Felger & Massarotti (or Felger & Mazz) is a Marconi Award-winning afternoon radio show hosted by Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti, airing from 2 to 6 pm in Boston, Massachusetts. The show first aired on August 13, 2009 with the launch of WBZ-FM's sports talk radio station, The Sports Hub on 98.5 FM. The show is known for “calling it like they see it”, which leads to the show’s perceived negative demeanor towards local sports teams, hot takes, and willingness to go after local teams and players.[1]
| Other names | Felger & Mazz |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sports Talk |
| Running time | ~ 4 hours (2:00 pm – 6:00 pm) These times may vary based on holidays, Bruins start times, or Celtics start times. |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Home station | WBZ-FM |
| TV adaptations | NBC Sports Boston |
| Starring | Michael Felger Tony Massarotti Jim Murray |
| Produced by | Kevin Maggiore |
| Executive producer(s) | James “Jimmy” Stewart |
| Recording studio | Waltham, MA |
| Other studios | Banners Restaurant Encore Boston Harbor Hurricanes Restaurant The Greatest Bar Radio Row |
| Original release | August 13, 2009 – Present |
| Opening theme | Glorified G by Pearl Jam |
| Website | 985thesportshub |
| Podcast | 985thesportshub |
The show's negativity towards local teams led to a famous bashing of the Boston Red Sox following the departure of two-time World Series champion manager Terry Francona, which resulted in Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry barging into the show in an attempt to defend his team.[2] The show's negativity and bravado have also resulted in several controversies, most notable among them when Felger mocked the deaths of Roy Halladay and Dale Earnhardt.[3] For all the show's negativity, however, it has also been associated with several Boston charities including Cuts for a Cause[4] and Christmas in the City.[5]
The radio show features a simulcast television show that airs on NBC Sports Boston. The simulcast debuted on November 14, 2011 on Comcast SportsNet New England,[6] which was later renamed NBC Sports Boston. Originally owned by CBS Sports Radio, The Sports Hub was sold to Beasley Broadcast Group in November 2017.[7] Felger & Mazz has been a dominant broadcast since its debut in 2009, and has held the top spot for afternoon programming in the Nielsen ratings with the coveted "men aged 25–54" market since 2012.[5]
Show members edit
- Michael Felger – host
- Tony Massarotti "Mazz" – host
- Jim Murray – sports headlines/co-host
- James "Jimmy" Stewart – executive producer
- Kevin Maggiore – producer/call screener
- Christopher L. Gasper – Friday weekly guest/fill-in co-host
- Greg Bedard – Tuesday weekly guest (football season)
- Bob Socci – Friday weekly guest (football season)
- Paul Perillo – Wednesday weekly guest (football season)/fill-in co-host
Former members edit
- Marc "Beetle" Bertrand – sports headlines
- Billy Lanni – director of communications/call screener
- Jermaine Wiggins – Tuesday weekly guest (taken over by Greg Bedard)
Segments edit
References edit
- ^ Diaz, Johnny (August 14, 2009). "For debut of sports radio station, a Pats' audible". Boston.com.
- ^ "Henry makes surprise appearance on 'Felger and Mazz'".
- ^ "Michael Felger on Roy Halladay's death: 'He got what he deserved'". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Bruins, Toucher & Rich Get Buzz Cuts To Raise $101K For Kids Battling Cancer". March 27, 2017.
- ^ a b "Sports talk host Michael Felger is brash and cranky, but we can't stop listening". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Felger & Massarotti To Be Simulcast on Comcast SportsNet". September 22, 2011.
- ^ "WBZ, The Sports Hub get new owners as Entercom moves to complete radio merger". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Felger & Mazz: The Start of Legal Tampering, the Acquisition of Michael Bennett, and a Bruins Minute (Hour 1)". March 11, 2019.
- ^ "Felger & Mazz: Greg Bedard in Studio, 3 UP 3 DOWN, Defensive Play Calling (Hour 1)". December 24, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Felger & Mazz: A Final Hour of Calls on an Agenda Free Friday and the Final Word (Hour 4)". October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Felger & Massarotti on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022.[user-generated source]
- ^ "Felger & Mazz: Bedard on Sunday's Win, 10 Questions, and a Colts-Patriots Preview (Hour 2)". October 2, 2018.
- ^ "Felger & Mazz: Packers Win over the 49ers, Greg Bedard's "3 up & 3 Down," and Sunday Night's Patriots Win (Hour 1)". October 16, 2018.