I know all of you saw Aubrey O'Day's Playboy spread that just came out recently, but if you didn't you can click on this very NSFW link if you would like to see them. What does this have to do with anything you ask? Well the Danity Kane singer (who knew?) and Puffy confidant, called into the Boomer and Carton Show today, and decided to hang up on the hosts.

According to Sports Radio Interviews, Carton asked O'Day a series of questions that we're obviously too personal, one about dating Puffy, and she got pissed and ended the call. Here's the audio of the hangup, and the aftermath....

Ah good times. You're famous for being on a reality television show, and (allegedly) hooking up with Puffy, but you don't want to talk about it. Too funny.

Playboy Cover Girl Hangs Up On Sports Radio Station (Sports Radio Interviews)
Aubrey O'Day Interview (WFAN: Boomer & Carton)

I never thought I'd see the day that Howard Stern and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo would be in the same studio, but I guess when you work for the same company it's bound to happen. Russo went on Stern yesterday, and after a lengthy conversation about all things Sports radio, and his strained relationship with former co-host Mike Francesa, everyone in New York City decided to start trash talking everyone. The three main opponents were Russo, Francesa and Neil Best at Newsday decided to transcribe some of the action, and here's what a day in New York Sports Radio looks like....

Russo's quotes on Stern: "It depends who you ask. Their ratings, from an FAN perspective, seem to be the same. I have spoken to some other people at 1050 ESPN that said they’ve gotten murdered in certain parts of the tri-state area, Jersey for instance. And if you noticed, ESPN, they moved their show."

"I hear the quality of the show, he misses the energy, he does this, he does that, and I miss Mike, too. It goes both ways. So I’ve heard that. But as far as, Chris, did you see or look at this, that this rating was 10 percent less than when you were there? No."

Finally, Russo conceded ratings were down, just to shut up Stern. "There’s been a little bit of a decrease, if it makes you happy. I’ve got pride, of course."

Francesa: "As sure as I’m sitting here, they’re never catching me, and you can underline that, OK? So the idea that they’re chasing me down in Jersey or they’re chasing me down somewhere, well, you know what, bring friends and ban everybody you can ban and bring a whole lot more ammunition than you have so far, because you have never gotten close, and you never will, as long as I’m sitting here.

"If you’re going to come after us, then you better bring more than pea shooters. Because you know what? The FAN has been No. 1 here for 20 years and it’s going to be No. 1 long after I’m gone. But while I’m sitting here, you can be damn sure it’s going to be No. 1."

Michael Kay: "I'll take the high road. I'm very happy with my life and my standing and find no need to lash out at others. I leave that to those that are seemingly less content with what they've been blessed with."

Well then. It's nice to see that everyone has been getting along since the breakup. I'm not going to pretend to know what radio ratings are like in New York City, but as long as these three keep going at it, they will probably continue to be strong. Good job by Kay not to get into the mess between two former colleagues, but sooner or later he's going to be sucked in. Good times!

I'd love to get video up, but unfortunately Comcast blows, and they won't update On Demand for weeks at a time.

Chris Russo flies first class for Sirius, 'which is fair' (Watchdog)
Mike Francesa-Bill Parcells relationship on the rocks (Watchdog)
You heard from Russo and Francesa; now it's Kay's turn (Watchdog)

Normally when you bring up "radio wars", they are between competing stations and/or shows. Well not at WFAN. Following Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's move to Sirius, they've been going through a bit of issues within their own ranks. Everyone knows that Dog's former partner Mike Francesa has carried on without him, and while he's still upset at the whole breakup situation, he's now aimed his aggression at the WFAN Morning Show, Boomer & Carton.

B&C were joking about who they were going to bring in to be Russo's replacement and Francesa naturally took that as dig at him. Francesa then shot back yesterday at the Morning Show. Via Watchdog....

After saying he would not be dragged into a verbal war, Mike said "there is a meanness" to Carton. He also said, "If I want to take care of him I could do it in five minutes. It wouldn’t even take me five minutes. He can’t kiss up enough when he’s around here. If he wants a war, bring it on, it won’t be a long one."

After saying he would not be dragged into a verbal war, Mike said "there is a meanness" to Carton. He also said, "If I want to take care of him I could do it in five minutes. It wouldn’t even take me five minutes. He can’t kiss up enough when he’s around here. If he wants a war, bring it on, it won’t be a long one."

Oh but it doesn't stop there. Of course this got back to Carton and here was his response this morning....

"We'd like to be able to poke fun at Mike, and we'd like it if Mike pokes fun at us. We have thick skin and can go back and forth. But yesterday's attack was an uncalled-for, vicious, personal attack, which we're not going to tolerate. And I hope that Mike has come to his senses somewhat. If he wants a war, he's got it, 100 percent. We will indulge him in that starting today. I assume he doesn't want it. We're not looking forward to it, but we'll engage him in it if he wants it. And hopefully from this point on we can all just get along and do our own thing."

Good grief. You rarely see a fights between shows breakout on the same network, but I guess the stresses of the past few months have taken their toll. I really want to see WFAN get back to the way it was before Dog left, but I don't see this ending very well. I enjoy both shows in their own way, but hey.....if you're going to go down you mind as well go down in flames. Let's hope things get personal!

Craig Carton calls Francesa rant 'vicious,' 'uncalled-for' (Watchdog)

NB of Newsday has been smack in the middle of this mess the whole Summer and now he's moved on to finding out who Mike Francesa's new partner will be. Apparently the network also has to find an update person, which is the topic of his most recent post, but he throws out some very interesting partner possibilities as well.....

The search for an update person seems to be further along than that for a new No. 2 man (or woman).

From what I have been able to piece together, the update list includes Bob Heussler, Jerry Recco, Sal Licata and Jonas Schwartz. Heussler, known as "Mr. Met" on the show, long has shown a willingness to stand up to Francesa and Chris Russo as well as a dry sense of humor.

As for the bigger job . . . all sorts of interesting names have been seriously discussed, from what I hear, including Sid Rosenberg, Chris Carlin, Ian Eagle and even ESPN.com's Bill Simmons.

Hahaha....and I want Chuck Klosterman as a weekend editor!* They have to be delusional if they think that Simmons would ever accept that job, but I guess you don't know the answer until you ask. The leading candidate from what I've heard is Sid Rosenberg, and while he's had his "issues" over the years, it wouldn't really be that bad of a pick. He's seemingly settled down a bit in his old age and has experience working in New York. Albeit with Imus, but experience none-the-less.

I'm also surprised with Ian (EYE-IN) Eagle's name being among those mentioned. I'm a fan, and I think he's a pretty good announcer, but the guy comes off as being just boring as hell. Well unless he feels like he's at a Bar Mitzvah....


Mike Francesa, WFAN looking into new cast members (Newsday)

*- I wouldn't really subject you all to him every weekend. It was just an example.

The way that networks, newspapers and radio stations are covering Brett Favre is almost more interesting than him playing for the Jets this season. There had been rumors that the Jets were being extremely selective about who Favre interviewed with and now NY Daily News has a shaft by shaft account of the situation....

While their reaction is reminiscent of the Secret Service swooping in to protect the President, it should come as no surprise. When Favre arrived at Jets camp, a rule was immediately set: He would give no one-on-one interviews.

Last week, the Jets' stated policy concerning Favre was altered. The "policy" now seemed to be highly selective and exercised at the Jets' discretion.

On Monday, Favre did a one-on-one telephone interview with ESPN-1050's Michael Kay. ESPN-1050 is the radio home of the Jets (WABC-AM airs Jets games, too). ESPN-1050 promoted the interview as Favre's first "exclusive" one-on-one since joining the Jets. The next day Favre went on WFAN with Mike (Napoleon Solo) Francesa.

While Favre likely did not get paid for the ESPN-1050 interview, this was definitely a form of checkbook chatter. ESPN-1050 got the spot because of its partnership with the Jets. Unfortunately, the interview was a snoozefest with Favre basically repeating much of what he had said since arriving at the Jets Hofstra bunker.

Yes, Jets scribes were shafted here, but the organization had a good excuse. This was just business. The Jets were taking care of a partner. The real kick in the butt came Tuesday when Francesa planted his fanny inside a tent at Hofstra.

WFAN is the radio home of the NFL champion Giants, but there sat Favre yakking live one-on-one with Francesa (seen also on YES). Even Eric Mangini hung around, playing the role of Favre's wingman.

Gang Green operatives breaking their own rule for business purposes is one thing, but allowing Francesa to access Favre gave those covering the team every right to be ticked and also feel like rented mules. Before you say "Who cares," realize this: The beat writers are an essential link between fans and a team. When an organization deprives them of one-on-one access, they are depriving you of original information, too.

Very Interesting. I can completely understand giving ESPN 1050 the first interview following the trade, but the WFAN is baffling. Raissman, who wrote the piece, even goes on to say that the Jets have also yet to grant its local TV partner, SNY, and sitdown with Favre. How would you feel if you were SNY and a Giants radio station in WFAN got an interview before you did? I'd be pretty upset.

Also, Newsday's Neil Best has a collection of quotes from various announcers in regards to Favre coverage this year. It's a really good look into their thinking, so check it out. Here's a small sample....

"We should be paying part of his salary."- Jim Nantz

"I'm hoping it's more play action. I hope he's holding the ball more, dropping deeper. I want to see him throw it down the field more because everyone says 'gunslinger, great arm,' but Green Bay led the league in short passes."- Phil Simms

"He's certainly given a shot in the arm to this city. It's been great. It seems like it's all we talk about on the radio."- Boomer Esiason

"As far as adapting to terminology and plays, if there's anybody in the league who can do it, it's him, because of the experience he's had. Football is football. You read coverages. Coverages don't change much. It's just the approach to the offense."- Dan Marino

"It's like being dropped in the middle of Japan, trying to speak that language and you have to figure it out for yourself ... You might see some ugly picks early in the year. You might see early throws that look like he doesn't know what he's doing. It's because he doesn't."- Rich Gannon

It's a shame that Gannon probably won't to get to call any Favre game this year (#1 and 2 teams will get all of them) because he seems to be the only analyst being realistic. Good for him. CBS will be banking on him early in the season, so it will be interesting to see how Nantz, Simms, etc. cover him. I'm not rooting for Favre to have a bad season, but rather hoping that CBS doesn't sugarcoat things if he does.

Brett Favre, Jets run quarterback sneak on media (NY Daily News)
CBS hoping to bank on Jets' Brett Favre bonanza (Newsday)

This is just depressing now. Mad Dog called into the "Francesa Show" (I guess that's what it's called now) and pretty much lost it as he talked to his former co-host...

Hahahaha. The Beatles? I just love them. Whether you liked them or not though, it is definitely the end of an era for New York Sports and Sports Radio. It's a shame they couldn't keep it going.

(P.S.- I fully expect to see Mad Dog on ESPN within the year. Just preparing you now.)

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo seems to be extremely shocked about the Newsday report that came out over the weekend. He said so when reached for comment then and he's saying so after interviewing with the paper today....

Russo never specifically denied that he or Francesa would leave, but he reiterated that both hosts currently are under contract and said he was shocked to be asked about the possible end of the show.

"This idea that somehow our program that we've had fun having done it for 19, 20 years, is on the verge of being dismantled caught me totally by surprise," Russo said.

Later, he suggested Newsday was taking "a big leap" with its report and wondered where it had come from.

"Contracts, contracts, contracts," he said. "You abide by contracts. Mine's got a long, long way to go, not to mention that quote unquote non-compete clause following it. You're never going to get rid of me here."

That's all well and good but I don't think anyone is worried about Russo leaving. When reached for a comment along the same lines, Francesa has denied to provide one and his contract length isn't widely known. I'd love to hear his side of things before we go saying that the Newsday piece was just rumor mongering.

Russo: It caught me totally by surprise" (Newsday)
Mad Dog Addresses Newsday Breakup Rumors (HHR)

Sad news out of New York today. It appears the occasionally controversial and wildly successful Mike and The Mad Dog of WFAN have likely graced the airwaves for the last time together. Via Neil Best of Newsday....

Barring a change of heart, the partnership between Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo is not expected to survive to see its 19th anniversary Sept. 5, industry sources with knowledge of the situation said.

They may have already done their final show together; their next scheduled broadcast is not until July 11.

It is not clear which host would remain on WFAN, only that it would not be both of them. One factor appears to be a fraying of their personal relationship in recent months.

Reached on vacation Saturday night, Francesa flatly said, "No comment."

Russo, meanwhile, denied knowledge of a potential breakup, and said that his contract, including a no-compete clause, runs through October of 2009.

The two are absolutely out of their minds but that's kind of what makes the show special. Everytime I'm driving through or near NYC I always listen to their show until I lose the signal. I just can't change the channel for some reason. It's a shame to lose them, and WFAN would most likely feel the brunt of a change in ratings, but if they're feuding it might be time to break them up.

'Mike and the Mad Dog' radio show could be history (Newsday)