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For those who missed it, a few odd transitions have prompted questions and curiosity about Terry. He's made a few comments the past month or so about his friendship with me (his lack of interest in friendship in general). More recently, he brought up he's at odds with the station on some things and told me something like "It's not about you, but it has to do with you."
Terry is a tough putt to read. Let me try.
Terry doesn't trust many people. He depatred from that "keep-em-at-an-arm's-length mantra and trusted me about 18 years ago. I was a buddy and a reliable, trustworthy business partner. Boers is playful with almost everybody, but it's clear when somebody "wants in" just a little bit more, he has anxiety over friendship and pulls away. Long before Terry and I met, he lost a close male friend. They wrote at the Lansing Sun-Journal together and were attached at the hip in their early 20s. I didn't know a thing about this until after I quit the Score in 2000, when Boers told me he didn't want to know that pain again so he kept everybody at a distance, until about '92 when we launched the HFC.
My life has been more interesting with Terry in it. I've laughed a lot with him. Went through the death of mutual friend Gene Seymour in 1996 with him. Cried with him more than once, including at his sons' weddings. We partied and giggled at both of mine. I think the world of his wife Carol and so did my first wife. We were a pretty tightly knit group and it was a very satisfying time in my life... being in that circle of friends when the Score was young. There is nothing about Terry and his family that isn't genuine.
What he said recently about our run together and time spent together being a great thing for him is about all that needs to be said about our personal relationship.
On the work side, we've had just two discussions since June. He wasn't happy with my choice of Teddy Greenstein as a Spiegs sub this summer. After a few days of observing his overt withdrawal from transitions and from me, I called him and asked what's up. He said he still thinks Teddy G is a piece of shit and believes Jason and Matt should get some chances.
I told him that's a conversation he needs to have with Mitch. FTR, I'm all for giving Jason and Matt air time. We've been putting Jason on to talk Bulls. He's solid on Da Boo and gives us a much-needed connect with a younger audience. I hadn't thought much about having them partner with me on a non-Spiegs day, but I mulled it over for a several weeks.
In November, when I needed a sub in a pinch because Lawrence -- who was sitting in for Meatpants -- was sick, I asked Mitch for Jason and Matt and was denied. I asked for Teddy G and also was told no, so that none of the other guys' feathers were ruffled. This event marked the only one that's really gotten my blood up since I came back.
I told Mitch -- and Terry on the phone later that night -- that it was bullshit. I was jammed up at 7 a.m. waiting on Cory McPherrin's return call. Told 'em there is no f'in way I was starting the practice of getting permission from other hosts to do anything between 9 and 1. Can't do it. I told Terry I went to bat for Jason and Matt and was told no, so if I think Teddy G is what's best, that's what we're going to do. He didn't like it much.... went off about the stuff Teddy wrote when he was on sports media for the Tribune. I let him vent for a bit and then said "Stop. That's old shit, man. This is today and for today, I want the best sound possible coming out of the box." He went with it... it was handled calmly and he only requested when I have Teddy G in for Spiegel, or he's in for me with Matt, that his name not be mentioned in discussion. That was the end of it.
I have had discussions with Mitch about Jason and Matt and I've talked to Jason and Matt. They all have talked to each other. I'd be most comfortable if you asked THEM about this. Mitch is the program director. Get him, or Goff and/or Drinky, to answer these questions about the on-air roles. I'm only comfortable telling you about my small experience in this little web. We can have Jason in to do Bulls stuff. We will do that.
As for Terry's state of mind on the station... it could be a couple things. Terry didn't seem to want to do the B&B roast. As a favor to Mitch, and for the benefit of the station, I worked Terry on it so he'd do it. Told him all those years when management was kissing the Monsters' rings, he and I sometimes resented it. We never failed to credit Mike and Dan, but they went to several Super Bowls and other trips first and were treated like they mattered more. I told Terry the station, by the roast and recognizing 10 years of B&B, was making the statement "You're our franchise show." I don't think that's overstating it, either. Because I think this event means connecting with the audience, team building among air staff and producers, etc., recapturing the old Score fraternity house feel, I was pleased Mitch asked me to assist and get Terry on board. Terry's going to do the roast... and I think he'll enjoy reminding me that "I wouldn't be doin' this is if I didn't let your dumbass talk me into it." It'll be a fun event and the first chance for getting all the shows and many listeners together for a night of revelry.
Terry's "weirdness" the last year or so also could be he's feeling his age and isn't thrilled with doing five hours a day. That extended shift started when I came back. Maybe he connects them. Remember?: "It's not about you, but it has to do with you." He knew I was stoked for the return of transition, but that I had nothing to do with them having to start at 1. I suspect it's this or the other thing I mentioned above. Maybe it's both. Maybe it's that Terry likes to have people guessing about what's going on between his ears.
In summation, the truth is that we've been enjoying the vibe between the shows lately. It's a much healthier culture at the station now. And winning helps that enormously. All three major dayparts beat ESPN in the fall book. In December, all three shows were No.1 M25-54. Ratings wise and for diversity of shows, plausible arguments could be made the Score has never been better.
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