Mike'd Up: The Mike Francesa Show

Doug Beerabelli

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Palmer discussion is much more interesting radio than Fernandez. Palmer was a much more significant figure in his sport, and also had hi - yuge effect on the media and how golf was covered by it. Not at all to belittle Jose's tragic death at all, but there's really not much to say about it. It was an accident, apparently one caused merely by some combo of bad judgment and bad luck to a player not from NY or playing in NY. There's only so much "This is so sad/what a tragedy/such a shame" type calls before it's run it's course.

Arnie coverage can be warm memories and anecdotes told by scores of famous people for minutes at a time.
 
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Remagellan

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This was my thought exactly. Obviously he's going to spend some time on Palmer, but geez, the whole first hour on a Monday after Giants and Jets both play games that should generate plenty of talk?

This is not just a Francesca thing, but I also feel like Palmer's death is overshadowing Jose Fernandez's. Again, this is not to say that Palmer shouldn't be remembered at a time like this, but the game was 87, wasn't he? Did people think he was going to live forever? Seems like he had a great life - nothing wrong with enjoying it to 87. Now Fernandez on the other hand...

I'm late to this thread, but one thing you may have missed is Francesa does a Sunday show on football, and he devoted a pretty big segment to Jose Fernandez's death on Sunday, including running the press conference of the initial investigation that had information that was later corrected. (The main mistake being the report that the boat was not Fernandez's but that of a friend of his.)

I'm too young and not enough of a golf fan to get the craze over Arnold Palmer, but it does seem that if you're someone Francesa's age or older, Palmer's legacy needed more time to discuss than Fernandez's.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Just listened to an interview he did today with Steve Young. It lasted nearly an hour and it felt like 10 minutes. They went into pretty deep detail about his football career, like how his offensive coach at BYU convinced LaVell Edwards to convert him to defense because he didn't want to coach a left-handed QB.
 

bankshot1

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Christie could add some political chatter and might generate some initial buzz, but there's nothing to indicate has has anywhere near Francesa's knowledge about either the NY teams (mostly baseball/football) or sports in general. Francesa is a blowhard, and he has his biases, but he's (still) very good and IMO better/deeper/more listenable than any other single sports talk guy.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Christie could add some political chatter and might generate some initial buzz, but there's nothing to indicate has has anywhere near Francesa's knowledge about either the NY teams (mostly baseball/football) or sports in general. Francesa is a blowhard, and he has his biases, but he's (still) very good and IMO better/deeper/more listenable than any other single sports talk guy.
This would be the sports radio equivalent of replacing Howard Stern with David Lee Roth.
 

Buster Olney the Lonely

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Once upon a time, WFAN had a back bench of talent that was ridiculously deep. Ian Eagle, Steve Levy, Howie Rose, Mike Breen to name a few. These were largely guys who were either doing updates, some pbp (Rose), or were fill ins. They were operating behind the big names like Imus, Mike and the Mad Dog, Sommers, etc.

As sports talk proliferated, they couldn't get the same talent. WFAN is kind of a wasteland now. I don't listen to Mike all that much anymore, but I find that the rest of the on-air talent is pretty barren. I have to think Sommers, Benigno, and Richard Neer aren't long for the gig (after Mike goes). So who does that leave? Boomer and Carton, who do great in the ratings so they're set there. Not really my cup of tea but there you go. Then it's Evan Roberts. And if Evan Roberts is the future of WFAN, I don't think I'll ever listen again.

EDIT: grammar fixes
 

Vinho Tinto

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Once upon a time, WFAN had a back bench of talent that was ridiculously deep. Ian Eagle, Steve Levy, Howie Rose, Mike Breen to name a few. These were largely guys who were either doing updates, some pbp (Rose), or were fill ins. They were operating behind the big names like Imus, Mike and the Mad Dog, Sommers, etc. As sports talk proliferated, they couldn't get the same talent. WFAN is kind of a wasteland now. I don't listen to Mike all that much anymore, but I find that it's pretty barren. I have to think Sommers, Benigno, and Richard Neer aren't long for the gig (after Mike goes). So who does that leave? Boomer and Carton do great in the ratings so their set there. Not really my cup of tea but there you go. Then it's Evan Roberts. And if Evan Roberts is the future of WFAN, I don't think I'll ever listen again.
I think what you are describing is the reality across media. There is a stark thinning of talent due to substantial increase in outlets for radio, TV, and the internet. Louis CK made a similar comparison to the early 90s writing staffs on shows like SNL, Seinfield, Letterman, and who he worked with on Conan O'Brien. Many of those writers today would splinter off and do their own project today vs coming together to write on a network TV show.

WFAN struck gold with Carton and Boomer. I think Christie would be a mistake and whoever does replace Francesa would be someone from outside their station.
 

Plantiers Wart

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Christie wouldn't last long. But he is actually pretty good in spots in the morning. I'd toss out Lupica as a replacement. Good interviewer, pompous, opinionated, needs to add some weight
 

Clears Cleaver

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Lupica failed doing one hour a week. His shows on the weekend were abhorrent. No way. Plus, literally no one likes him personally.

I can't believe Mike and Chris would not reunite even if it was to do a weekly hour long podcast
 

Remagellan

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I can't believe Mike and Chris would not reunite even if it was to do a weekly hour long podcast

The problem ins't Mike, it's Chris. He's signed by SIRIUS, so he's not free to do the podcast that Francesa is sure to announce as his next move. It will likely be just like as you describe--one hour a day, five days a week.
 

Vinho Tinto

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The problem ins't Mike, it's Chris. He's signed by SIRIUS, so he's not free to do the podcast that Francesa is sure to announce as his next move.
He makes a lot of money there, so being restricted on where he appears is likely the case; but I don't think it's impossible if Mike and Russo want it to happen. If the will is there, they can work something out with Sirius. Right now, I don't think there is enough guaranteed money for them to bend over backwards for a reunion.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
"If the Dallas coaches had anything between their ears, they would have opened the roof." And that's just the tip of the rationalization iceberg. Treating it as a given that the roof would been opened yesterday.

Tons of pre-show homework: which stadia have domes, current and future opponents outdoor records, how teams are constructed, keeps referencing up NEXT week's opponent (Loy-ins), etc. Compared yesterday's game to forcing Peyton in his prime to play outdoors.
 
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dcmissle

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These antics, I suspect, the two of them share:

But the were raw and exposed Thursday night, with the Giants wide receiver literally beating his head against a wall and screaming to himself before being ushered into the locker room after the Giants’ loss to the Eagles.

According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Beckham stood angrily in the tunnel “emitting guttural sounds of anguish in a display of utter frustration,” before hitting his head against a steel wall three times. Team security and co-owner John Mara steered him toward the locker room, where he cooled off and became merely really sad.
Mike can roll with the NY Big Blue bravado with the best of them, but last night had to take away a good bit of the swagger. They'll get in, but the way this sets up, they may be visiting Seattle. Or they'll have to beat Dallas three times in one season, and twice in Texas.

Not good. If Mike is not out for the holidays, it may be a worthy listen today.
 

GregHarris

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Mike Francesca will have you know that he is the best snow blower.
 

dcmissle

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We're going to get a rant right, if for no other reason than Beckham? Play by play would be greatly appreciated.
 

dcmissle

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Appointment listening.
I'm actually trying to schedule calls around it, but others may not be as fortunate. Hence the request for PBP.

Cuz what happened is, at bottom, Jets level stuff. And Mike in his heart knows it -- and knows that he killed the Jets for it under Rex. So his approach will be interesting.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
We're going to get a rant right, if for no other reason than Beckham? Play by play would be greatly appreciated.
Rant? Lucky if he doesnt have a stroke. I purposely pushed more work to the morning, so I can be in the car at 1:05 (for some reason, it's just not the same listening to it indoors).

EDIT: and let's hope Mike saw the shoes.

 
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ifmanis5

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Giants dominated for first 27 minutes but blew all their opportunities. Hope it becomes a lesson and learn what went on in the final minutes. You cannot squander opportunities on the road when you're playing against a great player.
 

RedOctober3829

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Giants dominated the game for 27 minutes.They should be frustrated with the opportunities lost. Hope the young coach, young players learn something from what went on in the last 33 minutes. It had somehow become their right to go win playoff games under Eli. The defense was doing a terrific job. Eli threw the ball the best he did all year but can't squander opportunities on the road.
 

dcmissle

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"You can't have ANY of those plays, much less ALL of them ..."

special teams came apart ... punter terrible, etc ... Everything came apart yesterday ... Rainey absolute killer
 

ifmanis5

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Young coach did not understand where he was at the moment. Imperative to keep the ball and not let them touch it (up 7-6 late first half).
 

ifmanis5

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At 14-13 this is where the great player gets his coach out of the fire- Rodgers bailed out McCarthy's dumb decisions.

Boom-Boom-Boom-Endzone
 

dcmissle

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Now going nuts over Giants drops ... never gave yourself a chance ...
 

dcmissle

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Could not overcome their own immaturity, their own mistakes ... you saw what happens when it comes apart
 

ifmanis5

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Killed McCarthy and praising Rodgers who had all day and got to pick out mismatches. Giants dominated but couldn't overcome their own immaturity and mistakes.
 

dcmissle

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"When does Beckham start to get criticized? He had more drops yesterday than he should have in a year."
 

ifmanis5

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Beckham- he has apologists- at what point oes he start to get critisized for the drops that are too frequent for a player of that magnitude. He lowered his game yesterday to way below C level.... CATCH THE BALL. GROW UP... Comparing him to Shockey. 'Never was as good as we thought he was going to be.'