From Teddy Greenstein tonight:

McNeil clears air as suspension ends
Sends e-mail apology to TV executive
Teddy Greenstein
ON SPORTS MEDIA AND COLLEGES

July 25, 2007

A contrite Dan McNeil will return to the air Wednesday, confident he can play by ESPN's rules.

"Like they say, when in doubt, leave it out," McNeil said. "That hasn't always been my style. But it's something I can do."

ESPN-owned WMVP-AM 1000 suspended McNeil on June 27 after he insulted a female TV executive on the air. McNeil, the lead dog of the afternoon "Mac, Jurko & Harry" show, has been off the air ever since.

The penalty was harsh, but McNeil acknowledged crossing the line with his crude reference to Comcast SportsNet's Lissa Druss Christman, a longtime adversary.

Late last week, he apologized to Christman via e-mail.

"I sent her an e-mail, it was unreturned, and that's OK," he said.

Christman confirmed receiving the e-mail but declined further comment.

Asked whether he regrets what he said on the air, McNeil replied: "I have a lot of regrets. I regret I was reckless with my words that seemingly have injured somebody. I regret that I left my audience alone for four weeks. I regret that as a result of this, I had to make co-workers shuffle their schedules."

McNeil said he was "hurt" by a comment from WMVP general manager Jim Pastor. In announcing the suspension, Pastor said it was "not based solely on the inappropriate comment he made on the air, but an inappropriate comment made by a person with a history of disciplinary problems."

Said McNeil: "I understand where he's coming from. He has had to deal with a handful of messes my show has created, but at the same time I think it's inaccurate to paint me as some incorrigible, uncooperative monster.

"I've worked with four program directors here and have willingly and cheerfully given them Chicago baptisms. I've worked in concert with sales, doing whatever they ask. My e-mails and voice mails over the last four weeks indicate that producers and fellow hosts respect me.

"When I hear disciplinary problem, I think: 'Aw, man. The guy is not punctual, he makes life miserable on co-workers, he can't sit through a remote and not drink until 7 o'clock.' "

McNeil said he made good use of his time away. He took family and friends on a fishing trip to Canada, played golf, tried to get in shape and "did lots of Mr. Mom-type stuff."

He's fired up to return to a busy sports landscape. And despite a history of suspensions, McNeil believes he can thrive and keep himself out of trouble.

"I can't do it any other way but by being me, and that means bringing the hammer down on somebody and being edgy if it dictates," he said.

"[But] I understand more specifically what the cans and can-nots of ESPN radio are and I will continue to do the most entertaining show I possibly can under the guidelines."

Score one for WSCR

For Mike North, it was like cranking 50 homers in a free-agent year. His 4.6 spring rating among men 25-54 represents his best since his move to mornings at WSCR-AM 670.

For WMVP's "Mac, Jurko & Harry," it was like batting .240 in an otherwise Hall of Fame career. Their rating fell more than 30 percent, to 3.2, among adult men.

The numbers, released Tuesday, were so one-sided in favor of the Score, one industry analyst called them "shocking."

The Score beat WMVP 3.9-2.8 (percentage of radios tuned into a station) among men 25-54 and 1.9-1.3 among listeners 12 and older.

In the winter book, the stations tied in the 12-plus category and WMVP won 3.7-3.2 among adult men.

North had never beaten ESPN's "Mike and Mike" among men 25-54 before this book, in which he scored a 4.6-4.3 victory.

"I'm going against guys who were just on Letterman," North said. "It's pretty gratifying."

The timing couldn't be better for North, who has one year left on his contract and is set to begin negotiations on a new deal.

The "Mac, Jurko & Harry" dip came as a surprise. The Score's "Boers & Bernstein" beat them handily, 3.9-3.2.

Could McNeil's suspension, which began with a handful of days left in the spring book, have contributed?

One analyst speculated that because listeners fill out their diaries at the end of each month, it could have had an effect.

WMVP officials were not available for comment. They were busy going over their rules and punishment for those that violate their rules.

Going national

Tom Waddle can get by on little sleep. One weekend in June he moonlighted at the NFL Network in Los Angeles before returning to Chicago on a red-eye flight that arrived early Monday morning. Then he did his 9 a.m.-noon radio show at WMVP.

"I got one hour of sleep at the airport and four on the plane," Waddle said. "With four kids in the house, I'm lucky if I get five hours anyway."

Those Sunday-Monday duties will become Waddle's routine this fall.

In a deal that will be announced later this week, Waddle has signed on with the NFL Network to appear each Sunday on "The Scorecard," its afternoon highlights/analysis show. The former Bears receiver also will continue to co-host Fox's "The Final Word" Sunday nights.

"This is a great opportunity," Waddle said. "But I also love what I do at ESPN [Radio] and Fox. This is just on top of that."

....and the MJH ratings dip coincidentally came as they scaled back on reading good emails.

I guess this might be the hair up Harry's ass and I won't blame him for going off on Mac. Your coming of a 2 week bitch slapping (no Pun Intened) and Mac is clearly throwing Harry under the bus here. He missed "Having inturn pull in car to parking garage".

Should be fireworks tomorrow with Harry.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I don't view it that way... he's talking hypothetically. Everybody knows they're not even supposed to drink alcohol at remotes. Even though I thought they were 'events'. If that ruffles somebody's feathers, then so be it.

I would guess that most MJH listeners who happened to get the arbitron rating invitation used it as an opportunity to show their displeasure. They wil win the ratings again in the next book, but if ESPN continues to poorly manage problems like this, then it is only a matter of time before the audience gets turned off.

Message to ESPN 1000: There is no excuse to have the biggest draw in your station off the air for a month.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I also wondered about that line STU. I sounded like a shot at Harry to me.
Mac obviously did't use much of his vacation time for introspective self-analysis.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

Grid put the bong down..You of all people should know that Mac has called Harry out on the air for being late to production meetings , being a tool to interns and wanting to drink during remotes.

You know the show better than anyone and I thought you would be the guy to point this out.

This would explain Harry's comments at the end of the show today. I will bet anyone this will be discussed.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I thought the same as STU & Reason. It's maybe not the best time for Mac to make this statement but it doesn't make the statement any less true. If Harry is not guilty of any of those things then he should have no problem. If he is guilty, then maybe he should consider some introspective self-analysis.

Here's what I take away from the article, and I called it weeks ago:

"[But] I understand more specifically what the cans and can-nots of ESPN radio are and I will continue to do the most entertaining show I possibly can under the guidelines."

Graphically speaking:

ESPN1000 management will get what their rules dictate - watered down politically correct vanilla wafer programming.

The countdown clock is at 35 months and counting down.

Anybody else think Waddle has the potential to turn in to a slightly more likeable version of Salisbury?

I'm pretty sure the Son of Sam killer from the Bronx is Burning has that potential too.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Relax guys. It wasn't a shot at Harry. When has Mac ever veiled his criticisms of the Tiny one?

[[/quote]

Put 35th Street slick back on the phone , he's more insightful.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I wonder if Salisbury has a gig at ESPN this Fall. They hired a lot of former jocks (Keyshawn/Emmitt) and I only saw one guy shown the door (Irvin).

You know Grid, only one of the two in that picture ended up with all their wits.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

Question for the next Ask Mac thread:
Do you feel you need to censor your criticism of individuals in chicago sports because of this incident?
Has a clear line been drawn as to who is and who isn't fair game for criticism?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Stu, I don't know jack squat that goes no behind the scenes at ESPN1000. I'm nothing more than a casual acquaintence.

Rules are rules though... if ESPN rules indicate that interns should be treated with respect (which I highly doubt), that production meetings are mandatory (which I also doubt, but it would lend to solid professionalism) and there's not drinking allowed at remotes (at least for the first 75% of the show I'd assume) - then everybody at the station should be held to the same standards.

Hell, I've been to some of these remotes where one of the hosts shows up about 15 minutes before airtime. ...and there's a trend in radio shows where the hosts aren't even in the same building.

If you're looking for insight, I suggest you try here:

[[/quote]

You must have a cot in the back sleeping when the shows going on then . When hasn't he taken shots at Harry should be the question.

I love Mac don't get me wrong Finji but if your an everyday listner of the show which a lot of us are, it sounded like Mac was venting about the treatment he got from you dickhead boss and wanted it to be known that shit rolls down hill. To me and a few other here it sounded like a shot and Mac might change his tune and deflect it but it is what it is to me.

If Mac wants to come on here and dispute than I'll call it a bad judgement on my part. He can't tell us he was misquoted or can he ?

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

Don't kid yourself. That's only what happened 'in the building'. In all actuality, the 'witless' guy went on to make millions elsewhere, and the one with the wits ended up dwindling down to nothing, and ultimately dying.

Hey Stu, why don't you make it to Real Time Sports on Friday. First rounds on the Gridster. You don't live THAT far from there according to Slapnuts.

Then you can ask Mac and Harry in person.

[

Pull this leg it plays jinglebells.... You still did not answer the question.(What is it with you guys giving staright answers) . You pretty much stated that those quotes were aimed at Harry but my question is to you again why Mac would bring those things to light?

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I don't consider that 'throwing anybody under a bus' though.

Like I said, go to the 'event' and ask the guys.

I would think it would be pretty difficult to work with somebody day after day if you disliked them that much.

I think you're making more out of it than what it really is.

Just don't pull the wrong leg, you might get your eye shot out.

I'm WASHING THE GRAVEL IN MY AQURIUM THAT DAY..If I get home in time from Atlanta that day I'll stop by.

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"NEED a friend...Buy a dog"..

I was referring to the characters in the movie. It was not a critique of the actor's careers post One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest. You're a touchy little bastard aren't you? We all end up ultimately dying, no?

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

Touchy... now that you mention it - yes I am. Time to clean the pipes - have a good night.

A couple of observations.

"I have a lot of regrets. I regret I was reckless with my words that seemingly have injured somebody."

This sounds like Mac still doesn't understand why what he said was offensive.

"I understand where he's coming from. He has had to deal with a handful of messes my show has created, but at the same time I think it's inaccurate to paint me as some incorrigible, uncooperative monster.

Why is that incorrect? Mac has been suspended more than once for his behavior. I just wonder what words would more accurately describe this behavior.

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President of Blake Shetlon fan club

One parting thought...



Jim Pastor in his mid-70s?

Like I said, Mac must not have had time for any introspective self-analysis on his extended hiatus. He's got more North in him than many here would like to admit.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

I thought you had salami to slap? Now get on with it.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

My guess is he took care of both at the same time.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!