Rescue Mike: Leary Takes Over.

19 August 2009

New York-- ESPN’s early morning talk show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, took on a whole new personality Wednesday as actor/comedian Denis Leary sat in as a guest host.

Denis Leary, who is currently the star actor and chief writer of the hit FX television show Rescue Me, substituted for Mike Golic today; and it took every ounce of energy and perseverance on Mike Greenberg’s part to keep the show in line.

Leary took every opportunity to promote his recent book Why We Suck and also show-boat DVD’s of Rescue Me.  There was even a point in the show where Denis mentioned to
Greeny that he was lucky they were still able to go to commercial breaks.

The bottom line, Denis Leary took over the show and there was little Mike Greenberg could do about it.  Yet, as a fan of the early morning show, the change was most welcomed.

Leary was already more than Greeny could handle, but nevertheless he chose to allow another member of the Rescue Me cast to sit in on the show, actor/comedian Lenny Clarke.  At this point, it was all about rescue Mike.

Leary and Clarke snatched the reigns of the Mike and Mike show and never let go.  They waxed philosophical about Bobby Orr being the greatest hockey player of all time, Jewish athletes, and of course, athletes’ girlfriends and wives.  Seldom did a segment go by on Wednesday morning that Denis Leary failed to mention ‘breasts;’ and Clarke’s obsession with players’ wives and girlfriends was insatiable. 

This episode of Mike and Mike (or Mike and Denis) in the Morning also saw the first appearance of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.  The normally stand-offish coach was actually quite entertaining as he joked with friends Leary and Clarke concerning his appearance on Rescue Me.  Belichick, however, stayed true to form speaking about his Patriots and artfully dodged questions concerning QB Tom Brady’s marriage to Gisele Bundchen and also neglected to comment on relations with Coach Eric Mangini.  Belichick avoided comments on these issues despite Lenny Clarke’s attempt to throw every piece of bait he could concoct at the Patriot’s coach. 

Overall, the presence of Leary and Clarke was a little more than the shy and uncontroversial Mike Greenberg could handle, but it was a delightful four hours of shenanigans and sports-talk radio.    

-Gregory Joss