Kindred spirits. Bonnie and Clyde. Heckle and Jeckle. Trinidad and Tobago. Null and Void. Mike Francesa and Jimmy Dolan.
If recent radio/TV form holds, Mike Francesa’s departure from YES after 12 magical years will be followed by his simulcast presence on Dolan’s MSG Network. In a world that trades on bad faith, compromised integrity and conflicted interests, it makes modern sense.
Dolan and Francesa — lately observed in close, friendly quarters — are so similar it’s spooky. Both are so accomplished at losing the respect and winning the contempt of all around them, it stands to reason they would be attracted to each other — at least in the short haul.
Both are Long Island mansion-dwellers who make it clear that outside of celebrities and those who can do them favors, there’s no one worth treating decently. Everyone’s beneath them, it’s just a matter of how far.
Both are joyless, humorless about themselves. Both reject criticism as jealous nonsense — a standout trait among those who consider themselves the center of the universe, orbited by yes-men with one eye on the buttered side of their bread.
While Francesa’s studio co-workers often are relieved to be free from him — even his cohost bolted — Dolan has left scores of ex-Madison Square Garden and Cablevision employees in a state of good riddance.
Neither, given two decades to get something right, get anything right. Still, they know much more and much better than all. Hey, both are due!
And so it seems Francesa, later this winter, can be expected to share his expertise on all matters — from the AL East to the Middle East — with MSG’s audiences. And on MSG’s four channels, there never is a shortage of programming shortages.
It would be Francesa’s second deal with MSG. Pre-Dolan, he hosted a weeknights, on-site “talk-of-the-Garden” show, which he wrecked in Francesa fashion — allowing guests to listen to the answers to his questions, while, off-air, whittling at the nerves of MSG Network staff who found him, sooner than later, insufferable.
Now Francesa seems eager to spend his last days with YES in maudlin self-lament to his noble nature, as a martyr to free speech, claiming he’s in some part being dumped by the Yanks’ network (co-owned with FOX and Goldman Sachs) because of his obdurate support for Alex Rodriguez.
Sounds great. After all, even Francesa has the inalienable right to be wrong. All the time, too. But as they say in the stand-up, “Stop, you’re killing me!”
Has there ever been a person who solicits then takes phone calls in a public forum who more quickly limits — by interrupting or disconnecting — the free speech of callers? And that goes triple for dissenters with Francesa’s opinions and those who try to protest his fabricated “facts.”
No one who pretends to invite shared, open debate and thought has been as intolerant of such a purpose, more given to quickly ending such exchanges with an insult then elimination. And the more intelligent a dissenter may sound, the speedier his extermination.
That’s why Francesa’s show is now predominated by dutiful sycophants — who else would indulge being placed on hold to speak with him for a half-sentence before risking his self-smitten wrath? — and put-on artists, eager to take him on a ride. His self-delusion has paid him back in quality dilution.
Yes, the stars are aligned. The only logical TV regency that would grant Francesa exile is a serfdom owned and operated by Jimmy Dolan. Kindred spirits, like Grin and Bear It.
Questions spoken by a non-person attorney:
When Roger Goodell blessed PSLs as “good investments,” did he consider this season the Giants are charging for four must-buy exhibition games: two in August, two in December?
Why do so many high-profile defense lawyers slick back their hair?
Rutgers last week quickly signed Greg Whittington, a 6-foot-8 power forward, after he had been booted from Georgetown. So, who has a better chance to receive a second-chance full scholarship to a prestigious college after being booted from a prestigious college, an accomplished biology major or an accomplished point guard?
With so many imported (on loan?) college basketball players, many who speak little English, why can’t a TV guy or gal (with or without an interpreter), ask, “So, Tibor, with such limited English, how were you able to enroll? Take classes? How will you be able to matriculate? Graduate?”
Who writes Brad Benson’s material?
Having watched several N.C. State games on ESPN or the ACC Network, why did I never hear leading rusher Shadrach Thornton had a deal to delay prosecution of a June sexual assault arrest until after the season? Or did I miss that? Last week Thornton was suspended after he was named, though not charged as yet, in another alleged sexual assault.
Anyone disappointed that in his Heisman acceptance speech Jameis Winston didn’t thank the Florida State yahoos in the prosecutors’ office for their leisurely, highly suspicious behavior investigating rape charges against him?
Does it seem the Knicks do so much in-game celebrating of themselves — chest-pounding, gestures, hand signals, et al — because they know they’re unlikely to be celebrating after the game?
Ya think it’s time Courtside Clyde Frazier bashed these guys for acts of unjustified immodesty? How did Frazier’s Knicks win two championships without demonstrating such “natural enthusiasm”?
Catch of the Week:
WINS sports anchor Spencer Ross noted Mack Brown will end his 16-year career as the coach of Texas, in of all games, the Alamo Bowl.
Need a stocking stuffer for a Red Sox/baseball fan? MLB Productions, maker of quality videographies crafted by quality folks, has released its 2013 World Series DVD/Blu-Ray, $30 through MLB.com and many retail outlets.
For all the U.S. networks loading up on European soccer — ESPN, FOX, NBC — it’s time they began to tell a filthy truth: Among Europe’s soccer fans — especially organized, let’s-meet-in-the-street clubs — illogical, hate-filled World War II-style fascism and racism is neither dead nor resting; it’s thriving.
NBC, in recognition of the dawn of the 21st Century, will air women’s Olympic figure skating live from Russia, in the morning, here, before repeating it in prime time.
Islanders’ MSG analyst Butch Goring, Tuesday, noticed that after Thomas Vanek shanked a shot, he did what players do after such things: He examined his stick, “as if it was the stick’s fault.”