Anthony Gargano coming back on Monday; Eagles not expected for HBO's 'Hard Knocks'
Despite an unannounced absence after his co-host was let go, Anthony Gargano is expected to return to his show on The Fanatic.
After an unannounced absence from his 97.5 The Fanatic morning show, Anthony Gargano will return on Monday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Gargano was reportedly upset when the station let go update anchor and co-host Maureen Williams, who helped him launch the show back in 2015, and "took a few days off to cool off," one source said.
The removal of Williams means the show has lost two of its original four members since replacing Mike & Mike, which was syndicated by ESPN Radio and can still be heard locally on 610 AM WTEL.
Back in October, former co-host Jon Marks left the coveted morning radio slot to take a less prestigious (and lower-paying) position as the evening host at 94.1 WIP.
Jamie Lynch, who produces the show and is known to many listeners as "The Bro," remains on the show with Gargano, but is on vacation in Europe.
So far, The Fanatic is being tight-lipped about potential replacements for Marks or Williams. Eytan Shander has filled in many mornings alongside Gargano, and is expected to continue in that role for the time being.
The station also hasn't officially filled its open evening-host slot, vacated by the departure of longtime host Joe DeCamara. Like Marks, DeCamara took at job with rival WIP, and is hosting the station's afternoon show alongside former Eagles fullback Jon Ritchie.
Eagles not expected to be picked for "Hard Knocks"
Hard Knocks, the popular documentary series that follows one NFL team's offseason, will remain on HBO for at least the next four seasons. According to John Ourand at Sports Business Daily, HBO Sports, NFL Media and NFL Films have signed a long-term deal that will keep the off-season documentary series on the network for the foreseeable future.
While the show might not be popular with coaches around the league, it has been a hit among fans and critics, winning 14 Sports Emmy awards in its 11 seasons on the air.
The 12th season of Hard Knocks is set to debut Aug. 8, and eight teams are eligible to be featured. According to Rick Stroud at the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers are the favorite to be selected by the league.
The Eagles are also among the teams that could be forced to participate in the HBO series, according to a resolution passed by NFL owners in 2013. There are three exemptions that allow teams to avoid mandatory inclusion in the show: 1) they have appeared in the playoffs at least once in the past two seasons; 2) they have a first-year head coach; and 3) they have been featured on Hard Knocks at least once in the past 10 years.
Owner Jeff Lurie said during the NFL's Annual Meeting at the end of March that he does not think the Eagles will be selected for Hard Knocks this season.
The announcement about which team will be featured is expected soon. Last season, the league announced the Los Angeles Rams would be the featured team on March 23, 2016, the Wednesday before Eagles.