For Andelman, it's time to 'Huddle' up again
(Correction: Because of a reporting error, the Radio Tracks column in the March 30 Living/Arts section incorrectly listed the beneficiary of Eddie Andelman's Hot Dog Safari fund-raiser. It benefits the Joey Fund, which aids in the fight against cystic fibrosis.)
If sports has gotten too serious recently -- between unexpected trades and March Madness -- perhaps it's time to huddle. ''Sports Huddle," that is, as Boston institution Eddie Andelman brings his irreverent radio show back to the airwaves, this time as ''The New Sports Huddle," to debut Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. on WTKK-FM (96.9).
The new weekly program is the latest updating of a show that originated in 1969 and aired most recently on WWZN-AM (1510) until that station cut back on local programming about three months ago. As with the older version of the show, which was broadcast for years on WHDH-AM (850) and its successor, WEEI, Andelman promises a good time, full of parodies and jokes.
''It's still going to open with 10 one-line jokes," promises Andelman, now 69. ''It's going to be updated, but it will still be having fun and making fun of all the people in sports." He'll be joined in the on-mike mayhem by Bill Fairweather, former executive producer of ESPN's ''NFL Prime Time With Chris Berman," and comedian Mike Donovan.
The current climate, says Andelman, has actually given him more material for his no-holds-barred humor. To some extent, he questions the fans: ''My personal opinion is that people of New England like sports so much, it has become an opiate," says Andelman. ''They've almost lost their minds with the success of the Patriots and the Red Sox finally winning it all."
But, as always, he saves most of his barbs for management and particularly team owners. ''Isn't there something immoral about a ticket that costs $300 a game? What kind of regular person can afford that?" Andelman cuts the Celtics some slack; they still have reasonably priced tickets, he notes. But almost everyone else is fair game. ''Every single owner has made the same speech since I was 2 years old," he says. '' 'This is not my team -- it belongs to the fans, and I'm just a caretaker.' How hollow does that sound?"
During his tenure, the commercial side has grown in importance, with sports becoming ''high-powered public relations and high-powered business," Andelman says. ''It has diminished to quite an extent what sports really are -- a recreation, a diversion."
He adds that his colleagues in sports radio haven't helped. ''They're screaming and yelling and never saying anything of substance," says Andelman. He notes the conflicts of interest that can develop when sportscasters are pressured to have owners and sports stars on their programs, and then must limit their questions to guarantee return visits. But he blames the networks, and all of those who make money off the constant coverage. ''I think the real problem is trying to fill 24 hours and trying to please the team," says Andelman.
Ranting aside, Andelman is out to have fun, considering the weekly gig a ''semi-retirement" job that gives him time to travel and pursue his charitable interests. He's already gearing up for the best known of those, the Eddie Andelman Hot Dog Safari.
This family-friendly outing (to be held on June 4 at Suffolk Downs) offers unlimited ice cream, sausages, and the namesake hot dogs, all to benefit the Jimmy Fund (see www.hotdogsafari.com).
