For the first time since our unceremonious divorce a little more than eight years ago, Terry and I recently discussed the realization that a reunion is highly unlikely. While we both would welcome that opportunity, contracts that expire at different times and "climates" at both stations make a HFII a long shot proposition. There is an FM option out there, but it's a long shot.

With that in mind, I thought maybe the weekend or early next week would be a good time for me to sit down and respond to your questions, criticisms and suggestions. It's been some time now. Fire away.

I'll take the first question right now. I'm doing terrific, STU-GOTZ. And thank you for asking.

Hey Mac,
Do you think the MJH combo is going to remain MJH or do you think it will be MJ?

When will Big 10 / College Football talk get more MJH play?

We've hired Howard Griffith as our college insider. His first visit in the studio was top shelf and all of us immediately said "Let's do this every week." HG will be with us for two segments - in studio - today at 4:00. Howard was an excellent guest when he was Terrell Davis' blocking back in his Denver days and he's a well prepared, warm analyst for the Big Ten Network (and now, us).

We also had Ron Zook on Wednesday at 2:20. And unlike his last stop, which fell short of some of the expectations here, we inquired about injuries and his offensive line. You post it here, we say it there.

Mac,

You seem to be the only one at the station that regularly posts here. I know Zederman and Finji are registered, but they dont post all that often, and Harry stopped posting all together after like 6 posts. Do you think Harry got tired of all the shots at him and thats why he stopped posting here, and does the management at the station regard this board as a useful resource or a general nuisance?

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

My Dear Friend Cheesy Mac,
What is more foul smelling, Harry during a tequila binge, or John in general?
Your soon to be stalker,
Evil J.A.C.K.
P.S.
I know your're doing just fine. So I will tell you that I am not. My orderly has not changed my colostomy bag in three days and it is just bursting at the seams.

_________________
My Mother was a witch...she was burned alive
Thankless little bitch, for the tears I cried
Take her down now, don't wanna see her face.
All blistered and burnt, can't hide my disgrace.
Am I evil? Yes. I am.

I'm only half-way through a five-year deal. Jurko is up next summer, if memory serves. None of the three of us have discussed (at least, to my knowledge) any changes in the short-term.

I've noticed more college football talk, interviews of late and I've enjoyed it. Kudos on getting Zook and Griffith on. Also, I know you hate player interviews but Rashard Mendenhall is a local kid and has been a good interview when I've seen him if you wanted to check it out. J. Leman is also pretty outspoken and a different kind of guy. I think a communication major also. Ask him about his diet if you get him on.

Things have been too negative in here lately. This is still a damn good show and better than most of the other garbage around the dial, so, thumbs up.

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You know me like that.

Good stuff, Mac. In general, I think it would be great if the three of you talk college ball a little more (with or without a guest).

You forgot to mention Harry's lifetime contract.

I just vomited, I think.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

If Green Bay didn't spit the bit against the Bears, you would have been hearing A LOT MORE college football. This is decidedly a Bears/Cubs town, but when they fade into Bolivian, it makes it easier to slip out to the perimeter.

As for morning drive somewhere. I have spent the last 16 years doing afternoons. I would welcome a new challenge... a little change, maybe. My "body clock," however, has been trained to spend mornings quietly reading the papers, the message boards, writing, exercising, golfing, fishing, etc. My whole day is about "gearing up" for taking people home from their work days. Habits are hard to change. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, but the lifestyle change would cost anybody seven digits+. I doubt anyone would want to pony up that tender to a guy with no record of a morning audience.

Aren't you sick of being a slave to the wheel with the stupid, update repeats?

Why not? 670 did it for North. That was money well spent.

The wheel is a necessary evil, GK. I'd love a little more flexibility, but it's not the ESPN way and as get older and hoepfully and, hopefully, more mature, I try not to gnash teeth over the things I cannot control.

As for North's deal, SID, I think the deal serves as exhibit A for a station to NOT roll dice on a newcomer to that very difficult daypart.

I hear you. But you gotta admit, this is pretty weird...



He's quite a Bible thumper though so he may not be a perfect fit for "The Afternoon Saloon".

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You know me like that.

They've been en fuego this week.

How are you hitting the ball these days Mackie? I read an article about John Daly where he said he actually played worse when he lost weight because he started to overswing. WEIRD ( ) huh??

you guys need more shows like you had on tuesday where you more or less shoot from the hip. you guys are always good, but i havent been that entertained by am radio in a while so, thumbs up for that

also, thumbs up to finji's postgame, and carmen and jhood with the show. they've all been steadily improving and i find myself tuning in more and more after 6:00

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Mac, I really can't see you doing mornings. Yeah I'd listen but your style doesn't fit well for a morning show for me. Just like I don't think B&B sound right in afternoons still. They were a perfect fit for mid-days and wish they'd have stayed there. North's shtick doesn't work well for me at any time and him being on in the mornings just makes it worse.

You wouldn't have enough time for all the painstaking preparation you do.

No time to get your fingers on the pulse.

My birthday is coming up in a few short months. Are you planning on getting me anything?

Can I throw out my Team of Destiny T-shirt that I got at the last MJH remote?

1. As one who criticized the earlier Zook interview, kudos on the last one.

2. Concerning everyone's favorite topic: Hockey. I'll admit that I was as irked as the caller yesterday re the "We're not talking hockey line", yet we were provided talk about an NBA exhibition game. Given the total number of people on average who attend pro hockey games in this town (Wolves and Hawks), why is your station so eager to omit hockey from discussion? Is there market research on this? If so, who are they asking? In the same vein, who cares about the crappy product that is the NBA? Michael Jordan is long gone and the league as a whole sucks. Again, is there market research showing that the NBA is something people really care about? (The only difference I can see is that ESPN airs the NBA, just like it airs that NASCAR crap, so it is pushed on us). That being said, I completely understand and realize that Wirtz completed screwed the pooch on not showing home games and basically caused this situation to happen.

3. Which brings me to: Have you interviewed Rocky or Peter since the old man died? If not, why not? Do you think there is a back story as to why Rocky has taken over the Hawks? Is it because Peter wanted to put the Hawks home games on TV and the old man made a deathbed plea that it not happen? Don't you think pounding on Hawks management for some answers could make interesting radio?

I'll hang up and listen for my answer.

HELP FINJI!!!!
THIS SECTION NEEDS THE HOCKEY HORN!!!!

_________________
“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Fixed!

Damn,
I must be some kinda moron or something.
I always thought that TV execs pay billions of dollars to televise certain sports cause that's what the audience demands to watch.
Now I come to find out I had it all assbackwards.

Peter,
I think you'd make a fine owner for the Blackhawks.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

I have to agree with Peter. I think it would be good to have a little more hockey talk on the show. Maybe a segment or two a week. If not that, then at least stop hitting the hockey horn every time it actually comes up. And since Mac is such good friends with Savard, I'm sure a lot of fans would like to hear his thoughts every so ofter. Even Eddie Olczyk(sp) would be a good guest. The old man has passed, let's move away from the past.

My Dear Friend SlappySour,
Finally! A good one! It only took 1900 posts but you did it, and all by yourself! This one is going on my Fridge.
You,
Evil J.A.C.K.

_________________
My Mother was a witch...she was burned alive
Thankless little bitch, for the tears I cried
Take her down now, don't wanna see her face.
All blistered and burnt, can't hide my disgrace.
Am I evil? Yes. I am.

Shouldn't you be on a controlled diet? Why do you have a fridge?

_________________
You know me like that.