Drama is brewing in the Russo family.
Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo of WFAN radio and First Take fame received a surprising DM earlier this week from a worldwide phenom about to debut his new film in Europe. That’s right, certified ball-knower and global sensation Timothée Chalamet slid into Mad Dog’s DMs to invite him to the European premiere of A Complete Unknown, his Bob Dylan biopic.
Chalamet’s gesture was a result of Russo’s repeated overtures to get the movie star on his podcast for a discussion about Dylan’s music. Mad Dog went so far as to reach out to Chalamet’s father to try and secure an interview.
Doggie’s persistence paid off. And he shared the news on Wednesday with his First Take colleagues.
I’m going to London Baby!!! @RealChalamet #ACompleteUnknown
For more Mad Dog Unleashed:https://t.co/jCKtMt3gtz pic.twitter.com/kEh39Pscvt
— Chris Mad Dog Russo (@MadDogUnleashed) January 8, 2025
But the news didn’t go over well with everyone in the Russo family. In telling his friends on First Take, Russo revealed he’d be taking his daughter to London with his second ticket. That didn’t sit well with his son Colin, a radio host for ESPN West Palm, who unloaded on his father during his show Wednesday.
Mad Dog SWINDLED @ColinRusso7 into house-sitting, insinuating that he was taking him to London to meet @RealChalamet…@MadDogUnleashed @EvCoRadio @FirstTake @MikeRizzo22 https://t.co/wwR50X6loA pic.twitter.com/cgmjFoiWZH
— ESPN WEST PALM (106.3 FM) (@ESPNWestPalm) January 8, 2025
“I would’ve traveled hell or high water, anywhere in the world to go to that premiere,” the younger Russo said.
“Now you’re house sitting,” his co-host Mike Rizzo suggested.
“Can you get to Connecticut Monday?” Russo said his father asked.
“Yeah! We flying out? What time Tuesday?”
“No, I need you to look after the house, we’re going to go with your sister to the A Complete Unknown premiere.”
“What?” an exasperated Russo said. “Unbelievable. I felt punked… What a disgrace. What a disgrace. All of the featurettes, all of the trailers, all of the news, the articles when the movie came out. Who sent them? Who forwarded that? Who’s idea was it to get on First Take and to get on your knees and cry for Timothée Chalamet’s attention? Colin Russo’s idea.”
If true, that’s nasty work from Mad Dog. To be fed information about the movie from your own son, only to go and take his sister when you get invited to the premiere? Truly nasty work. And to make him house sit while you go? That’s pouring salt in the wound.
But in Mad Dog’s defense, he did mention it was his daughter’s birthday. And this is undeniably one of the coolest birthday gifts ever.
Still, Doggie shouldn’t be expecting any kind gestures from his son anytime soon after pulling this one.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.