WIP Rumor: Martorano Out, Macnow to Middays

After sweeping changes were announced at 950 WPEN last week, the Philly airwaves shakeup may be spreading to WIP. Via Dan Gross:

There are hardcore rumors at 610 WIP that nighttime host Glen Macnow will move to middays to cohost with Anthony Gargano. Steve Martorano, who's currently paired with Gargano, is said to be leaving the station for a job outside of radio.

Former Eagle Ike Reese, a frequent WIP guest and longtime friend of the station, is rumored to be taking over Macnow's 7 to 11 p.m. slot. Station manager Marc Rayfield did not reply to e-mails.

The Cuz's Curse continues! The only thing we have heard confirmed is that this is currently only a rumor, and nothing is official. If this comes to fruition, it would mean a clean sweep of my current drive time favorites, as I'd grown accustomed to hearing Jody or Glen, depending on when the whistle blows on a given day. On the bright side, if you time it right, you can keep switching back and forth between 610 & 950 and get the old Mac & Mac Middays show.

Comments

[timm]

My two favorite WIP shows were Mac and Mac and S&M (Steve and Mike). Never really liked any of the other IP forced duos other than that. Always seemed like they forced too many people together and it always left to uncomfortabel silence or two guys trying to talk over each other (except for the mornign show which is 7 people trying to talk over each other).

[theKrisheim]

martorano sucks.

he can go back to "marketing" at electric factory concerts.

fuck him.

[fitch]

IKE!

[johndewar]

Never liked Martarano.

Macnow and Gargano should be alright, but I can't say I'd listen to them over Jody mac during mid-day.

All-in-all, smart move by 'IP....the same type of fan that listens to Jody Mac also probably enjoys Macnow.

[Jeff]

I agree with the others about not being a big fan of Martarano. I like my mid-day radio minus the condescension. I can get enough of that if I want to be a masochist and listen from 3-7. Gargano and Macnow will be a good pair. Not as good as Macnow & Ray Didinger during football season, but good enough.

As pertains to Jody Mac', him and all Cowboys fans can suck my balls.

[Jeff]

I agree with the others about not being a big fan of Martarano. I like my mid-day radio minus the condescension. I can get enough of that if I want to be a masochist and listen from 3-7. Gargano and Macnow will be a good pair. Not as good as Macnow & Ray Didinger during football season, but good enough.

As pertains to Jody Mac', him and all Cowboys fans can suck my balls.

[Jonn]

Any Eagles' rumors?

God help us....

[Chris]

I'm not a Martorano fan either ..
I don't think he has much sports knowledge ...sucks now that the mid afternoon drive has two options like Mike Miss and Eskin ..

[Ryan]

Ike Reese for 4 hours a night? During Eagles' season that works but the rest of the year it will be a complete dud.

[ricky]

^ completely agree, I love Ike but he seems like he only talks about football and basketball, unless another host he's with brings up something else

[OKE from MISKOKE]

^ completely agree, I love Ike but he seems like he only talks about football and basketball, unless another host he's with brings up something else

surely there are other options?

[Scott]

Glad to see Martorano gone. To me, he never seemed all that interested in sports. He just wanted to be on the radio. There were plenty of times when the Cuz would be talking about sports and then Martorano would change the subject to politics or entertainment.

[Mike]

I'm not liking the options past 7pm on either station, let alone 3pm. Ike is a nice complimentary host, but is he really ready to anchor a four-hour prime time slot?

[enrico]

I'm kind of with the last comment from Mike. Is Ike really ready to do a whole show by himself? In such a prime time?

It's that fact that makes me think this scenario will not likely happen.

[Joe Manning]

Wait - why are they moving Glenn Macnow ?

I can understand wanting to compete with Jody Mac ... but what about the 7 to 11 slot on WIP ? No one is gonna listen to Ike Reese for all that time. Macnow is perfect there. He's the best thing going on WIP. He doesn't need a co-host, and doesn't need a time change.

[Mike]

I would think Macnow owns that 7-11 slot, because I've heard the guys on 950 currently in that time slot (or at least the guys that were on recently), and to put it lightly, they pale in comparison in my opinion. I mean, the Flyers and Sixers can only bail Ike out until May/June or so.

[isaac]

ike will not be alone, also glad to finally see mike miss give eskin what he needs a real good ass kickin because i had aready made the switch to jody

[How do you spell retard?]

Bob Charry and Hugh from 7-11. I'm a huge Bob fan and it could get interesting ifhe does the 7PM crossover with that hobbit/hobgoblin from 3-7 five days a week.

[Joe Manning]

I really don't see Mike Missanelli giving Eskin "a real good ass-kickin."

The people who like Eskin will continue to listen to him ... and those who don't aren't going to like Missanelli - they both have the same basic schtick.

[Godsey]

I've never been much into Martorano and Missanelli's waiving the intellectual white flag and simply attacking those who defeat them in discussion and debate.

[Pette]

I disagree I think Martorano brought some interesting facts to the show besides listeningn to the idiots that called in. It was a good mix of sports and real life issues.

[johndewar]

Did I just read that someone was a "huge Bob Charry fan"?

Wow. Just. Fucking. Wow.

[Mickey K]

When Rob Charry comes on the radio, most radios are then turned off. I feel sorry for anyone who has to work with him. Charry is a Grateful Deadhead stoner and a real A**hole.

[DSD]

Well, this rumur is true. Today is Martorano's final day on 610. That's all I really know. I don't know who will be paired with Gargano. I really like Macnow...he's the best guy that 610 has, and I don't want to see him jerked around. A previous poster got it right in the fact that he can carry a show on his own. Gargano and Ike Reese during the middays would be good, I think. Ike can use Gargano as a springing point and advance his knowledge until he is ready to go.

[ricky]

oh man.. midday show will never be the same. if they actually move someone to be paired with the Cuz I hope its Macnow and put someone good into his spot, NOT Ike. I love Ike but he's not ready for his own show 4 or 5 days a week.

[Rob]

I haven't listened much since WPEN came on. Good to see they got something right, bouncing Martorano. Now, if they'd bounced Anthony, they'd be on to something!

[brian]

Steve and Cuz during the mid-days where great.

[davidcookchick]

Charry is awesome...I don't know why all the haters are coming out. He's my favorite radio personality, hands down!

[Tim]

I did not like Steve at all. Say what you will about Eskin's unrivaled arrogance, but at least the guy makes you laugh.

Steve was too condescending for a guy who displayed little sports knowledge. Where are we going to get our Boston sports fill and 'John from Cincinnati' commentary now that he is gone?

[Jake]

All Steve talked about was Boston and his days in Santa Barbara. He was on Tom Brady's stick more than Gisele the whole year. He was arrogant saying there was no way the Giants could be the Pats before the Bowl. When they did, he just hung up on callers who wanted him to apologize for being such an a$$hole. He didn't bring anything new to the show. Anthony has been on WIP long enough to be able to do the show on his own, or with Ike, and keep Glen at 7PM.

[Jake]

All Steve talked about was Boston and his days in Santa Barbara. He was on Tom Brady's stick more than Gisele the whole year. He was arrogant saying there was no way the Giants could be the Pats before the Bowl. When they did, he just hung up on callers who wanted him to apologize for being such an a$$hole. He didn't bring anything new to the show. Anthony has been on WIP long enough to be able to do the show on his own, or with Ike, and keep Glen at 7PM.

[OKE from MISKOKE]

Are you kidding me?

Wip is old and stale. Big Daddy should go to mornings...MacNow and Startari for middays, The cuz and eskin in the afternoon. they would be great together..and they should have athletes at night...ike on mondays...mitch on phillies nights...and so on to break it up...

[Dru]

I'm new to the area - but oddly enough have been a Philadelphia sports fan my entire life. Can someone please explain to me why in the hell anyone would listen to Howard Eskin? I just don't get it. I think Glen MacNow and Jody are pure gold, and it's a shame that they'll be overlapping one another. I am a little uneasy about my drive home now - I might have to start listening to...gulp, political discussions! I don't know if I can handle more than a few minutes of emotional Ike Reese.

[johndewar]

@Dru: Don't listen to political discussion on the ride home. That's more frustrating than our teams trying to get a championship.

Get an IPod and download Jody Mac's podcasts and listen to them on the ride home from work(even better if your car will allow your IPod to to be played through your car speakers as mine does). It'll be like he's back in afternoon drive time again.....

[OKE from MISKOKE]

I just don't understand why WIP keeps using the same old re-treads...

why not get younger...its been the same thing for years...angelo in the morning, the the rest of the day filled with gargago,misanelli,macNow and fredrciks

same crap on weekends with miserable rob chery and former phillies and eagles who cant speak or no nothing besides their sport

why not give guys like rob ellis, bryan startari or paul jolovitz a chance

by the way, i love the pod cast idea

its been fine for ahile

[enrico]

I will volunteer my services for a small, not so nominal fee.

Plus, everybody loves a little mumbling, and whatnot.

[Zarathustra]

Glen Macnow is HEAD AND SHOULDERS above all the other hosts on WIP, though there are plenty who are very good. The station ought to put Phil from Mt. Airy on the mid-day show, and let the fireworks begin. Glen belongs where he is. Thank God for the internet broadcast, though it will take some cloak and dagger to listen in. What we need are podcasts. This is a sad, sad day for Macnovians.

[Shay]

hey johndewar the reason rob ellis only does a few shows a week is because he is also the producer of DNL on comcast. i really like jolly and think he will work in the 7-11 spot. i think WIP has a great thing going with glen macnow and should leave it alone. he cnt do movie club for men, food hunt or any other specialties in this mid day spot. putting ike with ant may work. they should try it.

[Steve Jeltz]

I agree Macnow is good...unlike Eskin or Gargano, Glen actually can do a show without just taking phone calls. It's called "Radio". Howard or Cuz just take calls the entire show. Gee that's real entertaining.

[Steve Jeltz]

And The people that want Statare or Jolowitz for middays? Are you serious? Not top of the rotation starters.

[How do you spell retard?]

I can't stand Jolovitz. The only time he is entertaining is when someone is making fun of him.
Bob Charry > Macnow > Jolovitz > Date Rape > SIDS > Eskin

[OKE from MISKOKE]

Top of the rotation starters?

And Ike Reese is?

Dude, Rob Ellis and Brian Startare are two weekend guys that actually can carry a show and know 4 sports. Paul Jolowitz knows the most by far but his style is tough to listen too.

same old, same old with 610...im going to 950

[BMS]

Speaking as an expert: Thank God Martorano is off the station. He is the most annoying, self-aggrandizing sophist who ever pretended to be funny. The thing that pisses me off the most about that smacked-ass is not his attempt to “Speak intelligently" or stand as the antithesis of the (God forbid) typical brutish and obviously unreasonable (as he sees it) Philadelphia sports fan, it is the fact that the words he employs to accomplish these goals DO NOT MEAN what the fuck he thinks they do! He mumbles, brutalizes a word, then strains painfully to recall some erroneous vocab word from high school SAT's and usually hangs up abruptly, not only declaring that he no longer has time for such ridiculous questions and refutations being presented to him, but doing it with such a smugness fueled by a completely unsubstantiated sense of a superior brain platism. Gargano is cool, but so vanilla. He never disagrees with whatever soon to be unemployed co-host he is paired with. JODY F'N MAC! The best by far. When he moved into the drive bye timeslot, he instantly doubled my listening pleasure by providing enjoyable and plausible chatter while contemporaneously outlawing the brutalized werewolf rape victim, "the king" from my airwaves forever. I really do like Glen Macanow, in fact, for years he was my favorite - no doubt about it. I respected the guy. But then, I had the chance to meet him at a charity drive (of which, he was the driving force to implement), and the first thing he did was eye my girlfriend up and down, asking me before even reciprocating my extended hand shake gesture: “if I bought her (my skiznatch at the time) lingerie for her, or if she picked it out herself/" I guess not the worst offense in the world, but I did not expect it at all and being somewhat from the old school with that shit, I more or less regret the fact I did not give him a couple smacks on that bald head; which just happens to sit atop a lazy eye or some shit, a pug nose and a face truly made for radio. Anyhow, Missannelli is fag, too. If he starts talking politics just one time, I may gab his old producer with a couple heads and give a little what should have been "glen Macnow" treatment.

[Buuud Light]

Man, oke has some real anger management issues, getting so upset about the hosts..listen, dope, if you dont like a host, use those dirty grubby fingers of yours and CHANGE THE STATION, you idiot!

[Shing-a-ling-a-ding-dong]

Wow, Oke, can't say I blame you for the feelings towards Macnow. I would've been surprised......bt then I would've had to be a wise ass to him and rub in a bit what he was missing ;).

Anyway, I like Macnow's show a lot at the time slot it's been. Ironically, I didn't really like him in the afternoons so much. I don't know if his sow just works better at 07:00 pm, he changed, the rest of the lineup just got worse and he suddenly sounded better in comparison. ????

Here's my idea for the afternoon slot - get Tony Bruno and pair him with Macnow.

The show was never better than when Mac & Mac and Steve & Mike were paired and Eskin came on later (and for only 2 hours, IIRC).

BTW, Steve called Miss Mike's first show yesterday and I just happened to catch it.
Miss Mike sounded upbeat and much less trollish then when on WIP - more about sports. Who knows, maybe he'll be okay. I'll give him a chance over Howeird, that's for sure.

I'm tired of The Cuz and his shtick (and talk about a face made for radio!) and think the noon show needs an overhall. Put The Cuz and Ike on at 07:00......better yet at midnight.

What's the deal with GCobb beng so limited? Maybe they could have GCobb with various jock guests.

[danny-o]

I'm so glad to see that pompous, ignoramus Martorano off the air once and for all. WIP was foolish to sign him to a second deal to begin with. Whoever hired that guy not once but TWICE over at WIP needs to be fired for hiring someone so severely under qualified. Now if they could only get rid of that walking Italian-american stereotype, Anthony Gargano.. is this guy serious? He makes us Italians all look like loud mouthed, ignorant, pizza throwing greasy haired, uneducated guido's. Get this guy off the air ASAP, he should be bus'ing tables at Chickie & Pete's.
Second of all, why does WIP continue to bury their radio personalities with actual talent on obscure evenings at strange timeslots? People like Big Daddy Graham, Rob Ellis, Paul Jolovitz, Jason Merctedes, Reuben Frank, Mark Eckel, Brian Startare deserve to have more airtime over the blandness that's swarming WIP from 6AM-9PM.
I'll be the first one in saying I do believe Ike Reese has potential to be a great on-air personality but to put him in prime time basically cold like WIP producers have is simply irresponsible. The majority of the former athletes currently on WIP have zero to no knowledge about any other sports besides the ones they've played. Christ Therien has been a pleasant surprise, but people like Hugh Douglass, Mitch Williams and Keith Jones are purely comic relief. And to put it mildly, I'd rather listen to Eskin everyday for the rest of my life than hear one more minute of Garry Cobb making Donovan McNabb a victim in the city because he's a black quarterback. Give me a break, this guy is more blatantly prejudice than Stephen A. Smith.
The higher-ups WIP need to get a clue and the people at CBS should really pull their heads out of their asses because the on-air potential this station has is phenomenal. As long as the executives continue to shove spoonfuls of mediocrity down our throat on a daily basis from people like Anthony Gargano, Angelo Cataldi, Al Morganti, Rhea Hughes and Howard Eskin this station will never evolve into the true voice of Philadelphia.

[Jimmny Crickets]

The previous post on this thread was right on...enough said

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Forgive me for reviving this thread as I am a lurker more than a poster but has anyone heard Ike Reese on 610?

R U kidding me?

Every call goes back to football. He "totally agrees with you" and "that being said" and "things of that nature" and "im wit you on that"

Are the folks at WIP serious? Is a name and a former player more important than good radio? Ike seems like a great guy but c'mon, its a serious drop from Glen Macnow.

Its one dimensional radio and its bad.

Did they consider anyone else before this horrible decision.

Hey, I love the Eagles as much as the next, but I cant listen to this.

Who the hell is in charge over there?

[Deano]

I have felt for some time that WIP needs to do a serious talent overhaul.For me Big daddy,Glen MacNow (with and without Didinger)and rob Charry and Hugh Douglas are the most entertaining.2nd level would be Startare,Gargano,and ellis.After that it just gets BRUTAL.
Angelo just bores me ,he isnt funny,his schtick is old and I am really thru with the "dirty thirty" and all his little cronies who call in.Conklin's bits go about 5 mins too long and enough with American Idol talk.G Cobb is ok in small doses but when he starts talking politics ..just shoot me!!Jolovitz,Reuben Frank ,WHY ? why do you torture us.Rhea isnt bad in small doses and is better with out Cataldi.Eskin is just an asshole and also needs to stop talking politics.
Ok you know what NO ONE on WIP should discuss politics!!!
Sports,movies,food,women,good TV all fair game,politics NOOO!
Now that he doesnthave a current gig bring back Tony Bruno!!!!
My dream line up
Tony Bruno/Big daddy-mornings
Rob Charry/Hugh Douglas Middays
Glen macnow 3-7
Gargano 7-11
Startare 11-1
Trevelise-who is pretty good even though he is a Giants fan on the overnights
Eskin,Cataldi Gone!!!!!!
Anybody with me??

[Phishtown Prince]

What a tragedy, but I know all good things must come to an end. I went to Myrtle Beach last week on vacation so I was taken completely by surprise by the changes.

Let me just say this. As a big fan of both sports talk radio and sports on the radio in general, the midday show with Anthony and Steve was my favorite show ever. Local or national. I already miss it.

[Cinnplm]

Jody Mac fans should remember that he got bounced from WFAN. His mid-day show with Susyn Waldman was beyond horrid. I have a good idea for this station. Find a Philly equivalent of Mike Francessa. Until they do, the station will continue to suck.