Chris Russo and Mike Francesa redefined and revolutionized sports broadcasting with their unabashed, in-your-face radio show “Mike and the Mad Dog.” It was a program which seemed to define New York City itself during its 19-year run on WFAN which began in 1989.
“I never looked at it from the standpoint that we were pioneers,” Russo — a longtime New Canaan resident — told the Advertiser. “When you’re doing these shows the last thing you’re thinking about is the impact you’re making. My job every day was to go in there and do a good show, figure out a way to get along with Mike and for Mike to figure out a way to get along with me.”
While getting along wasn’t always easy for the pair, capturing and captivating legions of fans over the WFAN airwaves came naturally to Francesa and Russo as shown in ESPN’s newest “30 for 30” film Mike & the Mad Dog, premiering Thursday at 8 p.m.
Directed by Daniel Forer, the documentary is a funny, nostalgic and emotional look the pair’s meteoric rise to fame. It’s a rise which parallels a renaissance of New York sports prominence in the 90’s as the Giants, Rangers and Yankees each won championships with Francesa and Russo at the epicenter of it all.
Russo’s departure in 2008 ended one of the most successful partnerships in broadcast history.
Today Russo has his own channel Mad Dog Radio on Sirius XM where he hosts “Mad Dog Unleashed.” Francesa will end his WFAN run in December, leading many to speculate about a “Mike and the Mad Dog” reunion.
Whether such a reunion happens or not, the pair will be inextricably linked forever.
“I could cure cancer and I’m never going to top those 20 years,” Russo said. “No matter what I’ve done since, my legacy is always going to be with Mike.”
A film on New Canaan resident Chis “Mad Dog” Russo’s radio show airs Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 8 p.m.
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