The suspension of radio host Craig Carton "three months before the clock runs out on Mike Francesa’s reign in afternoon drive time further complicated life" for WFAN-AM execs, according to Neil Best of NEWSDAY. But CBS Radio "did not have much choice," as it "would not have been a good look to employ a host who may have used his professional status to help make an alleged criminal enterprise work." The question is whether co-host Boomer Esiason would be "willing to carry on without Carton." Esiason has said that his primary motivation for doing the show is to "maintain his visibility for the sake of his foundation and its support for the cystic fibrosis community." If Esiason stays on, "finding a replacement for Carton who is as well matched to him will be a challenge." Meanwhile, Francesa has "not wavered since announcing last year that he would step down when his contract expires" on Dec. 15. The question is "whether Francesa now might be persuaded to stay if the station asks him to help it through this programming crisis." Before yesterday, he would have been "criticized -- and mocked -- for changing his mind." Now he could do so and be "viewed as a team player coming to the rescue." But there has been "no indication that Francesa is so inclined" (NEWSDAY, 9/7).
PAPAL BULL: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes with Carton "likely to be on the shelf and Francesa splitting the scene," WFAN would be "airing two shows with new cast members." One drive-time show "going through a transition is bad enough," and two is a "major problem." Raissman: "Anyway you cut it, the two key revenue generating day-parts, morning drive and afternoon drive, will be in a state of flux or transition." Advertising dollars would go "flying out the window." With Carton's status in limbo, Francesa could "gain major leverage in terms of a financial package." Station execs can also "make an appeal to Francesa based on his loyalty and love of WFAN." They could "cast the Pope as their savior" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/7). Also in N.Y., Evan Grossman notes Francesa, who has "publicly clashed with Carton for years," yesterday on air "seemed to be muzzled" by WFAN execs. Francesca opened his show with the following statement: "We know what the news of the day is. Let me just say this for all of you: the company has put out a statement. For the present, that statement has to suffice as the only statement that will be made. That is what the company wants until further notice. That’s what they have informed me, so don’t call up asking me any questions about anything that’s going on pertaining to that because I cannot answer it right now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/7).
