Mike Missanelli continues to be off-air from Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic following an incident which saw him launch his headphones and engage in an off-air argument with producer Tyrone Johnson. Without Missanelli, Johnson has sat in the host chair since last Wednesday, with update anchor Natalie Egenolf co-hosting and Andrew Salciunas stepping in as producer.
Last week, Kyle Scott of Crossing Broad received a text from Missanelli stating the host was using vacation time. While Missanelli didn’t say if the time off was scheduled, it seemed odd to return from a three day weekend, host one show on Tuesday, and plan to take the rest of the week off. Although no official announcement has been made, sources told both Crossing Broad and Philly Voice that Missanelli will not return this week.
Tuesday afternoon, Crossing Broad reported well-known caller, Bob from Tennessee attempted to ask midday host Anthony Gargano about Missanelli. Bob’s question appeared to get dumped, but Gargano did offer a vague response.
“Listen, just stay tuned is all I’m gonna tell you guys, alright? Stay tuned, there’s nothing bad going on when it comes to the station,” Gargano said.
Last Tuesday’s headphone throwing incident stemmed from an argument where Missanelli attempted to play devil’s advocate while discussing video of a white woman calling the police, falsely claiming an African American male was threatening her life. Although unrelated to the discussion between Missanelli, Johnson and Egenolf, the last week has seen the issue of social inequality and police brutality highlighted as civil unrest and peaceful protests rise throughout the country.
While Missanelli’s actions can certainly be categorized as immature, it didn’t appear to be a fireable offense or even worthy of a suspension, but it’s difficult to fairly judge the incident without knowing what was said off-mic.
Crossing Broad has speculated about Missanelli potentially not returning to The Fanatic, also noting his contract with Beasley Media is up at the end of the year. Beasley, like many media companies, imposed personnel changes and salary cutbacks in recent months as they endure the negative impacts of a global pandemic.
Well I was born on South Broad Street in 1958 alot of family there. Sports talk radio has been a big part of my life. I do travel alot so it is entertainment to me. I do hate when I am to far out and lose the channel. Love the morning show Marc Farzetta. Then Anthony take ‘s over beautiful transition. But after a long day at work riding home for an hour plus Mike Missanelli brings it home for me. Dont get me wrong I love Tyrone and Natalie but as I see it’s not the complete TEAM. Life today emphasizes team work and culture no matter what business it is. 97.5 needs that other element now. Sorry but I am channel flipping. Just one South Philadelphian’s opion.
Honestly the show is better without him. He does no research. Thinks he knows it all. It’s awful. Tyrone knows his stuff and Natalie is a stone cold fox.
I say good riddance to the lout.
I ????agree . Mike Missenelli is always arrogant , condescending and dismissive of “anyone “ that does not share his point of view . Missenelli is the meaning of the word “ punk “. The show was so much more enjoyable with both Tyrone and Natalie and there fresh and welcoming attitude this week with an openness to discuss both sides of every callers opinion and agree to disagree if need be . Missanelli and his superiority complex , which is even evident on the radio , is very old and tired in this day and age . His time has come and it’s up . This is evident by the ratings . The people have spoken and the old man of sports radio is done . I’m sure they have well overpaid this dude and I’m sure will be very reluctant to cut him loose for that reason alone. But if you want to prove the callers point about him and how there voice points it out over and over again just look at his consistently bad ratings . These ratings are guaranteed to improve when you have the balls to remove that microphone that little Mike hides behind everyday . It is obvious why this dude is unable to maintain a relationship outside of work as well and sits at home alone every night with his dog and his booze . Bring on Tyrone and Natalie and give the listeners what they want and watch your ratings soar .????. By the way that lame ass excuse he gave on air today about everything happened because he was Sicilian was pathetic and embarrassing to your the station . The fake cry was pathetic as well and was only there because this ignorant self centered human being realized his job was on the line and this is his last stop . I am a native Philadelphian and honestly listen to your station everyday from San Diego and with ????honesty tell you I have never written a review comment in my life until I ran into this thread. I find myself listening on and off throughout the day except when the Mike Missanelli show comes on . After a month of trying to listen it became unbearable to listen to and especially listen to how he addresses your callers and the demeaning tone he uses immediately if they do not agree ???? with his opinion. Callers that take that approach when calling in are often cut short or hung up on followed by his short rant as to why they are wrong and of course he is right. It is obviously his stance that it is his failing show and he will decide the opinions of callers that are allowed or dismissed abruptly and rudely often in mid sentence . God only knows what Tyrone and Natalie really put up with from this insecure bully behind the scenes weekly . I was proud to see both of them stand up for themselves and there point of view against his bullying during his temper tantrum when he did not get his way . I’m glad the public did to. Always nice to see a bully exposed for who they really are ???? . It was typical for this guy to throw his failed law career up in there face as they stood there ground as to attempt flaunt his superior intelligence and his “ white privlege “ that he adamantly rails against everyday in an attempt to prove to his dwindling audience that he is somehow above that . Hypocrisy at its finest . While it was more than clear he is not . This dude is ????% phony and the only one who believes his bullshit is him. The absolutely one of a kind great sports fans of the great city of Philly do not. Look at your ratings .????. This ends my one and only rant in my 60 years of any kind about any subject to any company ????. Just needed to be said , bullies need to be called out and exposed and knocked off there bully pulpit . Hopefully we will see Tyrone and Natalie on there own show in the near future , stay strong???? and continue to bring your great attitude and positive engagement everyday to the great #1 fans in sports. I will enjoy almost all of 97.5 and will continue to selectively listen????for great sports talk and great “ open “ conversation “ from great Philly fans and Philly sports . radio????. As always no matter how far away from home my heart will always be loyal and bleed for Philly sports teams . Go Philly ????????⚾️????