Mike Missanelli Fired from 610 WIP

I'm not real happy about Missanelli being fired from the mid day show:

WIP-AM (610) yesterday announced the firing of midday host Mike Missanelli for "violating company policy."

Said policy was not specified, but insiders point to a fight with a producer during a broadcast Friday.

The firing, supposedly dictated by CBS corporate in New York, followed a weekend of phone calls in which a contrite Missanelli tried to arrange a suspension, I hear.

Gargano and Missanelli seemed to have a good thing going.  They had the "just one of the guys" thing going for them which many of the other shows (read Eskin, Cataldi) just didn't have.  I'd have to say Mikey Miss and the Cuz was by far the show I listened to the most on 610.  I'd tune in, purposefully right around 10:00 am, so I would catch the end of the morning show and I'd likely turn of WIP at about 3:15.  That's not to say I never listen to Cataldi or Eskin because I do if there seems to be a hot topic I am interested in hearing about.

While Missanelli was often volatile, I even thought classless in the on air bashing of David Akers, his removal from 610 WIP is not a good thing in my opinion.  Yesterday had Hugh Douglas on the mid day show next to Gargano.  Hugh is just not that entertaining of a radio personality.

Bring back Mikey Miss!

UPDATE: It looks like things may have turned physical.

Sources say Missanelli, 50, hit part-time WIP producer Brian Robbins after the two men argued during a live remote broadcast Friday at Brownie's 23 East (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) in Ardmore.

That puts a little different twist on things.  Once an employee resorts to physical altercations an employer really doesn't have a lot of options.

Comments

[IUP Philly Fan]

i liked missanelli a lot more than howard eskin. eskin doesn't even listen to what other people have to say, he just says "shove it" or "cram it" to everything.

[enrico]

Missanelli's cynicism really gave a great contrast to Gargano's homerism. I enjoyed their random stories as well. Like how they'd be banished from their families if they ever ate a meatball from WaWa.

[gurst]

i'll personally send Mike Miss' resume to that new piece of shit station 950 AM. his firing from WIP just bought that station another year on the air once the sign Mike Miss.

[Mr.Sucks]

I still prefer Smack and Mac, but 610 finally hit on a decent combo with Anthony and Mike. That said, Missinelli can't seem to control himself at times, so this action does not surprised me at all.

[fp]

I couldnt give two craps about Mikey Miss, but 610 is certainly hypocritical in all this...Eskin and Cataldi have been far more out of control and MIkey Miss got them ratings by being confrontational.

[Scott]

Mike Miss won't go to 950 unless he's despreate. He hates Jody Mac. I've heard him rip into Jody quite a few times after Jody left WIP. From what I know Missanelli has burned a lot of bridges in Philly. I really don't think he'll be on the air anytime soon. Especially if he hit another co worker.

[IUP Philly Fan]

950 sucks pretty bad. it doesn't even come in clear on my car radio most of the time. at least 610 comes in clear all the time for me.

[Jon]

Hugh & The Cuz don't make a good combo because they are both "homers". Mikey Miss never endeared anyone in the biz, so he'll have to find a new market in a different city if he wants to stay in talk radio.

[enrico]

Hugh just isn't very entertaining at all. He isn't funny. He isn't knowledgable in any sport other than football which he isn't even some guru.

Today, Gargano had to explain to Hugh why the NIT tourney wasn't as popular/imporatant as the NCAA tourney. Come on man, that is a joke.

[SID]

you should get miss to do guest spots on the 700 level. how bout that camp. april first 127 pennsdale, philadelphia there is going to be a beer pong tourney, you and kang can be partners.

[Mr.Sucks]

Anthony has had to explain a lot of things to Hugh since he has been on. He is horrible with cuz. He is not knowledgeabler enough to host on the radio. When he would drop by other shows he was ok because he was not responsible for anything.

[Meredith]

I work in sportsradio, and I thought it was odd that a guy got shitcanned for yelling at people on the air. That happens all the time in sportsradio.

But hitting a part-time producer - that's pretty stupid. If true, he's a jackass.

He always annoyed me on the air, anyway. Adios, dude.

[Larry]

I moved out to LA 3 years ago, so I haven't listened to too much WIP recently, but Missanelli always struck me as being way to volatile and not getting the difference between show business and life. I really don't think he'll be missed.

[GINO DEANNE]

i am out raged that they fired mike, he and anthony are the best thing 2 hit radio,i have been listing 2 mike and the cuz for years, i remember when he filled in for eskin,and they said he was coming back for good with ant, i was happy he was coming back,no one keeps it more real then mike,he dont take no crap from players or even the king himself eskin!!anthony and mike are like eggs and bacon, a perfect fit!!!i am stunned and outraged,i luv and enjoy the midday boys,there both(like family)....

[Don]

Missanelli should have thanked his upright walking God that he got back to WIP in the first place and he goes and does this? His overblown pseudo-macho opinions are indicative of someone of a limited intelligence, so I guess this shouldn't be too big of a surprise. I'm not even sure if 950 would hire him at this point. I don't think he fits what they're trying to do.

[Pottsville]

Mike and Anthony are by far the most tolerable on WIP. Cataldi is out of touch and knows nothing about todays sports and most of the time flat out plays dumb. I wish ESPN radio came in better in the morning. I used to enjoy Eskin, but he's gotten to big on himself. The morning or the drive home can't relate to the normal 21-50 year old guy. Morganti's smugness is funny for a while, but WIP needs to get the message that 5 people care about hockey.

Oh, and by the way. Hugh Douglas sucks! He's not funny and its an embarrassment that they put him on the air. I'm confident that many of the people who checked in on this blog can do a better job.

I'm currently looking for an alternative from 10-2.

Oh, Rhea is awful too. The only reason people think she's good is because she's female. She's subpar at best.

Don Mckee #1!

[Jeff Martin]

WIP in general has just become terrible. Everyone has some kind of schtick, and while Miss and the Cuz were a good balance of analysis, they're intentionally Italian too much. I understand that they really are Italian, but they play it up to Goodfellas/Godfather charicature levels too often. Cataldi does it with is dirty old man persona and Eskin is a jackass in general.

I stopped regularly listening to WIP a while ago, only tuning in for Macnow when I happen to be in the car between 7 and 11. You can't find too many honest opinions about sports on the radio anymore. That's why I turned to blogs.

[chris]

Gargano and Big Daddy are the only guys I enjoy on the entire station. They're all disposable, pretty much. 950 has Tony Bruno, that's all I need. He's gold.

And Hugh Douglas is HORRIBLE

[GINO DEANNE]

wip...bring back mike!!i like huge as a football player but on the radio he just sucks!!

[thomas]

I think it's unfortunate that Mike got himself fired, I have enjoyed his opinions and manner with callers since he started with Steve Fredericks in the early 90's. Mike could talk national sports, which many on WIP (Gargano, Cataldi, Eskin, Macnow) can not do. I'm a sports talk junkie, and while I bounce between Steve Czaban and Cataldi in the morning, every other time slot is won easily by 660 WFAN. Mike and the Mad Dog have the best show on radio, and I am a Philly sports fan. On WIP, I like Eskin, he's funny. I also like Brian Startare (sp?) and Big Daddy. Gargano needs to be the nice guy again, and while Douglas is ignorant to a lot of the factual issues brought up during a show, he is entertaining and reaches/relates to a solid portion of 'IP's listening audience. I hope 950 signs Missanelli and replaces the national Jim Rome show with him.

[Mike Miss]

Thank god Mike is gone! We wont have to listen to his pompus attitude toward everything! Hopefully they will start talking about sports again and I wont have to endure another lame field of 64 or hear about the godfather anymore. 950 may not be that great but at least they talk 100% about sports.

[Mobiggedy]

I think Mike & cuz were good because they talked about cool guy stuff outside of sports. They had the metrosexual thing going on. I actully think Mark Eckel & Reuben Frank should be on more since we are so football crazed. I cant stand Al. He always pronounces people's names incorrectly on purpose. Mike Kern annoys me too." thas's my opinion", "its just me" he always says that. We all know the eagles won 13 regular season one time in their history but Mike Kern will say how the eagles win 12 games every year. let s remind em 2000: 11-5 2001: 11-5 2002 12-4 2003 12-4
2004 13-3 2005 6-10 thats not 12 games a year. wip is starting to slip!!

[Joseph Ryan]

Please get Missanelli back. I really liked the midday show because it was a good mix of sports and other topics. This new pairing of Gargano and Hugh Douglas is unbearable.It will never last. Douglas shouldn't even be on the radio because he has no talent for it.

[gunney]

WIP sucks!!!! Doesn't matter who it is .The cuz sounds like he breathes through his mouth and sucks off Philly fans . ESPN 1240 is truly the best with Colin Cowherd. People get a life!!

[Frank Mooney]

I was sorry to see Mikey Miss get fired. When they fired Steve Martorano last year I was furious. I still think he was the best fit for Gargano. Still before long Missanelli grew on me and it became apparent he and Anthony were a good fit. It's no secret he has a bad temper and I'm sorry it cost him his job. He's a lawyer an should be able to win with his mouth not his fists. Anyway, I hope he gets a job at 950. They need all the ex-WIP hosts they can get if they want to get competitive. Steve Martorano---Where are you!!!

[Joe Stefanoni]

I'm glad Missanelli is gone. His pompousness was extremely annoying and I hated his whiney voice. Anthony G is a great host and I'm sure they'll find someone else that clicks...maybe Glen.

[delio tunlaw]

Now there's not a whole lot of intelligent life left on 610 to listen to. We're left with brain-dead sportscasters like Cataldi and the arrogant know-nothing Eskin. They make the station more of a joke than anything else. It's like listening to Howard Stern with an even lower IQ. My radio goes off when those two morons come on.

Mike at least had some sports knowledge and wasn't afraid to call it like it is. The others are obvious Philly homer lackeys. Now that Boston and Chicago have ridded themselves of their curses, Philly remains the premiere laughing stock of professional sports. With so many pro franchises, what really do they have to show for their efforts? One World Series pennant for a team with 100+ years of history? One NFL championship 46 years ago? Two Stanley cups but none in the last 32 years? Two NBA titles in the past 40 years? Are you kidding me? The future doesn't look very bright either so the draught could go on for decades. How pathetic this city is. This town needs people like Missanelli to light a fire under it's ass.

Some have expressed they miss Steve Martorano. This guy was a DJ for WMMR I believe back in the seventies. He is a far cry from a knowledgeable sports broadcaster and spent most of his on-air time discussing his favorite movies and his failure to fit into the LA lifestyle. Give me a break! No wonder this town can't buy a trophy.

[stax]

this was a horrible decision!!!! mike is the man. he knows his stuff, he doesn't take junk from anyone, and he's funny. very entertaining!! they should treat hugh douglas like the trash he is, and take him out.i'm not too fond of the cuz either. he big-times the callers too often, just because he knows some of the players. and his love affair with ike reese and #54 is sickening!!!!!!! keep mike, fire the cuz!!!

[Scott Campbell]

Two Words, Get Sirius, I can not believe you guys call yourself sportsfans and you listen to WIP, no REAL sportsfan would ever listen to that. Why would I want to know the top 64 candy bars.

[Sean]

Good riddance. Missanelli is an arrogant jackass who is jealous of another jackass in Eskin. Now WIP is at a least a third of the way to getting rid of three bogus FRAUDS. Big Daddy Graham is an embarrassment who, when he was on Angelo's old TV show, kept looking at himself in the monitor. But the worst by far...someone who brings NADA to the table and is -- incredibly -- even worse on television, is know-nothing FRAUD Al Morganti. Years go, an Allentown newspaper columnists called Morganti out on Angelo's show as a plagiarizing lazy paycheck-stealing FRAUD and he was right. Morganti's tired act of reading the paper and contributing nothing isn't an act. He is worthless, and looks like a scared bad-hair statue on TV. Missanelli, Graham and Morganti are FRAUDS...and Eskin is just a complete jackass and hypocrite.

[Will Teullive]

The management at WIP seems to know it needs an infusion of new blood in it's overall lineup. Word is they are holding many interviews for on air talent new to the Philadelphia market. I expect major changes in the next few months.

As far as 950, they have a new PD and he is trying to limit the syndicated shows. They better do something fast, Jody Mac can't hold the weight of the station on his shoulders.

[JF]

I was surprised and irritated by Missaneli's arrogance since he came back. I used to listen to him years ago but never remember him being that arrogant and angry. Although he is knowledgeable in sports, I was really annoyed with him lately.
While Anthony is always quite genuine and the kind of guy you would like to hang out with, Mike always seemed like he was trying to act so young and cool.
I was shocked and disgusted when they got rid of Steve Martorano. He was funny and knowledgeable. Steve is a class guy but I don't expect WIP to invite him back...although they should. If not Steve, then John Marzanno would be a fabulous choice. I love listening to his honesty and knowledge on baseball.
As far as Eskin, I haven't listened to him in about a month after years of listening to him...same old thing....I hate Abreu...I hate Iverson....he doesn't come out and say it but he might as well...he just sounds like a broken record...and of course he is extremely arrogant...tired of hearing him scream at callers....

[joe]

Missanelli did seem to be trying to reclaim his youth at 50. It would have been better if he kept his political comments out of the show also. Eskin is a complete buffoon who will not even let the callers express their points if he disagrees with them or if he feels that he is going to be proved wrong. Many times he doesn't even understand the point the caller is trying to make.

[db1989]

WIP is in free fall. It's gotten so hard to listen too. MM was a total pompous ass. I couldn't stand him. One more field of 64 and I was going to throw-up/ I stopped listening to WIP six months once I got XM Radio. Tony Bruno and Fox Sports Radio are much more informative.

[guantanamo babaluke]

Mike Missanelli was great when he stuck to sports and some of the other entertaining stuff...I remember the take offs he did on March Madness, for example, picking the best 64 candy bars, or women, etc.

I cannot stand when Missanelli, Eskin, or Cataldi start talking politics. That's when they reveal just how insulated and stupid they can be. Missanelli blaming Monica Lewinsky for the Clinton Scandal, was just one example of what an asshole he could be. Blaming a star struck 22 year old kid for the behavior of the Leader of the Free World just showed how weird, how twisted Mike Miss could be! I think he hated women, despite his protestations otherwise.

[Mike Cas]

It is a sad state of affairs on WIP. Mikey Miss and Cuz were the only thing worth listening to during the day. Miss was great at pinpointing the flaws in Philly sports teams management and suggesting ways to get the right players, attitude in place. Cataldi can do that once in a while but there is so much dead air time wasted on bad topics between his show and Eskin that I can't listen anymore.

[dawn]

If I had a choice..i'd fill that spot with Brian Startare..WIP has been old and stale for years...its time for a change..

in fact ...you cant go wrong with any of the weekend guys...Paul Jolowitz and Ruben Frank are good...but putting Hugh Douglas or John Marzano there is just wrong...

I want to hear 4 sports guys with personality and for me...Startare is the choice...

[joe]

Gargano gets too corny with his hometown rah-rah stuff and he's a little too sarcastic with his "stop it" nonsense when he doesn't agree with a caller's comments. He also must have been told to calm down by the station when people call criticzing McNabb because he used flip out and get real nasty when anybody would say anything bad about McNabb a few months ago.

[chris]

Having to choose between John Marzano and Hugh Douglas is like choosing between two horrible, horrible things that both suck.

[nomorewip]

I don't mind at all about Missanelli being canned. Seems like a lot of people posting forget that his pompous arrogance is what got him fired last time. Some people just never learn.
As far as Wip in general I agree it needs a change. I used to listen almost constantly but listen rarely anymore. WIP management should... and I think might realize they need a change but nothing on that station will ever change until they realize that idiot Cataldi has to go or be considered less of an asset. Him leading off everyday with his idiotic rantings I guess are what the station values. We have to listen to a sports talk station that spends 2 months of the year with "wing bowl" talk??? I guess it's good for station's publicity but god it gets monotonous. I know I am not the only one that gets tired of the constant wing bowl crap. I think WIP will never change until Cataldi's value is lessened. Think about it..every time he has an argument with anybody at the station they are either let go or suspended. And regarding Hugh Douglas (PS- The guy who had the confrontation with TO in the locker room that finally led to the end of the Eagles season) he is just horrible. The only reason you hear him at all is because he brown nosed his way in with Cataldi on the morning show...Think about it. Cataldi's pull is much to great with WIP operations to have the station change it image. As far as the comment on Rhea Hughes I think her new Saturday morning show is actually quite good. They actually talk sports and she doesn't consider everybody that disagrees with her an idiot.
And as far as Eskin...what more can be said... he is just unbearable. Don't ever call and stump him with real facts or your called a moron and cut off as soon as you prove him wrong. Personally I think WIP should make the Eagles pay part of his salary for the constant positive spin he puts on them.
I personally enjoy the weekend lineups more...especially Macnow with Diddinger where real sports are discussed in a knowlegeable way. The daily lineup in my opinion has gone progressively downhill with it's monotanous rantings and rude attitudes. It's a shame nobody on the local level gives them quality competetion.

[ManOverMonks]

Brian Startare?
What the hell does he have to say?

Missanelli pushed the envelope; if you want nice-nice, call your Mom.

What he needs is a Steve Fredericks type to play off of; you could tell he was getting bored by Gargano's gushing.

Bring back DJ and the Man!

[DJ]

I listen to WIP religiously for the past say 2 maybe 3 years and it was a shame that Missanelli got fired. However you cannot hit your fellow coworkers. Once that happens all bets are off. With that being said, the midday show has always been my favorite time of the day to listen to. With Mike and Cuz and even when the Cuz and Stever Martorano were on, those were the shows i love listening to. It was an obvious mistake to let Steve go and now is basically holding down the 10-3 shift.
What can be said bout Eskin and Cataldi. I will sidestep them for a second and say as long as im up early Saturday morning, Rhea isnt that bad at all. I bet her lines stay lit for those 2 hours.
Cataldi oh well he is who he is, not good not bad not great, take him for what its worth.
Eskin omggg the day i talk to him i will lose it on the air cuz he is a jackass to the nth degree. He so one sided with the eagles anything negative against the eagles will get your call drop immediately. Oh by the way eskin i agree with guard play and playing in between the trenches to win championships and great defense, but you still need someone who can catch the ball and who can run the ball, and until the eagles get players who are better than adequate, then the eagles will still have improvements that are needed.
Mike Missanelli shouldve been fired for what he did. He realize next time not to let his temper get the best of him.

[john]

HUGH Sucks Eskin Sucks. The Cuz and Mikcy Miss Was the greatest. We will forever miss you Mike. The midday is not the same. WIP should Be ashamed for this firing. COME BACK MIKE PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.The CUZ needs a partner. The PROF SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

[Robo]

I've been listening to 610 for about 15 years or so, back to the days when my father would put it on and I would listen as a little kid. I cant ever remember the station being as bad as it is now. The morning show sucks, the only one on that with knowledge is Al and Jonesy is just funny as hell. Angelo is a freakin idiot, go back to suckin Martelli's balls and never mention Nova again. The afternoon show gave you great sports talk and discussions on things that guys really cared about. Dont even get me started on Eskin. I have never heard of a host hanging up on you if you didnt express his opinion. What guy wears a fur coat, gets his nails done, etc. what a freakin fag. Bascially bring back Mikey Miss and 610 might actually stay in business.

[Robo]

I've been listening to 610 for about 15 years or so, back to the days when my father would put it on and I would listen as a little kid. I cant ever remember the station being as bad as it is now. The morning show sucks, the only one on that with knowledge is Al and Jonesy is just funny as hell. Angelo is a freakin idiot, go back to suckin Martelli's balls and never mention Nova again. The afternoon show gave you great sports talk and discussions on things that guys really cared about. Dont even get me started on Eskin. I have never heard of a host hanging up on you if you didnt express his opinion. What guy wears a fur coat, gets his nails done, etc. what a freakin fag. Bascially bring back Mikey Miss and 610 might actually stay in business.

[gary]

Rhea's teeth are digusting

[Ted]

Mike will be missed Im tired of theCuz acting like an idiot every body is brother and he acts like teenybopper Mike was mike but hewas the show

[Jennie C]

I am very upset about Mike being fired from WIP. I thought his midday show with Anthony was the most entertaining program they had. I enjoyed Mike's brutal honesty and his controversial attitude.

I haven't listened nearly as much to the midday program since he left.

[Gary]

Rhea's teeth are disgusting

[mike]

stop talking about me or I'll punch you out!!!