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| |image = MikeFrancesa2008.jpg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see ] --> | |image = MikeFrancesa2008.jpg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see ] --> | ||
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| | name = Mike |
| name = Mike Francesser | ||
| | caption = |
| caption = Francesser at the 2008 annual Bar A show in Belmar, New Jersey | ||
| | birthdate = {{birth date and age|1954|3|20}} | | birthdate = {{birth date and age|1954|3|20}} | ||
| | birthplace = ], ] | | birthplace = ], ] | ||
| | deathdate = | | deathdate = | ||
| | deathplace = | | deathplace = | ||
| | show = ] | | show = ] | ||
| | station = ], ] | | station = ], ] | ||
| | timeslot = 1 – 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday | | timeslot = 1 – 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday | ||
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| '''Michael Patrick "Mike" |
'''Michael Patrick "Mike" Francesser, Jr.''' (born March 20, 1954) is an ] ] host and ] ]. He is primarily known in his former role co-hosting the popular '']'' show on ] in ]. Francesser now hosts his own show, '']'', during the afternoon drive slot formerly occupied by ''Mike and the Mad Dog''. | ||
| ==Career== | ==Career== | ||
| ===CBS Sports=== | ===CBS Sports=== | ||
| Francesser started his career by spending six years at ''College and Pro Football Newsweekly''. He was hired by ] in 1982 as a researcher, focusing primarily on college sports.<ref name="fran901">Shane Fitzgerald (1990-03-30), CBS' Francesser first worked behind scenes, ''Rocky Mountain News''.</ref> In CBS Sports, he was initially a behind-the-scenes, statistic-wielding editorial assistant, but network excutives were so impressed by his knowledge that he was made a studio analyst for college basketball and football<ref>Charles Siebert (1990-08-19), The Sportscasters, ''The New York Times Magazine''.</ref> and acquired such a reputation that '']'' termed him "]’s brain."<ref name="paumgarten">{{cite web | url=http://www.mikefrancesa.com/wordpress/?p=73 | title=The boys: what Mike and the Mad Dog talk about when they talk about sports | publisher=''The New Yorker'' | author=Nick Paumgarten | date=2004-08-30}}</ref> | |||
| When he was a studio analyst at CBS Sports, he said the most common complaint he heard was about his ].<ref>Jack Craig (1990-03-30), CBS' |
When he was a studio analyst at CBS Sports, he said the most common complaint he heard was about his ].<ref>Jack Craig (1990-03-30), CBS' Francesser is plainly a success basketball, football expert defies network standards for appearance, accent, ''The Boston Globe''.</ref> In the ], for instance, viewers disliked his New York arrogance. He made no attempt to disguise it and said defiantly, "Hey, I'm a New York guy. I wear it as a badge."<ref name="mike93">Steve Zipay (1993-04-01), Mr. Sports Tawk Some national viewers don't like Mike Francesa's accent and attitude. Hey, I'm a New York guy,' the sportscaster says defiantly. `I wear it as a badge,' ''Newsday''</ref> | ||
| ] tried to lure |
] tried to lure Francesser as its studio expert on college football, college basketball and NFL in 1991, but he declined the offer.<ref>News wire (1991-04-14), Sports People: Television; Francesa declines offer, ''The New York Times''.</ref> | ||
| Francesser announced on the radio that he quit CBS on April 1, 1993<ref>Richard Sandomir (1993-04-03), Final Four: it's prime time, bay-bee!, ''The New York Times''.</ref> before the ] began.<ref>Richard Sandomir (1996-04-02), CBS wins on court and falls flat off it, ''The New York Times''.</ref> | |||
| ===WFAN=== | ===WFAN=== | ||
| {{see also|Mike and the Mad Dog|Mike'd Up}} | {{see also|Mike and the Mad Dog|Mike'd Up}} | ||
| When WFAN was launched in 1987, |
When WFAN was launched in 1987, Francesser thought he would be good at radio and applied for a host job, but the station management was looking for top-shelf types, rather than someone with no-experience and he was only offered a producer's job, which he rejected.<ref name="mike93" /> With his then-wife Kate's encouragement, Francesser continued to pursue WFAN. Finally WFAN gave him a job as a weekend host talking college football and basketball in August 1987.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sportsline.com/cbssports/story/10230568 | title=Sports radio 66AM WFAN marks 20th anniversary | publisher=''CBS Sportsline.com'' | accessdate=2007-06-28}}</ref> Because of the positive reviews, Francesser began to guest-host other shows.<ref name="fran901" /> | ||
| Because of his initial success as a weekend and fill-in host, he was teamed with local New York City host ] and the duo had a popular show on the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. slot. In 1989, WFAN was looking for hosts to replace the controversial ] in the afternoon ] period between 3 and 7 p.m. Station management decided to team the knowledgeable, but somewhat dry |
Because of his initial success as a weekend and fill-in host, he was teamed with local New York City host ] and the duo had a popular show on the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. slot. In 1989, WFAN was looking for hosts to replace the controversial ] in the afternoon ] period between 3 and 7 p.m. Station management decided to team the knowledgeable, but somewhat dry Francesser with the young and vibrant ]. While Francesser's brand of sports commentating was considered hard-hitting and serious, Russo's was lighter, unconventional, and more entertaining. The show was dubbed ''Mike and the Mad Dog''. The show quickly gained popularity and was a staple of the New York sports scene from 1989-2008. | ||
| Francesser also hosts a weekly radio show called ''The NFL Now'', which has originated from WFAN since 1987. It eventually became syndicated and at one time was simulcast on ] and later via video Webcast on NBCSports.com. The NFL Now became a syndicated program again when ] in Boston started airing the show, a few weeks after the station's launch. Francesser on the FAN can be seen on the YES Network. | |||
| He does the nightly "Sportstime" commentary on the ] and ]. |
He does the nightly "Sportstime" commentary on the ] and ]. Francesser regularly contributed to the '']'' program with his views on sports while it aired on WFAN and Westwood One. | ||
| Francesser became embroiled in controversy with the Anti-Defamation League and Phil Mushnick of the NY post over charges of 'Jew bashing' and so-called ] in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The incident includes charges of destroying evidence of such broadcasts.<ref></ref> | |||
| Francesser's trademark intro to a show he is hosting by himself is "From the studios of WFAN in New Yawk and simulcast across the country on the YES Network this is Miked Up: Francesser on the FAN." | |||
| On August 14, 2008, it was announced that Chris "Mad Dog" Russo decided to leave WFAN, and thus ended the ''Mike and the Mad Dog'' show two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary. This ended two months of speculation of whether the show was going to make it to a 20th season. At the same time, |
On August 14, 2008, it was announced that Chris "Mad Dog" Russo decided to leave WFAN, and thus ended the ''Mike and the Mad Dog'' show two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary. This ended two months of speculation of whether the show was going to make it to a 20th season. At the same time, Francesser signed a five-year deal to stay at WFAN.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/saturday/news/ny-spbest165803061aug16,0,5196711.story | title=Russo, late of WFAN's Mike and the Mad Dog, calls in | publisher=''Newsday'' | author=Neil Best | date=2008-08-16}}</ref> September 8, 2008 officially marked the kickoff of Francesser's new WFAN program, which he announced on air would be called '']'', the same name as his weekly television program on WNBC. On the air he enjoys describing touchdown drives with a "bink bink bink -- boom" reference.<ref>Mike Francess, September 2, 2008, ]</ref> | ||
| ===Other projects=== | ===Other projects=== | ||
| Francesser hosted ''Around the NFL'' with ] on ] between August 30, 1991<ref>Richard Sandomir (1991-08-30), Parcells on airwaves: coach in him lingers, ''The New York Times''.</ref> and April 16, 1992. When the show was cancelled, Francesser said, "I was disappointed. I wanted to do a second year, but it's a very expensive show to produce."<ref>Richard Sandomir (1992-04-17), The young McDonough plays ball with CBS, ''The New York Times''.</ref> | |||
| In 1990, |
In 1990, Francesser began hosting a talk show following ] and ] games at ] called ''Live from the Play By Play''. The Play By Play is a restaurant in Madison Square Garden. The show featured sports and entertainment figures in a "late night" talk style program. | ||
| In 1998, |
In 1998, Francesser began a website called mikesports.com, but the project was abandoned and is no longer online.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} | ||
| Francesser auditioned for the ] job in 2000 that eventually went to ].<ref name="mnf">{{cite web | url=http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-spwatch195422516oct19,0,6438837,print.column | title=Strange but true: 'MNF' really did talk to Francesa | publisher=''Newsday.com'' | author=Neil Best | date=2007-10-18}}</ref> | |||
| In 2003, |
In 2003, Francesser began hosting an 11:30 PM Sunday Night Sports Show on ] in New York City entitled ''Mike'd Up''. He takes a live hand-off from the end of the Channel 4 local news and then launches into in-depth analysis of the weekend games of New York area teams. He also interviews notable athletes, coaches, and sportswriters. The show was intended to span the length of the NFL season, but proved so successful that WNBC extended the show to run year-round. Weekend sports anchor ] usually fills in when Francesser has the summer off. | ||
| ==Personal== | ==Personal== | ||
| Francesser was born and raised in ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-hometown_mike,0,2342693.story?coll=ny-lihistory-navigation | title=Long Island history: Mike Francesa and Chris Russo | publisher=''Newsday'' | author=Steve Zipay | accessdate=2006-10-12}}</ref> He is the second son of Michael Francesa, Sr., who abandoned the family when Francesser was eight years old.<ref name="paumgarten" /> He has an older brother, John and a younger brother, Marty, who committed suicide on November 27, 1990.<ref name="mike93" /> He attended Maria Regina High School, now ], in ],<ref name="kellenberg">Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, ''Mike and the Mad Dog'' on WFAN. (2007-01-24)</ref> and graduated from ] in 1977 (transferring there after one year at the ]), majoring in communications and athletic administration. He first married Kate in 1983<ref>Larry Schwartz (1991-09-01), Behind the Mike, ''The Bergen Record''.</ref> but divorced in the 1990s. | |||
| Currently a resident of ]. |
Currently a resident of ]. Francesser married his current wife, Rose (whom he usually refers to as Roe), on July 14, 2000<ref>{{cite web | url=http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?archive_id=0&page_id=613328834&page_url=%2f%2fwww.newsday.com%2fentertainment%2ftv%2fny-p2two3682479feb24%2c0%2c7322840.story%3fcoll%3dny-entertainment-headlines&page_last_updated=2%2f24%2f2004+12%3a03%3a57+AM | title=Mike and the Mad Dog make nice | publisher=''Newsday'' | author=Jeff Pearlman | date=2004-02-24}}</ref> and they have three children, ] Emily Grace and Jack Patrick, born on January 17, 2005<ref name="zipay0904">Steve Zipay (2004-09-09), Francesa roster to add 2 in February, ''Newsday''.</ref><ref>Steve Zipay (2005-01-19), Brief: Francesa father, ''Newsday''.</ref> and Harrison James, born on November 20, 2006.<ref>Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, ''Mike and the Mad Dog'' on WFAN.</ref> | ||
| ==Health== | ==Health== | ||
| Francesser has also had a number of health problems. He recently had reconstructive surgery on both of his knees. He participated in ] high school baseball, but was cut. He frequently refers to his "baseball career" on the air, garnering him some derision because of the use of the word "career" <ref name="paumgarten" /> in reference to his high school playing days. | |||
| During the first week of June 2006, |
During the first week of June 2006, Francesser missed a few days on the radio for what was termed as 'personal reasons'. Soon after returning, on the June 8, 2006 show, he revealed that following medical tests, he needed to change his diet becawse he was so fat.<ref>Phil Mushnick (2006-06-12), Luis lite, ''New York Post''.</ref> He also admitted to going to the hospital to get an ] done. Francesser had emergency knee surgery on August 31, 2006 to repair his shattered kneecap when he played golf the day before in ].<ref>Phil Simms interview, ''Imus in the Morning'' on WFAN, (2006-09-07)</ref><ref>Mike Francesa, ''Mike and the Mad Dog'' on WFAN, (2006-09-08)</ref> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| {{Persondata | {{Persondata | ||
| |NAME= |
|NAME=Francesser, Michael Patrick, Jr. | ||
| |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= | |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= | ||
| |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Sports radio host | |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Sports radio host | ||
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| |PLACE OF DEATH= | |PLACE OF DEATH= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT: |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Francesser, Mike}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| <!--Religious and LGBT categories are only to be used on bios of living people if they self-identify with the label in question and it is relevant to their public lives--> | <!--Religious and LGBT categories are only to be used on bios of living people if they self-identify with the label in question and it is relevant to their public lives--> | ||
Revision as of 04:10, 10 September 2010
| Mike Francesser | |
|---|---|
 Francesser at the 2008 annual Bar A show in Belmar, New Jersey | |
| Career | |
| Show | Mike'd Up: Francesser on the FAN |
| Station(s) | WFAN, New York City |
| Time slot | 1 – 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday |
| Show | NFL Now |
| Station(s) | WFAN & YES Network, New York City |
| Time slot | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Sunday (during the NFL season) |
| Style | Sports radio |
| Country |  United States |
Michael Patrick "Mike" Francesser, Jr. (born March 20, 1954) is an American radio talk show host and television commentator. He is primarily known in his former role co-hosting the popular Mike and the Mad Dog show on WFAN in New York City. Francesser now hosts his own show, Mike'd Up: Francesser on the FAN, during the afternoon drive slot formerly occupied by Mike and the Mad Dog.
Career
CBS Sports
Francesser started his career by spending six years at College and Pro Football Newsweekly. He was hired by CBS Sports in 1982 as a researcher, focusing primarily on college sports. In CBS Sports, he was initially a behind-the-scenes, statistic-wielding editorial assistant, but network excutives were so impressed by his knowledge that he was made a studio analyst for college basketball and football and acquired such a reputation that The New Yorker termed him "Brent Musburger’s brain."
When he was a studio analyst at CBS Sports, he said the most common complaint he heard was about his New York accent. In the Midwest, for instance, viewers disliked his New York arrogance. He made no attempt to disguise it and said defiantly, "Hey, I'm a New York guy. I wear it as a badge."
ESPN tried to lure Francesser as its studio expert on college football, college basketball and NFL in 1991, but he declined the offer.
Francesser announced on the radio that he quit CBS on April 1, 1993 before the 1993 Final Four began.
WFAN
See also: Mike and the Mad Dog and Mike'd UpWhen WFAN was launched in 1987, Francesser thought he would be good at radio and applied for a host job, but the station management was looking for top-shelf types, rather than someone with no-experience and he was only offered a producer's job, which he rejected. With his then-wife Kate's encouragement, Francesser continued to pursue WFAN. Finally WFAN gave him a job as a weekend host talking college football and basketball in August 1987. Because of the positive reviews, Francesser began to guest-host other shows.
Because of his initial success as a weekend and fill-in host, he was teamed with local New York City host Ed Coleman and the duo had a popular show on the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. slot. In 1989, WFAN was looking for hosts to replace the controversial Pete Franklin in the afternoon drive time period between 3 and 7 p.m. Station management decided to team the knowledgeable, but somewhat dry Francesser with the young and vibrant Chris Russo. While Francesser's brand of sports commentating was considered hard-hitting and serious, Russo's was lighter, unconventional, and more entertaining. The show was dubbed Mike and the Mad Dog. The show quickly gained popularity and was a staple of the New York sports scene from 1989-2008.
Francesser also hosts a weekly radio show called The NFL Now, which has originated from WFAN since 1987. It eventually became syndicated and at one time was simulcast on MSNBC and later via video Webcast on NBCSports.com. The NFL Now became a syndicated program again when WBZ-FM in Boston started airing the show, a few weeks after the station's launch. Francesser on the FAN can be seen on the YES Network.
He does the nightly "Sportstime" commentary on the CBS Radio Network and Westwood One. Francesser regularly contributed to the Imus in the Morning program with his views on sports while it aired on WFAN and Westwood One.
Francesser became embroiled in controversy with the Anti-Defamation League and Phil Mushnick of the NY post over charges of 'Jew bashing' and so-called Loyalty Oaths in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The incident includes charges of destroying evidence of such broadcasts.
Francesser's trademark intro to a show he is hosting by himself is "From the studios of WFAN in New Yawk and simulcast across the country on the YES Network this is Miked Up: Francesser on the FAN."
On August 14, 2008, it was announced that Chris "Mad Dog" Russo decided to leave WFAN, and thus ended the Mike and the Mad Dog show two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary. This ended two months of speculation of whether the show was going to make it to a 20th season. At the same time, Francesser signed a five-year deal to stay at WFAN. September 8, 2008 officially marked the kickoff of Francesser's new WFAN program, which he announced on air would be called Mike'd Up, the same name as his weekly television program on WNBC. On the air he enjoys describing touchdown drives with a "bink bink bink -- boom" reference.
Other projects
Francesser hosted Around the NFL with Bill Parcells on MSG Network between August 30, 1991 and April 16, 1992. When the show was cancelled, Francesser said, "I was disappointed. I wanted to do a second year, but it's a very expensive show to produce."
In 1990, Francesser began hosting a talk show following Knicks and Rangers games at Madison Square Garden called Live from the Play By Play. The Play By Play is a restaurant in Madison Square Garden. The show featured sports and entertainment figures in a "late night" talk style program.
In 1998, Francesser began a website called mikesports.com, but the project was abandoned and is no longer online.
Francesser auditioned for the Monday Night Football job in 2000 that eventually went to Dennis Miller.
In 2003, Francesser began hosting an 11:30 PM Sunday Night Sports Show on WNBC-TV in New York City entitled Mike'd Up. He takes a live hand-off from the end of the Channel 4 local news and then launches into in-depth analysis of the weekend games of New York area teams. He also interviews notable athletes, coaches, and sportswriters. The show was intended to span the length of the NFL season, but proved so successful that WNBC extended the show to run year-round. Weekend sports anchor Bruce Beck usually fills in when Francesser has the summer off.
Personal
Francesser was born and raised in Long Beach, New York. He is the second son of Michael Francesa, Sr., who abandoned the family when Francesser was eight years old. He has an older brother, John and a younger brother, Marty, who committed suicide on November 27, 1990. He attended Maria Regina High School, now Kellenberg, in Uniondale, and graduated from St. John's University in 1977 (transferring there after one year at the University of South Florida), majoring in communications and athletic administration. He first married Kate in 1983 but divorced in the 1990s.
Currently a resident of Manhasset, New York. Francesser married his current wife, Rose (whom he usually refers to as Roe), on July 14, 2000 and they have three children, fraternal twins Emily Grace and Jack Patrick, born on January 17, 2005 and Harrison James, born on November 20, 2006.
Health
Francesser has also had a number of health problems. He recently had reconstructive surgery on both of his knees. He participated in junior varsity high school baseball, but was cut. He frequently refers to his "baseball career" on the air, garnering him some derision because of the use of the word "career" in reference to his high school playing days.
During the first week of June 2006, Francesser missed a few days on the radio for what was termed as 'personal reasons'. Soon after returning, on the June 8, 2006 show, he revealed that following medical tests, he needed to change his diet becawse he was so fat. He also admitted to going to the hospital to get an angioplasty done. Francesser had emergency knee surgery on August 31, 2006 to repair his shattered kneecap when he played golf the day before in Westhampton Beach, New York.
References
- ^ Shane Fitzgerald (1990-03-30), CBS' Francesser first worked behind scenes, Rocky Mountain News.
- Charles Siebert (1990-08-19), The Sportscasters, The New York Times Magazine.
- ^ Nick Paumgarten (2004-08-30). "The boys: what Mike and the Mad Dog talk about when they talk about sports". The New Yorker.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Jack Craig (1990-03-30), CBS' Francesser is plainly a success basketball, football expert defies network standards for appearance, accent, The Boston Globe.
- ^ Steve Zipay (1993-04-01), Mr. Sports Tawk Some national viewers don't like Mike Francesa's accent and attitude. Hey, I'm a New York guy,' the sportscaster says defiantly. `I wear it as a badge,' Newsday
- News wire (1991-04-14), Sports People: Television; Francesa declines offer, The New York Times.
- Richard Sandomir (1993-04-03), Final Four: it's prime time, bay-bee!, The New York Times.
- Richard Sandomir (1996-04-02), CBS wins on court and falls flat off it, The New York Times.
- "Sports radio 66AM WFAN marks 20th anniversary". CBS Sportsline.com. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - You're on, Francesa!
- Neil Best (2008-08-16). "Russo, late of WFAN's Mike and the Mad Dog, calls in". Newsday.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Mike Francess, September 2, 2008, WFAN
- Richard Sandomir (1991-08-30), Parcells on airwaves: coach in him lingers, The New York Times.
- Richard Sandomir (1992-04-17), The young McDonough plays ball with CBS, The New York Times.
- Neil Best (2007-10-18). "Strange but true: 'MNF' really did talk to Francesa". Newsday.com.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Steve Zipay. "Long Island history: Mike Francesa and Chris Russo". Newsday. Retrieved 2006-10-12.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN. (2007-01-24)
- Larry Schwartz (1991-09-01), Behind the Mike, The Bergen Record.
- Jeff Pearlman (2004-02-24). "Mike and the Mad Dog make nice". Newsday.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Steve Zipay (2004-09-09), Francesa roster to add 2 in February, Newsday.
- Steve Zipay (2005-01-19), Brief: Francesa father, Newsday.
- Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN.
- Phil Mushnick (2006-06-12), Luis lite, New York Post.
- Phil Simms interview, Imus in the Morning on WFAN, (2006-09-07)
- Mike Francesa, Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN, (2006-09-08)