WEEI-FM morning show co-host John Dennis after the Red Sox' home opener Monday decided to "check himself into rehab," according to Steve Buckley of the BOSTON HERALD. Dennis said that he "had gone 40 days without touching alcohol." But "then came the traditional home opener, after which he decided to take a leave of absence from WEEI." Dennis: "It’ll be local. But it will be inpatient, and I’m told it’s approximately four to five weeks." Dennis said that he "was assured his job will be waiting for him when he returns." Entercom Boston VP & Marketing Manager Phil Zachary, whose company owns the station, "confirmed that last night." Zachary: "WEEI has been built on the 'Dennis & Callahan Show' with Dennis and Callahan and Kirk Minihane, and we don’t see a future without John Dennis." He added, "He and I have been talking about a problem he’s had with alcohol for a while" (BOSTON HERALD, 4/16).
VIDEO STREAMED THE RADIO STARS: In Detroit, Tony Paul notes WXYT-FM recently "unveiled a live Internet video stream of the uber-popular 'Valenti & Foster' show, with Mike Valenti and Terry Foster, also of The Detroit News." The live video stream "features three camera shots, one of the whole studio and one each for closeups of the two hosts." The video stream provides the station "another advertisement revenue stream -- it airs video spots during the show's commercial breaks -- plus the potential for a lot more web clicks" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/16).
GARG'S NEW GIG: In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe cited sources as saying that former WIP-FM host Anthony Gargano, who "reportedly left over a low-ball contract," is joining WPEN-FM to "launch a new morning show that will be co-hosted by Jon Marks." The new show, which is "rumored to begin before the end of April, will reportedly replace ESPN’s 'Mike and Mike' show." WPEN has been an ESPN affiliate since '09, and "there’s no word yet if they’ll lose that status if they make a change" (PHILLY.com, 4/13).
