It hasn’t been a good week for the WEEI Morning Show known as Dennis and Callahan, hosted by two elderly Boston curmudgeons who have cultivated controversy over the years. We have chronicled the anti-Erin Andrews comments of D&C’s supposedly young and edgy cohort Kirk Minihane from last week and his subsequent “apology” or lack thereof this week.
One of the reasons why Minihane’s comments have spiraled is due to the show being simulcast throughout the New England region and other parts of the country on NESN, the regional sports network that also airs the Boston Bruins and Red Sox. The video of his comments were culled from NESN and aired across the country on various TV programs such as Inside Edition.
NESN has simulcast Dennis and Callahan through a contract with WEEI since late 2010, but Boston.com reports that the RSN has decided to drop the show when the pair’s contract with the radio station expires in September. Boston.com’s Chad Finn reports that the decision was made prior to Minihane’s comments, however, the network was not pleased over the two incidents and felt the need to issue the following statement:
“NESN has absolutely no editorial control of WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan Morning Show, and completely disapproves of Mr. Minihane’s disparaging statements. Furthermore, we feel it’s unfortunate that his comments aired on our network.”
In addition, Finn writes that Fox Sports has discussed banning its talent from appearing on WEEI and network MLB insider Ken Rosenthal has already said he will no longer make appearances on Dennis and Callahan in support of Andrews.
While the fallout over the Minihane comments continues, NESN has made its decision unrelated to the controversy and will forego any association with WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan. Should the pair re-sign with the station, it’s not known if WEEI will attempt to find another television home or just keep the show on the radio.
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