Kirk and Callahan: Done
- Thread starter Vinho Tinto
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And clearly some of the invective from the WEEI people is because they're afraid of losing their jobs. If switching around some hosts improves the radio but lets them keep their jobs then not a problem with me.
Mind you pairing Butch Stearns with Michael Holley will still suck, because Butch Stearns sucks. And Mike & the Mad Dog could get back together and move to EEI but teamed with Larry Johnson they're still going to suck. But one of the things killing us is that there are people on WEEI who are talented, just lazy or unwilling to change.
This interview with Glen Davis is horrible. It sounds like Big Baby just woke up, and D & C can't get anything more then one word answers out of him. Just really terrible radio.
They were defending the AIG execs today, railing against Obama's "war on the rich", and calling for Frank and Dodd to resign. Another great morning of sports talk.
I've given up on this show.
I got in my car at 7:05 they were talking AIG.
I switched stations and checked back every five minutes or so to see if there would be any sports talk. Fifty minutes later I was at work having heard absolutely none. Awesome.
It's pretty much been that way as far back as I can remember - they don't talk sports in the 7 O'Clock hour.
Surprised they would argue in defense of the execs, that stance isn't popular on either side of the aisle. Criticising Obama I can see (from them), but were they actually saying the AIG execs were doing the right thing?
I simply cannot take their venom directed towards so many any longer, so I simply don't listen anymore. Have switched to listening to the Fan590 in Toronto.
Someone mentioned this morning about them not talking sports (this was at 724, when they were railing Obama on his Special Olympics comment from last night). Dennis spoke up and said "we talked sports the whole first half hour" By my math, that makes 1/3 of the D&C show sports, 1/3 politics and 1/3 commercials.
Also, based on D&Cs rants about how bad Obama is for his slip and the Special Olympics comment, someone should call up and remind them about their slip-up "Metco Gorilla" comment. They were raking Obama over the coals for a clear, off the cuff comment.
they gave away Halloran's book to the person who submitted worst caption quote. They were going to give away God save the Fan deadspin guy's book but were like c'mon we're having Simmons on Monday even though it's not his book. Callahan tried to say halloran's book is good too...
I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS!
They were saying that they should be allowed to keep their bonuses and going after them was just a smokescreen from the Obama camp.
Callahan could not have been a bigger A-hole this morning to Simmons, I used to defend him, but that performance this morning was inexcusable. I'm not saying he shouldn't have asked Bill some of the questions he did, but how about showing a guest a modicum of respect?
Simmons was just promoted as a "guest", may have been to pump his new edition of his book.
He was just tremendously sarcastic "Doc Rivers is still the worst coach in the NBA right Bill?" "Who has spent as much time defending Manny as you have?"
It wasn't really what was asked, but more the tone, like Callahan thought Simmons was beneath him. I'm not a Manny defender, I'm not a Doc ripper like Bill is, both are legit points for discussion, but the way Callahan was talking to Simmons made the whole conversation uncomfortable to listen to.
I heard them teasing the interview. Gerry kept mentioning that he planned to ask him all about Manny and how he (Bill Simmons) could still possibly defend Manny. Then launched into a mini tirade about the current MLBPA grievance regarding player salaries being donated to charity as part of their contract and how Manny is obviously the cause since no other players have complained.
I normally avoid these two, but both T&R and M&M were in commercial. This little 3 minute listen was enough to put me off of them for a few more months.
I normally avoid these two, but both T&R and M&M were in commercial. This little 3 minute listen was enough to put me off of them for a few more months.
The interview was fine. I just listened to it. I didn't think Callahan was mean to Simmons at all.
I honestly think a good amount of you people go way out of your way to find new ways to bash these guys. It's fucking weird.
I honestly think a good amount of you people go way out of your way to find new ways to bash these guys. It's fucking weird.
Agreed, GC was just being his same 'ol D*Bag self. The fact that the guy gets paid to say things in public is a minor tragedy.
"Who reads Paul Krugman?" "Meryl Streep doesn't have any range." :lol: Just unreal. This is why I never listen to him.
Honestly, I've been a defender of Callahan's in the past. Maybe this time struck a chord because I like Simmons. I'm not "going out of my way to find new ways to bash these guys", I just thought that Callahan was being a dick.
I just listened to the interview again, not as harsh as what I thought at the time. But by any measure, Callahan is a douche.
Maybe Berry is right and I am one of the ones that he was talking about that has a "fucking weird" obsession with these two guys, but I was listening to them here and there on my way to work and it hit me, the reason why I think that Gerry Callahan is a prick is because he never loses an argument. Like ever. And I started thinking about why that's true; he's a reasonably intelligent person, but he's not a super genius. And then it hit me, Callahan wins every argument because he only argues with himself.
Really take a listen to him one day when he's going off on Obama or the other "rotten liberals" that make Callahan so angry in the pants. Whenever he's ranting and raving, he's just doing it against his own counter arguments. Meterperrel or John Dennis never take the other side of the argument (especially if it's political) so he just yells and screams. When that gets boring--because let's face it, he's basically talking to himself--he starts dreaming up counter arguments. Then he argues against them.
It's really a fascinating way of making a point, rallying the troops and raging against the machine.
EDIT: For example, did you know that the Chief Information Officer at UMass Amherst is nothing more than a glorified public relations person? It's true (at least that's what Callahan said), in no way is that person the head of information technology at all. Callahan said that a public relations person (the CIO) shouldn't be worth $350,000 per year because what does a college need public relations for? It's just sending out a few press releases every year.
Really take a listen to him one day when he's going off on Obama or the other "rotten liberals" that make Callahan so angry in the pants. Whenever he's ranting and raving, he's just doing it against his own counter arguments. Meterperrel or John Dennis never take the other side of the argument (especially if it's political) so he just yells and screams. When that gets boring--because let's face it, he's basically talking to himself--he starts dreaming up counter arguments. Then he argues against them.
It's really a fascinating way of making a point, rallying the troops and raging against the machine.
EDIT: For example, did you know that the Chief Information Officer at UMass Amherst is nothing more than a glorified public relations person? It's true (at least that's what Callahan said), in no way is that person the head of information technology at all. Callahan said that a public relations person (the CIO) shouldn't be worth $350,000 per year because what does a college need public relations for? It's just sending out a few press releases every year.
It's a radio show, so they control how long you are on and the volume of the caller's voice. If they feel like it, the hosts can talk right over you and make anything you say gibberish. Radio hosts in general never lose arguments because they control the discussion. That's why it's rare to hear one radio personality call into another hosts show, because they know how the table can be turned on them.
That's not what I'm talking about, Vinho. I know that he's going to win against any caller because he has control. But Dennis and Callahan don't argue with one another when it comes to politics because they believe exactly the same thing. He has no one to argue with, so he argues with himself. All the time.
The show would be immensely improved if they paired Callahan with someone who wasn't as conservative as he was. Felger, Holley, the ghost of Cap Anson. Whomever.
The show would be immensely improved if they paired Callahan with someone who wasn't as conservative as he was. Felger, Holley, the ghost of Cap Anson. Whomever.
I posted a few weeks back that when Callahan was paired with Felger for a couple of days he was fantastic. He tried to go on a rant against liberals or something and Felger shot back "You don't really believe that do you?" and Callahan stammered a bit and said "no I don't but..." and then dropped the topic.
It was great to hear, but the problem as I stated earlier is that D&C suck as a team. Callahan gets to rant all he wants and Dennis gets to do nothing and chuckle or stoke the fire a bit because he knows what buttons to push.
A Callahan and Felger show would be great. Pair Dennis with Dale or Holley and you have another winner IMO.
I'm of the opinion that John Dennis is one of the bigger empty suits that I've heard on radio. His sports opinions are just terrible (Predicting doom for the Patriots because they traded for Randy Moss remains a personal highlight) and, as you noted, he rarely engages Gerry in debate.
While their politics are similar, I don't think that they are always in lockstep. I get the sense that there are plenty of openings for Dennis to challenge him, but sits there like a lump while Gerry goes batshit.
And I 100% agree that Callahan/Felger would be an excellent morning show.
Up until a few years ago Dennis used to serve as a voice of moderation on the show. He was always slightly conservative in the way you'd expect a big fat WASP who golfs everyday to be, but he used to occasionally stand his middle ground and challenge Callahan's fascism and conspiracy theories when they got too out of hand. There were a couple of times when the two even got into heated shouting matches. It usually happened when something crazy was going on (Hurricane Katrina, ect), I think in those times Dennis would get a sense of perspective and say enough's enough to GC's insane rhetoric.
But, it wasn't happened in years. I can't remember one recent instance where Dennis challenged GC. And I think that's the problem now. There are no checks & balances...GC's cloud of insanity freely floats around the studio, uninterrupted.
But, it wasn't happened in years. I can't remember one recent instance where Dennis challenged GC. And I think that's the problem now. There are no checks & balances...GC's cloud of insanity freely floats around the studio, uninterrupted.
To further build on this idea, the fact that either one of these two has an original idea on anything is laughable at best (well, KKKallahan probably does believe his own venom, but whatever). As far as Dennis goes, I'm not at all convinced that he believes anything he says; he just strikes me as a lazy guy with a decent radio voice who will stand whereever the bosses tell him to stand and do whatever the bosses tell him to do while he waits for retirement.
Case in point: a few weeks ago, Callahan was on vacation or at a KKK rally or something, and the producers obviously told Dennis that he had to play the ranting, lunatic role until Gerry returned. I forget who his poor cohost was, but the poor guy was trying to make a point while Dennis was raving and screaming ala Callahan.
It's just so formulaic and contrived. I can usually tolerate about three minutes of this schlock, tops, before I have to shut it off.
First, the bolded part was unnecessary and adds nothing to the discussion.
Second, What the hell are you talking about??? Both Dennis AND Callahan were much much better while they were each on their seperate vacations for a couple of days.
Or are you just trying to fill the "I Hate Dennis and Callahan and just plan make shit up" role.
Uhm...I don't even know where to begin with your response.
Try and dig up the tapes and listen again. Dennis is typically the straight man, laughing goon to Callahan's raving lunatic. It's a formula that works. It's not like they as hosts or WEEI as a station tries to hide it. Say what you will about Dennis, but he's typically much, much more even-keeled than KKKallahan (note: I shall spell his name KKKallhan just to get a rise out of you). It's pretty much like an Abbott and Costello routine. Dennis is Abbott.
Now, the second Gerry goes away, Dennis starts screaming like a mental patient. Coincidence? Of course not. Callahan plays a role (Costello). He wasn't there to fill the role. The Callahan/Cotsello role is obviously the money maker of the duo. Ergo, Dennis' producers told Dennis he had to switch over from the Abbott role to the Costello role. It's not that hard. It's just show business.
Working radio isn't about saying what you believe; it's more like being on a high school debate team and being told which side of a topic you're going to debate. But at the end of the day, hosting a radio show is all about drawing listeners. You could groom anybody to fill the Callahan role or the Dennis role. What they do is all just an act.
You can spell it any way you want, you are only making an ass out of yourself.
Thanks for the lesson on the act, I didn't realize that.
edit: Have you posted anything to this site aside from the 5 posts you have made in this thread and the Simmons thread?
Oh, so now I need 2,000+ posts to prove how big my schlong is? Well, aren't you just the bees' knees. Thanks for educating me to how it works around here, hard guy.
Edit: Why do I get the feeling that that's not the first time you've used that "how many posts do you have?" argument to strongarm your point across.
This is a completely unnecessary edit. His argument is good or bad all on its own... it matters not where or what else he has posted.
And... this is a useless retort. Thick skin is better than thin is you want to actually become a member here. Laugh it off and go back to substantive points... or agree to disagree. Either one is fine. Dick waving contests... not so much.
Holy fuck? That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Does he have any idea what is available in terms of technology at universities these days? One of the most stunning things to me going back to school how far tech had come in the ten years I'd been out. Dealing with technology on campus has got to be an incredibly complicated job. I imagine it must be at least as complicated as dealing with IT at corporation of comparable size. Probably more so because there is a greater variety of uses.
If he just talked sports, I could deal with him as yet another uninteresting loudmouth host. Bad, but certainly better than Butch Stearns, but his discussion about politics is uninteresting even by the standard of right wing yappers. I would MUCH rather listen to Limbaugh or Ingram than him on politics, and I hate them.
Overheard on the way into work today:
Callahan: "Did you hear about that sniper that shot a guy coming into the Green Zone (in Iraq) from 1500 yards?"
Dennis: "That's amazing he hit him square in the head."
Callahan: "I know. From 1500 yards away!"
Dennis: "Think about that for a second. That's like FIVE football fields!"
Do not let John Dennis near your taxes or give you change for a $20.
Callahan: "Did you hear about that sniper that shot a guy coming into the Green Zone (in Iraq) from 1500 yards?"
Dennis: "That's amazing he hit him square in the head."
Callahan: "I know. From 1500 yards away!"
Dennis: "Think about that for a second. That's like FIVE football fields!"
Do not let John Dennis near your taxes or give you change for a $20.
Kelly Malone (who does the interviews between periods for the Bruins at the Garden) is doing the sportsflashes this morning. She starts talking about the game last night and starts trying to engage D&C in a conversation about the game. They then admit that they didn't even watch the fuckin game. They had no excuse. The Celtics & Red Sox weren't on last night. It is totally unprofessional for the morning team on the all-sports radio station in this town to not even watch a very high profile game played by one of the local teams IMO.
I unfortunately tuned in to hear their liberal bashing at the end. Of course they were mad at some guy named Iggy in a segment I thankfully missed. They even boldly stated that there was no other opinion besides theirs that was correct. I am sure this goes on all of the time, hence the thread. I just worry that when joe blow tunes in for sports and likes the hosts because they hate Manny too he'll think about his politics differently. I am all about politial awareness, just as long as it's a search and a balanced one. Sorry to be redundant.
Again, if you want to listen to local talk in the morning, D&C are your really only option.
Their formula works, so like the rest of EEI, they see no reason to change it.
The thing I found most offensive about the portion that I listened to was their bashing of Scott Boras for crying at the Nick Adenhart press conference yesterday. Honestly, I'm not usually one to get offended, but how can they make fun of a guy for showing emotion? I don't doubt Boras' sly tactics in baseball negotiations, but I highly doubt he's unctuous enough to "fake cry" at a press conference.
D&C were both at the Red Sox game yesterday. Then, I bet they wanted to watch coverage of the 1st Round of the Masters instead. Even without that on his plate, I doubt Dennis would watch a Bruins game unless it was the playoffs. Callahan might catch a game here & there since he is less bored with sports than Dino.
Wow. You think because he makes 7 figures a year and gets to golf when he wants that somehow that means he can't be bitter or angry? That speaks volumes. Most people in this thread are dead on about why GC turns alot of folks off. He's absolutely an extremist. And trust me if he didn't filter himself so as to keep his job and the real Gerry came out he'd say things that would make Rush Limbaugh seem meek. The bottom line for me is I don't want to hear him rant on and on about politics so a long time ago I just decided to turn the dial.
Bumping this. Can anyone explain to me this comment from Callahan this morning? He was going on a rant about journalists protecting the writers:
Did Gerry just throw the name out there because he learned of a new writer? Or is Joe one of the "cover up" writers for PED use?
wait, hold the fuck up...I can stomach d & c for going after Manny, Pedro, Obama, Barny Frank, etc...i coudn't care less...but to go after Poz? the best sportswriter in THE biz (by a fairly large margine, IMO), is crossing the line.
A fanboy? yes, he is infatuated with Bannister and Greinke...but he haas obviously not read his blog where he continually criticizes hillman for IBB or such?
he actually has written a few times about whether he should have a rooting interest in the players or not.
Fuck d & c
A fanboy? yes, he is infatuated with Bannister and Greinke...but he haas obviously not read his blog where he continually criticizes hillman for IBB or such?
he actually has written a few times about whether he should have a rooting interest in the players or not.
Fuck d & c
You know, Poz should be a "blood and guts" columnist like Gerry Callahan. You know, only write once a week. And make sure your story is just a regurgitation of what you said on the air the previous morning. That will let the world know that you aren't a fan boy of writing. Take that ink and paper!
And oh yeah, to prove that you're not a fan boy of athletes in general; make sure that you ask the tough questions of your weekly guests like, "Gee, Tom Brady, that was a tough break when you found out that you were out for the season, huh?" or "Curt Schilling, it must be hard to be retired, huh?" or "That was a nice win last night, huh Doc Rivers? It's going to be a tough playoffs without Kevin Garnett."
Fucking Callahan, what a joke. You know if he was such a proponent of high morals, why didn't he take Tom Brady to task when Brady got his girlfriend pregnant and didn't do the "moral" thing and marry her? Oh, that's right Brady's a white dude that's friendly with the media.*
* BTW: the above paragraph does not represent my feelings about Tom Brady and Bridget Moynihan. Personally, I could give a shit if Brady impregnated every woman in America (except my wife, daughter (she's 18 months) and my mother), but if Callahan is going to stand on the moral high ground and preach to us that Manny Ramirez is without morals, let's be consistent about the finger waving.
And oh yeah, to prove that you're not a fan boy of athletes in general; make sure that you ask the tough questions of your weekly guests like, "Gee, Tom Brady, that was a tough break when you found out that you were out for the season, huh?" or "Curt Schilling, it must be hard to be retired, huh?" or "That was a nice win last night, huh Doc Rivers? It's going to be a tough playoffs without Kevin Garnett."
Fucking Callahan, what a joke. You know if he was such a proponent of high morals, why didn't he take Tom Brady to task when Brady got his girlfriend pregnant and didn't do the "moral" thing and marry her? Oh, that's right Brady's a white dude that's friendly with the media.*
* BTW: the above paragraph does not represent my feelings about Tom Brady and Bridget Moynihan. Personally, I could give a shit if Brady impregnated every woman in America (except my wife, daughter (she's 18 months) and my mother), but if Callahan is going to stand on the moral high ground and preach to us that Manny Ramirez is without morals, let's be consistent about the finger waving.
Over on Pos' blog, someone posted the transcript containing KKKallahan's comments. Pos wrote a Manny bit for SI this week, and KKKallahan was apparently not impressed that Pos didn't shit all over Manny.
You've got it the wrong way. It's not radio, then paper. It's write the article, then use the next day's radio gig to discuss it for 3 hours (1 hour dedicated to Democrat bashing)
Which blog post, so I can read the exact transcript?
edit: Found it, it's in here: http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/05/08...-hot/#more-2048 They got the transcript wrong obviously, but the attitude right. I believe Joe's name was used with Jayson Stark and Buster Olney as the other 2 fanboys
I haven't listened to this show in a while.
Now I know why.
Callahan is easily the most grating on-air persona that I've heard in the past year. He wants the Red Sox to trade Buchholz or Bowden for Tulowitzki or someone, totally discounting the fact hat Lowrie is a month and a half away. What a clown.
Now I know why.
Callahan is easily the most grating on-air persona that I've heard in the past year. He wants the Red Sox to trade Buchholz or Bowden for Tulowitzki or someone, totally discounting the fact hat Lowrie is a month and a half away. What a clown.
They talked hockey this morning! One of them (I don't remember who) was arguing that he thought Ward wouldn't hesitate to drop the gloves if challenged, despite the fact that the last time he fought was early in the 2nd Clinton Administration.
I know they have an open disdain for the sport, but honestly... it'd be better if they continued to ignore it than spew this silliness.
I know they have an open disdain for the sport, but honestly... it'd be better if they continued to ignore it than spew this silliness.
John Meter Perel also suggested that the Sox would be very able to find a willing trade partner and would trade Brad Penny for a SS by June, because "25, 26, even 30 teams out there are pitching starved."
His guess? Brad Penny for JJ Hardy, straight up.
His guess? Brad Penny for JJ Hardy, straight up.