some good guys at EEI, including Michael Holley, Dale Arnold, Trenni K and Buck, but too many juveniles driven by ratings.
 

Rusty13

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Kirk is a vindictive person. Here is the tweet that got him going.

Kevin Cullen‏Verified account @GlobeCullen Feb 12

Shirley, she does not jest. Shirley Leung speaking truth to open racism and moronic shock talk. #MeToo, Shirley. #MeToo. There are some good guys at EEI, including Michael Holley, Dale Arnold, Trenni K and Buck, but too many juveniles driven by ratings.
Heh. I knew it. He “came at the King”.
 

Rusty13

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Drudge Report now running with the Cullen story. Over/Under on days until he is — at a minimum — suspended?
 

Rossox

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Love how K&C and WEEI in general are suddenly the only media watchdog in town. Nobody else is doing it so might as well be them.
 

ForKeeps

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Love how K&C and WEEI in general are suddenly the only media watchdog in town. Nobody else is doing it so might as well be them.
I love "media watchdogs" who regularly praise and promote people like Howie Carr (anyone think his books aren't loaded with partisan fiction?).

This has zero to do with journalism or ethics (for them). Cullen made an accurate statement (they're racist shock jocks), and they were lucky that he turned out to be a total fraud, as if that erases or even minimizes the awful shit they say on a daily basis.
 

Byrdbrain

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They are obviously doing this because of their hatred towards the Globe and originally they were just making fun of Cullen's overdramatic phrasing. At that point I think they were contacted by people who pointed out that Cullen's story kept changing and then they started digging in.
It is pretty amazing that in less than a week these guys exposed a guy whose been around for decades as a total fraud.
 

ForKeeps

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They talked about Lugo and his history of DV this morning. Callahan claimed that not only did he never discuss the stories back when Lugo was here, he never even knew about them.

I distinctly remember him and Dennis interviewing Lugo after he first signed with the Red Sox and asking him directly about it (which, to be fair, they deserve credit for, especially in 2007).

This is a few minutes after they ripped Charlotte Wilder for "lying" about them and crying about how there's no accountability anymore. lol.
 

Cesar Crespo

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They talked about Lugo and his history of DV this morning. Callahan claimed that not only did he never discuss the stories back when Lugo was here, he never even knew about them.

I distinctly remember him and Dennis interviewing Lugo after he first signed with the Red Sox and asking him directly about it (which, to be fair, they deserve credit for, especially in 2007).

This is a few minutes after they ripped Charlotte Wilder for "lying" about them and crying about how there's no accountability anymore. lol.
Not really defending them, but when you talk on the radio as much as they do, they probably forget a lot of it. That was 11 years ago.
 

Rusty13

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If I recall correctly, I believe Cullen wrote some sort of version of the phrase "Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel" in reference to WEEI picking on the Globe.
Right. He was propping up an article by Shirley Leung that BURIED K&C and lead to them losing some advertising.
 

jose melendez

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Having to hear KKKallahan's voice in ads makes it difficult for me to listen to the Sox on the radio. It's like hearing "Today's Red Sox game brought to you by the Klan."
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Having to hear KKKallahan's voice in ads makes it difficult for me to listen to the Sox on the radio. It's like hearing "Today's Red Sox game brought to you by the Klan."
If I hear Callahan shilling for a product, and I need that service, I will always go to their competitor. Always.

I mean if there was some sort of conversation where the head of Company X said, "You know, these sprockets aren't moving themselves. We need someone with a name, someone with pizzazz to sell these bad boys."

And the head of marketing said, "Boss, two words: Gerry Motherfucking Callahan!"

And the boss said, "I love it! I'm in! Let's go!"

That would make me think that Company X might not have the business acumen needed to survive.
 

Byrdbrain

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The only advertiser he’s had for any length of time is his brother in laws concrete company. I think he is doing hair plugs now but he does very little advertising, I assume not by choice.
 

Bunt4aTriple

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The only advertiser he’s had for any length of time is his brother in laws concrete company. I think he is doing hair plugs now but he does very little advertising, I assume not by choice.
Even his brother in law hates him. They're clearly recording at different times and piecing it together. It sounds terrible.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Even his brother in law hates him. They're clearly recording at different times and piecing it together. It sounds terrible.
That’s a standard radio technique. It’s easier to record two separate tracks and edit them together than working with two people in the studio at the same. Just like when you see animation voice actors recording their dialogue in a booth by themselves - or have you thought that a blood feud between Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers kept them separated when recording Shrek?
 

Bunt4aTriple

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I am aware of how animation works. However, the back and forth in those commercials is noticeably bad, especially for two people who ostensibly are friendly. You can't get your BIL in the room to make it sound more natural? Of course, that guy has no business on the radio and Gerry should just handle it himself. It's amazing how much these guys lack self-awareness. Like the bearded turkey neck from Jordan's or the Christopher Lloyd look alike from Sullivan's that I wouldn't let within 50 feet of my kids on or off camera!
 

shaggydog2000

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I am aware of how animation works. However, the back and forth in those commercials is noticeably bad, especially for two people who ostensibly are friendly. You can't get your BIL in the room to make it sound more natural? Of course, that guy has no business on the radio and Gerry should just handle it himself. It's amazing how much these guys lack self-awareness. Like the bearded turkey neck from Jordan's or the Christopher Lloyd look alike from Sullivan's that I wouldn't let within 50 feet of my kids on or off camera!
The Sullivan Tire ads definitely have a Weekend at Bernie's thing going on.
 

timlinin8th

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Like the bearded turkey neck from Jordan's or the Christopher Lloyd look alike from Sullivan's that I wouldn't let within 50 feet of my kids on or off camera!
The ones that have been getting me lately are the carpet cleaning company ads during NESN game broadcasts where stereotypical Boston Irish guy (pretty sure he's named Kennedy) in one throws a baseball, in another swings a bat, and the two are probably the most uncomfortable attempts at either of this actions ever recorded. Like, leave that on the cutting room floor.
 

joe dokes

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The ones that have been getting me lately are the carpet cleaning company ads during NESN game broadcasts where stereotypical Boston Irish guy (pretty sure he's named Kennedy) in one throws a baseball, in another swings a bat, and the two are probably the most uncomfortable attempts at either of this actions ever recorded. Like, leave that on the cutting room floor.
For commercials, yes. But Gary Cooper and Anthony Perkins will always have Hollywood.
 

Vinho Tinto

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I am aware of how animation works. However, the back and forth in those commercials is noticeably bad, especially for two people who ostensibly are friendly. You can't get your BIL in the room to make it sound more natural? Of course, that guy has no business on the radio and Gerry should just handle it himself. It's amazing how much these guys lack self-awareness. Like the bearded turkey neck from Jordan's or the Christopher Lloyd look alike from Sullivan's that I wouldn't let within 50 feet of my kids on or off camera!
If their commercials sound bad, it’s mostly their producers fault; but Gerry also deserves blame for allowing something with his name on it that is subpar on the air. Everything about K&C comes across as slapdick, so it sounds par for the course.
 

Haunted

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I flipped the show on this morning for the first time in many weeks. I was treated to Kirk yelling at someone (and that someone yelling back). I only gave it about 90 seconds - enough to decide it wasn't a sports argument and that I had no idea or interest in whatever dumb work they're on.

I used to pop the show on during T&R commercials if NPR wasn't talking about anything I found interesting, but today I think it's officially off the menu. I know there's no accounting for taste, but I just don't understand the appeal of phony shouting matches.
 

jayhoz

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Sounds like you were spared the conversation that happened right after that. Kirk said something to the effect that the Gorilla incident was taken out of context and that Jerry doesn't have a racist bone in his body. Followed by Kirk saying that he would love to hear the segment....for the first time. <click>