Finally, I think ESPN is starting to understand how vulnerable WFAN, and specifically Mike Francesa, is in the long term. This week was the beginning of Brandon Tierney and Jody McDonald between 1 and 3 pm on ESPN Radio. Although I have been frustrated with the poor signal, the show has been a pleasure to listen to.
The two hours are well structured with guests, ESPN contributors, and thoughtful conversation between BT and Jody Mac. I like the diverse vantage points each is coming from. First, BT is a huge basketball guy and the only other host in this city that focus on the NBA is Evan Roberts. He has a strong opinion but is not obtuse about it, is very knowledgeable, and asks great questions during an interview (see his David Lee and Rich Coutinho interviews from the last couple of days). From a baseball standpoint, BT is a Yankees fan which counters Jody, whose father Joe was the GM of the Mets back in the seventies. No other show in New York combines a Mets and Yankees fan that cover over 30 years of baseball perspective. During his days at WFAN Jody always embraced off topics, like wrestling and fantasy baseball, when it wasn’t even close to the mainstream.
I also like how there is less of an emphasis on calls. Although I disagree with Michael Kay’s assessment regarding SNY taking calls during the Met game, most radio callers (not all) just are not capable of making an intelligent point and adding to the show. They either want to rehash a boring talking point, trash talk, kiss up, or can’t spit out their point. You need callers, but to make an entire show of it (see Francesa) winds up forcing me to flip the dial. I imagine many others do the same. I am turning on the radio to hear an opinion, learn something, and listen to professionals in the industry provide me information. If I wanted “Joe from Staten Island’s” opinion I could stand in front of MSG all day.
They only have been together two days, so I think they are still feeling each other out. The bottom line is ESPN has paired two talk show hosts that provide a refreshing perspective. Hopefully their diverse personalities evolve into consistent intelligent radio without the phony and contrived silliness we are subjected to on a daily basis. I don’t think two hours are enough and eventually it should be a 3-4 hour show. However, I could see ESPN’s point of view as they combat Francesa with two different types of shows in BT/Jody Mac and Michael Kay. Eventually fans will wake up and realize there is more to life than the inferiority put out by WFAN. Heritage can carry you a long way, but it won’t last forever.
While WFAN props up their station with gimmicks like Ashley Dupre, ESPN is quietly putting together a solid product with the combination of ESPN NY and their new radio lineup. I know there are tons of complications with the signal, but if these guys can get that right (big “if” I know), I think they might be on to something.
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