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'''Opie''' (Gregg Hughes, b. [[May 23]] [[1963]]) and '''Anthony''' (Anthony Cumia, b. [[April 26]] [[1961]]) are the hosts of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'', a [[talk radio]] program airing on [[XM Satellite Radio]] and syndicated on [[DirecTV]] and terrestrial radio stations nationwide. It is co-hosted by stand up comedian [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]]. The show is currently based in [[New York City]]; it was previously on [[WNEW-FM]] in New York Mancow is a queer, and prior to that, on [[WAAF-FM]] in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]].
'''Opie''' (Gregg Hughes, b. [[May 23]] [[1963]]) and '''Anthony''' (Anthony Cumia, b. [[April 26]] [[1961]]) are the hosts of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'', a [[talk radio]] program airing on [[XM Satellite Radio]] and syndicated on [[DirecTV]] and terrestrial radio stations nationwide. It is co-hosted by stand up comedian [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]]. The show is currently based in [[New York City]]; it was previously on [[WNEW-FM]] in New York, and prior to that, on [[WAAF-FM]] in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]].


The show airs weekdays live from 6am [[North American Eastern Standard Time Zone|ET]] through 11am. The first three hours of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' (at 6-9 am) are broadcast from [[CBS Radio]]'s [[WFNY-FM|WFNY-FM 92.3 FREE FM]] studio in New York and are simulcast on [[XM]] uncensored. From 9am through 11am, Opie and Anthony broadcast exclusively on [[XM Radio]] Channel 202 "[[The Virus (XM)|The Virus]]". If the live show is not running long, a "worst-of" segment will be broadcast from 11am to 12pm. mancow is gayReplays are available throughout the day on their [[XM]] channel as well as on [[Direct TV]] channel 879.
The show airs weekdays live from 6am [[North American Eastern Standard Time Zone|ET]] through 11am. The first three hours of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' (at 6-9 am) are broadcast from [[CBS Radio]]'s [[WFNY-FM|WFNY-FM 92.3 FREE FM]] studio in New York and are simulcast on [[XM]] uncensored. From 9am through 11am, Opie and Anthony broadcast exclusively on [[XM Radio]] Channel 202 "[[The Virus (XM)|The Virus]]". If the live show is not running long, a "worst-of" segment will be broadcast from 11am to 12pm. Replays are available throughout the day on their [[XM]] channel as well as on [[Direct TV]] channel 879.


On [[April 26]], 2006, Opie and Anthony returned to the terrestrial airwaves after a four year absence, replacing CBS Radio's ''[[The David Lee Roth Show|David Lee Roth Show]]'' which aired mainly on the east coast of the United States. On [[August 1]], 2006, they replaced the low-rated ''[[Rover's Morning Glory]]'' in Chicago. Syndication of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' is handled by Robert Eatman Enterprises<ref>[http://www.roberteatman.com/home.html Robert Eatman Enterprises]</ref>.
On [[April 26]], 2006, Opie and Anthony returned to the terrestrial airwaves after a four year absence, replacing CBS Radio's ''[[The David Lee Roth Show|David Lee Roth Show]]'' which aired mainly on the east coast of the United States. On [[August 1]], 2006, they replaced the low-rated ''[[Rover's Morning Glory]]'' in Chicago. Syndication of ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' is handled by Robert Eatman Enterprises<ref>[http://www.roberteatman.com/home.html Robert Eatman Enterprises]</ref>.
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==The show==
==The show==
[[Image:opieheader.jpg|thumb|400px|The Official Opie & Anthony Banner for their show on [[XM Satellite Radio]]]]
[[Image:opieheader.jpg|thumb|400px|The Official Opie & Anthony Banner for their show on [[XM Satellite Radio]]]]
Opie and Anthony often comment on American sociopolitical and popular culture. Their popular "cringe" style of entertainment has earned them the sobriquet "[[shock jock]]s". Hughes, Cumia and Norton broadcast for approMANCOW SUCKSximately five hours per day. Generally speaking, Opie sets the daily flow of the show and introduces topics, while Cumia and Norton provide color commentary. The show has few limits, and covers a wide array of topics interactively, with a great deal of time devoted to callers, and sound bites sent in from listeners. With the re-emergence of terrestrial radio, however, the trio have been more conscious of what might be censored. This has led to the "dump report", a segment on [[XM]] where the specific content of censored bits is lamented. Some of the more hardcore O&A fans, nicknamed "[[O&A Army|Pests]]", have been known to go to extreme grassroots efforts to promote the show.
Opie and Anthony often comment on American sociopolitical and popular culture. Their popular "cringe" style of entertainment has earned them the sobriquet "[[shock jock]]s". Hughes, Cumia and Norton broadcast for approximately five hours per day. Generally speaking, Opie sets the daily flow of the show and introduces topics, while Cumia and Norton provide color commentary. The show has few limits, and covers a wide array of topics interactively, with a great deal of time devoted to callers, and sound bites sent in from listeners. With the re-emergence of terrestrial radio, however, the trio have been more conscious of what might be censored. This has led to the "dump report", a segment on [[XM]] where the specific content of censored bits is lamented. Some of the more hardcore O&A fans, nicknamed "[[O&A Army|Pests]]", have been known to go to extreme grassroots efforts to promote the show.


Friends and regular guests on the show include [[Adam Ferrara]], [[Bill Burr]], [[Patrice O'Neal]], [[Brian Regan]], [[Robert Kelly (comedian)|Robert Kelly]], [[Bob Saget]] and [[Rich Vos]], all of whom have substituted for Norton when he has left New York to pursue his stand-up comedy and acting. Frequent guests include [[Colin Quinn]], [[Stephen Lynch (comedian)|Stephen Lynch]], [[Joe Rogan]] and [[Jay Mohr]]. Host Anthony Cumia does impressions of various personalities such as [[Charlton Heston]], [[Don West]], [[Sylvester Stallone]], [[Sam Kinison]], [[Popeye]], [[Andrew Dice Clay]], [[Tom Brokaw]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Mike Tyson]], [[Tony Danza]], [[Christopher Reeve]], [[Robert Reed]], [[Regis Philbin]], [[Don Imus]], [[The Greaseman]] and [[Howard Stern]]. O&A's style and jokes typically target males in the 18-49 demographic.
Friends and regular guests on the show include [[Adam Ferrara]], [[Bill Burr]], [[Patrice O'Neal]], [[Brian Regan]], [[Robert Kelly (comedian)|Robert Kelly]], [[Bob Saget]] and [[Rich Vos]], all of whom have substituted for Norton when he has left New York to pursue his stand-up comedy and acting. Frequent guests include [[Colin Quinn]], [[Stephen Lynch (comedian)|Stephen Lynch]], [[Joe Rogan]] and [[Jay Mohr]]. Host Anthony Cumia does impressions of various personalities such as [[Charlton Heston]], [[Don West]], [[Sylvester Stallone]], [[Sam Kinison]], [[Popeye]], [[Andrew Dice Clay]], [[Tom Brokaw]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Mike Tyson]], [[Tony Danza]], [[Christopher Reeve]], [[Robert Reed]], [[Regis Philbin]], [[Don Imus]], [[The Greaseman]] and [[Howard Stern]]. O&A's style and jokes typically target males in the 18-49 demographic.


==Background and history==
==Background and history==
Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia were both raised on [[Long Island]], [[New York]]. Hughes graduated from [[State University of New York at Geneseo|SUNY Geneseo]] and for the next seven years, interned and worked at several upstate New York radio stations before deejaying at rock station [[WBAB]] on his native Long Island. Although he did not not initially host a talk-show, Hughes did experiment with certain talk elements, including a character named "Spuds Buckley". Cumia dropped out of high school and was barely making a living as an HVAC duct worker when he began performing songs with his brother Joe. One of Cumia's first breaks, and consequently a MANCOW SUCKSbreak for the then ''Opie Show'' on Long Island's WBAB, was Cumia's appearance on the Howard Stern show in the late 1990s. Stern's approval of Cumia's Jackie the Jokeman impression drew attention to Hughes' show on WBAB, where Cumia also performed the impression. Hughes and Cumia would later call Stern "washed up," although they both previously said Stern was a major influence. In August 1994, Hughes received an entry during an [[O.J. Simpson]] parody song contest. The song was entitled "Gonna Electric Shock OJ" (sung to the tune of [[Otis Redding]]'s "[[Sittin on the dock of the bay|Sittin on the Dock of the Bay]]") by a local band known as Rotgut, for which Cumia was the lead singer. It became a hit on Hughes' show, and he invited the Cumia brothers to the studio to play live. This sparked many further appearances, where "Ant & Brother Joe" jumped at any airtime opportunity available. Soon afterward, Hughes and Cumia became a radio team. Hughes' show was called "The Nighttime Attitude," and aired from 8 p.m.-midnight on [[WBAB]]. <ref>[http://www.foundrymusic.com/braincandy/displaymedia.cfm/id/6990]</ref>. Shortly after Cumia's arrival, it was proposed to the station's management that the show be moved to morning or afternoon drive, the two most listened-to timeslots in radio. When the station refused, Hughes and Cumia moved the show to afternoon drive on WAAF in [[Boston]], where they premiered on [[March 27]], [[1995]] as ''Opie & Anthony (O&A)''.
Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia were both raised on [[Long Island]], [[New York]]. Hughes graduated from [[State University of New York at Geneseo|SUNY Geneseo]] and for the next seven years, interned and worked at several upstate New York radio stations before deejaying at rock station [[WBAB]] on his native Long Island. Although he did not not initially host a talk-show, Hughes did experiment with certain talk elements, including a character named "Spuds Buckley". Cumia dropped out of high school and was barely making a living as an HVAC duct worker when he began performing songs with his brother Joe. One of Cumia's first breaks, and consequently a break for the then ''Opie Show'' on Long Island's WBAB, was Cumia's appearance on the Howard Stern show in the late 1990s. Stern's approval of Cumia's Jackie the Jokeman impression drew attention to Hughes' show on WBAB, where Cumia also performed the impression. Hughes and Cumia would later call Stern "washed up," although they both previously said Stern was a major influence. In August 1994, Hughes received an entry during an [[O.J. Simpson]] parody song contest. The song was entitled "Gonna Electric Shock OJ" (sung to the tune of [[Otis Redding]]'s "[[Sittin on the dock of the bay|Sittin on the Dock of the Bay]]") by a local band known as Rotgut, for which Cumia was the lead singer. It became a hit on Hughes' show, and he invited the Cumia brothers to the studio to play live. This sparked many further appearances, where "Ant & Brother Joe" jumped at any airtime opportunity available. Soon afterward, Hughes and Cumia became a radio team. Hughes' show was called "The Nighttime Attitude," and aired from 8 p.m.-midnight on [[WBAB]]. <ref>[http://www.foundrymusic.com/braincandy/displaymedia.cfm/id/6990]</ref>. Shortly after Cumia's arrival, it was proposed to the station's management that the show be moved to morning or afternoon drive, the two most listened-to timeslots in radio. When the station refused, Hughes and Cumia moved the show to afternoon drive on WAAF in [[Boston]], where they premiered on [[March 27]], [[1995]] as ''Opie & Anthony (O&A)''.


===WAAF-FM===
===WAAF-FM===


Among Opie and Anthony's most notable Boston stunts was when they hyped a giveaway of "100 Grand" for weeks. When they finally gave away the prize, the winning caller laid into the duo with biting invective after he realizedMANCOW BLOWS the repairs he needed to make to his truck would be un-affordable with a [[100 Grand Bar|100 Grand candy bar]] instead of $100,000.<ref>[http://radio.about.com/od/radiobloopersandouttakes/ss/blbloopers2_4.htm]</ref>
Among Opie and Anthony's most notable Boston stunts was when they hyped a giveaway of "100 Grand" for weeks. When they finally gave away the prize, the winning caller laid into the duo with biting invective after he realized the repairs he needed to make to his truck would be un-affordable with a [[100 Grand Bar|100 Grand candy bar]] instead of $100,000.<ref>[http://radio.about.com/od/radiobloopersandouttakes/ss/blbloopers2_4.htm]</ref>


The duo was fired in [[April 1998]] from WAAF for an [[April Fool's Day]] prank involving [[List of mayors of Boston|Mayor]] [[Thomas Menino]]. Opie and Anthony told their listeners Menino died in a fiery car accident while vacationing solo in Florida. Many believed the story, leading Menino to file a complaint with the [[Federal Communications Commission]], as the FCC prohibits the broadcast of knowingly false information if it causes public harm <ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/broadcast/hoaxes.html FCC hoax policy]</ref>. WAAF suggested that the duo have pies thrown at them while being held in town square stocks. The idea was summarily dismissed by the mayor's office. Facing a possible license challenge, WAAF fired them, but Opie and Anthony promised that they would return to Boston and get revenge.<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10F15FB39550C708DDDAE0894D0494D81&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fM%2fMenino%2c%20Thomas%20M%2e] at NYTimes.com</ref>
The duo was fired in [[April 1998]] from WAAF for an [[April Fool's Day]] prank involving [[List of mayors of Boston|Mayor]] [[Thomas Menino]]. Opie and Anthony told their listeners Menino died in a fiery car accident while vacationing solo in Florida. Many believed the story, leading Menino to file a complaint with the [[Federal Communications Commission]], as the FCC prohibits the broadcast of knowingly false information if it causes public harm <ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/broadcast/hoaxes.html FCC hoax policy]</ref>. WAAF suggested that the duo have pies thrown at them while being held in town square stocks. The idea was summarily dismissed by the mayor's office. Facing a possible license challenge, WAAF fired them, but Opie and Anthony promised that they would return to Boston and get revenge.<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10F15FB39550C708DDDAE0894D0494D81&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fM%2fMenino%2c%20Thomas%20M%2e] at NYTimes.com</ref>
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In 2001, O&A signed a syndication deal with Infinity to syndicate their show on 22 stations nationwide, including [[WBCN]] in Boston, longtime rival of WAAF. Former friend of the show [[Andrew Dice Clay]] then introduced O&A to [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]], a comedian who toured with Clay and opened for him. Norton was a hit and soon became a regular on the show, appearing three or four days of the week.
In 2001, O&A signed a syndication deal with Infinity to syndicate their show on 22 stations nationwide, including [[WBCN]] in Boston, longtime rival of WAAF. Former friend of the show [[Andrew Dice Clay]] then introduced O&A to [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]], a comedian who toured with Clay and opened for him. Norton was a hit and soon became a regular on the show, appearing three or four days of the week.


O&A hosted the short-lived "[[XFL]] Gameday" - the pregame show for [[Vince McMahon]]'s startup [[American football|football league]] -MANCOW IS GAY for four weeks in February 2001. The half-hour show aired nationally on Saturday nights on select [[NBC]] affiliates prior to the evening's games. The show was taped on Wednesdays at the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]]'s theme restaurant in [[Times Square]], and was open to the public. It featured analysis by [[WNBC]] sportscaster [[Bruce Beck]] and [[New York/New Jersey Hitmen]] head coach [[Rusty Tillman]], but also featured plenty of raunch. One particular segment featured O&A as chefs, inserting a cucumber in between two melons. O&A were almost banned from [[Giants Stadium]] for life during the filming of one episode when they imitated a proposed XFL rule where first possession was determined by placing the ball at midfield and having two opposing team-members attempt to get it. O&A did this as the [[Star-Spangled Banner]] began to play before a game. They said that the $100,000 cost of making each new show was the cause of its demise, though no official reason was given for its cancellation.
O&A hosted the short-lived "[[XFL]] Gameday" - the pregame show for [[Vince McMahon]]'s startup [[American football|football league]] - for four weeks in February 2001. The half-hour show aired nationally on Saturday nights on select [[NBC]] affiliates prior to the evening's games. The show was taped on Wednesdays at the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]]'s theme restaurant in [[Times Square]], and was open to the public. It featured analysis by [[WNBC]] sportscaster [[Bruce Beck]] and [[New York/New Jersey Hitmen]] head coach [[Rusty Tillman]], but also featured plenty of raunch. One particular segment featured O&A as chefs, inserting a cucumber in between two melons. O&A were almost banned from [[Giants Stadium]] for life during the filming of one episode when they imitated a proposed XFL rule where first possession was determined by placing the ball at midfield and having two opposing team-members attempt to get it. O&A did this as the [[Star-Spangled Banner]] began to play before a game. They said that the $100,000 cost of making each new show was the cause of its demise, though no official reason was given for its cancellation.


The duo also promoted "The Voyeur Bus," a mostly glass bus carting naked women through [[Manhattan]]. The stunt was harshly condemned by [[Mayor of New York|Mayor]] [[Rudy Giuliani]]. The FCC fined Infinity in [[June]] [[2002]] for three "patently offensive" O&A broadcasts, including one referring to [[incest]] between a man and his daughter. Another stunt, "Whip 'em Out Wednesday," encouraged women to show their breasts in public.
The duo also promoted "The Voyeur Bus," a mostly glass bus carting naked women through [[Manhattan]]. The stunt was harshly condemned by [[Mayor of New York|Mayor]] [[Rudy Giuliani]]. The FCC fined Infinity in [[June]] [[2002]] for three "patently offensive" O&A broadcasts, including one referring to [[incest]] between a man and his daughter. Another stunt, "Whip 'em Out Wednesday," encouraged women to show their breasts in public.
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===XM Satellite Radio===
===XM Satellite Radio===
Opie and Anthony returned to the air on October 4, 2004 exclusively for [[XM]] after two years of being off the air.
Opie and Anthony returned to the air on October 4, 2004 exclusively for [[XM]] after two years of being off the air.
Initially, the show was offered to [[XM]] subscribers at a premium cost of $1.99 a month, to which they found some resistance. In April 2005, "High Voltage" became part of the basic [[XM]] subscription. There are no numbersMANCOW IS GAY available with respect to the number of premium subscribers. Hughes gave some indication, however, when he told the Long Island press in 2006, "we went from having a show that was syndicated in 17 major markets to having a few thousand.", which did not help to clear up the discrepancy.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
Initially, the show was offered to [[XM]] subscribers at a premium cost of $1.99 a month, to which they found some resistance. In April 2005, "High Voltage" became part of the basic [[XM]] subscription. There are no numbers available with respect to the number of premium subscribers. Hughes gave some indication, however, when he told the Long Island press in 2006, "we went from having a show that was syndicated in 17 major markets to having a few thousand.", which did not help to clear up the discrepancy.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}


The hosts mentioned frequently on the air that they hated the name "High Voltage", as it was picked by one of the company lawyers. The channel name "High Voltage" was changed to ''The Virus'' on Monday, November 20th, 2006.<ref>see [[The Virus (XM)]]</ref>
The hosts mentioned frequently on the air that they hated the name "High Voltage", as it was picked by one of the company lawyers. The channel name "High Voltage" was changed to ''The Virus'' on Monday, November 20th, 2006.<ref>see [[The Virus (XM)]]</ref>
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===Return to broadcast radio===
===Return to broadcast radio===
After an 18-month run on [[XM]], ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' began simulcasting on [[XM Radio]] and various terrestrial radio stations from 6 am to 9 am EST. From 9 am to 11 am (and on some days up to noon), the show will be broadcast exclusively on [[XM]] Radio. [[XM]] listeners are able to hear theMANCOW IS GAY show uncensored the entire time (except when the main feed is "self censored" from the hosts), however from the 6-9 slot, the FM-only listeners will hear an [[FCC]]-compliant version of the show. [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=206195] In the initial [[Arbitron]] ratings released since their move to terrestrial radio, ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' doubled Free FM's ratings in the New York City market in the month of May[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=232699]. In Philadelphia O&A achieved a threefold increase in the month of May over David Lee Roth's April performance with listeners, ages 18-34[http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-06-22T222655Z_01_N22386482_RTRIDST_0_MEDIA-OPIE-ANTHONY.XML][http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--opieampanthony0623jun23,0,7406949.story]. In Boston, they doubled the listeners of all ages and achieved an even larger increase in younger demographics [http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/06/24/opie_and_anthony_give_bcn_a_boost?mode=PF]. Since the initial uptake, ratings increases have been tepid, leading on-air discussions of the topic. An unintended consequence of splitting time between FM and [[Satellite Radio]] has been a drop off of ratings in the shows following Opie and Anthony in the afternoon slot. One proposed solution has been to extend ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' an additional hour on FM stations. [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=290858]. Still they manage to attract just over 1 million total listeners on Free FM.[http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34]
After an 18-month run on [[XM]], ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' began simulcasting on [[XM Radio]] and various terrestrial radio stations from 6 am to 9 am EST. From 9 am to 11 am (and on some days up to noon), the show will be broadcast exclusively on [[XM]] Radio. [[XM]] listeners are able to hear the show uncensored the entire time (except when the main feed is "self censored" from the hosts), however from the 6-9 slot, the FM-only listeners will hear an [[FCC]]-compliant version of the show. [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=206195] In the initial [[Arbitron]] ratings released since their move to terrestrial radio, ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' doubled Free FM's ratings in the New York City market in the month of May[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=232699]. In Philadelphia O&A achieved a threefold increase in the month of May over David Lee Roth's April performance with listeners, ages 18-34[http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-06-22T222655Z_01_N22386482_RTRIDST_0_MEDIA-OPIE-ANTHONY.XML][http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--opieampanthony0623jun23,0,7406949.story]. In Boston, they doubled the listeners of all ages and achieved an even larger increase in younger demographics [http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/06/24/opie_and_anthony_give_bcn_a_boost?mode=PF]. Since the initial uptake, ratings increases have been tepid, leading on-air discussions of the topic. An unintended consequence of splitting time between FM and [[Satellite Radio]] has been a drop off of ratings in the shows following Opie and Anthony in the afternoon slot. One proposed solution has been to extend ''The Opie & Anthony Show'' an additional hour on FM stations. [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=290858]. Still they manage to attract just over 1 million total listeners on Free FM.[http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34]


On [[July 17]], Opie and Anthony also signed a deal with [[Citadel Broadcasting]] in which the first three hours of the show would beMANCOW IS GAY broadcast on nine of Citadel's rock stations.<ref>[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/tvstations/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002840290 Opie and Anthony Ink Deal With Citadel]</ref>,
On [[July 17]], Opie and Anthony also signed a deal with [[Citadel Broadcasting]] in which the first three hours of the show would be broadcast on nine of Citadel's rock stations.<ref>[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/tvstations/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002840290 Opie and Anthony Ink Deal With Citadel]</ref>,


===Film references===
===Film references===
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===="Characters" of the Show====
===="Characters" of the Show====


* '''Pat from Moonachie''' (Patrick Philbin) - A 42-year old, 300-pound self-employed courier with 9 toes (due to [[diabetes]]), who became a friend after winning O&A's first annual Eggnog Drinking Contest. Philbin consumed 70 doubleMANCOW IS GAY shots of [[egg nog]] and subsequently vomited. He was a competitive eater, ranked 20th in the world by the [[IFOCE|I.F.O.C.E]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ifoce.com/eaters.php?action=detail&sn=112 | title = Patrick Philbin Eater Profile | accessdate = January 26 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> and placed 10th in Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The [http://www.break.com/index/egg_nog_puke_in_mouth.html "Baby Bird"] video which came about from the 2006 Eggnog Drinking Challenge earned him infamy and caused him to be barred from the I.F.O.C.E for his "effluvic interchange." This banning proved to be quite short, as the I.F.O.C.E. seemingly had enough of the onslaught of email and other communication from the O&A Pests. Philbin's banishment was rescinded and he was eventually re-instated on [[December 6]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.competitiveeatingnews.com/newsarchive.php?action=detail&sn=67 | title = Eater Review Panel Recommends Philbin Reinstatement | accessdate = January 26 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref>
* '''Pat from Moonachie''' (Patrick Philbin) - A 42-year old, 300-pound self-employed courier with 9 toes (due to [[diabetes]]), who became a friend after winning O&A's first annual Eggnog Drinking Contest. Philbin consumed 70 double shots of [[egg nog]] and subsequently vomited. He was a competitive eater, ranked 20th in the world by the [[IFOCE|I.F.O.C.E]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ifoce.com/eaters.php?action=detail&sn=112 | title = Patrick Philbin Eater Profile | accessdate = January 26 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> and placed 10th in Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The [http://www.break.com/index/egg_nog_puke_in_mouth.html "Baby Bird"] video which came about from the 2006 Eggnog Drinking Challenge earned him infamy and caused him to be barred from the I.F.O.C.E for his "effluvic interchange." This banning proved to be quite short, as the I.F.O.C.E. seemingly had enough of the onslaught of email and other communication from the O&A Pests. Philbin's banishment was rescinded and he was eventually re-instated on [[December 6]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.competitiveeatingnews.com/newsarchive.php?action=detail&sn=67 | title = Eater Review Panel Recommends Philbin Reinstatement | accessdate = January 26 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref>
* '''Stalker Patti''' - A 52-year old virgin who is often subjected to degrading humiliation on the show. She used to live in the studio at [[WNEW-FM|WNEW]] under the stairs for a period of time. Since then she got a job at Godiva Chocolates but was fired when new management decided to use her as a fall girl. She also appeared on the [[Maury (TV series)|Maury]] show in [[November 2005]]. Recently she has pleasured herself on air.
* '''Stalker Patti''' - A 52-year old virgin who is often subjected to degrading humiliation on the show. She used to live in the studio at [[WNEW-FM|WNEW]] under the stairs for a period of time. Since then she got a job at Godiva Chocolates but was fired when new management decided to use her as a fall girl. She also appeared on the [[Maury (TV series)|Maury]] show in [[November 2005]]. Recently she has pleasured herself on air.
* '''Big A (Andrew)''' - A tall, overweight Bronx cab driver with a speech impediment (especially the "st" sound).
* '''Big A (Andrew)''' - A tall, overweight Bronx cab driver with a speech impediment (especially the "st" sound).
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* '''No Filter Paul''' — A British man who works for Jimmy running his merchandising, claims to have "no decency filter." Notable for his original appearance with his wife, where they discussed many aspects of their sex lives. Was also one of the more successful 'Assaults on the Media' competitors, disrupting several live shots. Also known for taking a potent [[laxative]] and then walking up 57th Ave. to the XM studio wearing almost nothing but a diaper.
* '''No Filter Paul''' — A British man who works for Jimmy running his merchandising, claims to have "no decency filter." Notable for his original appearance with his wife, where they discussed many aspects of their sex lives. Was also one of the more successful 'Assaults on the Media' competitors, disrupting several live shots. Also known for taking a potent [[laxative]] and then walking up 57th Ave. to the XM studio wearing almost nothing but a diaper.
* '''Steve from Yellowstone''' - (AKA Ben from Boston, Danny from W-Town, Jimmy from New Jersey, Erik from Breathtown, Po from Jersey, etc.) Fake characters that are voiced by Norton. Occasionally used to mock and insult bad guests on the phone or in the studio.
* '''Steve from Yellowstone''' - (AKA Ben from Boston, Danny from W-Town, Jimmy from New Jersey, Erik from Breathtown, Po from Jersey, etc.) Fake characters that are voiced by Norton. Occasionally used to mock and insult bad guests on the phone or in the studio.
* '''Tippy Tom''' - A homeless man from the streets of [[New York]]. Tippy Tom is a drunk homosexual, who once claimed to have [[AIDS]], but has since retracted that statement. O&A once had him showered, given fresh clothes, a fresh haircut, and a shave. Currently, he is still homeless, he is "AIDS free" and hasMANCOW IS GAY introduced Grey Wolf to the show. He is known to sing old songs and has been a part of "Homeless Radio" and the "Homeless Shopping Spree".
* '''Tippy Tom''' - A homeless man from the streets of [[New York]]. Tippy Tom is a drunk homosexual, who once claimed to have [[AIDS]], but has since retracted that statement. O&A once had him showered, given fresh clothes, a fresh haircut, and a shave. Currently, he is still homeless, he is "AIDS free" and has introduced Grey Wolf to the show. He is known to sing old songs and has been a part of "Homeless Radio" and the "Homeless Shopping Spree".
* '''Grey Wolf''' - Grey Wolf is primarily known for his song "Shelter Me", an improvised song about Tippy Tom's life. Combined with Dru Boogie's background music, the song has achieved moderate success, even receiving play on XM's Blues Channel and leaving fans demanding a longer, complete version. As of now, there is no complete studio version because, according to Dru Boogie, Grey Wolf has trouble hitting his notes.
* '''Grey Wolf''' - Grey Wolf is primarily known for his song "Shelter Me", an improvised song about Tippy Tom's life. Combined with Dru Boogie's background music, the song has achieved moderate success, even receiving play on XM's Blues Channel and leaving fans demanding a longer, complete version. As of now, there is no complete studio version because, according to Dru Boogie, Grey Wolf has trouble hitting his notes.
* '''Louis "Twitchels" Centanni''' - A comic who has [[Tourette's Syndrome]]. Nicknamed "Twitchels" by [[Nicole Richie]]. He is compelled to jump when the word "jump" is spoken or written. Twitchels also has [[obsessive compulsive disorder]]. Has made appearances on The Tonight show with Jay Leno and was featured in a 2006 episode of MTV's series [[True Life]].
* '''Louis "Twitchels" Centanni''' - A comic who has [[Tourette's Syndrome]]. Nicknamed "Twitchels" by [[Nicole Richie]]. He is compelled to jump when the word "jump" is spoken or written. Twitchels also has [[obsessive compulsive disorder]]. Has made appearances on The Tonight show with Jay Leno and was featured in a 2006 episode of MTV's series [[True Life]].
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===Run-ins with the FCC===
===Run-ins with the FCC===
The Federal Communications Commission has twice fined O&A for broadcasting material deemed to be in violation of decency standards. The first fine involved several November 2000 - January 2001 airings of a jingle produced by MANCOW IS GAYDru Boogie, a DJ who regularly appears on the show. This fine also found a segment of "Guess What's In My Pants," as well as a song entitled, "I'm Horny for Little Girls" to be indecent. The fine was for $21,000[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2002/DA-02-1336A1.html]. O&A's second FCC violation - the "Sex for Sam" broadcast - set a precedent for being the first time that a fine was issued to each individual station that aired the alleged indecent material[http://www.cwfa.org/articles/4685/CWA/pornography/index.htm]. The total was $357,500; $27,500 against each of the thirteen CBS Radio/Infinity-owned stations that broadcast the show[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2003/FCC-03-234A1.html]. Infinity appealed both fines, and later, its parent company Viacom entered into a $3.5 million agreement which cancelled all indecency violations pending against it[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2004/FCC-04-268A1.html]. The show has not been in trouble with the FCC since.
The Federal Communications Commission has twice fined O&A for broadcasting material deemed to be in violation of decency standards. The first fine involved several November 2000 - January 2001 airings of a jingle produced by Dru Boogie, a DJ who regularly appears on the show. This fine also found a segment of "Guess What's In My Pants," as well as a song entitled, "I'm Horny for Little Girls" to be indecent. The fine was for $21,000[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2002/DA-02-1336A1.html]. O&A's second FCC violation - the "Sex for Sam" broadcast - set a precedent for being the first time that a fine was issued to each individual station that aired the alleged indecent material[http://www.cwfa.org/articles/4685/CWA/pornography/index.htm]. The total was $357,500; $27,500 against each of the thirteen CBS Radio/Infinity-owned stations that broadcast the show[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2003/FCC-03-234A1.html]. Infinity appealed both fines, and later, its parent company Viacom entered into a $3.5 million agreement which cancelled all indecency violations pending against it[http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2004/FCC-04-268A1.html]. The show has not been in trouble with the FCC since.


==Other enterprises==
==Other enterprises==
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*'''Voyeur Bus''': Several members of their crew, including frequent guest [[Lewis Black]], third member [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]], and then-producer Rick Delgado were arrested for being on the transparent "Teen" Voyeur Bus, where six young teenage women were flashing all over Manhattan in 2000. Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] called the Voyeur Bus stunt, "stupid."{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
*'''Voyeur Bus''': Several members of their crew, including frequent guest [[Lewis Black]], third member [[Jim Norton (comedian)|Jim Norton]], and then-producer Rick Delgado were arrested for being on the transparent "Teen" Voyeur Bus, where six young teenage women were flashing all over Manhattan in 2000. Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] called the Voyeur Bus stunt, "stupid."{{Fact|date=February 2007}}


*'''Homeless Shopping Spree''': In late 1999, shortly before Christmas, O&A held the first "Homeless Shopping Spree". It has since become an annual event. This bit consists of a dozen of New York's homeless, each given several hundred dollars by the show and much more by the fans, and are taken to a wealthy mall, most notably the posh [[Mall at Short Hills]] in [[Short Hills, New Jersey]]. They are allowed to buy whatever they want including warm clothes and other items they would not normally be able to afford while being cheered on by the thousands of listeners who showMANCOW IS GAY up. During the first Homeless Shopping Spree, the mall's reaction was to close down many of the nicer stores and eventually force the twelve homeless men out of the mall. The event returned to the [[Mall at Short Hills]] on [[December 16]], [[2006]]. [[Boston]] mayor [[Thomas Menino]] claimed outrage of the event. He stated that the Homeless Shopping Spree degraded and humiliated the homeless contestants, and that it was immoral to hold such an event on the same day the city was to count the homeless.<ref>[http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=172602&srvc=home No holiday humor in radio pair’s jollies over degrading homeless] Boston Herald</ref>
*'''Homeless Shopping Spree''': In late 1999, shortly before Christmas, O&A held the first "Homeless Shopping Spree". It has since become an annual event. This bit consists of a dozen of New York's homeless, each given several hundred dollars by the show and much more by the fans, and are taken to a wealthy mall, most notably the posh [[Mall at Short Hills]] in [[Short Hills, New Jersey]]. They are allowed to buy whatever they want including warm clothes and other items they would not normally be able to afford while being cheered on by the thousands of listeners who show up. During the first Homeless Shopping Spree, the mall's reaction was to close down many of the nicer stores and eventually force the twelve homeless men out of the mall. The event returned to the [[Mall at Short Hills]] on [[December 16]], [[2006]]. [[Boston]] mayor [[Thomas Menino]] claimed outrage of the event. He stated that the Homeless Shopping Spree degraded and humiliated the homeless contestants, and that it was immoral to hold such an event on the same day the city was to count the homeless.<ref>[http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=172602&srvc=home No holiday humor in radio pair’s jollies over degrading homeless] Boston Herald</ref>


*'''"100 Grand"''': Early in their radio career together, O&A declared a contest one afternoon at [[WAAF]] that the 107th caller would receive "100 Grand". They continued this bit throughout the show, careful of never saying "$100,000", only "100 Grand". When the 107th caller got through, he was ecstatic, thinking he had really won $100,000. He shouted happily that he was planning on buying a new truck and could barely speak, due to his shock in winning. He was furious when Opie told him it was only the [[100 Grand]] candy bar and proceeded to shout and curse on air.
*'''"100 Grand"''': Early in their radio career together, O&A declared a contest one afternoon at [[WAAF]] that the 107th caller would receive "100 Grand". They continued this bit throughout the show, careful of never saying "$100,000", only "100 Grand". When the 107th caller got through, he was ecstatic, thinking he had really won $100,000. He shouted happily that he was planning on buying a new truck and could barely speak, due to his shock in winning. He was furious when Opie told him it was only the [[100 Grand]] candy bar and proceeded to shout and curse on air.
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* Despite currently being bitter enemies of Howard Stern, Anthony appeared on Stern's show in 1994 as part of a "Jackie sound-a-like contest" where Anthony did impersonations of then-Stern Show writer Jackie Martling and the late Sam Kinison. He even got a plug in for what was then "The Opie Show" which he became a part of. The clip (although grainy) can be found on video web sites like YouTube and various O&A fan web sites.
* Despite currently being bitter enemies of Howard Stern, Anthony appeared on Stern's show in 1994 as part of a "Jackie sound-a-like contest" where Anthony did impersonations of then-Stern Show writer Jackie Martling and the late Sam Kinison. He even got a plug in for what was then "The Opie Show" which he became a part of. The clip (although grainy) can be found on video web sites like YouTube and various O&A fan web sites.
* O&A hated the previous name of their [[XM]] channel, [[High Voltage (XM)|High Voltage]]. They had been trying to get the name changed but were unsuccessful for the first 2 years until Eric Logan announced on their October 4th, 2006 broadcast that High Voltage would be renamed "The Virus" because the pests demanded it starting November 20, 2006.
* O&A hated the previous name of their [[XM]] channel, [[High Voltage (XM)|High Voltage]]. They had been trying to get the name changed but were unsuccessful for the first 2 years until Eric Logan announced on their October 4th, 2006 broadcast that High Voltage would be renamed "The Virus" because the pests demanded it starting November 20, 2006.
* On April 17th, 2006, [[DirecTV]] ceased airing [[XM]] 202 (The High Voltage Channel) on their satellite TV service, citing subscriber requests for more music channels and less talk and sports channels. However, not even aMANCOW IS GAY week went by before inside sources stated that due to the overwhelming response demanding O&A's return to DirecTV that the channel would be restored on April 26th, 2006.<ref>[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=206500 Opie & Anthony Return To DirecTV]</ref>
* On April 17th, 2006, [[DirecTV]] ceased airing [[XM]] 202 (The High Voltage Channel) on their satellite TV service, citing subscriber requests for more music channels and less talk and sports channels. However, not even a week went by before inside sources stated that due to the overwhelming response demanding O&A's return to DirecTV that the channel would be restored on April 26th, 2006.<ref>[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=206500 Opie & Anthony Return To DirecTV]</ref>
* The song that was formerly played at the beginning of both the FM & [[XM]] show is [[Rage Against the Machine]]'s song [[Street Fighting Man]], a cover of the [[Rolling Stones]]'s song of the same name. The opening theme was changed on Monday, February 12th, 2007.
* The song that was formerly played at the beginning of both the FM & [[XM]] show is [[Rage Against the Machine]]'s song [[Street Fighting Man]], a cover of the [[Rolling Stones]]'s song of the same name. The opening theme was changed on Monday, February 12th, 2007.
* Opie and Anthony world premiered the leaked Eminem album [[The Eminem Show]]
* Opie and Anthony world premiered the leaked Eminem album [[The Eminem Show]]
* [[Rockstar Games]] gave the cast and crew of the show voice parts in the video game [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]. Including Club Soda Kenny as the voice of Derek the Dodo. The only exception was Jimmy Norton because he was given a voice role in the other Rockstar game '''[[Bully (video game)|Bully]]'''
* [[Rockstar Games]] gave the cast and crew of the show voice parts in the video game [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]. Including Club Soda Kenny as the voice of Derek the Dodo. The only exception was Jimmy Norton because he was given a voice role in the other Rockstar game '''[[Bully (video game)|Bully]]'''




==Station listings==
==Station listings==

Revision as of 05:21, 31 March 2007

The Opie and Anthony Show
File:Opieandanthony.jpg
Opie and Anthony
GenreTalk, Comedy
Running time~5 hours per episode, Monday through Friday
2-3 hours are exclusive to XM Radio
Country of originUnited States United States
Home stationThe Virus (XM202)
WFNY-FM (92.3 FM in New York City)
See affiliates below
StarringGregg "Opie" Hughes
Anthony Cumia
Jim Norton
Created byGregg Hughes
Anthony Cumia
Executive producer(s)Steve Carlesi
Original releaseMarch 27, 1995 –
present
Opening themeStreet Fighting Man by Rage Against the Machine
Websitehttp://opieandanthony.com
Podcastaudible.com

Opie (Gregg Hughes, b. May 23 1963) and Anthony (Anthony Cumia, b. April 26 1961) are the hosts of The Opie & Anthony Show, a talk radio program airing on XM Satellite Radio and syndicated on DirecTV and terrestrial radio stations nationwide. It is co-hosted by stand up comedian Jim Norton. The show is currently based in New York City; it was previously on WNEW-FM in New York, and prior to that, on WAAF-FM in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The show airs weekdays live from 6am ET through 11am. The first three hours of The Opie & Anthony Show (at 6-9 am) are broadcast from CBS Radio's WFNY-FM 92.3 FREE FM studio in New York and are simulcast on XM uncensored. From 9am through 11am, Opie and Anthony broadcast exclusively on XM Radio Channel 202 "The Virus". If the live show is not running long, a "worst-of" segment will be broadcast from 11am to 12pm. Replays are available throughout the day on their XM channel as well as on Direct TV channel 879.

On April 26, 2006, Opie and Anthony returned to the terrestrial airwaves after a four year absence, replacing CBS Radio's David Lee Roth Show which aired mainly on the east coast of the United States. On August 1, 2006, they replaced the low-rated Rover's Morning Glory in Chicago. Syndication of The Opie & Anthony Show is handled by Robert Eatman Enterprises[1].

The show

File:Opieheader.jpg
The Official Opie & Anthony Banner for their show on XM Satellite Radio

Opie and Anthony often comment on American sociopolitical and popular culture. Their popular "cringe" style of entertainment has earned them the sobriquet "shock jocks". Hughes, Cumia and Norton broadcast for approximately five hours per day. Generally speaking, Opie sets the daily flow of the show and introduces topics, while Cumia and Norton provide color commentary. The show has few limits, and covers a wide array of topics interactively, with a great deal of time devoted to callers, and sound bites sent in from listeners. With the re-emergence of terrestrial radio, however, the trio have been more conscious of what might be censored. This has led to the "dump report", a segment on XM where the specific content of censored bits is lamented. Some of the more hardcore O&A fans, nicknamed "Pests", have been known to go to extreme grassroots efforts to promote the show.

Friends and regular guests on the show include Adam Ferrara, Bill Burr, Patrice O'Neal, Brian Regan, Robert Kelly, Bob Saget and Rich Vos, all of whom have substituted for Norton when he has left New York to pursue his stand-up comedy and acting. Frequent guests include Colin Quinn, Stephen Lynch, Joe Rogan and Jay Mohr. Host Anthony Cumia does impressions of various personalities such as Charlton Heston, Don West, Sylvester Stallone, Sam Kinison, Popeye, Andrew Dice Clay, Tom Brokaw, Ronald Reagan, Mike Tyson, Tony Danza, Christopher Reeve, Robert Reed, Regis Philbin, Don Imus, The Greaseman and Howard Stern. O&A's style and jokes typically target males in the 18-49 demographic.

Background and history

Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia were both raised on Long Island, New York. Hughes graduated from SUNY Geneseo and for the next seven years, interned and worked at several upstate New York radio stations before deejaying at rock station WBAB on his native Long Island. Although he did not not initially host a talk-show, Hughes did experiment with certain talk elements, including a character named "Spuds Buckley". Cumia dropped out of high school and was barely making a living as an HVAC duct worker when he began performing songs with his brother Joe. One of Cumia's first breaks, and consequently a break for the then Opie Show on Long Island's WBAB, was Cumia's appearance on the Howard Stern show in the late 1990s. Stern's approval of Cumia's Jackie the Jokeman impression drew attention to Hughes' show on WBAB, where Cumia also performed the impression. Hughes and Cumia would later call Stern "washed up," although they both previously said Stern was a major influence. In August 1994, Hughes received an entry during an O.J. Simpson parody song contest. The song was entitled "Gonna Electric Shock OJ" (sung to the tune of Otis Redding's "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay") by a local band known as Rotgut, for which Cumia was the lead singer. It became a hit on Hughes' show, and he invited the Cumia brothers to the studio to play live. This sparked many further appearances, where "Ant & Brother Joe" jumped at any airtime opportunity available. Soon afterward, Hughes and Cumia became a radio team. Hughes' show was called "The Nighttime Attitude," and aired from 8 p.m.-midnight on WBAB. [2]. Shortly after Cumia's arrival, it was proposed to the station's management that the show be moved to morning or afternoon drive, the two most listened-to timeslots in radio. When the station refused, Hughes and Cumia moved the show to afternoon drive on WAAF in Boston, where they premiered on March 27, 1995 as Opie & Anthony (O&A).

WAAF-FM

Among Opie and Anthony's most notable Boston stunts was when they hyped a giveaway of "100 Grand" for weeks. When they finally gave away the prize, the winning caller laid into the duo with biting invective after he realized the repairs he needed to make to his truck would be un-affordable with a 100 Grand candy bar instead of $100,000.[3]

The duo was fired in April 1998 from WAAF for an April Fool's Day prank involving Mayor Thomas Menino. Opie and Anthony told their listeners Menino died in a fiery car accident while vacationing solo in Florida. Many believed the story, leading Menino to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, as the FCC prohibits the broadcast of knowingly false information if it causes public harm [4]. WAAF suggested that the duo have pies thrown at them while being held in town square stocks. The idea was summarily dismissed by the mayor's office. Facing a possible license challenge, WAAF fired them, but Opie and Anthony promised that they would return to Boston and get revenge.[5]

WNEW-FM

In June 1998, O&A were back on New York station WNEW-FM, where they became a top 10 afternoon drive show in New York by 2000.[6] WNEW's ratings had been sagging for the last three years, and the duo was virtually the only thing keeping the once-proud station relevant on the New York radio scene. The duo's success led WNEW to switch to a hot talk format in 1999, and station owner Infinity Broadcasting (the radio unit of CBS, which was owned by Viacom) soon made plans to introduce the format to several of its other FM stations.

In 2001, O&A signed a syndication deal with Infinity to syndicate their show on 22 stations nationwide, including WBCN in Boston, longtime rival of WAAF. Former friend of the show Andrew Dice Clay then introduced O&A to Jim Norton, a comedian who toured with Clay and opened for him. Norton was a hit and soon became a regular on the show, appearing three or four days of the week.

O&A hosted the short-lived "XFL Gameday" - the pregame show for Vince McMahon's startup football league - for four weeks in February 2001. The half-hour show aired nationally on Saturday nights on select NBC affiliates prior to the evening's games. The show was taped on Wednesdays at the WWF's theme restaurant in Times Square, and was open to the public. It featured analysis by WNBC sportscaster Bruce Beck and New York/New Jersey Hitmen head coach Rusty Tillman, but also featured plenty of raunch. One particular segment featured O&A as chefs, inserting a cucumber in between two melons. O&A were almost banned from Giants Stadium for life during the filming of one episode when they imitated a proposed XFL rule where first possession was determined by placing the ball at midfield and having two opposing team-members attempt to get it. O&A did this as the Star-Spangled Banner began to play before a game. They said that the $100,000 cost of making each new show was the cause of its demise, though no official reason was given for its cancellation.

The duo also promoted "The Voyeur Bus," a mostly glass bus carting naked women through Manhattan. The stunt was harshly condemned by Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The FCC fined Infinity in June 2002 for three "patently offensive" O&A broadcasts, including one referring to incest between a man and his daughter. Another stunt, "Whip 'em Out Wednesday," encouraged women to show their breasts in public.

Sex for Sam

One of O&A's stunts was "Sex for Sam," a yearly contest where the goal was to have sex in notable public places in New York City. Couples from various states would be selected to be followed by a comedian or member of the show, who would call in to the program to report the location. The contest was sponsored by Boston Beer Company, maker of Samuel Adams beer; prizes included trips to Boston concerts sponsored by Sam Adams. The contest was approved by the station and had no major problems for the first two years.

However, in "Sex for Sam 3," comedian Paul Mecurio encouraged a Virginia couple visiting Manhattan to have sex in a vestibule at St. Patrick's Cathedral on August 15. When a security guard ordered Mecurio and the couple to leave the church immediately, Mecurio began to argue with the guard, who then called police. The couple was arrested and charged with public lewdness. Intense media scrutiny led to the Catholic League demanding that the duo be fired. The Catholic League also threatened to get WNEW's license revoked.

The pair broadcasted for one more week but were not permitted to refer to the incident for legal reasons. (O&A still talked about it on the air, calling it instead "pb&j" or "the peanut butter and jelly incident").

On August 22, Infinity fired Opie and Anthony and permanently cancelled the show. However, it continued to pay the duo for staying off the air for the balance of their contract. The Catholic League immediately dropped its bid to revoke WNEW's license.

The repercussions of the incident were widespread.

  • Infinity was fined $357,000 by the FCC--the maximum amount allowed by law, and the second-largest indecency fine in American radio history. It later scrapped its plans to offer talk radio on its FM stations.
  • WNEW's ratings, already dreadful aside from Opie and Anthony, dropped below even those of noncommercial stations and never recovered. The station returned to playing mostly music in January 2003, and has since changed its calls to WWFS.

XM Satellite Radio

Opie and Anthony returned to the air on October 4, 2004 exclusively for XM after two years of being off the air. Initially, the show was offered to XM subscribers at a premium cost of $1.99 a month, to which they found some resistance. In April 2005, "High Voltage" became part of the basic XM subscription. There are no numbers available with respect to the number of premium subscribers. Hughes gave some indication, however, when he told the Long Island press in 2006, "we went from having a show that was syndicated in 17 major markets to having a few thousand.", which did not help to clear up the discrepancy.[citation needed]

The hosts mentioned frequently on the air that they hated the name "High Voltage", as it was picked by one of the company lawyers. The channel name "High Voltage" was changed to The Virus on Monday, November 20th, 2006.[7]

A big part of the XM show was the "Assault on the Media", led by The Pests to provide the show additional exposure. On May 19, 2005, show intern Nathaniel showed up behind Arthur Chi'en of WCBS-TV, and was coincidentally joined by Crazy Cabbie. The disruption caused Chi'en to shout "What the fuck is your problem, man?" while the cameras were still on. This incident got the show nationwide press. Chi'en was fired a few hours later.

Return to broadcast radio

After an 18-month run on XM, The Opie & Anthony Show began simulcasting on XM Radio and various terrestrial radio stations from 6 am to 9 am EST. From 9 am to 11 am (and on some days up to noon), the show will be broadcast exclusively on XM Radio. XM listeners are able to hear the show uncensored the entire time (except when the main feed is "self censored" from the hosts), however from the 6-9 slot, the FM-only listeners will hear an FCC-compliant version of the show. [5] In the initial Arbitron ratings released since their move to terrestrial radio, The Opie & Anthony Show doubled Free FM's ratings in the New York City market in the month of May[6]. In Philadelphia O&A achieved a threefold increase in the month of May over David Lee Roth's April performance with listeners, ages 18-34[7][8]. In Boston, they doubled the listeners of all ages and achieved an even larger increase in younger demographics [9]. Since the initial uptake, ratings increases have been tepid, leading on-air discussions of the topic. An unintended consequence of splitting time between FM and Satellite Radio has been a drop off of ratings in the shows following Opie and Anthony in the afternoon slot. One proposed solution has been to extend The Opie & Anthony Show an additional hour on FM stations. [10]. Still they manage to attract just over 1 million total listeners on Free FM.[11]

On July 17, Opie and Anthony also signed a deal with Citadel Broadcasting in which the first three hours of the show would be broadcast on nine of Citadel's rock stations.[8],

Film references

O&A's show features many inside jokes that a new listener may not immediately understand. [9] There are many references to films[10], The Shining being one of the most prominent. Other films referred to include The Silence of the Lambs, Pulp Fiction, The Accused, Boogie Nights, American Psycho, Blazing Saddles, Bad Lieutenant, Ed Wood, Jaws, Platoon, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Death Wish, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Schindler's List, Caddyshack, The Godfather, Mondo Topless, and anything starring Robert De Niro (most notably The King of Comedy).

Staff

  • Steve Carlesi, Executive Producer (aka Martini Steve, Steve C, Steve Carr, Steve the Bear) - Steve has worked with O&A since 1998. He also runs FoundryMusic.com [12], which covers Opie and Anthony news, music (especially metal) news, and porn industry news. Steve was the lead singer of the band "Foundry", who had a song called "Pendulum". His acting ability is often showcased on the daily broadcast.
  • Club Soda Kenny, Security - 22-year retiree of the West Orange, New Jersey Police Department. Feder met O&A while working for Andrew Dice Clay. Feder was cleared of departmental charges for conduct unbefitting of an officer when a video tape of his off-color act was sent to his superiors. Feder faced losing his upcoming 25-year pension[13]. Feder's defense was that he kept his real name and law enforcement ties secret while performing comedy. Was part-time member of O&A's security staff since the summer of 2004, and joined O&A full-time in 2006 following his fully-reinstated retirement. Is often ridiculed for his "oafish" demeanor.
  • Erik Nagel, Senior Producer (aka E-Rock, Sex Bagel, iRock, or Hawk) - Hired from Day 1 of the show coming to XM Radio.
  • Nathaniel Bryan, Senior Producer (aka Than) - Joined the show as an intern when it resumed airing in October 2004, and was hired full-time in July 2005. Also the co-host of The Than and Sam Show.
  • Travis Tefft, Producer - Former intern who became a regular staff member.
  • Danny Ross, Producer - Former intern who became a regular staff member. Danny originally started as a writer for Foundry Music and Carlesi brought him on board as an intern. Also produces the 'Saturday Night Virus'.
  • Derek Blair, Producer - Former intern who became a regular staff member. Derek does not appear on the show to the same extent as the rest of the staff, as his primary responsibilities include finding and playing music clips and sound bites for the show.
  • Sam Roberts, Associate Producer - Former intern who became a regular staff member. Also the co-host of The Than and Sam Show.
  • Roland, Guest Booker - Books all of the guest stars on the show; is known for stuttering while in front of a microphone. Best known for the phrase "Opens ... Friday. Wide."

"Characters" of the Show

  • Pat from Moonachie (Patrick Philbin) - A 42-year old, 300-pound self-employed courier with 9 toes (due to diabetes), who became a friend after winning O&A's first annual Eggnog Drinking Contest. Philbin consumed 70 double shots of egg nog and subsequently vomited. He was a competitive eater, ranked 20th in the world by the I.F.O.C.E[11] and placed 10th in Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The "Baby Bird" video which came about from the 2006 Eggnog Drinking Challenge earned him infamy and caused him to be barred from the I.F.O.C.E for his "effluvic interchange." This banning proved to be quite short, as the I.F.O.C.E. seemingly had enough of the onslaught of email and other communication from the O&A Pests. Philbin's banishment was rescinded and he was eventually re-instated on December 6, 2006.[12]
  • Stalker Patti - A 52-year old virgin who is often subjected to degrading humiliation on the show. She used to live in the studio at WNEW under the stairs for a period of time. Since then she got a job at Godiva Chocolates but was fired when new management decided to use her as a fall girl. She also appeared on the Maury show in November 2005. Recently she has pleasured herself on air.
  • Big A (Andrew) - A tall, overweight Bronx cab driver with a speech impediment (especially the "st" sound).
  • Lady Di and Marian (AKA the Retarded Laverne and Shirley) - Fans of the show who call in frequently. Friends since high school, they have some of their own sayings that make sense to nobody else (ie, "Ying yang party!"). They do not have XM receivers and therefore their appearances have been intermittent recently. Lady Di has an alcohol problem she says she is trying to work on, despite the fact she has repeatedly failed to complete rehab programs. Recently homeless and living behind a supermarket in New Jersey, but as of October 2006, she is no longer homeless.
  • No Filter Paul — A British man who works for Jimmy running his merchandising, claims to have "no decency filter." Notable for his original appearance with his wife, where they discussed many aspects of their sex lives. Was also one of the more successful 'Assaults on the Media' competitors, disrupting several live shots. Also known for taking a potent laxative and then walking up 57th Ave. to the XM studio wearing almost nothing but a diaper.
  • Steve from Yellowstone - (AKA Ben from Boston, Danny from W-Town, Jimmy from New Jersey, Erik from Breathtown, Po from Jersey, etc.) Fake characters that are voiced by Norton. Occasionally used to mock and insult bad guests on the phone or in the studio.
  • Tippy Tom - A homeless man from the streets of New York. Tippy Tom is a drunk homosexual, who once claimed to have AIDS, but has since retracted that statement. O&A once had him showered, given fresh clothes, a fresh haircut, and a shave. Currently, he is still homeless, he is "AIDS free" and has introduced Grey Wolf to the show. He is known to sing old songs and has been a part of "Homeless Radio" and the "Homeless Shopping Spree".
  • Grey Wolf - Grey Wolf is primarily known for his song "Shelter Me", an improvised song about Tippy Tom's life. Combined with Dru Boogie's background music, the song has achieved moderate success, even receiving play on XM's Blues Channel and leaving fans demanding a longer, complete version. As of now, there is no complete studio version because, according to Dru Boogie, Grey Wolf has trouble hitting his notes.
  • Louis "Twitchels" Centanni - A comic who has Tourette's Syndrome. Nicknamed "Twitchels" by Nicole Richie. He is compelled to jump when the word "jump" is spoken or written. Twitchels also has obsessive compulsive disorder. Has made appearances on The Tonight show with Jay Leno and was featured in a 2006 episode of MTV's series True Life.
  • Andrew (Treat Yourself!) - Andrew is a homeless man from Goa, India who sits outside of the 92.3 Free FM studios in New York. Andrew, whose last name is unknown, is currently in the US "without papers". O&A, their staff, and fans have often extended their generosity to Andrew during the walk-over portion of the show by giving him money and food. Andrew's greatest claim to fame was an incident where he offered O&A a piece of a fresh cake he had obtained. Andrew magnanimously said "Treat Yourself!" (which later became an O&A catchphrase). Delighted by the look of the cake, but horrified at where it may have come from, they all politely refused. Shortly thereafter, Opie jumped an estimated half a foot off of the ground and landed dead center in the middle of the cake, squashing it.[14] Andrew, lamenting, declared "I earned That Cake", thus creating yet another catch phrase which would be used on the show. After this incident, Andrew disappeared for several weeks and finally re-appeared on the show in November 2006 to the relief of many. However, despite the fact that his whereabouts and the cake squashing story and video were a much talked about topic on the show, he did not recall the incident at all. He was on good terms with O&A and was supposed to take part in the 2006 Homeless Shopping Spree, however he did not show up on time for the bus ride to the mall, even though he was reminded for weeks about the shopping spree. It is important to note, O & A never gave Andrew a specific time to meet for the show. He claims to have waited from 8:30am to 11am (the usual timeframe where he would normally meet O & A), but the show started at 1pm, later than usual, due to a protest march led by Al Sharpton.
  • Big Kev - Big Kev is the "Resident Geek" of the show. Occasionally interviews B-list celebrities by asking them very dull or geeky questions. Interviews usually take less than a minute and include just a single question trying to encompass as much as possible.

Run-ins with the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission has twice fined O&A for broadcasting material deemed to be in violation of decency standards. The first fine involved several November 2000 - January 2001 airings of a jingle produced by Dru Boogie, a DJ who regularly appears on the show. This fine also found a segment of "Guess What's In My Pants," as well as a song entitled, "I'm Horny for Little Girls" to be indecent. The fine was for $21,000[15]. O&A's second FCC violation - the "Sex for Sam" broadcast - set a precedent for being the first time that a fine was issued to each individual station that aired the alleged indecent material[16]. The total was $357,500; $27,500 against each of the thirteen CBS Radio/Infinity-owned stations that broadcast the show[17]. Infinity appealed both fines, and later, its parent company Viacom entered into a $3.5 million agreement which cancelled all indecency violations pending against it[18]. The show has not been in trouble with the FCC since.

Other enterprises

Demented World

A CD released in November of 1997 which includes a compilation of bits done on WAAF.

The Opie & Anthony Traveling Virus

Main article: Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus Comedy Tour (2006)
Main article: Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus Comedy Tour (2007)

The Traveling Virus was a comedy tour headlined by Opie and Anthony, as well as friends of the show, that began in 2006. In its first year, it spanned several locations in the eastern United States during the summer. The tour will happen again in 2007 and is expected to visit 10 cities through the spring and summer. It was an event they had talked about for many years, but were never able to bring to fruition until they made their latest deal with CBS radio.

Cringe autobiography

Opie and Anthony have long talked about the possibility of being involved in writing an autobiography called "Cringe". Although Amazon.com has a listing for the book, this still remains a hypothetical project.

Notable bits

  • April Fool's Day: On April 1, 1998, while still on WAAF in Boston, O&A, over the course of their show, announced that the mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, had been involved in a car accident in Florida and died. Things came to a head after Menino's daughter called the station believing the story to be true. They were fired the next week.
  • W.O.W.: During their WAAF years, O&A established W.O.W., short for Whip 'Em Out Wednesdays, which encouraged women to flash anyone with a W.O.W. sign. As a result, it was common around Massachusetts to see cars with stickers, signs and even painted on letters.
  • Voyeur Bus: Several members of their crew, including frequent guest Lewis Black, third member Jim Norton, and then-producer Rick Delgado were arrested for being on the transparent "Teen" Voyeur Bus, where six young teenage women were flashing all over Manhattan in 2000. Mayor Rudy Giuliani called the Voyeur Bus stunt, "stupid."[citation needed]
  • Homeless Shopping Spree: In late 1999, shortly before Christmas, O&A held the first "Homeless Shopping Spree". It has since become an annual event. This bit consists of a dozen of New York's homeless, each given several hundred dollars by the show and much more by the fans, and are taken to a wealthy mall, most notably the posh Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, New Jersey. They are allowed to buy whatever they want including warm clothes and other items they would not normally be able to afford while being cheered on by the thousands of listeners who show up. During the first Homeless Shopping Spree, the mall's reaction was to close down many of the nicer stores and eventually force the twelve homeless men out of the mall. The event returned to the Mall at Short Hills on December 16, 2006. Boston mayor Thomas Menino claimed outrage of the event. He stated that the Homeless Shopping Spree degraded and humiliated the homeless contestants, and that it was immoral to hold such an event on the same day the city was to count the homeless.[13]
  • "100 Grand": Early in their radio career together, O&A declared a contest one afternoon at WAAF that the 107th caller would receive "100 Grand". They continued this bit throughout the show, careful of never saying "$100,000", only "100 Grand". When the 107th caller got through, he was ecstatic, thinking he had really won $100,000. He shouted happily that he was planning on buying a new truck and could barely speak, due to his shock in winning. He was furious when Opie told him it was only the 100 Grand candy bar and proceeded to shout and curse on air.
  • O&A Raise Money for Hurricane Katrina: On September 2 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, friends of the show began an online auction of signed memorabilia from their years of collecting miscellaneous stuff with 100% of the funds collected going to the relief efforts down in the Gulf States. So far, the auction has proved a big success, raising well over $50,000.
  • The Eggnog Drinking Challenge: An annual challenge where contestants have to drink as many shots of eggnog as possible before vomiting. On December 1st, 2006, during the Challenge, Pat from Moonachie drank 76 double-shots of egg nog and subsequently vomited all over prospective intern Pat Duffy's mouth. This has been dubbed the "Baby Bird," and became a popular hit on both the O&A website as well as Break.com due to Youtube's initial refusal to carry the video. [19]

Miscellaneous facts

  • O&A's XM contract has been renewed until October 2010.[14]
  • Despite currently being bitter enemies of Howard Stern, Anthony appeared on Stern's show in 1994 as part of a "Jackie sound-a-like contest" where Anthony did impersonations of then-Stern Show writer Jackie Martling and the late Sam Kinison. He even got a plug in for what was then "The Opie Show" which he became a part of. The clip (although grainy) can be found on video web sites like YouTube and various O&A fan web sites.
  • O&A hated the previous name of their XM channel, High Voltage. They had been trying to get the name changed but were unsuccessful for the first 2 years until Eric Logan announced on their October 4th, 2006 broadcast that High Voltage would be renamed "The Virus" because the pests demanded it starting November 20, 2006.
  • On April 17th, 2006, DirecTV ceased airing XM 202 (The High Voltage Channel) on their satellite TV service, citing subscriber requests for more music channels and less talk and sports channels. However, not even a week went by before inside sources stated that due to the overwhelming response demanding O&A's return to DirecTV that the channel would be restored on April 26th, 2006.[15]
  • The song that was formerly played at the beginning of both the FM & XM show is Rage Against the Machine's song Street Fighting Man, a cover of the Rolling Stones's song of the same name. The opening theme was changed on Monday, February 12th, 2007.
  • Opie and Anthony world premiered the leaked Eminem album The Eminem Show
  • Rockstar Games gave the cast and crew of the show voice parts in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Including Club Soda Kenny as the voice of Derek the Dodo. The only exception was Jimmy Norton because he was given a voice role in the other Rockstar game Bully

Station listings

The show's first three hours air from the WFNY-FM studio in New York City. Markets are arranged from largest to smallest.

Calls Freq. Branding Format Market/Market Rank[16] Timeslot Group Owner
Satellite Stations
XM 202 The Virus Uncensored Talk United States, Canada Live 6A-12P ET
Adjust for time zone 		XM Satellite Radio
DIRECTV 879 United States
BELL 202 Canada
TELUS 202 Canada
Terrestrial Stations
WFNY-FM 92.3 MHz 92.3 FREE FM Hot Talk/Rock New York NY / 1 Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WCKG 105.9 MHz File:Triangle-blue.gif105.9 FREE FM Hot Talk Chicago, IL / 3 1 hour tape delay 6A-9A CBS Radio
KIFR 106.9 MHz 106.9 FREE FM Hot Talk San Francisco, CA / 4 Tape 10A-1P CBS Radio
KLLI 105.3 MHz Live 105.3 FREE FM Hot Talk Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX / 5 Live 5A-8A CBS Radio
WYSP 94.1 MHz FREE FM 94-1 WYSP Hot Talk/Rock Philadelphia, PA / 7 Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WJFK-FM 106.7 MHz 106.7 FREE FM Hot Talk Washington, DC / 8 Tape 10A-1P CBS Radio
WKRK-FM 97.1 MHz Live 97.1 FREE FM Hot Talk Detroit, MI / 10 Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WBCN 104.1 MHz WBCN 104.1 The Rock of Boston Active Rock Boston, MA / 11 Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WRKZ 93.7 MHz K-Rock Rock Pittsburgh, PA / 23 Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WXRK 92.3 MHz K-Rock Alternative Cleveland, OH / 25 Tape 3P-6P CBS Radio
KXTE 107.5 MHz Xtreme Rock Radio Modern Rock Las Vegas, NV / 32 Tape 10A-1P CBS Radio
WSKO-FM 99.7 MHz The Score Sports Talk Providence-Warwick-
Pawtucket, RI / 38 		Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
WSKO 790 kHz
WPBZ 103.1 MHz File:Triangle-red.gif103.1 The Buzz Alternative West Palm Beach-
Boca Raton, FL / 46 		Live 6A-9A CBS Radio
WEDG 103.3 MHz 103.3 The Edge Active Rock Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY / 52 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
WZNE 94.1 MHz The Zone Alternative Rochester, NY / 53 Tape 2P-5P Entercom Communications
KHYT 107.5 MHz ROCK 107.5 Classic Rock Tucson, AZ / 61 Tape 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
WKLQ 107.3 MHz Pure Rock Hard Rock Grand Rapids, MI / 67 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
KBZU 96.3 MHz 96.3 The Buzz Hot Talk Albuquerque, NM / 70 Tape 3P-6P
Replay 2A-5A 		The Last Bastion Station Trust, LLC
WAQX-FM 95.7 MHz 95X Active Rock Syracuse, NY / 82 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
KRDJ 93.7 MHz Rock 93-7 Classic Rock Lafayette, LA / 102 Live 5A-8A Citadel Broadcasting
WTRX 1330 kHz Sports Xtra 1330 Sports Talk Flint, MI / 125 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
WCYY 94.3 MHz Portland's New Rock Alternative Alternative Portland, ME / 167 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
WMOS 104.7 MHz File:Triangle-red.gifThe Wolf Classic Rock New London, CT / 171 Live 6A-9A Citadel Broadcasting
(LMA: Mohegan Sun)
WPXC 102.9 MHz Pixy 103 Rock Cape Cod, MA / 189 Live 6A-9A Nassau Broadcasting
WCYI 93.9 MHz Portland's New Rock Alternative Alternative Lewiston-Auburn, ME / 280 Live 6A-9A The Last Bastion Station Trust, LLC

File:Triangle-red.gif - Show is NOT streamed via the internet.
- This station is pending a sale from its group owner.
File:Triangle-blue.gif - WCKG in Chicago will be moving the show to 5AM to 8AM, beginning Monday, April 2nd.

Former affiliates include WXYT, and WAZU.

References

  1. ^ Robert Eatman Enterprises
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ FCC hoax policy
  5. ^ [3] at NYTimes.com
  6. ^ XM Satellite Radio Media Room
  7. ^ see The Virus (XM)
  8. ^ Opie and Anthony Ink Deal With Citadel
  9. ^ [4]
  10. ^ A full list of Movie Quotes and References
  11. ^ "Patrick Philbin Eater Profile". Retrieved January 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Eater Review Panel Recommends Philbin Reinstatement". Retrieved January 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ No holiday humor in radio pair’s jollies over degrading homeless Boston Herald
  14. ^ wackbag.com post
  15. ^ Opie & Anthony Return To DirecTV
  16. ^ Market Rank according to Arbitron Market Rankings
Official Sites
Show Resources
  • Opie and Anthony Listener Pest Polls Vote online about a number of show topics. Hosted by bodog.net.
  • Foundry Music - Affiliated official fan site, created and maintained by Opie & Anthony Producer SteveC. This site also caters to music and porn reviews.
Fan Sites
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