O&A, D&M: SUSPENDED!

[The Blowhard]

Radio Duos Suspended For Feuding on Shows
Don & Mike, Opie & Anthony Off Air

By Paul Farhi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 30, 2002; Page C01

Infinity Broadcasting has sent feuding radio duos Don and Mike and Opie and Anthony to their rooms, suspending both teams for their on-air sniping at each other last week.

Live editions of both "The Don & Mike Show" and "The Opie & Anthony Show" were pulled from the air Tuesday and yesterday by Infinity, the New York-based broadcasting giant that employs all four men and syndicates their daily programs to 70 stations nationwide. In this area, the shows are heard on WJFK-FM.

On their late-afternoon program, Opie and Anthony (Greg Hughes and Anthony Cumia) have repeatedly knocked industry veterans Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara. Their jibes revolved primarily around Don and Mike's low audience ratings on WNEW, O&A's station in New York.

Geronimo and O'Meara ignored the cracks until last Thursday, when the pair responded with a lengthy, insult-laden tirade slamming Opie and Anthony's ratings in Washington.

What makes the feud unusual is that both sets of hosts work for the same company and are heard consecutively on many of the same stations, including WJFK.

Listeners expecting to hear the two programs live over the past two days instead heard repeats of earlier programs. A brief announcement preceding Tuesday's "Don and Mike" program said the hosts were extending their Memorial Day vacations.

In fact, Geronimo said in an interview yesterday that he and O'Meara were ordered to stay off the air by Infinity executives, who cited the ongoing feud. Geronimo said he wouldn't be on the air on Thursday, but didn't know how long he'd have to sit out after that.

"I was told not to go to work Tuesday and today," the house-bound deejay said. "I'm [angry], but the people I feel bad for are our listeners, the people who support us day in and day out. . . . . We want to be at work. We want to be at the station. We don't want to be sitting around in some stupid girl fight."

Hughes and Cumia were also told by the company not to report to work, according to people at WNEW. One source said the program, which airs from 3 to 7 p.m., after "Don & Mike," would resume live broadcasts on Friday.

Calls to WJFK station manager Alan Leinwand and WNEW station manager Ken Stevens weren't returned yesterday.

The suspensions belie the notion that the crossfire is a stunt cooked up by both camps to boost ratings. Although listener interest may have been piqued by the dispute, removing the hosts from the air indicates that Infinity isn't trying to profit from the brouhaha. The use of recorded programs undoubtedly will drive away some listeners, which could affect both programs' audience totals during the quarterly ratings period.

Infinity's management apparently fears that greater damage would be done by permitting the internecine warfare to continue. Due to low ratings, "Don & Mike" is already on the verge of cancellation in New York, the nation's largest radio market, and the continued lashing from O&A can only hasten the exodus of advertisers and listeners from the show.

Infinity once had high hopes for both programs. Last year, it began marketing the two shows to radio stations, along with Howard Stern's morning program (also heard on WJFK), in a bid to provide an all-day block of programming that appeals strongly to men.

That effort was a failure; so far, only WJFK, an Infinity-owned station, airs all three programs. While about 50 stations nationwide carry "Don & Mike," and about 20 air "Opie & Anthony," the syndicated package of all three has found no takers.

This isn't Don & Mike's first time in the cooler. The duo were suspended for about 10 days last summer when they began talking about another WJFK personality, G. Gordon Liddy. Liddy's program had been canceled by the station, and the host was in the midst of negotiating with another local station, WTNT-AM, when Infinity stepped in to prevent D&M from commenting.

Geronimo said yesterday he

[JustinR]

now we all know it isnt fake.

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[sexy bastard]

see now anthony wil lstay an extra day in the hamptons
lol
that was cheesy sorry

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www.leohernandez.net
the epitome of masculinity (yeah right)

[Earth2RON]

Ron&Fez radios stairway to heaven.one live show aint bad when you really look at it:(

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"Every night i wish upon
a star only wanna be with you i just wanna be everywhere you are my bodys callin' out your name"LORENA" tell me that you feel the same "Brian Mcknight"

[french bread pizza]

man it really sucks too..both days i tried to listen to OA and got so pissed..i thought it was just wysp doing it in philly until today...i hope it's not true.

i wonder why OA didn't comment, they are ususally always ready to get the publicity...but i guess don felt the need to get in the last word after anthony blew him away with his cameo on RF..but then again i still thing DM are in trouble, and they know it, and are trying to cover and salvage allthey can with the press..OA are sitting pretty and on top of the world..they can't be stopped..and they won't stop..uh uh uh represent huh uh uh

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thank you game guy :-D

[TheGameHHH]

I just can't wait to hear live WNEW come friday. <P>


IT'S TIME TO PLAY THE GAME-AHHH!

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Thanks Fallon for the sig!

[PanterA]

Why does Don aways have to ham it up to the reporters? There isnt one quote from Opie or Anthony yet it seems Don invited the reporters into his house.

It all seems like a desperate attempt to get ANYONE to talk about his show.

It's sad if starting radio wars is the only way you can get your show in the paper.

http://www.members.aol.com/rnfpantera/rfsig4I crush the rush! I rule you fool!

This message was edited by PanterA on 5-30-02 @ 3:34 AM

[Yerdaddy]

Looks like one of the suits grew a set.

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This message was edited by someone with more sense.

[Tall_James]

I hate these wacky radio stunts.

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So Cheezy! So Talented! Thanks CZM!

[DJEvelEd]

Thanx for the 411. I diddn't even realize Don&Mike were repeats. I'm preparing the popcorn and raisinettes for Friday's show. Put your seatbelt on!!!

>>HETEROSEXUALS 4 AL DUKES<<

[Doogie]

This is obviously a fake story cause it is not corroborated by Ken, WJFK, or O and A. O and A never said that they would be back on Tuesday, Don and Mike did...that is what makes this fake

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"Are you going to bark all day little doggie, or are you going to bite??"- Mr Blonde

[Rev]

fake or not, it sux hearing repeats of Opie n' Anthony(don n' mike suck on repeat, best of, and live reguardless, so it dont matter).

xoxoxo,
Rev

<IMG SRC="http://spookyguy.freeservers.com/images/lesbian.gif">

[Dudeman]

wnew is on the air other than from 7-11pm? who cares... ron & fez are the only talented ones there.

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thanks wwfallon!

[Hosp]

Don is (or was) the program director for wjfk and since it was a washington post article it makes sense that they would speak to him.

I think this whole deal hurts O&A a lot worse because they have a huge event this weekend in the softball game and being off the entire week before doesn't let them promote it.

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Dutch:Griezel
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[fatty]

yeah i was thinking that too hosp, but most of the tickets had already sold already so it's probably not too big a deal.

i don't think it's fake, why would anyone have to fake hating don and mike?

i just hope they still talk about it when they come back, and get revenge for the bullshit show don and mike did last friday.

<IMG SRC=http://www.whyy.org/edison/tech/andre/big1.gif>
I love it when they call me big poppa.
I only smoke blunts if they roll proppa.

[MrMarcus]

Does this mean that Ron & Fez are the winners of the radio wars by default!

[The Blowhard]

Does this mean that Ron & Fez are the winners of the radio wars by default!



They still have to deal with "The Evil" Eddie Trunk and his minions!

<img src=http://www.ltrooster.homestead.com/files/HecklerFootAnimation.gif>

[DarkHippie]

damn that eddie trunk!!

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this sig is the masterpiece of the cheesy one
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living on the road, my friend, was supposed to keep us free and clean.
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<a href=http://www.freeopendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A537085>Transcendental Blues: a journal</a>

[MrMarcus]

Ron & Fez = Remaining Jedi Knights

Eddie Trunk = Sith Lord!

[Dr. Klahn]

Damn, I didn't know we were allowed to mention Eddie again.

~~~~~~~~~~~<br>We are building a fighting force of extraordinary magnitude. We forge out spirits in the tradition of our ancestors. You have out gratitude<br><br>Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes.

[zathrus]

So, that's why O&A are playing
repeats.


<img src="http://tseery.homestead.com/files/zathruscastle.jpg" width=300 height=100>

[synthfiend]

Opie and Anthony (Greg Hughes and Anthony Cumia) have repeatedly knocked industry veterans Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara......Geronimo and O'Meara ignored the cracks until last Thursday, when the pair responded with a lengthy, insult-laden tirade slamming Opie and Anthony's ratings in Washington.
Yeah it figures that the news would make it all Opie and Anthony's fault. Because Don and Mike finally had enough and HAD to fight back. Uggh. Hypocrisy sickens me.

Justice, like Lightning should ever appear...to some men hope..to other men FEAR.

[Daftman]

I have been living in DC for a long time now, and I know Don Geronimo has a many friends at the Washington Post. A good example of this is when Don was busted for posession of Cocaine about 6 years ago. The post ran the story in a very small article and then it was never mentioned by them again.

BTW- what was the nonsense Don mentioned about Anthony having a 15 year old girlfriend. Could someone fill me in?

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"> THE ROAD WARRIOR

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[barch97]

That effort was a failure: so far, only WJFK, an Infinity-owned station, airs all three programs. While about 50 stations nationwide carry "Don & Mike," and about 20 air "Opie & Anthony," the syndicated package of all three has found no takers.That's not true. WYSP in philly carries all three shows. But, why waste time checking facts? This story couldn't be delayed by the truth.

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"

[JustJon]

Geez, I thought this was all cleared up when Eddie Trunk went to the BANOF2. Will this feud never end?

The 15 year old crack is because Ant's gf is quite a bit younger than him, but a really cool chick that's just an all around fun person.

And hey barch. how's it going? :)

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon5.jpg">

[barch97]

What's up, JJ? <P> Don't mind me... I'm just uppin' my post count :)<P> <P> <P>

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"

[mindtank]

wow thats heavy!
"Why do you keep saying heavy, is there a problem with the earth's gravitaional force in the future Marty?"


<IMG SRC="http://www.carisi.com/yoda.gif"> Coming Soon: Al's Jedi Training Episode II

[mindtank]

wow thats heavy!
"Why do you keep saying heavy, is there a problem with the earth's gravitational force in the future Marty?"


<IMG SRC="http://www.carisi.com/yoda.gif"> Coming Soon: Al's Jedi Training Episode II

[MrMarcus]

Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Trunk {/begin_playing_Van_Halen_music}{/end_playing_Van_Halen_music}



This message was edited by MrMarcus on 5-30-02 @ 2:13 PM

[Doogie]

Just make sure that you dont say his name...









Eddie trunk, Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk,Eddie trunk...






Aint Talking about love starts up...


Damn I am a tool, didnt see Mr Marcus' post before putting mine up

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"Are you going to bark all day little doggie, or are you going to bite??"- Mr Blonde

This message was edited by Doogie76 on 5-30-02 @ 2:51 PM

[IkeaBoy]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned yet, but has anyone else realized how utterly pro-Don and Mike the writer is? I mean it's not even subtle, Mr. Farhi shows his preference throughout the entire article. He calls D&M radio "Veterans" while does nothing to indicate O&A's popularity. He only takes quotes from Don while giving no indication that he even tried to contact O&A (a "both opie and anthony gave no comment" would have been nice). And most obvious of this is the way he makes it seems as if D&M are completely innocent and the young punks O&A just go on the air and bash Don and Mike constanttly and FINALLY the passive Geronimo and O'Meara just got pushed over the edge and attacked the evil young upstarts.

The entire radio feud itself is interesting and by shutting both shows out because they're getting mad at each other is stupid on Infinity's part. O&A's show is at its best when there's an enemy to fight. When you hear the anger in the voice of both of them, when there's some sort of obstacle they must destroy- that's radio we want to hear, not stupid contests.

[/quote]

[ag]

Cant wait for friday to hear what O and A have to say about this one. It looks as if O and A DIDNT win in the end, nor did they loose.

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In vino veritas

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[TheMojoPin]

I'm not suprised that The Post put up ana rticle like that...they've got so many connections to WJFK they'd never even dream of printing anything negative about that staion, especially its golden boys...

And I think the higher-ups pulled the shows off because they knew that if the little hissy-fit continued at the pace it was going O&A would have DESTROYED D&M...this way, both shows vanish with a bit of buzz behind each without either show looking truly pathetic, as D&M invariably would have in the end.

"Women cry for it...men DIE for it!"

"You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

"Kiss me/On the bus,"
-TMP

[barch97]

This "suspension" seems to be a stupid move on the part of management. I can't imagine that both shows were taken off the air for a week and then will be allowed to discuss it when they return.

Are d&m going to be quiet about this tomorrow? They did for the most part get the last word on Friday with O&A taking the day off. Then again they may wish to voice their opinion of the suspension.

Are O&A going to bend over and get fucked in the ass like little sissy faggots by yet another gag order? I sure hope not. But, if they do respond to statement and accusations made by d&m or comment on the suspension what recourse does management have?

They (WNEW/CBS/Infinity) have made a huge mistake here. It's classic overreacting, gross mismanagement and, just plain stupid. They have escalated the situation far beyond it's potential. They've turned this into a fight that cannot be won (by management). If O&A speak out they will be taken off the air again maybe longer next time. If they do not, they'll be accused of pussying out.

It's now a pissing contest between O&A and Infinity broadcasting. Of course O&A will win in the end but, at what cost? If they push back and are removed from the air permanently, I can't imagine it will be too difficult to get them back on on another station. Isn't it about time for a change of format at Q104?


Long Live the "Syndication Underground"

[mozfan]

I'm not mr-know-it-all, but this "suspension" seems very fishy...

Even in his statement to the fans, Don referred to being "locked out."

My guess is that this is not discipline, but perhaps a programming change. D&M said they were "a nun's pube away" from going back to afternoons in DC. If they believe that doing a midday show was a mistake (which seems likely at this point, they don't want to play 3rd fiddle in Infinity's network), then they could be looking to exit Infinity, so why not stick it to them?

In which case, O&A will end up on WHFS and it has taken this time to make it happen. Meanwhile, TPTB have told D&M to stay off the air until they can get O&A on HFS. Hence Don feeling "locked out."

At this point, it's the most sensical explanation. If they just can't talk about each other, you don't need *three* days off to accomplish that!!! You simply dump out.

If D&M go back to afternoons (and I believe they will) then their midday show will be fucked. They will probably be tape delayed 20 hrs. in NY and removed from WYSP in Philly.

Also, I believe that when their contract is up, D&M will go back to doing their old morning zoo program, just with more "edge" (relatively) thus getting the jump on any competitors to Howard (he will have just under 3 years left on his contract at that point) in DC mornings (including- you guessed it- O&A themselves.)

<img src="http://fullfathom.50megs.com/sigpic.jpg">

This message was edited by mozfan on 5-30-02 @ 8:47 PM

[JustinR]

I think this whole deal hurts O&A a lot worse because they have a huge event this weekend in the softball game and being off the entire week before doesn't let them promote it.



the game is sold out, dude. but they'll have a hard time getting bikini chicks.

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[RetardlikeNonretard]

It is not about the ratings! FERRALL and R&F are live. Long live Ron and Fez! <P>

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[MojoTeddybear]

They'll win when D&M get fired in NY and O&A continue to be number 1 in the demos. <P>
Cant wait for friday to hear what O and A have to say about this one. It looks as if O and A DIDNT win in the end, nor did they loose. <P>
<P>

<IMG SRC="http://nbf.mybravenet.com/yanks_bg.jpg"> Yankee Fan Since Day One!

[ag]

Well you herd it from the horses mouth Opies Grand mother passed on. God bless her soul. THEY WERE NOT susspened

<img src=http://ag1247.50megs.com/images/happy.gif>
In vino veritas

AG for MOD

<marquee>There's a place in the world for the angry young man With his working class ties and his radical plansHe refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,He's always at home with his back to the wall.And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost,And he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross-And he likes to be knowns as the angry young man. </marquee>

[Heero Hammer]

Why does Don aways have to ham it up to the reporters? There isnt one quote from Opie or Anthony yet it seems Don invited the reporters into his house.

It all seems like a desperate attempt to get ANYONE to talk about his show.

It's sad if starting radio wars is the only way you can get your show in the paper.


I couldn't agree more. How lame.

[Pootertoot]

THEY WERE NOT susspened



Want to buy a bridge?

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Take a Chance, Take a Chance

[ag]

Did I miss something Poot?

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In vino veritas

AG for MOD

<marquee>There's a place in the world for the angry young man With his working class ties and his radical plansHe refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,He's always at home with his back to the wall.And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost,And he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross-And he likes to be knowns as the angry young man. </marquee>

[Doogie]

Opies Grand mother passed on



Precious, is that you??

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[ag]

Precious, is that you??
No it wasnt that grandma, Op explained that. To bad, I would have loved to hear the happiness of his voice

<img src=http://ag1247.50megs.com/images/happy.gif>
In vino veritas

AG for MOD

<marquee>There's a place in the world for the angry young man With his working class ties and his radical plansHe refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,He's always at home with his back to the wall.And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost,And he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross-And he likes to be knowns as the angry young man. </marquee>