On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
October 14, 2005

Due to "personal family issues," "Philly Sports Live" co-host Tripp Rogers is resigning from ESPN 920-AM effective next Friday.

In a phone conversation, Rogers said he needed to make a change in his life and wanted to spend more time with his family.

Rogers co-hosted ESPN 920's only locally based talk show weekdays from 4-7 p.m. since November 2002. He originated the show with Tom McCarthy and has co-hosted with John Mozes since April 2004. Rogers will continue to do fill-in work for ESPN 1050-AM in New York City.

Rogers said he enjoyed working with all the people at Nassau Broadcasting, but needed to move on with his life. He also added his decision has nothing to do with new competition, WPEN 950-AM.

A replacement for Rogers has not been named yet. Perhaps former WIP 610-AM talker Steve Martorano could be an option.

Rogers said that listeners are invited to contact him at www.tripprogers.com.

In other ESPN 920-AM programming news, "The Colin Cowherd Show" and "The Dan Patrick Show" will each run in their entirety because "The Jim Rome Show" was picked up by WPEN 950-AM. "The Herd" airs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and "Patrick" from 1-4 p.m.

Where's the Frenzy?

Here's an e-mail I received about 6ABC's "Eagles Football Frenzy" after last week's loss to Dallas:

Dear Laura,

I was thinking of you when I was watching "Eagles Football Frenzy." No Andy [Reid] in the locker room? There was nothing, except the pregame huddle in the tunnel at Texas Stadium. I guess it's only "total access" when it's a win and all is well in the locker room. When it's a loss they keep out the cameras?

Dear Reader,

Your observations are correct. Since "Eagles Football Frenzy" is a production of the Eagles, they call the shots, not 6ABC. Look on the bright side. At least after the loss, the Dhani (Jones)/Gary (Papa) giddiness/lovefest was kept to a minimum.

The Eagles Television Network and 6ABC could not be reached for comment.

Second impressions

There are some good things about having an alternative to WIP. I found myself hitting the set button for the Jim Rome show many times from noon-3 p.m. Jody McDonald is solid from 3-7 p.m., and gets always-funny support from Joe Conklin. There are also rumblings that Fox29 "Good Guy" Don Tollefson may have some kind of role with the station.

However, the proposed 7 p.m. show called "The 700 Level" is a terrible title. Why name a new show after something that is obsolete. What's next: "The Phil and Phillis" comedy hour?