Was I Wrong About "Boomer and Carton"?

The “Boomer and Carton in the Morning” radio show (aired weekday mornings on New York's sports radio 66 WFAN) was never a program I would have consider hard-hitting or with much substance.

Although I have to admit I’m not a loyal listener, only flipping on the show occasionally, the show’s style seemed more like a general entertainment-type program with an emphasis on sports. But certainly not a show to take seriously.

Craig Carton (pictured left) worked his way to the New York media market as a sports/shock jock radio personality. Before coming to WFAN in September, he had been involved in a few controversies as a result of some insensitive on-air remarks and other questionable acts. Although always a high-ratings grabber throughout his radio career, Carton most likely attracted his audiences through outlandish behavior and an adult-themed sense of humor (a la Howard Stern) - not for his sound knowledge or analysis of sports.

Boomer Esiason, of course, has been a popular New York-area and national sports media personality for quite some time. Attaching his much respected name to the all-sports station’s morning drive-time show gave it instant credibility and a much larger audience it otherwise wouldn’t have.

However, after listening to Carton and Boomer interview NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Friday morning my opinion of the radio show changed considerably. Expecting the usual soft-ball style questions regarding Saturday’s draft, the two radio hosts went after Goodell, professionally, with excellent questions about real and important issues affecting the NFL.

Carton turned into a real investigative journalist right in front of my ears, grilling Goodell about:

• Recent NFL layoffs

• The new NFLPA Executive Director and a possible upcoming labor dispute/work stoppage

• Why recently released NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress, who’s facing felony gun charges, was allowed to received a $1-million payment as part of his signing bonus

• The league’s position on Michael Vick returning to the NFL

Goodell is obviously always well prepared and media trained for the many thousands of interviews he’ll grant during his tenure as league commissioner. So when facing difficult but fair questions, like the ones from Boomer and Carton, Goodell naturally went into his safe corporate double talk where he doesn’t thoroughly answer the questions but kind of skates around them.

But Carton went right after him. When asked about the layoffs, Goodell spoke about how difficult it was to cut jobs and let people go. The commissioner defended the action by referencing the troubled economy. Carton went right back at Goodell, firmly questioning his answer with the fact that the NFL recently signed a four-year, $4 billion deal with DirecTV.

Goodell kept his composure and replied with another solid answer but his tone and mood clearly changed. Goodell, it seemed, went into PR lockdown mode and got real serious real fast.

I was really impressed with the interview and came away thinking that was an outstanding segment, not what I would have expected from “Boomer and Carton in the Morning.”

I’m not necessarily suggesting that the program is evolving. I’m just pointing out that Carton has a lot of guts and journalistic ability, a great combination to posses. Hopefully the show's audience will continue to experience those qualities.