SVP & Russillo: 'Cool Kids,' or Trying Too Hard?

[Phenom]

I loathe national sports talk radio. I think it's largely vanilla, inoffensive and full of guys with "great voices" who just spout cliches and talking points. 
 
But I love SVP & Russillo, and find myself listening to them more in the afternoons than any of the local options.
 
They sift through a lot of the ESPN bullshit, and avoid HOT TAKEZ. Plus, they're pretty freaking funny. 
 
I think a lot of their appeal – at least to me – is that they come across as two normal, well-adjusted guys. That's a rarity in sports media. 
 
It's a lot of NBA talk, and I typically tune out once college football takes over the agenda. 
 
Just thought I'd give them a shout out, though, and see if anybody else finds them as entertaining as I do.

 

[LMontro]

They're ok, which is high praise for ESPN.  I disagree about the hot sportz takez (!!!!)  , though.    They go down the road of "Belichick is arrogant", "the Pats are an arrogant organization" stuff which to me is the hottest of hot sports takes and I rarely , if ever, hear them take a different angle on anything   I think sometimes RR tries to make sure he's not too biased w/Boston teams so that might be part of it.  Also, the fake Boston accent thing is as lame/fucked out as the stuff on KSK.  They're good together, though,  and that is a huge part of their success.

 

[Kliq]

The guys are not really together all that often, SVP is only there about half the time. That being said, I like their segments, their one big question and "I've got something to say." Because they are ESPN, they get great guests and both guys are competent hosts, so it works out well. The rest of the daily ESPN lineup is pretty weak, but I like listening to these guys.

 

[Granite Sox]

I like them. They play to a younger demographic than the other national hosts (Mike & Mike, Cowherd, LeBatard), I don't think they "try too hard", and they're pretty versatile, with an obvious NBA and college football lean. I think they are the best that ESPN has to offer, and I think they're better than the local top dogs.

 

[Brickowski]

I listen because they talk about basketball once in awhile (and Rusillo actually knows a little about it, unlike most of the local talk radio guys).

 

[Tony C]

I guess they do have a bit of a slacker hipster vibe -- tho to be honest I'm exposed more to them without SVP (am forgetting his usual sub's name) -- but I don't think in a way that tries too hard or is too "cool kid." I do like the deliberate non-flashiness, and they're definitely above average on a below average network. At the same time I don't find them to offer particular insight, so not like I'd be a wild fan, either. But they're good.

 

[rymflaherty]

When I think "trying too hard" I think of Mike & Mike.
Everything on that show seems overly rehearsed and awful schtick.
 
When I tune in to SVP & Russillo, more often than not it sounds like they are legitimately having a good time. And much of the humor seems like it comes from them actually being witty. 
 
I've really come to enjoy the SVP show.  It's probably my favorite show on ESPN (radio/TV).  It's not always the most informative, but I enjoy the way they provide their opinions/information.  I enjoy the rants and the humor (and the fact it can be a mix of irreverent, dry, spontaneous, etc.) and I even have a soft spot for the 90's hip-hop which is a show staple.
They def. get a thumbs up from me.

 

[kelpapa]

SVP is leaving the show. He's going to be hosting an hour-long Sportscenter show on at midnight. Russillo will be staying, but I'm not sure if they will bring someone else in. Previously, Russillo has spoken about how hosting a 3-hour show by yourself is one of the toughest things you can do on radio (he was discussing Cowherd).
 
I'm kind of bummed, as this is one show that I try to catch every day. Russillo is extremely knowledgeable, especially about basketball. While SVP isn't big into analytics, he's open to them, and funny and enjoyable to listen.
 
I'm always surprised at how little traction these guys have gotten in this forum. One is from Mass, and both are against raging idiots with hot takes. Carl's stone cold locks of the century of the week are hilarious, and Russillo makes fun of Dennis.

 

[pantsparty]

That's unfortunate. Theirs is really the only sports radio show I'll listen to voluntarily for more than a few minutes (Colin Cowherd entertains me in small doses).

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

I really like them, but never get to hear them because our local ESPN Radio affiliate only airs the first hour of their show before cutting over to the local guys, Miller and Moulton, who are pretty terrible.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

SVP is leaving the show. He's going to be hosting an hour-long Sportscenter show on at midnight. Russillo will be staying, but I'm not sure if they will bring someone else in. Previously, Russillo has spoken about how hosting a 3-hour show by yourself is one of the toughest things you can do on radio (he was discussing Cowherd).
 
I'm kind of bummed, as this is one show that I try to catch every day. Russillo is extremely knowledgeable, especially about basketball. While SVP isn't big into analytics, he's open to them, and funny and enjoyable to listen.
 
I'm always surprised at how little traction these guys have gotten in this forum. One is from Mass, and both are against raging idiots with hot takes. Carl's stone cold locks of the century of the week are hilarious, and Russillo makes fun of Dennis.

 
Many times when I turned them on they're talking about college sports, which I couldn't give a shit about. I just don't see New England having much interest in a national show. 9 months a year or so, there's a ton going on, we (New England sports fans) don't care about college sports and we don't care about Lebron James etc. 
 
Plus they're on 850 AM which sounds like it's broadcast from a tin can.