Felger and Mazz - Creating False Naratives one day at a time

Cotillion

New Member
Jun 11, 2019
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The sad thing is sports radio doesn't have to be trolling and hot takes. There is plenty of good sports radio out there.

The local San Francisco KNBR guys do a pretty good job staying out of that stuff... and when I lived in Chicago there were some good ones there too.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
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I think Felger is awesome. I love hearing how mad people get when they hear his takes. He plays the contrarian card perfectly and it's no surprise that they dominate the ratings. It's the perfect strategy for a sports market that has been spoiled beyond belief. You can pretty much predict his take(s) before he comes on the air, yet you still want to tune in, listen and get outraged.
I, for one, never want to tune in to hear Felger. Like...ever.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
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The sad thing is sports radio doesn't have to be trolling and hot takes. There is plenty of good sports radio out there.

The local San Francisco KNBR guys do a pretty good job staying out of that stuff... and when I lived in Chicago there were some good ones there too.
Joe and Evan on WFAN is the best sports talk show that I know of (obviously there's tons of sports radio I'm not familiar with). I love those guys. Fun. Funny. They talk sports, not other crap. They are fair. They're knowledgable. Very entertaining (especially when the Jets lose in brutal fashion). It's quality stuff and there's no trolling or hot takes or any crap like that. They're great.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Jun 27, 2012
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The thing about Felger is, he used to be good. Having a contrarian tendency is fine, he used to do this well without being a troll. But devolving into stupid hottakz is not worth my time. I used to lIke Felger and if you go back far enough in this thread you’ll find me saying the same thing over and over. When WEEI was the only stale, boring game in town he was a breath of fresh air. Now that he’s the only game in town he’s no different than they were back then. Stupid hot takes and never give five minutes of airtime to appreciating what we have, always focus on the negative.

Mazz is also worthless and completely incapable of keeping him honest. But thats always been true.
 

kenneycb

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Dec 2, 2006
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Ehhhh, it's sports talk radio; it's not 60 Minutes. It's entertainment and something to make me laugh when doing mundane chores like driving to Market Basket to pickup eggs and toilet paper. If I want serious discussion about sports, I'll text a buddy, ask you during the poker games or I'll browse the forums here. I'm definitely not turning on sports talk radio for intelligent discourse.

This town has been on an unprecedented run of success of the past 20 or so years. Most of the stuff on the radio dial is really boring, just like five hours of how great everything is (in sports) around here would be.
It would be boring because most radio hosts are lazy and hottakez is the path of least resistance to getting a mildly interesting show about sports. To not be lazy you actually have to watch and study games in depth so your takes are informed, measured, and have to do with what’s happening on the field. Most people don’t want to do that. That said, can’t say I blame them if the ratings are good. But I can judge them and say they suck.
 

bankshot1

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Joe and Evan on WFAN is the best sports talk show that I know of (obviously there's tons of sports radio I'm not familiar with). I love those guys. Fun. Funny. They talk sports, not other crap. They are fair. They're knowledgable. Very entertaining (especially when the Jets lose in brutal fashion). It's quality stuff and there's no trolling or hot takes or any crap like that. They're great.
This is spot on. I don't listen as much as I used to since there's not as much sports to talk about and most NY teams have been irrelevant but Evan takes his job seriously and is well prepared on most local teams and most national names, and Joe plays the part of the average sports loving guy, wearing his heart (Mets, Jets, Knicks) on his sleeve. And outside a few jabs at Boston teams (which is fair given their audience) they're a good listen. And 'm not aware of any local NYC-Fan host who deals in trolling like Felger does. IMO his contrarian troll schtick is a cover up for a lack of deep knowledge about some of the teams he talks about. and Mazz is a just a yes-man 2nd banana marching to Felger's tune.
 

HomeBrew1901

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This is spot on. I don't listen as much as I used to since there's not as much sports to talk about and most NY teams have been irrelevant but Evan takes his job seriously and is well prepared on most local teams and most national names, and Joe plays the part of the average sports loving guy, wearing his heart (Mets, Jets, Knicks) on his sleeve. And outside a few jabs at Boston teams (which is fair given their audience) they're a good listen. And 'm not aware of any local NYC-Fan host who deals in trolling like Felger does. IMO his contrarian troll schtick is a cover up for a lack of deep knowledge about some of the teams he talks about. and Mazz is a just a yes-man 2nd banana marching to Felger's tune.
I think the difference is that outside of the Yankees, NY Sports now is similar to what Boston Sports was when most of us were growing up in the 80's and 90's (and what I fear it will be for the next decade). Everyone was miserable or disappointed and there was no need to generate controversy because the teams were providing it on a regular basis.

I'm with Skrub on this about Felger, at times I enjoy his schtick and seeing people get riled up here and on the radio. At the same time I haven't listened to the show in the last few months for more than a few minutes because his schtick just doesn't interest me right now and I'm not commuting in the evening. I've said this before but Felger is better when he has someone that isn't too lazy to challenge him. Mazz has been beaten down for so long that it isn't worth his time or effort any more and that's disappointing so he's just happy with the paycheck. Murray flat out sucks.

I listen to Beetle and Zo more now because that's when I'm generally running errands and I enjoy the shit out of their show because you can tell that they are having fun and genuinely enjoying what they do.
 

bankshot1

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"... At the same time I haven't listened to the show in the last few months for more than a few minutes because his schtick just doesn't interest me right now and I'm not commuting in the evening. I've said this before but Felger is better when he has someone that isn't too lazy to challenge him. Mazz has been beaten down for so long that it isn't worth his time or effort any more and that's disappointing so he's just happy with the paycheck. Murray flat out sucks."

Thats where I'm at-its boring uninspired radio and Mazz just doesn't push back on Felger's contrarian poke you in the eye approach. I found listening to Felger too much like sitting in my NJ bar after the '03 ALCS and listening to pink-hat MFY fans bust my balls, I took it for awhile, but I needed a TO before I killed someone.

A few weeks ago I tuned in and Beetle did a show with Felger and he had the heft and inclination to be a good counterweight to Felger's BS and pushed Felger into a more rational discussion, I thought it was pretty good radio. IMO Felger needs his Mad Dog, but Mazz as you note, ain't it.
 

hube

New Member
Apr 4, 2010
230
Murray flat out sucks.

I listen to Beetle and Zo more now because that's when I'm generally running errands and I enjoy the shit out of their show because you can tell that they are having fun and genuinely enjoying what they do.
Murray is the worst one on the station, though it's close with Jones. Just the worst, know-nothing, dumb-coworker-level takes. And I hate his voice and delivery. Felger is a troll and Mazz is lazy, but Murray drags the show down even further. If I get in the car after 2pm, I automatically throw on the Sirius before I even pull out.


Beetle and Zo are dumb in an entirely different way, but it's always fun. Ever since Hardy's been there as a full-on third chair I've enjoyed that show the most.
 

bigq

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Jul 15, 2005
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I dislike Murray’s role on the afternoon show but I generally like him on Saturday mornings with Gasper. They generally focus on the Celtics which I can’t seem to get enough of.
 

Patriot_Reign

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Apr 21, 2011
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I feel like my soul would cringe if you were to elaborate on that.... so please do.
Some months ago and for whatever reason I don't recall, but the topic of recycling came up. And out of nowhere Big Jim announces that he does not, nor has ever, recycled. That in his world view, it's pointless and too much effort, so instead he just puts everything - glass bottles, aluminum cans, whatever - into a garbage bag.
I don't usually mind Murray (although he's super sensitive on Twitter) and actually think his Saturday show with Gasper is really good, but that was disgusting to listen to. Of all the things you can do to help out mankind taking a few moments to separate your recycling from your trash is as easy as it gets.
And of course F&M turned it into a meme. Jim even had a hat made with the 'one big bag' meme on it which shows up on the show from time to time.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Nov 16, 2004
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I dislike Murray’s role on the afternoon show but I generally like him on Saturday mornings with Gasper. They generally focus on the Celtics which I can’t seem to get enough of.
Ive said it here many times but Weekday JimMurray is awful. Weekend Jim is much better which’s is why he drives me nuts.

Felger and Mazz was great when Beetle was there with a spine. It’s unlistenable now.
 

amRadio

New Member
Feb 7, 2019
798
Holy crap. How lazy and selfish do you have to be? Soul cringed, for sure. I mean, I live in a place without trash pick up and I manage to sort my glass, plastic, cardboard etc. I don't think *that* is hard. I can't even imagine having respect for somebody who consciously decides that having to discern between the green bin and the trash is too much effort.
 

henrydog

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Dec 6, 2002
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Ive said it here many times but Weekday JimMurray is awful. Weekend Jim is much better which’s is why he drives me nuts.

Felger and Mazz was great when Beetle was there with a spine. It’s unlistenable now.
The only reason why Weekend Jim is better is because he's with Chris Gasper and Gasper is not a soulless troll but is really talented and can elevate him. Murray at one time was below replacement level but had his moments, but now that he's just a miserable lazy prick all the time he's completely useless (and on Twitter it's even worse).

Twitter Jim seems to be angling for a Barstool job because he keeps retweeting Kirk (prior to his time off) or Kirk show staff. Plus he's been letting his political colors fly a little and it's been been well... not surprising. Nothing that he's said, just what he likes and retweets.
 

joe dokes

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Jul 18, 2005
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Ehhhh, it's sports talk radio; it's not 60 Minutes. It's entertainment and something to make me laugh when doing mundane chores like driving to Market Basket to pickup eggs and toilet paper. If I want serious discussion about sports, I'll text a buddy, ask you during the poker games or I'll browse the forums here. I'm definitely not turning on sports talk radio for intelligent discourse.
You know the difference. That makes you the outlier among felger fans.
 

steveluck7

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May 10, 2007
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Plus he's been letting his political colors fly a little and it's been been well... not surprising. Nothing that he's said, just what he likes and retweets.
This. I don’t think it’s as much angling for a gig at Barstool as it is trying to fill the local void for “put upon grumpy white guy” left by the departures / irrelevance of Dennis, Callahan, and Minihane
 

amRadio

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Feb 7, 2019
798
There was a no hitter in MLB last night which means one thing to Felger and Mazz: an opportunity for them to talk about how stupid no-hitters are and how much they hate baseball.
 

Haunted

The Man in the Box
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Aug 23, 2006
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I guess once you've been proven demonstrably wrong and stupid on some opinion of yours, it's best to just dig in and hold to it.
 

Patriot_Reign

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Apr 21, 2011
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No issues whatsoever with Rask leaving the bubble to attend to a family emergency. But with what's been reported in that everything is now ok, is it not unfair to question why he hasn't returned to the bubble?
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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No issues whatsoever with Rask leaving the bubble to attend to a family emergency. But with what's been reported in that everything is now ok, is it not unfair to question why he hasn't returned to the bubble?
Yes, because his own statement when he left said nothing about an emergency (I know there was one and that's what the team was saying) or an intent to return once it was over. He opted out, he didn't temporarily leave the bubble (as some NBA players have done for family emergencies and funerals). His exact quote was "...at this moment there are things more important than hockey in my life, and that is being with my family." He has no intention of going back to Toronto and never did. The only fair thing to do is leave him alone.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
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Apr 23, 2010
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No issues whatsoever with Rask leaving the bubble to attend to a family emergency. But with what's been reported in that everything is now ok, is it not unfair to question why he hasn't returned to the bubble?
Yes, it's unfair. Because the well being of his family is his ,and his wife's, call, and it's approximately 1,000,0000 times more important than our entertainment.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
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Dec 19, 2009
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I suppose it would be expecting too much of Murray to realize that the reason recycling doesn't work, as he put it, is because too many people do what he does. The "Fuck everyone else and the planet, I NEED those extra 15 seconds I'll lose while sorting, else I won't have time to sit on my ass for an extra 15 seconds while more brain cells die" mentality is American to the nth degree.
 

Granite Sox

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Feb 6, 2003
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Mazz: "I'm sick and tired of people saying Bergeron is one of the best two-way centers in the league. He was invisible in this series.... I thought Carson Kuhlman was really good. HE should be playing on one of the top two lines and I don't understand why it took Cassidy so long to get there!"
 

nazz45

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Apr 16, 2003
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Felger trying to figure out how Toronto called a timeout so quickly after the Theis dunk with half second left. Kind of rough that Felger doesn’t know that the clock in the NBA stops after a made basket with under a minute left. Even worse that the two co-hosts don’t know either.
 

Helmet Head

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Jul 18, 2005
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Celtics win game 7 and pats win the opener.
Tune into Felger and Mazz and it’s all this guy sucks and that guy sucks. Had to turn it off. How is this enjoyable?
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Jan 23, 2009
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Celtics win game 7 and pats win the opener.
Tune into Felger and Mazz and it’s all this guy sucks and that guy sucks. Had to turn it off. How is this enjoyable?
It's both incredible and unsurprising at the same time. The peak of WEEI was the late 90s/early 2000s before the run of success really got going, when it was "fellowship of the miserable" 24/7. As the local teams had success and won titles, WEEI slowly started to soften the negativity. You might even say their hosts mellowed with age (because most of them are still lingering around since the 90s). Felger and Mazz are throwbacks to that miserable time, and it works because despite all the success in this town, negativity still sells better and drives ratings. People would much rather bitch about the teams (even if they have to twist themselves in knots to nitpick the style in which the teams win) than be happy about them. It's ingrained in too many Boston fans' DNA.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
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Dec 19, 2009
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Celtics win game 7 and pats win the opener.
Tune into Felger and Mazz and it’s all this guy sucks and that guy sucks. Had to turn it off. How is this enjoyable?
Because it makes Joe Sixpacks think that, but for different life choices/poor DNA/lack of drive/lack of actual skill, they could be out there playing the games the Right Way (TM) and gives them a voice to critique or lambaste those who can do what they can't, get paid millions to do it, and still have the audacity to express their opinions or personalities on-camera when given the opportunity.
 

Dim13

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Because it makes Joe Sixpacks think that, but for different life choices/poor DNA/lack of drive/lack of actual skill, they could be out there playing the games the Right Way (TM) and gives them a voice to critique or lambaste those who can do what they can't, get paid millions to do it, and still have the audacity to express their opinions or personalities on-camera when given the opportunity.
@Joe Sixpack
 

54thMA

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Aug 15, 2012
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Dakota called in yesterday and announced he is giving away $10K to a Twitter follower if the Celtics come back to beat the Heat in the series.

Felger: “Why do you call into talk radio if you have money like that to give away?”

View: https://twitter.com/dakotadamus/status/1306788688534306817?s=21
That ballbag has twitter followers?

Him, Carlton from Norwell and Mike from Canton are/were three of the biggest nitwits to ever pollute sports talk radio in Boston, so glad I stopped listening to all of it years ago.