Felger and Mazz - Creating False Naratives one day at a time

amRadio

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Feb 7, 2019
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I am super out of touch in the realm of podcasting in general. I really appreciate the feedback and next time I'm moved to bitch about Felger and Mazz I'll check in with how these podcasts go. Thanks a bunch, Scottyno and tmracht.
 

Patriot_Reign

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It's remarkable that they are are both cohosts on the biggest afternoon sports show in the country yet Felger has alllllll the juice in terms of editorial control.
 

IndustrialJustice

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Nov 6, 2019
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It's remarkable that they are are both cohosts on the biggest afternoon sports show in the country yet Felger has alllllll the juice in terms of editorial control.
Felger seemed legit pissed there. He’s just rhetorically strong and so he has a lot of power given the cush place he’s come to occupy in local media. I will say that of all people Marshall Hook gives him a run for his money when he’s on. Hook is one of the few people I’ve seen do that. I think it’s because he’s rarely on and so he has all this time to just concoct good takes for when he is on. He got on Felger last time for saying Brady couldn’t hack it here with Bill and had to leave. Hook then told Felger if that’s the case then he should go back to the Herald or AM radio because he couldn’t hack it there. Clever.
 

Patriot_Reign

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Hook is awesome. When I first noticed him it I think he was already doing local news 'reporter on the scene' type slots. Seemed super mild mannered of course, and then he just comes out with bombs at Felger's obvious trolling. So refreshing.

With regards to Felger being irritated I wonder what the setup is like when one or two of the hosts are calling in remotely. In that do they only hear audio of each other? Imagine it would be difficult to pick up on who's going to speak next or other cues if you're just listening to what essentially amounts to a three way conversation on your phone.
 

Nator

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Mazz gives the Bruins a B- today. Says the Bruins won, but they should have won more easily.
It must be really disappointing for these guys. I bet they were hoping for the glory days of 90's Boston Sports Radio. Instead they started their run during a time when all the Boston teams have been good for the most part, and feeble takes like this are what they've had to resort to when trying to shit all over them.
 

IndustrialJustice

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Nov 6, 2019
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Also did anyone else notice the palm trees in Felger’s background the last few days? What kind of asshole travels to Florida/Cali during a pandemic just to show everybody that their lifestyle won’t be deterred, and then subjects everyone to his bad/delayed internet connection just so that he doesn’t have to take a vacation day?
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Also did anyone else notice the palm trees in Felger’s background the last few days? What kind of asshole travels to Florida/Cali during a pandemic just to show everybody that their lifestyle won’t be deterred, and then subjects everyone to his bad/delayed internet connection just so that he doesn’t have to take a vacation day?
I have palm trees behind me on my Zoom calls, except when I put Fenway there instead
 

IndustrialJustice

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Nov 6, 2019
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Felger owns property in Nantucket. I believe that’s where he does all of his remotes from.
Yes but this wasn't that one...no palm trees in Nantucket. Seriously though what an a-hole traveling to the coronavirus capital of the country or Cali or wherever it is, in August (it's not like it's cold here) just to show everyone that not even a once in a century pandemic can deter your preposterous lifestyle. He must basically run the station because if I was the program director or a Beasley executive, I wouldn't go for that at all. I understand doing a Zoom from home or even from Nantucket, but to be traveling somewhere unsafe with shitty internet and having to quarantine 2 weeks out of the studio just to not take a vacation day, while simultaneously throwing caution to the wind because heavens forbid you can't go to the beach for a month this year...that's just gross. I can't believe they're putting up with the internet connection delay just for all of this.
 

RedOctober3829

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Yes but this wasn't that one...no palm trees in Nantucket. Seriously though what an a-hole traveling to the coronavirus capital of the country or Cali or wherever it is, in August (it's not like it's cold here) just to show everyone that not even a once in a century pandemic can deter your preposterous lifestyle. He must basically run the station because if I was the program director or a Beasley executive, I wouldn't go for that at all. I understand doing a Zoom from home or even from Nantucket, but to be traveling somewhere unsafe with shitty internet and having to quarantine 2 weeks out of the studio just to not take a vacation day, while simultaneously throwing caution to the wind because heavens forbid you can't go to the beach for a month this year...that's just gross. I can't believe they're putting up with the internet connection delay just for all of this.
Maybe they put plastic palm trees on his porch. Who the heck knows? Unless you know he's somewhere else or you have something against Felger, it's pretty safe to assume he's on Nantucket or his house.
 

NortheasternPJ

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A guy i know who lives in MA buys palm trees every year to put around his pool. They die every winter but he doesn't care.
 

Patriot_Reign

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Also did anyone else notice the palm trees in Felger’s background the last few days? What kind of asshole travels to Florida/Cali during a pandemic just to show everybody that their lifestyle won’t be deterred, and then subjects everyone to his bad/delayed internet connection just so that he doesn’t have to take a vacation day?
I wonder if because of ad revenue being way down thanks to Covid if Felger doing the remotes is a signal to advertisers that they're committed to putting the best product forward during these trying times. Obviously Felger gets plenty of paid time off, but with the exception of a day or two around the weekend it seems like he's been on the show, whether in studio, Wellesley, or Nantucket.
Not that it's hard to go outside your Nantucket joint for four hours to do remote radio, but still that's the prime time beach time.
 

Patriot_Reign

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Maybe daddy bought him a winter home too, and he's getting it set up ahead of time.
Do you remember the T&R rap battles from years ago? In one of the battles Gresh had a line against Felger about "being a trust fund kid". Was always curious what the reality of that was.
 

cornwalls@6

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Do you remember the T&R rap battles from years ago? In one of the battles Gresh had a line against Felger about "being a trust fund kid". Was always curious what the reality of that was.
I do. My post was tongue in cheek, but I think he does come from a privileged background, and the trust fund thing has been bandied about for years. I think Toucher also made an on-air comment once, paraphrasing, “I’ve made way more money in radio than Felger has, and I can’t sniff Nantucket “. I also think the inference has gotten under Felger’s skin in the past, so maybe something there.
 

RedOctober3829

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I do. My post was tongue in cheek, but I think he does come from a privileged background, and the trust fund thing has been bandied about for years. I think Toucher also made an on-air comment once, paraphrasing, “I’ve made way more money in radio than Felger has, and I can’t sniff Nantucket “. I also think the inference has gotten under Felger’s skin in the past, so maybe something there.
The Wood makes a good chunk of change too so that has to factor in.
 

j-man

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i watch most days but for u hard core boston fans idk how u listen unless u love hockey they hate all the local teams but hockey i guess its works but man if i was in the market i wouild basically ' teach' sports break down how a coach thinks GM thinks how each teams differ in the way they try to win and i wouild need to pair with someone who loves hockey
 

Patriot_Reign

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I do. My post was tongue in cheek, but I think he does come from a privileged background, and the trust fund thing has been bandied about for years. I think Toucher also made an on-air comment once, paraphrasing, “I’ve made way more money in radio than Felger has, and I can’t sniff Nantucket “. I also think the inference has gotten under Felger’s skin in the past, so maybe something there.
Totally get that. Felger has crushed it for most of the last 10 years and I'm sure his compensation is top notch but Nantucket money (even for a townhouse) is balls deep. Ordway would've had a place there years ago if it was that easy :D
 

Vinho Tinto

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Not that it's hard to go outside your Nantucket joint for four hours to do remote radio, but still that's the prime time beach time.
Typically, this is the dog days of summer for sports radio. It would be 95% Patriots training camp and most of the remainder on the historically bad Red Sox season. Instead, it’s an avalanche of daily games between the Celtics and Bruins. Plus, you still have the Patriots stuff. Can’t speak to the behind the scenes finance stuff, but there is good subject matter for them to do a show right now. Makes sense to not give WEEI a chance to develop any momentum and continue to push them into a format change.

There was a profile on Felger a few years back that mentioned a large chunk of his family practiced law.
 

Patriot_Reign

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There have been zero cases in the NHL bubble, so if anything it's the safest place to be. Having said that, I don't begrudge the guy for leaving if there are larger matters at hand with his family. But also don't think it's unfair at all to criticize him for waiting this long to opt out if he's just uncomfortable with the entire situation. Everyone else playing is away from their families as well.

Having said that going to be avoiding F&M for the next several days as I don't need their hot takes about Rask being lazy or whatever while they grind out those 14 hour work weeks (20 hours minus ad space)
 

SidelineCameras

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Yawn. This Rask development is the best thing that could happen to this show and they know it. Bully for them, I’m going to treat them like Tuukka treated the Bubble.
 

TFP

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My understanding is it has nothing at all to do with COVID risk. Its entirely about being with his family. And I'm sure there's a bunch more we don't know and frankly no matter what the timing I'm not gonna consider putting your family first a moral failing.
 

amRadio

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I hate that attitude. The thing I missed most about sports was live entertainment, the division races, the intense athletic competition. I didn't realize how much I missed even something like basketball that I pay only casual attention to; just for the sheer entertainment of watching the best in the world go against each other.

I hope nothing dire popped up suddenly for Rask.
 

RedOctober3829

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"You never wanted to be there in the first place so go home. They are better off."--Felger
"They are better off without him anyways. He's a choke artist. They'll never win a Stanley Cup with Rask."--Murray

Mazz was fine at least from what I heard. He just did not like the timing of it.
 

Red Right Ankle

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"You never wanted to be there in the first place so go home. They are better off."--Felger
"They are better off without him anyways. He's a choke artist. They'll never win a Stanley Cup with Rask."--Murray

Mazz was fine at least from what I heard. He just did not like the timing of it.
Both these guys should be shot out of a cannon into the sun.
 

Sille Skrub

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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.

Murray, on the other hand, sucks. He's just a wanna be.
 

j-man

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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.

Murray, on the other hand, sucks. He's just a wanna be.
felger sucks he is a class A troll he is only mad because it might affect boston shot at a cup i like the hot takes but sometimes he comes as a major a hole how a woman married murray i will never know his negativeity would turn me off so fast
 

ggreene

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Jul 23, 2019
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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.
Totally agree about Felger. The outrage it causes is awesome even when he crosses the line like the Roy Halladay comments. Even better, the insincere apology afterwards is just as good.
 

scottyno

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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.

Murray, on the other hand, sucks. He's just a wanna be.
Why is it a good thing when someone gets popular by saying a bunch of bullshit that he doesn't even believe just to rile people up?
 

tmracht

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Why is it a good thing when someone gets popular by saying a bunch of bullshit that he doesn't even believe just to rile people up?
I remember when we were doing the Revolution Recap out of the same studio as a few other soon to be big name guys. The main host and I were told we were too nice by a couple guys in the studio at changeovers. There's been a market for that kind of trolling mentality for a while.
 

scottyno

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I remember when we were doing the Revolution Recap out of the same studio as a few other soon to be big name guys. The main host and I were told we were too nice by a couple guys in the studio at changeovers. There's been a market for that kind of trolling mentality for a while.
I get why they do it, that doesn't make it a good thing. Though obviously it's not just sports, discourse overall is moving from intelligent discussion and rational debate to trolling and hot takes, I don't think anyone that's contributing to that happening should be proud of it.
 

NortheasternPJ

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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.

Murray, on the other hand, sucks. He's just a wanna be.
So he’s the Sean Hannity of Sports Radio? I don’t see that as a good thing and that’s why I don’t tune in. Murray is awful so I agree.
 

Granite Sox

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From my perspective, it has gotten really, really tired. I suppose if you only listen every now and then or are gullible enough to get sucked in that you might enjoy attempting to spar with them, but overall Felger's schtick is hackneyed, cynical and beyond played out.

The success of the ratings reinforces the fact that Felger is a sell out and won't change anytime soon.
 

Sille Skrub

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Why is it a good thing when someone gets popular by saying a bunch of bullshit that he doesn't even believe just to rile people up?
Ehhhh, it's sports talk radio; it's not 60 Minutes. It's entertainment and something to make me laugh when doing mundane chores like driving to Market Basket to pickup eggs and toilet paper. If I want serious discussion about sports, I'll text a buddy, ask you during the poker games or I'll browse the forums here. I'm definitely not turning on sports talk radio for intelligent discourse.

This town has been on an unprecedented run of success of the past 20 or so years. Most of the stuff on the radio dial is really boring, just like five hours of how great everything is (in sports) around here would be.
 

scottyno

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Ehhhh, it's sports talk radio; it's not 60 Minutes. It's entertainment and something to make me laugh when doing mundane chores like driving to Market Basket to pickup eggs and toilet paper. If I want serious discussion about sports, I'll text a buddy, ask you during the poker games or I'll browse the forums here. I'm definitely not turning on sports talk radio for intelligent discourse.
I guess that's the difference, I don't see anything entertaining about what he does, either he's trolling for the sake of trolling which is a long tired act by this point, or he really believes the bullshit he spews which isn't good either.
 

tmracht

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I get why they do it, that doesn't make it a good thing. Though obviously it's not just sports, discourse overall is moving from intelligent discussion and rational debate to trolling and hot takes, I don't think anyone that's contributing to that happening should be proud of it.
Not arguing that, that's why we were called too nice we stuck to analytics and analysis!
 

amRadio

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Feb 7, 2019
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I'm about to sound super old. When I was growing up sports was a way into adult debate and conversation; we all had a shared history to work off of and knew the facts from watching the games, collecting cards, fantasy, etc. So, talking sports in the cafeteria before class became a way to learn how to debate in a civil and fun way using facts. Now? You find people who disagree with you want to crawl under your skin and avoid empirical data. You're more likely to find talk show hosts dramatically shouting about sports adjacent drama rather than breaking down the game.

I'm having more and more a hard time identifying with any of it and wondering if following sports has much enjoyment left in it for me. Maybe that's the quarantine talking(live with a vulnerable person), but Felger and Mazz and their like sure push me towards other hobbies sometimes.

E: I know I do this in this thread from time to time and I don't know why my inner sports fan is playing out his existential string in this thread, but so be it. Also, sorry.
 
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