By David Scott
Boston Sports Media Watch

Scott’s Shots attempted to take some time off from our weekly duties serving you, the Shots Loyalist, but we wound up working more on the Gulf Coast than on the Atlantic Coast. But that’s okay – The Mike Adams Mystery Hour(s) made for good theater. And it also inspired Shots to take over the Scott’s Shots studio and demand that Scott’s Shots make an announcement about our future at Scott’s Shots.

We even reached out to ourselves and tried to get the skinny:

“How’d you get this number?” Shots asked Shots.

“I’ve got my sources,” Shots said.

Shots’ll keep you posted should the hostage situation escalate. . .

. . .Shots is waiting for Mike Adams to invite us to the “It’s Official” party - the guy should really consider getting us a car for our efforts on his behalf on Wednesday eve. I was in FLA for crying out loud!. . .We’d settle for a regular, in-studio, guest spot, where we both barricade ourselves in the studio for two hours every month. I’ll bring the incense and my Student Handbook from UMass that details proper sit-in/takeover procedures, including how to get free Bertucci’s pizza from the Chancellor (authored by Martin Minuteman).

. . .One local industry insider up the dial at 890 AM reminded us that Wednesday was the end of the Fall ratings book and stunts/gimmicks/special guests are all part of the package when radio stations are trying to “finish strong.” It’s also why Bill Simmons and Mike Felger were ERBing it up LIVE! from Game On!, the best damn sponsor a back-page guy could ever have!

However, that sound you hear IS the waves lapping at Shots patio door at a hidden little gem in Siesta Key, FLA. Because of that, the “original thoughts” portion of this week’s entry will mostly cease; so that we may bring you Meat-Mail – a sampling of the reaction to last week’s serving of Pete Meat Sheppard.

Truth is, Meat DID generate response – some 35-plus emails. The three that were Meat Lovers are submitted first, followed by a selection from the Shots Backers and/or ‘EEI bashers (aka, Readers No. 6).

If WEEI is strictly looking for a nerve-tweaker, then Meat is probably their guy for the long haul. But I think you’ll agree, from the tone of the representative sampling below, that Meat’s act is wearing thin on even the most loyal of ‘EEIndulgers. And calling Shots a pisspot probably didn’t help Meat’s cause. My readers prefer you call me Mr. Pisspot. (Although we did consider changing our name for this week only, to Scott’s Pisspots Shots.)

Last names have been omitted or initials used, to protect the correspondents’ from any Meataliation or nasty emailing from the Meat Mailer. On occasion, an ITALICIZED wiseass Shots retort is included. I’ve seen other mailbaggers do the same and think it works – in small doses.

Enjoy and keep the dialogue flowing: this is how it works best, people.

“Hey Scott’s Schlock,
You should know better than to take on the Great Pete “The Meat” Sheppard. He played you like a fine violin. When he wrote p-s try to keep this between us, remember, show some nuts . Do you really believe he expected you would? He knew that you would get all excited by the fact he even acknowledged you. He knew when he wrote “try to keep this between us” you would do the exact opposite. Gee, you don’t get it do you? I’m surprised, a “sophisticated” media critic such as yourself!….Don’t you understand that these guys are part talk show host/part actors? Meter plays the geeky smart ass, Callahan plays the deranged right winger, Dale and Holley play the goody two shoes etc. etc. and Pete Sheppard plays the “Bully”. They all play their parts very well, hence their # 1 Ranking. and YOU just helped Sheppard perpetuate his “image” by publishing his E-Mail. Oh yes Scottie, the Great Man Played you and you went for it hook, line and sinker! Live and learn son, live and learn…….oh yeah one more thing, since you used MY name in your column shouldn’t I be entitled to some sort of gratuity? Perhaps a “Scott’s Shots” T-Shirt. I need something to wipe my “Arsey” with……….GOOD DAY SIR!”
– ARS630 (“Arsey” as Shots has dubbed this Meat Man)

“Sheppard is 100% correct.You CLAIM that his email didnt bother you, yet you wasted 1000 words on trying to seem bigger and better than him. He is correct, you are a wannabe sports personality, and it kills you that you cannot be, and that Pete is. Pete may not be Mike Lupica, but he does provide the listeners with an “everyman” type of character, and it obviously works, check the ratings.
You and your kind do offer insight into different things that the real media cannot do, but for you to interject yourself into the scene is just sad. Youre crying out for attention, and youre just not gonna get it.
Stick to writing dopey articles about useless topics such as college hoops and charlie pierce. The big boys dont care about internet geek bloggers, and quite frankly, neither do the fans.”

– DC,
Londonderry, NH

Charlie Pierce is hardly useless. His Final Four hat alone proves this. And college hoops can not be useless: The Iona Gaels are undefeated.

“David,
Great blog on Shepherd.
I have to tell you though, Pete is entertaining. America loves human conflict and Pete is just another example of this trend. Look at all the conflict shows that began with “Survivor” that have flooded the airwaves. Pete is a cartoon character. He would be a caricature artists dream. (Listen up Larry Johnson) Watching Pete on TV is a great take. Just the sight of him on FSNE, too big for that little chair, eyes bulging like a Pomeranian, clothes that don’t fit, sweating profusely, stumbling over his words and losing track of his topics. This is great stuff. Yes, we’re laughing at him, not with him! Listen, it’s true that Pete is a big goof, a bully, unprepared, verbally challenged, not that bright and the perfect patsy for Ordway who plays him like a fiddle, but it’s these inadequacies that we love about Pete. I listen to Pete go off with the same enjoyment I get from watching Paul junior and senior go at it on American Chopper. He’s a car wreck that we can’t take our eyes off of. The great part of this with Pete is that 90% of it is genuine. A genuine bully moron. When he tells Chris Nilan that Nilan’s blood will be all over him, now that is great theatre. Many people complain that the big O show is too much sophomoric antics and not enough sports. All these people need to do is check the ratings.Obviously this is what people are looking for. Anyway, I started off telling you that it was a good blog on Pete. Keep up the good work.”
– RA

This was borderline Meat Loving, but there are some salient points – especially the “genuine bully moron” line right after the “American Chopper” analogy. This was the best Meat defense by far. The Meaty One should send him some of that dog food Tiki and Torchi scarf down.

“Shots-
How does that idiot keep his job? If my employer discovered I wrote that email, I would be fired.
Good thing Meat doesn’t need writing skills or thinking ability to keep his job. He couldn’t make it in the real world. Imagine him (or any other Big Show bozo) trying to write for a paper? :)
Just another instance of idiot radio. I’m surprised that intelligent guys like McAdam, Gammons, and Buckley appear on that show. Do they get decent coin to appear? So it’s the only show in town, but I usually listen to Howie Carr when I’m on the road even though I disagree with his politics. At least Howie has more brains than Ordway and crew.
In closing, thank goodness for the work you and other blogger do for us sensible sports fans.
Keep up the good fight!!!”

– Eric

“Hey you gutless piss-pot,
Wanted to thank you for publishing and exposing Meat Sheppard for the complete a** that he is (although me and my friends have believed he does that quite well for himself every time he opens his mouth). Your comments and ability to stay above the fray while also pointing out the biggest aspect of all this - how a large, public enterprise can employ and promote such an imbecile is beyond me. I would have fired him after his incredibly embarrassing interview with the Tennessee radio station a few years back. If I ever publicly embarrassed my employer as a representative to another region like that, I would resign in shame, they wouldn’t need to dismiss me. Bottom line, I know your busy, you have many readers who enjoy your opinions and insights and please don’t allow this bully to remain in place, stay on this story and the way management at EEI has hid like ostriches. I would love to see Meat have to find a job outside of EEI’s halls – I’m sure there is a great need for an overweight, incoherent oaf in the private sector.
Have a great vacation!
P.S.: I’m 6′3″ 250 and if we are starting that line to tell Meat what wethink of him to his face, please reply with time and place. Not sure he’d be so bullish with me.”
– CN

Jason Wolfe, if the conspiracy theorists are to be believed, would be too busy cooking up schemes with Mike Adams to address the non-professionalism and disrespect his “talent” displays. And Julie Kahn? MIA.

“Man, I loved today’s edition of Scott’s Shots. I’m sure you have more than 5 readers. EEI wouldn’t have a whipping boy for the whiner line if Meat was fired and that’s the only reason the guy can possibly survive. Most of his flash mistakes are done intentionally is my guess. Lets hope Felger’s show keep improving. Quality is great and if ESPN bids high on the Sox after next season and steals them away, then EEI would have reason for a lot of concern.
Best, ”
– BK

Subject Head of the Week Winner: “Rancid meat Sheppard”
“This bum’s time has come. All of my friends and fans say the same about this glorified intern. He has a 3 word vocabulary: TURD, GARBAGE and FRAUD. His main concern should be making sure that Ordway stays healthy. Without Glen, this mope would be flipping burgers.
It is a sad state of affairs at WEEI when this genius from the Conn. School of Broadcasting has any job at all. This goof will not bully or intimidate me. He makes small money and he should do what he does best: ORDWAY’ S OFFICIAL TOILET SEAT!
I would debate this clown anywhere anytime.All that I ask is that the station give rancid meat a dictionary so it would be fair.To quote one of my favorite movies, ‘FAT,DUMB AND STUPID IS NO WAY TO GO THROUGH LIFE,SON.’”
– Angry Bill

Shots could not bring ourselves to confirm whether this was THE Angry Bill, realizing what an insult it would be to think there could be more than one Angry Bill of Dennis Callahan fame. By the slim chance that this is a totally separate Angry Bill, we would still like to praise him for providing the Official Meat Three Word Dictionary. We assume all three are simultaneous noun/verbs

“One critique of your Pete Sheppard story - at the end you said “borderline psycho” – in the past week I’ve come to the conclusion that the “borderline” might be unnecessary.
I actually heard his exchange with Angry Bill last week. I always assumed he was just “in character” on the show. But the level of fury he was showing suggested that if it was a put-on, he’s clearly wasting his time on the radio. The flaw was, if someone were so brilliant in creating and performing that particular character, they would be smart enough to use a better script, one with more imagination than repeating “turd” and “jerk weed” over, and over, and over again.
I used to find WEEI insufferable, particularly in the morning and afternoon when I am most likely to listen to and from work. While I still can’t tolerate the morning show (and if I am truly desperate for sports news and the Providence station is in commercials, I wind up feeling very dirty listening to the WEEI morning show for that brief amount of time) I’ve come to something of a acceptance (if not appreciation) of the Big Show.
But man, Pete is the main problem, and he’s just getting worse. Thanks for the article; I’m sure there were many people like me who listened to Sheppard last Friday and this week thinking to themselves, “I’m not sure this guy is doing an act anymore” and your timing was impeccable.”
–JC

“Hi David,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m one of the five faithful readers of your column, and I enjoy it very much! I especially like it when you take on the blowhards at “EEI”. They deserve all you give them, and I hope you keep on giving. To paraphrase, the Meat, “what a bunch of turds they are over there!”
‘EEI gets me so frustrated too - I like some of the banter and insider knowledge, but the relentless sexism and bullying gets tiresome, to say the least. Have you noticed ESPN radio’s new morning ad campaign? “A morning sports show that actually talks about sports!” Guess they think Dennis and Callahan’s nonstop right wing talk turns some folks - like me - off. And I think Meat is much worse when those two wingnuts - DeOssie and Smerlas are around. They make Ordway look like a liberal! Anyway, I really do enjoy your work - keep it up, and good luck shoveling.”
–MR

“Nice work on the “monster shots” on Friday. It made for fine SEPTA-train (Philadelphia) riding material on the commute in today. Hey, does that mean you now have 6 readers, or was I already one of the “famous 5″?
Funny, when you detailed your “run-in” with loudmouth Pete Sheppard, the only Philly personality that seemed even seemed remotely similar was Howard Eskin (who you also mentioned *avoiding* a run-in with). Unfortunately, Howard has a bit more than “Flash Guy” prominence in this city; however, his stature has decreased somewhat in recent years. . .”
-–DM

“Wow!
No less than 7 references to balls (or balls related items) in Pete’s dissertation. Very impressive. Pete is quite consumed by balls, it would seem. Did he have any follow up to this posting? Any further statements on how he yearns to see your balls?
Keep up the good work, dude. Love the Shots.”

–AH

We may not have much here at Shots, but we do have a reader who took the time to do a “ball count” for us. Top that, Boston Sports Guy!

“Scott –
Count me as one of your five readers. I can not agree with you more about Pete Sheppard. I think Glenn just likes him rant sometimes and is laughing at him, not with him, when Pete gets into these name calling sessions with the callers. Pete seems to be risking his reputation as a knowledgable sports professional by having these senseless shout-fests with people. I hope he will just see how stupid he comes across with the name-calling, and back off a bit. Maybe your column will help!”
–BD

Hi David,
1) FYI I read your email from Pete Shepard and he drives me crazy with his constant yelling and name calling. So much that after I read your column that I sent Jason Wolfe an email asking him to reign in Sheppard or more people like me will turn on The Drive. I got the “form” email saying Thanks fro your comments and for listening to WEEI.
2) Someone should ask if Wendy Nix will be off all Red Sox stories (except to give the score when she anchors) now that hubby is the new co-general manager. I wonder how long before the Globe or WEEI bring up this new conflict of interest. How will it effect Channel 7 when it comes to “breaking” Red Sox stories.
I enjoy your column.
–GN

“DS- I’m speechless. Is the Meat that insecure? He’s got a good voice for radio. Why the hell does he need to hassle a writer for? He must be insane. Or he was trashed when he wrote that? Or maybe his frustrated wife wrote it? Good call posting that. It really does confirm his idiocy is real and not some on-air persona. What a joke.”
–SD

“David - I must be one of your 5 readers. Your blog/criticism column is on my “Must Read As Soon As It Is Posted List.” Please keep up the good work. Now,on to the illiterate update donkey on the drive time show at WEEI.
His performance, talent, grammar, credentials, attitude, professionalism and appeal are atrocious.
He is one of the main reasons I tuned out 850 am and tuned in 890/1510 long ago. I also listen to much of my sports radio on the web as well.
It’s a shame that Julie Kahn refuses to acknowledge your attempts to engage. More friends than I can count have stopped listening to her stop on the dial, because of the likes of Meat and his antics among other things. She might be a bit surprised by that, and even alarmed by our demographic.
David - best to you and yours for a happy holiday season. Again, keep up the good work.”
–Chris
Melrose, MA

“Please continue to give Hell to that. . .scumbag with the stage name of “Sheppard”. That imbecile is the biggest fraud(literally and figuratively) in the Boston sports scene. He is the Boston version of (Miami radio personality) Sid Rosenberg, except without the, dare I say it…”wit”. Truly, the most rebarbative figure on WEEI and that’s no small feat. EVERYTHING about him irks me…the faux gambling addiction probably being the worst-this schmuck reads the lines out of the Herald and acts like he’s on top on the gaming scene-UGH. So cheers to you for getting under his elephantine skin.
All the best,”
Rocky in South Boston

The “stage name” thing is reportedly true: Sheppard, who you’ll recall called us a “fraud” is not the birth name of Meat Man. The Connecticut School of Broadcasting website still has him under his pre-“Big Time” name. A free brochure to the Siesta Key area will go to the winner who accurately emails Meat’s ‘maiden’ name to the email address below.

“Dave,
Just a note letting you know that I am in total agreement with you on both Pete Shepard and WEEI in general.
I am 55 years old so don’t fit the demographic they are driving for I guess but I find that I can’t stay tuned to WEEI for very long at ANY time. The one show with potential is Dale and Holley but I think the ratings have gone to Dale’s head.
Here in Maine I can’t get a signal for Felger’s new show but it sounds like it might have potential.
I enjoy your work, thanks for being there.”
–PO
Lyman, Maine

“Hey Shots,
Couldn’t agree with you more re Sheppard and EEI ingeneral. For years I’ve listened to the morning show and the big show, but over the last year or so I have just had enough (although I admit I still listen some). . .
The point is that these guys talk to hear themselves talk…to present their opinions couched in the form of questions. When somone with real insight is being interviewed, we, the listeners, want to hear what the interviewee has to say, not the talk show host. Shut up and let the interviewee speak.
The arrogance of the Big Show guys is really disconcerting. We get so little actual sports talk. Ordway is an opinionated, arrogant bully. The knowledgeable guests are good : Tony Maz, Felger, McAdam, etc. Sheppard is embarassing. But I’ll tell you something, if Felger had any reception at all at ESPN I would listen to him 24/7.
Anyway, keep up the great coverage of these guys. They really need to have someone keeping them honest. And since they’ve all decided to become the stories rather than cover them, how can they object to being reviewed and critiqued as we do with any other “public performers.”
Regards,”
Mike (your faithful 6th reader)

“Hey Shots-
Just read your blog on the Sheppard episode and wanted to tell you that you actually have SIX readers, not five.
The untouchable “giant” that ‘EEI has convinced themselves that they have become rightly deserves some type of checks and balances for their content and the on-air persona many of their hosts portray.
As a long-time listener I now find the station quite unlistenable at this time….so…*click*, you know? I include most of what is programmed on FSNE in that same category. Where is the fairness anymore? Are all our professional sports teams and their management as inept as is constantly portrayed? Is there a secret agenda/conspiracy behind every personnel move and statement coming out of the front offices? Where is Fox (Sports) Mulder when you need him?
I don’t wish any media outlet to ever gloss over issues or go into “The Emperor’s New Clothes” spin when criticism is rightly deserved, but this whole “whomever yells loudest is right” mentality (hello, Meat and the deplorable Andy Gresh) that permeates the airwaves at this time is both insulting and annoying to people like myself who actually feel they understand (to a large degree) the sports landscape in New England. I find the fun is being sucked out of sports here by the desire to drive the ratings and promote the edgy aspect of reporting. Too many of these people are becoming the story. . .
In closing (and it’s probably about time to do so), Boston has become a self-perpetuating prophecy in terms of how tough the media is. It’s a reputation that media types are more than happy to cultivate by constantly reminding us of it and chasing the windmills of controversy that often times simply does no exist. Opinion-driven radio is fine and all, but to disagree on-air means you are a “moron”, “idiot” “jackass” or “numbskull” (to use some of John Dennis’ favorite words). This is sports? This is fun? These are informed professionals??? A little perspective here, folks.
I always look forward to reading your blog and encourage you to keep going, man. Happy Holidays and apologies for the long-winded rant. I just can’t help myself anymore.”
–Ken DeCosta
Reader #6
Tiverton, R.I.

No apologies necessary. This is exactly what I’m talking about: dialogue and discussion. Warms the cockles, I tell you. Or maybe that’s the warm Gulf breeze. . .

“THANK YOU for finally giving that fat, useless blowhard from WEEI the beat-down he deserves. The guy is a 100% bona fide FRAUD who shouldn’t be on sports radio in Okedoke, WV, let alone Boston. I’ve stopped listening to that stupid show because I can’t take his antics anymore.
I hope he calls you out so you can flame his ass some more.
Nice WORK!”
– JD

I admit: the true reason I had to run this one, and save it for last, it also warms my cockles to have a woman (which JD is) who uses the phrase “flame his ass.” I prefer to think of it with a sassy, Southern drawl, but even the plain written word is sufficient.

• Damn – you guys give better Friday column than I ever could.

David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. and can be reached at shots@bostonsportsmediadotcom