30 for 30 review: Mike and the Mad Dog

Almost a decade has passed since the final show, but Mike and the Mad Dog remains a touchstone in sports radio. This fact was brilliantly captured by ESPN.

For 19 years, Mike Francesa and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo spent 30 hours each week on WFAN airwaves in New York City. The show, originally opposed by both, went from curiosity to captivating, launching sports radio into the mainstream.

Director Daniel H. Forer captured the essence of the ground-breaking show throughout his hour-long 30 for 30 documentary, with interviews ranging from Francesa and Russo to co-workers and contemporaries. Forer dives into the human element, showcasing both the talents and drawbacks of both men.

Throughout two years, Forer put together what is a must-watch for any sports fan. While it will certainly hit closer to home for those who listened to the show, it tells a story of how sports media has rapidly changed over the past 25 years, perhaps beginning in a small Astoria studio.

If there is any nitpick with the documentary, it is that the relationships forged between the hosts and their guests wasn’t discussed at length. Throughout their tenure at WFAN together, Russo and Francesa had many high-profile guests come on in routine fashion, giving some memorable moments that would often be replayed throughout the summer.

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Regardless, Forer hits on all the most important angles of the show and the relationship between Russo and Francesa, most notably what led to its eventual demise. With Francesa’s contract set to expire with WFAN in December, there is ample chatter that the two will reunite in some capacity.

We should all be rooting for that outcome.