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| The program began inauspiciously in the fall of 1993. "Packer" Dave wanted to add a wide-open, no holds barred sports talk show. Due to his limited, feeble sports upbringing in Wisconsin, the best he could do was a Packer Football show. Given the alternative of Dave spewing about the Packers for a whole hour, a few Bear fans were rounded up to present the opposing view. After a few weeks of trying out various combinations, it became obvious that Len and Steve were the best that the Windy City could offer. Former Bear wide receiver Dennis McKinnon was also a regular during the first season. The early years are affectionately known as the "Wonder Years" because when listening to tapes of those old programs, we wonder how we managed to stay on the air. Actually, we were kicked off of our affiliate in Fond du Lac, WI. Apparently they weren't quite ready for this kind of humor. |
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| Next, our goal was to get a sponsor. Surprisingly few companies were willing to come onboard with untested program. Then one day a strange thing happened. A meat packing company in Northern Wisconsin called. They had heard about the show and wanted to know if they could market a new Bratwurst product on our program. Unbelievable? Of course. Nobody who heard those early shows would ever want to sell meats, or any other reputable product on this program. Actually, Hypo Scott and Dave were soaking up some suds one afternoon and came up with a fictitious product: "Chunky Cheezy Cheddar Brats." They have been a sponsor for the last three years. Hear Chunky Cheezy Cheddar Brats spot |
Last game of the 1997 season : January 25, 1998 Denver Broncos 31 1997-98 SummaryFirst Meeting:
Green Bay 38, Chicago 24
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| Another early dilemma was how to assemble a good promotional spot to convey the essence of the program and attract listeners to the show. This was a mighty task, as anyone who has heard the Bears- Packers Showdown can attest, it is hard to explain in thirty or sixty seconds. Dave came up with the idea of using the song Hocus Pocus by Focus. In addition, the guys also used the song The Bears Still Suck by the Happy Schnapps Combo, a Manitowoc polka band. Jim Krueger, founder of the H.S.C., was a former drummer for Dave Mason. Now deceased, he is notable as the author of Mason's popular We Just Disagree.(we apologize for the excess trivia, but sometimes we have to flatter the host.) He lived five houses down from Packer Dave's childhood home. |
Hear early show promo 1995 background music: The Bears Still Suck Hear early show promo 1994 background music: Hocus Pocus by Focus |
There have been many hilarious episodes.
For example, the opening show of the 1996 Season 9/2/96 featuring lots of Favre jokes, discussion of the Bears-Cowboys game, Len insulting "Packer" Vern, a loyal listener, and an interview with Bears RB Robert Green
Another classic episode is the "Where's Dave?" show. On 1/12/97 the Packers defeated Carolina to win the NFC title. Dave was in Green Bay to cover the game and stayed there to celebrate. Steve was so mad that Dave failed to show up for the broadcast that he deliberately kept him off the air as much as possible. Dave, obviously celebrating joyously, was told that we were having phone trouble and has no idea the joke is on him.
One of the funniest of all was recorded on Christmas 1994. It included a guest appearance from former Packers receiver James Lofton. He has been on the program several times, but he was very spirited on this program.
Part of the appeal of the Bears-Packers Showdown is following the interactions between Len, Steve, and Dave. Be sure to read about the cast of the show to key in on some of the inside jokes carried from program to program.
This eclectic mix of personalities gives the Bears-Packers Showdown its unique chemistry. In spite of the collective on-air mayhem provided by this group of losers, the program has turned out to be a winner.
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The following promos were aired on WCBR-FM Arlington
Heights, IL.
