Mike Missanelli, who hosts middays of 97.5 The Fanatic (WPEN-FM) in Philadelphia was suspended on 2/4 for homophobic remarks sent to a listener via email. Deadspin has a complete list of the many emails sent. Here’s an example of one from Missanelli, as reported by The Philadelphia Enquirer:
“Hahaha. Yeah, you’re a total computer geek loser with absolutely NO female involvement. Anybody who wastes four hours of the day listening to my radio show and sending e-mail from fake names has a a big “L” tattooed on his forehead. Women probably avoid you like stink. (BTW, what are you gonna do today with me off? Jerkoff to one of my podcasts, you obsessive homosexual IT freak?)
WPEN released a statement on the incident: “We are aware of the email communications between Mike and one of his listeners. This individual has been harassing Mike by email for several years, which is cause for concern, and we are working with Mike to try to identify this person and stop the abuse. However, that does not excuse Mike’s conduct. The content of his emails is unacceptable and does not reflect our values as a company. Mike has been suspended and understands that future similar conduct will not be tolerated.”
RBR-TVBR observation: Greater Media did the right thing here, to head off any potential pushback from offended listeners. However, if you look through the emails, it does appear that Missanelli is being harassed by this guy. If Deadspin were to run the emails Missanelli received from the listener, I think we’d all see how much he has been harassed. He did go too far in threatening his life, however.
