1238 replies to this topic

[HomeBrew1901]

Discuss it here.

[Sparky Lyle]

Generally, sucks today. I'm listening to Felgie.

[dcmissle]

Informative and often very funny. Quite solid as these shows go. Criticisms:

-- Big O uneven. Good with most guests, but exercises almost no control over the football guys, which hurts the performance of those guys.

-- A lot of football knowledge resides in Smerlas and DeOssie but is overshawdowed by their big timing callers and general thug behavior (servicing their demographic?).

-- Blatant Patriots' fanboyism so widely known, it's harmless cause few take them seriously. But it's goddamn irritating when they then turn their attention to other franchises in town and nitpick those teams to death. As they consistently did with the RS, for example, before October of last year.

-- Need to clean the stable of some weak guests.

[Phenom]

-- Need to clean the stable of some weak guests.

"The Big Show" sinks or swims depending on who the co-hosts are.

Too often, Burt, LJ, and Burton are in the co-host chair, bringing the quality of the show waaaaaaaaaay down.

The addition of Merloni has seemed to lessen Bill Burt's, and Steve Burton's role, however. Too bad that LJ still sees his weekly action.

Edited by Phenom, 03 July 2008 - 06:11 PM.

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

Glen Ordway is usually a very good host, however he has one fatal flaw that (depending on his guest) can completely send his show flying off the tracks. Over the course of four hours, one of the guest hosts will say something that they don't mean as either a throw away line or just a brain fart. Ordway will jump all over this and ride it into the ground.

For example, Shepperd or Burton could say something like, "You know Paul Pierce is quite a scorer. I haven't seen a stroke like that since Dino Radja." Ordway will take that and twist it, turn and completely make it unrecognizable into something like "Dino Radja is the greatest Celtic I've ever seen." This happens with knobs like Smerlas, Johnson, Burton, Stearns and occasionally Burt. Then those guys get confused, flustered and all fucked up over what they said and Ordway has wasted an hour beating a topic to death that no one really said. Then the callers get riled up and start screaming and there's another two hours wasted. Next thing you know, it's the Whiner Line and you've lost countless brain cells.

Most of the time, the baseball guys and DeOssie don't get tripped up by that sort of shit or they're articulate enough to tell Ordway to calm down and explain what was meant. And Ordway is too much of a jock sniffer to try it on Maxwell, Merloni or Daubach.

The bottom line is when Ordway isn't trying to mind fuck his buddies, the show isn't too bad. But when the Big O is bored or is in over his head, watch out.

Edited by John Marzano Olympic Hero, 03 July 2008 - 06:53 PM.

[Rocco Graziosa]

Glen Ordway is usually a very good host, however he has one fatal flaw that (depending on his guest) can completely send his show flying off the tracks. Over the course of four hours, one of the guest hosts will say something that they don't mean as either a throw away line or just a brain fart. Ordway will jump all over this and ride it into the ground.

For example, Shepperd or Burton could say something like, "You know Paul Pierce is quite a scorer. I haven't seen a stroke like that since Dino Radja." Ordway will take that and twist it, turn and completely make it unrecognizable into something like "Dino Radja is the greatest Celtic I've ever seen." This happens with knobs like Smerlas, Johnson, Burton, Stearns and occasionally Burt. Then those guys get confused, flustered and all fucked up over what they said and Ordway has wasted an hour beating a topic to death that no one really said. Then the callers get riled up and start screaming and there's another two hours wasted. Next thing you know, it's the Whiner Line and you've lost countless brain cells.

Most of the time, the baseball guys and DeOssie don't get tripped up by that sort of shit or they're articulate enough to tell Ordway to calm down and explain what was meant. And Ordway is too much of a jock sniffer to try it on Maxwell, Merloni or Daubach.

The bottom line is when Ordway isn't trying to mind fuck his buddies, the show isn't too bad. But when the Big O is bored or is in over his head, watch out.

Great post and its the biggest reason I can't listen to EEI. I used to be a big fan of the station. But then someone turned me on to Mike and the Mad Dog, and realized how awful this shit is. Your damn right Ordway is talented.......but for some reason I cannot comprehend, he won't do a straight up show. Maybe its because he's insecure, and thinks he needs shit like you described to make it interesting, but whatever the reason, he almost always goes away from his "legit" ways to schitick. Someone is giving him bad advice. Or maybe not, because the ratings are high. Either way, if some day this city is ever graced with a couple of talents like M&MD they would own this town. Dale and Holly try, but they are so vanilla, and are so afraid of being "controversial" I can't figure out for the life of me what they really feel about anything. Sports radio in this town fucking sucks and its a shame because the only reason it sucks is because the ratings are good for poor talent, which in a sports starved town is understandable. If there was a radio station with balls they would simulcast M&MD because there is a smart enough audience that would flock to them.

[ifmanis5]

Glen Ordway is usually a very good host, however he has one fatal flaw that (depending on his guest) can completely send his show flying off the tracks. Over the course of four hours, one of the guest hosts will say something that they don't mean as either a throw away line or just a brain fart. Ordway will jump all over this and ride it into the ground.

that's exactly right. last week they were attempting to talk about possible celtics off-season moves. sounds like a great topic for a show, except that someone (i think it was max?) mentioned ron artest. they then spent the entire show (and even a subsequent show, i think) discussing a player who is a) already under contract with another team b) would never fit in the celtics cap anyway and c) is certifably insane. so, a potentially great show was scuttled by a ridiculous sidebar. plus,they never even got around to analyzing the draft or discussing other possible moves. it's a show that can be really frustrating. it just reminds me why i grew up listening to M&MD instead of EEI....on the plus side, when the gang isn't being total fanboy suck-ups, they can work up some really good analysis. and merloni is fantastic.

[FrankBarone]

Ordway's deliberately obtuse themes would be my biggest criticism. It's usually semantical in nature. For instance a couple years back a co-host said the Pats were lucky to get Tom Brady. What he meant was that they were lucky he was still there in the sixth round. Ordway proceeded to rant about all of the scouting and reseach that the Pats did and there is no way they were just lucky. He just wouldn't let it go for about three hours.

Generally speaking, I like all of the co-hosts except LJ and Smerlas. Sheppard is OK until he starts acting like he has more knowledge than the average fan. Then he becomes boorish.

The return of the man on the way up has added nothing.

[Rough Carrigan]

Great post and its the biggest reason I can't listen to EEI. I used to be a big fan of the station. But then someone turned me on to Mike and the Mad Dog, and realized how awful this shit is. Your damn right Ordway is talented.......but for some reason I cannot comprehend, he won't do a straight up show. Maybe its because he's insecure, and thinks he needs shit like you described to make it interesting, but whatever the reason, he almost always goes away from his "legit" ways to schitick. Someone is giving him bad advice. Or maybe not, because the ratings are high. Either way, if some day this city is ever graced with a couple of talents like M&MD they would own this town. Dale and Holly try, but they are so vanilla, and are so afraid of being "controversial" I can't figure out for the life of me what they really feel about anything. Sports radio in this town fucking sucks and its a shame because the only reason it sucks is because the ratings are good for poor talent, which in a sports starved town is understandable. If there was a radio station with balls they would simulcast M&MD because there is a smart enough audience that would flock to them.

Do you ever listen to Felger on 890 AM? I see problems here and there but there's at least a sincere attempt to have a conversation like an adult.

[Metrician]

he won't do a straight up show

There is more money in it for the station not to do "straight up" drive time shows. Mornings bring asides of beating up Entwistle in the joint, afternoons dwell on Pete's verbal miscues and other foils for Ordway. It's all planned, and it gets numbers.
I'd like to see a first-rate FM station with a decent signal go against them. But they have worked at tying up their markets which will discourage competition.

[bsj]

I hate this show.

I want to hear sports talks. These guys talk down to their callers more than M&MD.

I used to like the show that as on the Zone during the time block.

[WalletTrack]

Glen Ordway is usually a very good host, however he has one fatal flaw that (depending on his guest) can completely send his show flying off the tracks. Over the course of four hours, one of the guest hosts will say something that they don't mean as either a throw away line or just a brain fart. Ordway will jump all over this and ride it into the ground.
...

Most of the time, the baseball guys and DeOssie don't get tripped up by that sort of shit or they're articulate enough to tell Ordway to calm down and explain what was meant. And Ordway is too much of a jock sniffer to try it on Maxwell, Merloni or Daubach.

The bottom line is when Ordway isn't trying to mind fuck his buddies, the show isn't too bad. But when the Big O is bored or is in over his head, watch out.

That Dino Radja thing is a nice example. Sounds like the typical trap Gen would spring in an area where his cred is beyond reproach.
Glen and the producers must have addressed this these "ride into the ground" shows appear less common now. Turn, comeback hour or so later.." wha..they're still on this!". Good luck understanding what the original point was through the noise. Glen's need to prove guest or co-host "wr...wr...wrong" last usually a segment now instead of 3 hours plus.

And whatever dumb retort Ordway's target made is archived for future bumps and opens. Perhaps the point of those long painful pissing matches in the past.
Build a clip library of media folks losing it while Glen chuckles in the background. It is "The Big Show with the Big O" so you know folks need to be reminded of that. Besides few get the better of him in a back and forth. His rep as slippery in confrontations is a "bit" itself. Tom Caron, though, appears to quite capable in taking on Glen.
It's better now I think. When Glen comes on with the "We gonna get right to it today..." comments after the cross over usually means we are despensing with the BS today and some timely news is in the making.


Smerlas is good at the football, love to listen his defensive breakdowns. But his value beyond comedy ends there.
DeOssie continues being the better of the two discussing different topics and mixing it up with Glen.
Buckley is a total victim of Big Show Mind F*ck.
Every show practically every show, has " Mr. I Love Stories" being defensive from his first comment on. It's always the same tone.

"Glen, you love to do this, no really you take something and twist it all around..." Blah, blah in a whiny tone.Everytime.
Jeesh, note to Steve Buckley you been on these shows for at least a decade you are either in on the act
or the dumbest sumbitch going. Argue better. Past week he spent 10 minutes defending himself for being late to Shepperd.
This during a period of mid-season meltdown by the Red Sox.
His act has grown stale. In this house he went from loving the "Quality Hang" to hoping, praying a sink hole opens up in Cambridge and swallows the Old Time Baseball Game whole. Leaving behind the donations raised and Lou Merloni. Utility Lou is good. Can't replace Mr ILS fast enough.

Max's comments on KG being better the Larry brought responses from Ordway, callers and folks on the street(according to Max). As they should, it's a classic sports argument opening a whole can of worms. Minimum jock sniffing going on in that case.

There is more money in it for the station not to do "straight up" drive time shows. Mornings bring asides of beating up Entwistle in the joint, afternoons dwell on Pete's verbal miscues and other foils for Ordway. It's all planned, and it gets numbers.
I'd like to see a first-rate FM station with a decent signal go against them. But they have worked at tying up their markets which will discourage competition.

That station would need to have a better concept than being WEEI-Lite, It would have to draw stonger and fresher personalities to it than AM85. Probably from AM85. Radio Mogul Plan offer Glen an ownership stake to come into the new station and deal with the Boston Globe and NESN for talent. Money and the need to resuscitate/expand markets makes strange bedfellows.
One of the annoying things is the Herald slanted line up. Particularly during the Tomase Incident.

Edited by WalletTrack, 05 July 2008 - 09:47 AM.

[soxfan121]

The Big Show is only as entertaining as the co-hosts. When one of the punching bags (or worse, two of them) are riding shotgun, I simply don't listen. Because Ordway will do exactly what JMOH describes above and its a waste of time. However, when it is Merloni, Maxwell, Tom E. Curran, Bradford, McAdam or Massarotti, its usually pretty good. Because those guys don't force Glen to "create" drama. When the co-host can control the discussion on a particular sport, it is a better show.

Glen plays to the level of his co-hosts; when he's working with Curran & Bradford (for example) he pushes the discussion along, keeps to the schedule and handles the wingnut callers. When he has no one to provide content, and he has to provide the discussion fodder, AND LJ, Burt, Burton, Buckley, Smerlas, or Stearns is involved, it quickly becomes irritating.

The reason that M&MD are so much more satisfying to listen to is that both can carry discussions in multiple sports AND can "manage" a show (schedule, callers, etc.) Ordway can do that, but he needs at least one and preferably two sport-specific "experts" to carry the discussion.

[Razor Shines]

To their credit, these guys (Ordway, Tony Massarotti, Brian Daubach) were more sensible than I ever would have thought when discussing the Barry Bonds "news". They were all in favor of the possibility of bringing him aboard, and were fending of the army of tard callers who were using words like "disgrace" and what not.

[bsj]

To their credit, these guys (Ordway, Tony Massarotti, Brian Daubach) were more sensible than I ever would have thought when discussing the Barry Bonds "news". They were all in favor of the possibility of bringing him aboard, and were fending of the army of tard callers who were using words like "disgrace" and what not.

The sensible standpoint is to disregard character for a few wins?

Good to know.

[Razor Shines]

The sensible standpoint is to disregard character for a few wins?

I should have been more clear...when I say "sensible" I mean from the point of view of a fan of the Boston Red Sox, i.e. someone who wants to see them win games. Yes, adding someone who you think would win you more games would be sensible in that scenario.

[Razor Shines]

Good lineup today: Tom Caron and Sean McAdam on with Ordway.

[Sparky Lyle]

Oh yah? Well, just wait until you here the line up tomorrow.

[Dalton Jones]

Do you ever listen to Felger on 890 AM? I see problems here and there but there's at least a sincere attempt to have a conversation like an adult.

I really wanted Felger to succeed. But his show has gotten progressively worse. The last thing Felger is, is an adult. The scatalogical humor and egocentric fixation on "Mike" has become so grating I move on within seconds. Even back to the Big Show, even when LJ and Bill Burt are the co-hosts. And, Rocco, don't kid yourself. A sober show like Mike and the Mad Dog would never succeed against Ordway. He knows his audience.

What bothers me most about Ordway is the fact that his ratings have permitted him to become incredibly lazy. They rarely have interesting guest interviews other than Ainge and Belichick, just hours of the Gong Show with Pete and the co-host du jour. Any drive-time show that employs the likes of Burt is too fat and contented to produce anything of value.

Edited by Dalton Jones, 10 July 2008 - 09:24 PM.

[Phenom]

Oh yah? Well, just wait until you here the line up tomorrow.

This is what I don't understand. What's a guy like Mike Mutnansky doing tomorrow afternoon? I'm sure two of McAdam, Bradford, Buckley (better than Burt), Tom Caron, etc are available, considering they're at Fenway tomorrow night anyway.

The only viable conclusion is that Ordway insists to have LJ and Burt fill-in for him, so that he doesn't get shown up. Which is really immature, because Glenn can be quite good, when he's surrounded by good co-hosts.

Edited by Phenom, 10 July 2008 - 10:15 PM.

[Sparky Lyle]

This is what I don't understand. What's a guy like Mike Mutnansky doing tomorrow afternoon? I'm sure two of McAdam, Bradford, Buckley (better than Burt), Tom Caron, etc are available, considering they're at Fenway tomorrow night anyway.

The problem for Caron I think, though I'm not sure, is he has to do show prep for his NESN gig on game days and that inhibits his ability to be on the Big Show. Too bad, too.

Tomorrow's show will suck severely. I won't listen to a word of it.

[cleanfloor]

Well, one thing I can say is that the quality of their baseball cohosts have gone way up in the past year -Tom Caron, Daubach and Merloni. Even Bradford has only been on the show for a couple years. (2005? 2006) Can you think of any new baseball-centric hosts that have joined recently that you hate? I can't.

[Phenom]

McAdam and LJ today...I wonder if Sean will pull a "Mr. Baseball" type diss on Larry.

Oh my god...LJ just asked Sean what Josh Hamilton's story is. ARE YOU SHITTING ME???????????????????????????????

[LMontro]

LJ AGAIN???? what the funk

I shut it off yesterday when I heard he was on but I like Mcadam so I think I will stick out for a bit. If I hear LJ refer to Ortiz as "Big Pappy" one more time, I am out.

[FrankBarone]

This is the third Big Show in a row with the Putrid Preacher.


What the fuck?

[Razor Shines]

With all the church-chat going down at the Derby last night, they might as well bring him on and see what type of hilarity will ensue.

[Sparky Lyle]

As soon as I heard his voice I turned it off.

[Phenom]

Much better show today. Merloni and Buckley are co-hosts. Frank Caliendo will be in-studio as well. Should be somewhat entertaining.

[Razor Shines]

Merloni critique: he's banging the drum (with Ordway) that the reason the Yankees were great in the 1990's and what they lack now is "gamers" like Scott Brosious and Paul O'Neill. You know, serious white guys (my words, not his). As if they were to replace A-Rod and Giambi with Brosious and O'Neil, they'd be all set.

He's not really mentioning how they had a lights out bullpen, 3 or 4 good starters, a HoF SS in his prime, excellent CF, C, ect...

[RedOctober3829]

Brian Daubach: "They should pick up both of Manny's options just so he is happy and there is no distractions."

Are you kiddin me Brian Daubach? Is the stupidity of the Big O and Pete the Meat rubbing off on you?

Edit: sorry, it is Brian Daubach

Edited by RedOctober3829, 18 July 2008 - 03:02 PM.

[Sparky Lyle]

Mazz, Merloni, and Shep tomorrow.

Should be pretty good.

I hope.

Edited by Sparky Lyle, 24 July 2008 - 05:11 PM.

[The Four Peters]

There was a bit of controversy today when they ran the promo for the new Patriots Real Postgame Show, and the lineup was Pete, DeOssie, and Zolak. Pete went on to say that he would refuse to do the show without Fred, and had a meeting scheduled with Jason Wolfe after the show.

After the Mike Adams lock-in stunt, I don't believe anything from them anymore, but if they are giving me the false hope that I won't hear Fred anymore, damn them all to hell.

Edit: Forgot a couple words. Smerlas sucks.

Edited by The Four Peters, 24 July 2008 - 08:04 PM.

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

It has to be bullshit.

Fred Smerlas is the Greek version of Larry Johnson.

[Seels]

I really hate Tony Mazz. He sounds like he has an agenda every single time he's on the show. One of the worst personalities in the Boston Media IMO.

[The Four Peters]

I really hate Tony Mazz. He sounds like he has an agenda every single time he's on the show. One of the worst personalities in the Boston Media IMO.

Are you basing this on today's show? If so, I'm really curious to hear why you think that? What's his agenda today? Intelligent baseball discussion? Don't get me wrong, he has plenty of faults, but none of them have been evident during this show.

I am really enjoying today's Big Show. Pete is sitting back and letting Mazz and Lou basically shoot down a lot of the moron callers. Everyone is levelheaded, making reasonable points, and Merloni is bringing up points from his experience. Hell, he even dissected the Labor Day game from 2003 when Grady didn't pitch hit for him with Manny. I've enjoyed today way more than I would have if it was the Big O and two crappy guests.

One last point, Mazz is noticeably better when Ordway is not on because they don't get into the pissing contest of whose agenda is bigger. He sticks more to the discussion and not the self-righteous media self-analyzation.

Edited by The Four Peters, 25 July 2008 - 04:11 PM.

[Razor Shines]

During the whole Tomase fiasco, Tony Mazz definitely had an agenda (being a Herald writer and all), but to his credit, he admitted that he was biased. Still, he was knowingly arguing a ridiculous position. I'm not sure if it crosses the line separating "career preservation" and "lemming-like douchebaggery".

[Seels]

Are you basing this on today's show? If so, I'm really curious to hear why you think that? What's his agenda today? Intelligent baseball discussion? Don't get me wrong, he has plenty of faults, but none of them have been evident during this show.

No, I'm basing it on the fact that I sift through a lot of crap on WEEI, and other than D&C's political crusade he's really the only person that can get me to just turn it off. It's not a one time thing, it's for the past few years.

Today, it's the whole Manny issue. How would anyone aside from Merloni have absolutely any idea to the legitimacy of this injury? What is the point of speculating about something you can't possibly have any idea about? He comes off as a very biased host, and unlike the other idiots that are on some of the shows, has a bit of credibility being that he's a writer for BBWAA. He is literally saying that Manny faked it in 06, is faking it now, and that he doesn't care. I'm not a Manny fan boy, but this type of journalism where you take conjecture and spit it out as fact is crap. The Tomase issue was completely different, I can at least understand Mazz defending him, but Mazz has no reason to spit out what he thinks and say it as the no doubt truth repeatedly.

He's also talked about his Hall of Fame vote, and who he sees as Hall of Famers on the Ballot in the recent past and near future. I forget the exact topic right now, but I know I was thinking at the time "this guy is a complete lunatic".

His columns are different, but when I hear him on EEI, he comes off as an arrogant schmuck.

[Phenom]

I agree with "The Four Peters."

Today's 'Big Show' has been very good. I loved Merloni's perspective on the Labor Day 2003 game. Merloni, to me, brings something that was sorely missed on the EEI airwaves, and that's the perspective of not only an ex-athlete, but an ex-athlete who's played, and been teammates with many of the guys that are still in the game today.

Hopefully they surround Pete with capable co-hosts these next few weeks. With the Red Sox at home this week, hopefully we'll hear some Sean McAdam, and Rob Bradford.

[ifmanis5]

if you were curious, here is the link to the Butch Stearns mayor video...


http://www.myfoxbost...mp;pageId=6.1.1

[cleanfloor]

if you were curious, here is the link to the Butch Stearns mayor video...
http://www.myfoxbost...mp;pageId=6.1.1

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a bigger tool on television in my life. It's A) not funny and B) about 4 minutes longer than the skit should be

[HomeBrew1901]

Sheppard, Merloni and Daubach today.

Should be a great show.

[Sparky Lyle]

Very good so far. No noise, no bullshit.

[HomeBrew1901]

Very good so far. No noise, no bullshit.

Sheppard is always better when he is in the big chair.

[Sparky Lyle]

Sheppard is always better when he is in the big chair.

Oh, I completely agree. He moves the show along pretty quickly too.

[HomeBrew1901]

Is Daubach even on the show? I think I have heard him a total of 30 seconds today.

[JayMags71]

I really hate Tony Mazz. He sounds like he has an agenda every single time he's on the show. One of the worst personalities in the Boston Media IMO.

Have you not heard of Eddie Andleman? Fred Smerlas? LARRY FREAKING JOHNSON? DAN SHAUGHNESSY?

I hated Mazz for defending the Herald in that Tomase fiasco, but he's not even in driving distance of the "worst personalities in the Boston Media."

[RedOctober3829]

Sheppard, Maz, and Stearns today. Mazz is ripping Manny(surprise, surprise) for not giving the organization any respect. Stearns is trying to explain the whole Manny fiasco starting with the LL meeting, firing Genske, and this past weekend.

[FrankBarone]

I've got my Great Carnac turban on and I see the Big Show having Larry Fucking Johnson on Thursday, the trade deadline day. I hope Carnac is wrong, but whoever schedules the co-hosts has a knack for doing things like that.

[RedOctober3829]

Stearns is going ballistic on a caller that has a beef with him from the weekend. Butch is the worst talk show host on WEEI. Worse than Larry Johnson. He is bitching with the caller and Sheppard is trying to mediate the whole thing with Mazz. Butch thinks the caller hates him.

[Sparky Lyle]

I've got my Great Carnac turban on and I see the Big Show having Larry Fucking Johnson on Thursday, the trade deadline day. I hope Carnac is wrong, but whoever schedules the co-hosts has a knack for doing things like that.

Merloni, McAdam, and Meat tomorrow.