Radio DoucheBaggery: Pittsburgh’s Mark Madden
Media Gossip/Musings May 8th. 2008, 6:45pm
We hardly familiar with any sports radio hosts outside of the guys on the New York dial, Dan Patrick, and Dan LeBatard. Watching Costas show segment last week about former Hot Dog vendor Mike North in Chicago made us squeamish; but to read today about this blowhard named Mark Madden in Pittsburgh is perhaps even worse. Having never listened to him, and only reading negative comments about him … everywhere, we’re not in a position to critique his work. But is he worth listening to on the internet? We like to give everyone a chance, but our ears don’t like to bleed, so please try and be truthful.
Big night on the tube – Office, Lost and LeBron. We’re not counting the Spurs – no way they lose this game.
Smizik on TV: Radio host adds fuel to his own fire (Post-Gazette)
103 Responses to “Radio DoucheBaggery: Pittsburgh’s Mark Madden”
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May 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
TBL (and everyone else) – I can’t stress enough how much a complete egotistical gasbag Madden is. He can only speak remotely intelligently about 1 sport (hockey) and pro wrestling (he used to be an announcer for WCW). His schtick is to attach whatever/whomever is popular with the fans in an effort to get people to call and argue with him. As the article notes, he is particularly fond of going after veteran members of the Steelers (Bettis and now Ward). Proceed with caution.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
attack, not attach
May 8th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Do all people in Pittsburgh look like him? He’s exactly what I imagine the average Burgher to look like.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Great word for Madden: Douche
Looking forward to LOST, 30 Rock and of course Michael Scott’s Office.. all moreso than the NBA Playoffs
May 8th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
No. He actually has teeth. And didn’t marry cousin. Any Pitt stereotypes I forgot?
May 8th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Roeth is right. Madden is an utter douchebag of the highest order. He had his own Sunday show on ESPN Radio a few years back(I believe he replaced either Lebatard or Kellerman), and it was awful. On top of that, he makes Shrutebag sound like a nice guy.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
We are hardly familiar with any sports radio hosts outside of the guys on the New York dial, Dan Patrick, and Dan LeBatard. Watching the Costas show segment last week about former Hot Dog vendor Mike North in Chicago made us squeamish.
Fixed. That is extremely painful to read.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
During his brief Sunday morning stint on ESPN radio, I found him to be eminently disagreeable. At the same time, I thought he was pretty entertaining and had a prtty unique angle on a ton of subjects.
He also knows wrasssling pretty well, I think he was an amateur fake wrestler back in the day.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Seems like most people on TBL have one thing in common when it comes to pundits/radio/tv/print personalities – they hate people with strong opinions. It’s like a message board in here. People seem to remember a negative comment someone had for their home team, and carry that to their deathbeds. I don’t have to agree with a personality to think they’re doing a solid job “moving the needle”
May 8th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Fuck you cursed. I remember when you said PHX wouldn’t make it out of the first round with Shaq. And just because you’re right doesn’t mean I’ll ever forgive you.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
LeBron’s jumpshot-o-meter… 0 for 5 so far. I will forever remember Mike Tirico saying “I can’t believe he missed that” – during the Wizards series.
I guess I’m no different.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Oh by the way, in an effort to start giving commenters credit since there’s no laugh track in here, good work Hef.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
TBL—
I dont get why EVERYONE is saying the Spurs are such a lock. Yes, they are the defending champs, yes they are at home. But they have been ran out of the gym in the first two games. Im not saying they wont get a W, but to concede the game? No way. This WILL be a good game
May 8th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Cursed, was it Tirico in game 1 who said, “Lebron is lookign to take over in the fourth quarter. He hasn’t yet…”? Because, WTF? Really? Was he out of lube?
May 8th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I love how the last item of the day becomes the defacto “gamenight” section. Only person who could kill this is the awful Freddie Coleman – who has the worst radio delivery for a national guy I’ve ever heard.
Oh and, Kobe for MVP.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Tirico and Breen fight it out for the LeBron love, while Collins and Stephen A, Bucher’s tanning bed are all on the Kobe track.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Great line by Van Gundy tonight – the scarlet “F” for floppers. I still hate Breen though – who already lectured us about the over and back rule and that deflections allow the offensive team to go back and get the ball!
May 8th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Mark Madden is the worst of the worst. He’s like Cowherd, only more stupid.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
As annoying as Mike and the Mad Dog or Michael Kay can be, the sports talk guys in other towns are much worse.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I don’t consider Mike and Mad dog a local show.. They talk about as much New Yorker stuff as ESPN radio does!
May 8th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Thanks for blowing the game again lebron u fuck
May 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Mmonast, look at LeBron off the ball, he’s just standing on plays that aren’t going to him. Go set a screen!! Stop shooting jumpers (he’s 0-10 on them so far.. and he didn’t make one in the first game).
May 8th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
So that means the Hornets will win the game in a blowout…
May 8th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Cursed.i really dont know whats going on tonight on tuesday lbj was missing jumpers but they were close…now he isnt even close.
We have no offensive sets just lbj dribble dribble then brick. So frustrated now
May 8th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
for anyone who cares, the Scrubs finale is on tonight.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
my name is earl, the office, 30 rock > scrubs
May 8th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Contemplating leaving the bar im at to watch the office and 30 rock
May 8th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I turned on the Celtics game when Cleveland was up 27-20 early in the 2nd. I was optimistic. Then, the Cavs scored one basket the REST OF THE HALF. I think. It might have been all free throws for all i know.
Is the Boston defense that good? Lebron’s getting to the line whenever he wants.
Boilerroom is on WGN. Awesome flick.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Madden: used to write for the Post-Gazzette, also used to write for a wrestling newsletter (where his picture was him wearing a Ric Flair robe), used to work for WCW when it was still around. Very grating.
TBL, if you’re going to listen to other Sports Talk Radio, I think people can likely give you recommendations about hosts to whom you should listen.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
MMONAST – are you posting on your phone in a bar? That will impress the ladies, let me tell you.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I know more about sports talk radio than anyone on here.
I’m a loser
May 8th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
KG just said a lot of f-words in a row. In quarters 1-3 he’s the most intense guy out there.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Via blackberry cursed. Here with friends gf and some others they are currently talking about sex and the city so your all i got buddy
May 8th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
MMONAST.. stop wasting time on here and go slip your gf’s friends the necessary pills.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Series over. Although we knew that before game 1 started.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
this sucks.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I like curse’s ideas and wish to subscribe to his magazine.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Cursed i drug her before i go out
May 8th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
@ Hef: nice job on losing the bet. Now I’m going to have to read something good about the Phillies. That is a real major league jerk (asshole) move.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
@nick and spence: Don’t be such pussies. Go write something whiny and girly about cleveland for the site. Talk about how it’s cursed or something. Hey, I’ve got an idea for a whole series of posts. Hope no one has used the idea before.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
@fetch: I blame that bitch Bob Melvin and that homo Brandon Webb. What? You can’t go nine innings and only give up 1 run in a blowout game? Pussy.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
My blog was the worst ever. And by worst, I mean, least read, least comical, least insightful, lead blogrolled on Deadspin and Big Lead.
With that said, I’ll be starting it up again now with all my commenting street cred.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Mmonast, good line.
And I can’t wait for all the automatic “Blame Mike Brown” talk after this game. My big complaint about him tonight, put Devin Brown in the game, you need some penetration. Is he hurt?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
@ Hef: was it a really big blowout? And if so why the hell did Webb even stay in as long as he did?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Where’s Doug Collins to hit us with always insightful “Can’t trade baskets right now now 14.”
May 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
@fetch: it was 8-1 and Melvin decided to let Webb go the distance. Final was 8-3. I lost the bet by 1 run.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Nah cursed.
DC’s go to euphemism is, “a great shooter just needs to see one go in. sometimes all it takes is a lay-up or free throw.”
May 8th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Wow. Let the best pitcher in the majors (yes I said it) try to finish it out in an 8-1 game huh?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
BTW: If anyone’s interested, look at the logo that Nomo designed for the blog. Top Notch.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
This Office is unbelievable
May 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Nick P, also when the game is a blowout and the clock is winding down in the 4th, he’ll say “offense needs to get another shot off or they’ll get a 24-second violation.”
May 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
my blog is like a shitty car. i dont like it all that much, i really don’t care about it, so it ends up having massive piles of garbage just laying in it.
Hef…i thought you said no LBJ? im all riled up after the bullshit theyre throwing out there.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Hef, my first Cursedcleveland.com post will be to bash your blog, for no reason whatsoever.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
The details coming out of Cleveland with the Papa Johns deal are not pretty, the message boards are saying it’s fights galore, and police are monitoring many of the locations, with 3-hour lines for the 23 cent pizzas.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
@ cursed.. ok im just gonna throw some sports radio hosts at you, lets see what you think of each host.. just a line or 2 per host and whether you like them or not and why..
dan le batard, dan patrick, scott ferrell, scott van pelt, doug gottleib
May 8th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Oh and get this, true story, with tax, the pizzas are 24cents!! You know who’s number that is don’t you?!
May 8th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’m okay with a trumped up blog war cursed. I hit below the belt. Just a warning. In fact, I only aim for the junk.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
cursed…you’re pretty outnumbered. when i get riled up, i can be quite loquacious, and i curse like a pirate. if i have to carpet bomb you with “fucks” in the name of the blog, ill fuckin do it.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK…
fuck the fucking god damn celtics. fuck you mike brown. youre a fucking dumb piece of shit.
sorry. buzz was right about me.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
thank god TPC Sawgrass is fucking on right now.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Papa johns should have ran a buy 1 get the next for 23 cents now they have everyless homeless guy with a quarter in line.
Dont know why people are this excited over very avwerage pie
May 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I’ve heard Lebatard’s local show before, and I find him to be very entertaining. He definitely has his controversial schtick – I like Rosenbergs show more, not because he knows more sports, but b/c he understands entertaining radio, many local guys do not. He should be national.
Patrick is a great interviewer, a little too big though – which hurt him on ESPN b/c he couldn’t attack guys who came on the shows. That’s a big problem I have with Yawn and Yawn in the morning – they don’t have any stances on anything and it’s b/c they like guests more than anything (I hate guests… 99% are boring.. and lifeless)
Ferrell on the bench – I’ve been listening/watching since I was like 13 and he was syndicatd on “Sportschannel” and on One on One sports. Hated his voice, but he’s pretty good on Sirius b/c of the language and strippers. Those elements can hurt many a show, it enhances his.
Van Pelt is off the cuff funny, but a little too dorky for me with the contrived humor. I don’t think I would have been friends with him in college. He also says “sorta” to qualify everything, that’s what brainiacs says all the time
Gottleib is very solid, he has stances and is unapologetic and not wishy washy. He doesn’t care about crushing someone he knows or is friends with.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
solid analysis cursed.. rosenberg gets killed down in miami because he talks a lot of new york sports, but in terms of entertaining radio, he knows to do it and mix in all the topics, hes solid..
May 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
5 for 22
May 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
just to end the debate once and for all .. kobe>lebron.. enough ok? he’s the better 3 point shooter and defensive player( BY A LOT).
May 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Cortez, after searching, it appears Sciambi left the Ticket for baseball.. that’s pretty interesting.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Yeah, I was watching sciambi on mlb.tv the other day v. the Reds. He’s a breath of fresh air to the dogshit the Reds have.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
done deal.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
17 turnovers in 2 game just so we are keeping track
May 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Rosenberg, in addition to being what I would call a “stereotypical” New Yorker, has the stink of Imus on it. I hate it when he is on with LeBatard or when he used to be on Boog’s show.
I like Czaban’s Fox Sports Radio show and the afternoon show he does in DC with former TK sidekick Andy Pollin. However, there is too much Redskins for me (meaning almost any). Czaban’s morning show can also lurch into politics, with I don’t necessary need with my sports talk.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I’m not going to kill LeBron for this. He’s played as bad as I’ve ever seen a superstar play, but I still think he’ll snap out of it at home – you’ll definitely see a different LeBron, I just don’t think it will be enough.
I think it has more to do with how truly good Boston is defensively. A Boston/Lakers series would be fascinating – the Lakers are pretty damn mediocre defensively.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Odessasteps, I think The Czabe is the best sports guy doing.. best mix of skeptical radio announcer with entertaining radio guy out there. The Sports Reporter in DC can get really good when the right mix of Beltway reporters are on there. Does Haber ever go on there? He’s my favorite tv guy in the business.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Any Active NBA Player > LeBron James
/fuck.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
lol cursed if you have any questions with south florida radio, im your guy.. sciambi left a few months ago he was burned out doing the braves play by play and decided to give up the show for the time being.. IMO he did the best sports radio show anywhere in the country.. when he was on the ticket, they had the best mix of personalites. rosenberg = entertaining
sciambi = best SPORTS show
le batard = smartest show with good discussions
May 8th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
That’s an incredible local sports talk lineup Coretz, you could have put all those guys on Sportingnews radio and done better than awful Tim Brando!
May 8th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’m raffling off a post titled, “Why I Would Pick Juwanna Mann Over LeBron”, featuring the opinions of Ed the Pitching Monkey, Air Bud, and Teen Wolf Too: Electric Bugaloo.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
agree with you on that cursed.. i steer clear from any of the mainstream personalities especially the 2 douche bags on espn radio in the morning..
@odessa.. i can understand you not liking rosenberg’s show in general because it certainly delves into many subjects (politics, pop culture etc) and it’s not for everyone.. however i think the best 15 minutes of radio is anytime sid calls into le batard’s or boogs show to yell and argue.. who’s more passionate than that guy?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
ESPN needs to leave this game don’t they? Don’t they?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
First off…are we taking on Cursed…thats cool and stuff but I didn’t get the American Greetings card letting me know…secondly..nomo…excellent work on the Banner we look semi-legit…if you want to see how semi-legit we are…click my name
/dirty awful shameless plug not into basketball game wife watching some shitty karaoke show with Wayne Brady…fuck
May 8th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
series over? You guys really think that?
oh shit, back to lost …
May 8th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
According to lostpedia.. Ben’s dad is Uncle Rico… how about that?!
May 8th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I’ve heard Mark Madden on Sundays on my way to the Holy house. He’s way too blowhardy for my tastes.
@odessa–I too like Czaban. I switched to him from Mike and Mike as soon as I got the chance and haven’t looked back.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Lakers – Hornets is going to be fucking awesome.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
“I’m so done with” is a great sportstalk bit… Too bad yawn and yawn think “Sheets of integrity” make for good radio. It doesn’t.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
+1 curse
May 8th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
here’s how I felt about Mike and Mike before their big roast (Deadspin and TBL refused to run this). http://cursedcleveland.blogspot.com/2007/12/roasting-mike-and-mike.html
May 8th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
nice job by the NBA again with the clock at the end of the 1st half. What a joke. The clock didn’t start until Ginobli turned and faced the basket.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
omg lost was mind-blowing
and next week is going to be insane
1 hr office
1 hr lost
May 8th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
TBL, on tonight’s “The Daily Show”, the guest is going to speak about blog wars (whatever that means).
May 8th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
what makes it even worse is they got to look at the replay this time…and still screwed it up
May 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
LOL Curse–
May 8th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
1. Wow, another Lost episode where more questions were presented than answered! Sweet! (Sarcasm)
2. While all you pussies were busy watching the NBA, the real sports fans were watching the Red Wings dominate the Stars. Franzen with a goal, his 12th of the playoffs. Hockey players >>>>> Basketball players
May 8th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
at ice skating maybe
May 8th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
cursed, I don’t think Haber does the show. I can’t recall him being on. It could be beacuse Andy/Steve are tight with Feldman (who’s on one a week or so) and, to a lesser extent, Hellie, who is on every so often.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
This is a public service announcement.
DO NOT eat the Thai Dynamite from Pei Wei. I’ve had 7 major assplosions in the past 4 hours.
/now back to our regular programming
May 8th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
@clown…thats what you get for eating Thai food in Austin Texas…hell unless it is bean or tortilla based..I would just avoid it at all costs
May 8th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I would eat Thai food anytime anywhere. Except maybe in Thailand.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Ho hum, David West outplaying Tim Duncan… AGAIN!! I will toot my own horn, since nobody else will.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:33 am
The thing that bothers me most about Madden is that people will listen to him and draw the conclusion that he somehow represents Pittsburgh. Hef took the cheap shot earlier in this thread (”is this what all Pittsburghers look like?”), and I realize that’s Hef being oh-so-hilarious…but it hurts my soul to think that even one person relates Madden to my fair city and its, mostly, knowledgeable sports fans.
Madden is loud and opinionated, which is fine. But, he doesn’t actually say anything. The guy used to write wrestling “skits”, and that’s the approach he brings to his loathsome radio show. It’s very predictable…and dumb. He’s the heel who knocks all of the icons of Pittsburgh sports (i.e., Lemieux, Stargell, Bradshaw, Cope) as well as his listeners in an effort to be “edgy”.
The sad thing is there are some great Pittsburgh sports personalities, such as Stan Savran and John Steigerwald who could run circles around this imbecile, but Madden does “move the dial” (lowest common denomicator radio rules the day in all markets), so most everyone who goes up against him gets crushed.
Seeing a picture of Madden on TBL got my morning off to a bad start…
May 9th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Hef is so hilarious.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hef is a major league asshole. Jewbacca, on the other hand, seems like an affable sort.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Hey the 4112, did you know Savran is a Clevelander?@?!@?@?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Cursed – Yes, I did. And, Stan freely admits to still being a Tribe fan.
Savran is a class act. He actually had a show on against Madden for a few years but, as Fox Sports Radio doesn’t support their affiliates nearly to the extent that ESPN does, his show was yanked…for yet another show that Fox could neglect to promote. He’s still on TV, but I would love for him to get another full-time radio gig.