Bubba vs. MJ

[gr8oldies]

Hi, just checking in fgrom Ohio, where we just started hearing Bubba the Love Sponge. Bubba will go on for hours hammering on whoever MJ is, and I guess even thoufgh we don't live in the Tampa market, we're supposed to know what's going on. Anyone care to explain about this Tampa-St. P show we're apparently eavesdropping on? Thanks from Buckeye Land

[landtuna]

Bubba the Love Sponge got 'squeezed' out of Tampa?

I'm shocked.....Shocked!   

[naughtytalker]

Dear gr8oldies, Bubba Clem is apparently off his medication again... we'll rush a shipment right away. MJ has filed a lawsuit against The Sponge for defamation and other assorted claims over Bubba's comments about the multi-talented MJ, his lovely wife and two adorable children during a recent heated ratings battle. Pay no attention to this Tampa tiff buckeye, you've got bigger problems up there... like living in Ohio and listening to oldies.

[Snafu13]

Bubba and MJ have not liked each other since they both worked at Clearchannel for two different radio stations, both with morning shows back in the 90's and early this decade.  Bubba was fired from radio for things he did on-air a few years ago - google it and you can likely find out the story if you haven't heard him discuss it on air already.  When Bubba was fired, MJ quickly rose to #1 in the morning show ratings and was there until about mid-year last year.  MJ used to go to commercial saying "you're listening to the Arbitron rated #1 MJ Morning Show!" but does not any longer.
Last year, Bubba came back on air in the Tampa market working for Cox Radio with his one goal of getting back to #1 and knocking down MJ in the process.  At some point, he called MJ's wife a derogatory name that starts with a 'w' and since then MJ has been on the offense with lawsuits.  If you listen to enough Bubba, you get his side of the story that it wasn't a direct comment accusing that she sleeps with men for money, which I'm sure most people with common sense and social skills would understand.  But MJ decided that his wife - who he used to call multiple times on the air weekly - is a private citizen and this was defamation.  Apparently he thinks that by calling his wife that, it hurts his own character and would make people not want to listen to his show and thus he would lose money.  That's part of the basis for his lawsuit.  Bubba had the lawsuit posted on his website last year, so it may still be up there somewhere.
I don't know that much about the court system, but MJ filed the lawsuit over a year ago, so I'm not sure why this hasn't been resolved yet.
In my opinion, MJ's going over the top with this, but it's his only way to hit Bubba where it hurts - in the wallet.  Bubba is over the top with his comments, but I do admit, I find them amusing and entertaining.  Personally, I'm not sure how Bubba can be successful outside of the Tampa market with his show.  It's very Tampa-based/biased.  But if you enjoy it, excellent.
Hope that filled you in a bit

[scrubnurse]

Bubba's incessant 1 1/2 year campaign attacking MJ is not competition, it's a personal attack that has serious legal consequences.  Those in radio, who know how to work understand Clem has crossed the line many times, like suggesting MJ was on the take.  And yes, calling MJ's wife a name is only part of that lawsuit.  (Avoiding FCC complaints is not the only responsibility of a broadcaster.)  No doubt, Bubba hates MJ, but his repeated daily tirades don't necessarily make for good radio either.  He's also had other targets, like Linda Hogan and Mark Lunsford - both Tampa-based news.

So, Snafu13, your final assessment about his not being successful outside of Tampa is probably accurate.  He hasn't been able to syndicate beyond the Jay O'Conner cram-down in a few other Cox markets.  It's obvious his syndication attempts are dead in the water.

[MsMusicRadio]

As an old Virginian, I remember MJ involved in a nasty personality contest with another jock named D.B. Cooper when they were battling for night listeners back when CHR was live at night. I think MJ was on WGH and DB on Z104 in Norfolk.  Personally, I never really listen to theses stations since CHR really changed in the 80's. I am more interested in the nasty battle brewing between Marvin and Mason to overtake Dick Ring for geriatric listeners like me.

[gr8oldies]

No doubt that Bubba wouldn't be in Dayton, OH ig the local management wasn't forced by Cox corporate to take the show on it's rimshot Classic Hits.

[DToTheJ]

back when CHR was live at night

Gee, this statement is such a telling sign of today's radio business, isn't it?

[wkid967]

As much as we like Bubba I must say the he does act like some of the kids we know in middle school when it comes to talking about MJ. MJ doesn't seem to like us at all and won't have anything to do with having us on his show or coming over to be on our show so we must say here at WKID 96.7 that "we think" he is acting like an elementery student by crying at everything Bubba says about him and assuming that sueing him will solve all of his problems. I hope that Bubba and MJ take a look at how they are both acting and can resolve there problems with each other in a more adult manner. Just a note from all of us at WKID 96.7 FM   www.wkid967fm.com

[MsMusicRadio]

In markets where Tesh goes up against Delilah, bet there is no sniping. Seriously , I remember that the evening jock on Top 40 was often the strongest personality or certainly a match for PM Drive.