Drew & Mike's last show at WRIF coverage from Detroit news stations.
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00:00You're watching Local 4, home of ClickOnDetroit.com.
00:19WDIV Local 4 News at 11 starts now.
00:22I think we always thought that we would be the one to end it.
00:26Drew and Mike preparing for their last radio show tomorrow morning.
00:29Tonight, I sit down with a pair to find out what's next after 22 years on the air together.
00:35I can't believe how long he's in jail for this.
00:38I know.
00:39They're the outspoken radio duo who got the boot from WRIF after 22 years.
00:45I love what I do. I love it.
00:47And tonight, they've got plenty to say about it.
00:49It's nice to be able to talk to the audience one final time.
00:52Well, it wasn't that long ago, 1991.
00:57Operation Desert Storm was rolling into Kuwait.
01:01Silence of the Lambs was playing in theaters.
01:04And gas, $1.12 a gallon.
01:06And Drew Lane and Mike Clark launched a new radio show on WRIF.
01:10Those gas prices didn't last, but Drew and Mike did right up until tomorrow.
01:14For 22 years, Drew and Mike have convened their morning salon, a potent mix of current affairs,
01:22pop culture, conversation with rock stars, offbeat news items, and wild phone calls.
01:28All with an edge that often had the FCC calling.
01:31But last week came word that WRIF is pulling the plug.
01:34It surprised many, including...
01:36I was shocked, yeah. I didn't expect that.
01:39And it definitely took my breath away.
01:42Mike, who thought he was being called in just to meet the new boss.
01:45It started good. Flying conversations, all kind of...
01:49But then all of a sudden, the manila envelope opened.
01:51Oh, the anvil?
01:52Yes. And he just said, Mike, we're not going to renew your contract.
01:57Drew says he was a little less shocked.
01:59He knew they didn't have a deal.
02:01And he knew the hot young team of Dave and Chuck the Freak had been let go from 89X in Windsor.
02:05So he'd wondered...
02:07Just to steel myself for the possibility.
02:10But I felt sick to my stomach when I found out.
02:12So I obviously wasn't that...
02:14I didn't expect it.
02:16But I'd thought about it.
02:18Not many others had.
02:19This is hardly a show struggling to hang on to its listeners.
02:22And while there's no good time for something like this,
02:25it comes in a particularly difficult stretch for both men.
02:28Mike having lost his mother and Drew recently losing his 19-year-old stepson.
02:33And the two of them lost their agent when Mike Novak passed away in January.
02:38It's been an avalanche.
02:40And when this hit, for some reason, you know, grief's a weird thing.
02:43It seemed like it all sort of jumbled together.
02:46And I just...
02:47That was...
02:49Yeah, it's been a terrible year.
02:50Definitely. Horrible.
02:51But what it's done is opened the eyes of both men a bit.
02:54People don't always write to tell you how much you mean to them until you're leaving.
02:58Drew went home with 75 pages of text messages.
03:03All these really personal, emotional things.
03:06And it's really...
03:08It blows me away.
03:09I mean, it was really powerful.
03:11Yeah, very much so.
03:12I mean, the emails have just been churning even today.
03:15Still, there's no end to it.
03:16The radio world has changed.
03:18Broadcasting has changed.
03:19The old and familiar are switched out all the time for the new and often cheaper.
03:24But Drew and Mike still love the essence of what it's all about.
03:27The intimate conversation that remains at the heart of good radio.
03:31You could pay me one-tenth of what I'm making,
03:33and I would still work just as hard and enjoy it just as much.
03:36Really?
03:36You may not want people to know that.
03:39So, the big question, what is next?
03:43Radio, for sure.
03:44Yeah.
03:44Definitely.
03:45Absolutely.
03:45You're not done.
03:46No.
03:47No, no.
03:48And you're together.
03:48And it's still Drew and Mike.
03:51Yeah.
03:52Sure is.
03:53Hopefully.
03:53Yeah.
03:54I mean, there again, you know, money, you know, a lot of it, it's...
03:58You've already committed to working for a tent.
04:01I guess that leaves it up for him.
04:03Drew and Mike want to continue making mayhem,
04:06and surely there are stations that would like to have that mayhem occur under their call letters.
04:10But with so little notice, Drew and Mike and the marketplace need a little time to react,
04:15to let things settle a bit.
04:16But on the eve of their final turn at the Riff microphone,
04:20two guys who've always been quick with the matches seem to have no desire
04:23to burn any bridges, and they're going to miss WRIF.
04:27That's a bummer.
04:28I mean, that's a big deal.
04:29That really is a bummer.
04:30That's too bad.
04:31To me, that's...
04:32Like I said before, I just think that's about as good a job as there is in this town or in radio.
04:37Yeah, and I think we both agree that it would have been nice,
04:42and I think we always thought that we would be the one to end it if we ever came to that point.
04:46It would be our own decision.
04:48Yes!
04:49So in that...
04:49So in that respect, it's a bit unsatisfying, and it's sort of a sour end to something.
04:57But on the other hand, it was a good ride, so...
04:59Yeah, 22 years is a long time.
05:02A really long ride, and they're not done.
05:04They're trying to figure out what's next.
05:05We'll see.
05:06Also for Trudy Daniels, the news director, who's been with them for a long time.
05:09Our morning team is going to be live with Drew and Mike for their final broadcast coming up tomorrow morning,
05:14so be sure to wake up and watch Local 4 News morning tomorrow at 6 a.m.
05:18We wish the guys all the luck in the world.
05:19We certainly do.
05:206.20 is our time on this Friday morning.
05:23Unfortunately, it is the end of an era for many long-time Detroit radio listeners this morning.
05:28I know it's hard to believe, because it's happening right now.
05:30Drew and Mike are on the airwaves.
05:32This is their last day at WRIF.
05:34And 7 Action News reporter, Nima Shafae, is in Ferndale,
05:37hanging out with those cool guys as they wrap up their legendary show.
05:41I hear the laughter, Nima.
05:43They're having fun today.
05:45We are so proud of them.
05:46You know, there's a lot of people.
05:49I think everyone's proud of them.
05:51You should hear some of the callers calling into the radio station right now.
05:53I have to be quiet, because they're actually on the air right now.
05:55I want to pick a lot of pictures of what's going on.
05:57You have Drew behind the big mic there.
05:59Then you also have Trudy.
06:01Trudy's there in front of him, as well as Mike in kind of the red T-shirt,
06:06as well as their producers here on the morning show.
06:08This is, like you said, this is the end of an era.
06:11This is the end of a long-time standing show in broadcast history here in Detroit.
06:16If it's any indication as to just how big of a deal this is,
06:20they have allowed us in here to see the last show here at WRIF as they sign off for one last time.
06:29But we're going to be here all morning long and bring you the pictures and video that you want to see
06:33from behind the scenes here at WRIF Studios in Ferndale.
06:36You know, and we're going to try to talk to Trudy, because everyone has heard about Drew and Mike.
06:40You heard about them earlier.
06:41He said what's next for them is four new call letters.
06:45Well, what's next for Trudy?
06:46So we're going to try to talk to her in the next half hour, so stick with us.
06:49This is the latest from here in Ferndale.
06:51I'm Nima Shalfe for 7 Action News.
06:53Hey, Nima, why don't you interrupt their broadcast?
06:56They would do it to us.
06:57They would do it to you in a heartbeat.
06:58Just jump in there.
07:02Should I do it?
07:03Yeah!
07:04Get us on air.
07:05Tell them that we have big news.
07:06Get us 7 Action News this morning.
07:08Plug in.
07:09Should we grab a break?
07:12I think they're going to check with them first before they interrupt their broadcast.
07:18But, you know, we love Drew and Mike.
07:21I mean, everybody does.
07:22They've been around for so long.
07:23And earlier, when Nima was interviewing Drew Lane, he was saying, you know, it's just weird.
07:27It's like finishing high school, you know, for 22 years at the same station.
07:31It's unreal.
07:32We'll give him some heck about the V on the head.
07:34Apparently that's for Virginia Tech.
07:35But we'll talk to him a little bit later about that.
07:38That's right.
07:39Oh, time now.
07:406.23 on the dime.
07:426.53.
07:43It's kind of a sad day for many long-time Detroit radio listeners this morning.
07:46Yeah, right now, Drew and Mike are hitting the airwaves for the last time at WRIF.
07:51And 7 Action News reporter Nima Shafi is live in Ferndale this morning inside the studio enjoying their last show.
07:58Nima, I know you're...
07:58We are live this morning in the WRIF studios, and I'll tell you what, there's so many things going on, so many emotions running through this studio.
08:05This has been the longest-standing, one of the longest-standing radio shows in the metro Detroit area.
08:11Joining me now is one person that so many viewers are asking about, Trudy Daniels.
08:16You have been part of this trio.
08:20You know, talk to me about what the future holds for you.
08:22Well, Nima, actually, I thought that it was your job.
08:25So, I'm broadcasting live for WXYZ.
08:29Nima Shafi just gave me his position.
08:31What do you think?
08:32Are you going to let him do that?
08:34Marlon signed off on it already.
08:36Marlon.
08:38You know, great, great, you know, sense of, you know, humor going through here this morning, given that this is the last day.
08:45But, Trudy, it is definitely a sad day.
08:47Talk to me.
08:49What's going through your mind?
08:50This is your final day in the studio.
08:52Well, it's been tough because this is a show that our lives have been completely intertwined with.
08:58And so, it's like giving up a way of life.
09:01So, that's the hardest part.
09:03And, you know, not knowing what's next.
09:06We all hope that we're all going to land together at some point and be happy to lay out or after.
09:10But, you don't know what the future holds.
09:13What do you want to let viewers know at home?
09:16Because they're thinking about you.
09:17I told you this morning when I was looking through the story, there was a lot of people that Noah, Drew, and Mike are going to do.
09:21In fact, Drew was joking earlier that he knows that new call letters are in his future.
09:26We likely know that that's the same for you.
09:28But, what do you want viewers and listeners at home to know about?
09:32Well, I want them to know that I keep grabbing your mic.
09:34I really, I'm not trying to take your job.
09:37But, I think that, you know, we've loved the show and we love people who listen to the show.
09:42And, you know, you're kind of like with us.
09:44And, so, we feel really disconnected from you.
09:47And, that part hurts.
09:49But, that everything will go on and life will go on.
09:52And, we'll be out here.
09:53So, stay with us.
09:56And, you're on to when?
09:57How late are you guys on this morning?
09:59Maybe 2 o'clock or 3, maybe 4.
10:02Who knows?
10:03We might take it now.
10:04Usually, our show's over about 10 o'clock.
10:07But, it never ends then.
10:09So, we'll find out.
10:10Great audition, Trudy.
10:11I think you have the job.
10:12So, I'll talk to Ed and we'll get back in touch with you.
10:14So, you're always welcome at WXYZ.
10:16That is the very latest on the WRIF Studios in Ferndale.
10:18I'm your name, Ms. Shafi, for 7 Action News.
10:21Oh, I tell you what.
10:22It is a tough day for a lot of viewers.
10:26We've been talking about it on Facebook a little bit.
10:28That people woke up with them on their drive to work and that kind of thing.
10:32It's nice to see Trudy dressing up and looking nice.
10:34Because, if you saw Drew and Mike this morning, they didn't exactly dress up for their final show.
10:39Not exactly coming in tuxes and suits, but doing it the way that they've done it for 22 years.
10:43Right.
10:43And, we'll keep you posted on their whereabouts as soon as we find some information out.
10:47That's right.
10:48Hopefully, sooner than later.
10:48Thanks, guys.
10:49We appreciate the time this morning.
10:50Absolutely.
10:51Salute to them and we look forward to their next gig.
10:56It's nice to be able to talk to the audience one final time.
11:02Today marks the end of an era on the Detroit radio airwaves.
11:07Drew and Mike have been on WRIF for 22 years.
11:11They certainly have.
11:12And, today is their final day, their final broadcast.
11:15They will be saying goodbye to their WIRF listeners.
11:18For the very final time.
11:19And, Lauren Podell is there live.
11:21Lauren, what's the mood there?
11:22I know this kind of caught them off guard.
11:25Guy and Rhonda, I have to tell you, we are live here in the studios.
11:29And, it is nothing but chaos.
11:30And, that's what Drew and Mike do best.
11:33I'm telling you, the vibe here this morning, it is upbeat.
11:36They are making sure that the show is as normal as possible.
11:41And, it is a bittersweet moment for all of the folks here behind the scenes, the producers.
11:45And, of course, Drew and Mike, who have been on WRIF for 22 years.
11:51Now, we are here, again, live in the studio.
11:54Right now, we are in a break.
11:55We've been with you throughout the entire broadcast this morning.
11:59Coming up, Drew's going to be getting ready for sports.
12:01And, then they are going to be playing a lot of their best of moments, because that's what the listeners want to hear.
12:07Now, we talked to Drew just moments before he went on the air for his final broadcast.
12:12And, take a listen to what he had to say.
12:15You know, just trying to do a normal show, which is impossible to all the TV people here.
12:20I'm kidding.
12:21You know, I love this job.
12:24It's a lot of fun every day, pretty much.
12:26So, I'm trying to just have a good time like any other day.
12:28I'm really nervous, though.
12:30He'll be on the radio in a few minutes.
12:32Oh, my God.
12:36So, what's next for Drew and Mike?
12:38They sat down with an interview with Devin Skillion just a couple of days ago.
12:42And, they said radio is still what they want to do.
12:45It's in their blood.
12:46And, just because they won't be on WRIF anymore, doesn't mean this is the end of their radio career.
12:52And, the same goes for Trudy Daniels, as well.
12:54All of them want to stay in the business.
12:57This was an end they weren't expecting.
12:59But, you can see, as they fire up, getting ready to go back on the air.
13:02They have a passion for this job.
13:04And, they're going to continue to stick with it as long as they can.
13:07Take a listen.
13:08Oh, off to Dallas tournament here.
13:11First little sports.
13:15Guy and Rhonda, they're getting ready to do their sports broadcast right now.
13:20This is an end of an era.
13:21We've all listened to them for years.
13:23And, this will be the final day we get to do so.
13:26Guy and Rhonda, back to you.
13:27Give them our best.
13:28We wish them well.
13:29And, wherever they end up, they certainly have a huge following.
13:32So, someone might want to hire them.
13:34And, we're awaiting an announcement from someone that will pick those guys up.
13:37Thanks so much.
13:38You got it.
13:39And, Drew and Mike also spoke one-on-one with our Devin Skillion, as Lauren mentioned.
13:42So, you can listen to that entire unedited version of that conversation by heading over to our website at clickondetroit.com.
13:49Your morning drive might sound a little bit different starting Monday.
13:52Today, it is the last day for Drew and Mike.
13:55At least the last day on Riff.
13:57This is their show.
13:58It ends at 10 a.m.
14:00I think they might go to 11 this morning.
14:01Last week, management at Riff told them their contracts would not be renewed.
14:05They've been on the air for most of the past 22 years, becoming the number one radio program for many years.
14:12Fox News' Amy Andrews is with Drew and Mike this morning.
14:15She'll have much more on their last show.
14:17And, she will continue to ask what's next for these guys.
14:22It is their last day on the air.
14:25What a sad day for Detroit.
14:27Coming up, Drew talks about life after the Riff.
14:35Boy, I guess it's been a good run for Drew and Mike on WRIF.
14:39Yeah, today the boys say goodbye to the station and a lot of listeners aren't too happy about it.
14:44Fox News' Amy Andrews spoke with Mike at our 6 o'clock hour.
14:47Now, Drew chimes in on their departure.
14:50It is an extremely sad day here at WRIF.
14:54I'm here with Drew who has taken time out of his very busy morning.
14:57It's a circus in there.
14:58Okay, wipe away a tear.
14:59No, but seriously, you guys have just been the kings of the airwaves for the past 22 years.
15:04What are we going to do without you?
15:06I don't know what you'll do.
15:07I really don't know.
15:08I think the world will continue to rotate in the meantime.
15:12But, we'll find something.
15:13We'll be on the air, I think.
15:14I hope.
15:15You will be.
15:16We all know you will be.
15:17Just a matter of where.
15:19How do you approach the show this morning, the last broadcast?
15:23Try to be pretty normal, really, because I just love what we do every day.
15:27So, I really just kind of wanted to enjoy it.
15:30I was hoping there would be a big news event to talk about.
15:32It doesn't look like there is.
15:33It looks like, are we the news?
15:35That's not the biggest news day.
15:37But, we'll take it.
15:38It's nice to get the attention.
15:39It's a circus in here with all these reporters.
15:41Do you like being under the microscope like this?
15:44Turning the tables.
15:45Well, it's a great compliment that this is actually news.
15:48But, it's kind of hard to do your job.
15:50I mean, can you imagine three TV stations were on you doing your thing?
15:55Yeah.
15:56I couldn't imagine.
15:57Let's talk a little bit about your history here and some of your favorite memories.
16:01I asked Mike who his all-time favorite was.
16:03He said Mick Jagger.
16:04What about you?
16:05I have to agree with Mike.
16:06Totally.
16:07That was so cool.
16:08Just to hear Mick Jagger's voice on the other end of the phone line.
16:10It was hard to concentrate, actually.
16:12Which sounds weird for a guy, but it was really intense.
16:15So, I'll say Mick Jagger.
16:17Any advice for the city of Detroit?
16:19You're leaving Detroit at a tough time.
16:22What do you want to say to all the folks out there?
16:24Well, going to this conference in Hawaii, the pension fund people, probably not a great
16:29idea right now to spend 22 grand.
16:31It just sends a bad message.
16:33But, do they ever learn?
16:34No.
16:35It seems like it's just a broken record.
16:37And, I just read the new police chief said, what does he want to do?
16:40Put more police on the streets.
16:42We heard that about ten times before.
16:44I mean, I hope he really gets more police on the streets.
16:46But, I mean, it's really tough.
16:48I hope things get better somehow, some way.
16:51Without us, I don't know how it will happen.
16:53It won't be for long, right?
16:54No.
16:55Do you feel like you're going to stay in Detroit, or are you looking elsewhere as well?
16:58No.
16:59We're stuck here.
17:00We're too old to move.
17:01You're not too old to move.
17:02Alright, anything you want to say to your listeners this morning?
17:05Just thank you, thank you, thank you.
17:06Please be patient during this interruption in service, and we hope we'll be back soon.
17:10Alright.
17:11And miss us a lot.
17:12Well, we already do.
17:13I miss you already.
17:14Oh, thank you.
17:15Thanks so much.
17:16Good luck to you.
17:17Don't cheat on us with other morning shows, either.
17:18Just watch TV, right?
17:19Yeah.
17:20Just turn on the TV to FOX 2, and you are welcome at FOX 2 anytime, you know?
17:23Oh, thanks.
17:24I've been invited on the couch.
17:25Oh, that would be great.
17:26Yeah.
17:27Very good.
17:28Alright, we'll let you get back in there.
17:30And have a blessed rest of your day.
17:31Thanks very much.
17:32Alright, back to you guys in the studio.
17:34I have invited Drew on the couch.
17:35Oh, nice.
17:36And I have been told by producer Mark Fellhauer that Drew might make an appearance on the couch
17:45next week.
17:46Wonderful.
17:47Depending if he can fit us in.
17:48Well, he sounds like he's got some time.
17:49He's got free time, right?
17:50Yeah.
17:51Did you guys notice Mike got the hug, the full Amy hug?
17:56Yeah.
17:57And Drew got the handshake.
17:59I'm not reading anything into that.
18:00Oh, I am.
18:02I want to stir it up.
18:03Not reading anything into that.
18:04Put that out on the Twitter.
18:06Right.
18:07Let's get some analysis going.
18:09Anyway, I'm going to miss those guys.
18:10I know that they're going to be back though, so we'll just wait for that big announcement
18:14to come.
18:15Just a matter of time, I'm sure.
18:16Yeah.
18:17Like the 80s.
18:18They're coming back.
18:19May not be.
18:20Like the decade of the 80s?
18:21Well, no.
18:22That's not coming back.
18:23But the temperatures, they'll be back this weekend.
18:26Good.
18:27Alright.
18:28Not going to be the same without them on the air.
18:29They'll pop up somewhere else.
18:31They will.
18:32We wish them the very best.
18:33Hundreds of people are sounding off on our Facebook fan page about this this morning.
18:37Here's what many of the fans are saying.
18:39Sad to see them go.
18:41Started listening in 96 and I have ever since.
18:43I will always quote the drops.
18:45Shut up, little man.
18:46Felicia says, well, at least they're able to sign off one last time.
18:51There have been some radio personalities who don't get that.
18:54Snatched off the air or locked out of the studio.
18:57That is true.
18:58You can watch Amy's interview with Mike Clark and photos from Drew and Mike's final broadcast
19:03on MyFoxDetroit.com.
19:05Also, feel free to post your comments on our Facebook fan page.
19:08An impressively long run and some would say hysterically long on Detroit Morning Radio
19:13came to an end this morning as the Drew and Mike show was broadcast for the last time on WRIF.
19:18Thank you so much.
19:2122 years you kept us in business.
19:23It's all about ratings and you kept us on top for a long, long time.
19:27Yep.
19:28And they were on top for a long time.
19:3022 years.
19:31Drew Lane and Mike Clark have entertained with their irreverent and funny takes on current events, pop culture and sports.
19:38But the station's owner, Greater Media, decided it was time for a change and this morning it was the final show for Drew and Mike.
19:45I'm not going to cry.
19:47No.
19:48It's more sweet, really.
19:50It's been really good.
19:51I mean, not many bad days in 22 years.
19:54It's hard to say that for most people.
19:57Now, it remains unconfirmed, but we're hearing WRIF will replace Drew and Mike with a team of Dave and Chuck the Freak, who used to be at 89X.
20:04As for Drew and Mike, Drew Lane is telling Local 4 they're going to find a new place to play, that they are not done with radio.
20:10And you can bet that radio is not done with them.
20:13It's the end of an era.
20:15That's right.
20:16After more than two decades on the air, WRIF Radio's morning show duo Drew and Mike and their sidekick Trudy bid farewell to their audience.
20:23But as 7 Action News reporter Nima Shafay shows us, they aren't saying goodbye just yet.
20:29You know, it's been a great run.
20:31It really, it's gone great.
20:32I mean, this is a bummer to not be renewed, but it's been such a great run.
20:37We're on house money right now.
20:38Take a look as Drew, Mike, and Trudy had the studio packed.
20:42The trio has been on the air for more than 22 years.
20:45So many of you have grown up listening to them.
20:48631 at the Riff, 101 WRIF.
20:51Today isn't easy.
20:53It's got a real sad feeling, you know, like it's going away, you know.
20:57But on the other hand, it's like, well, hey, we'll be back.
21:00We'll be on another frequency and then it'll be a hello again.
21:02Mike Clark says the last 22 years have been nothing but pure fun.
21:06So for now, it's a mix of hope for the future but sadness for seeing it all kind of go away.
21:15But at the same time being very appreciative for what we've built here.
21:19What they built is a fan base 22 years in the making.
21:22He wants his daughter to break out of rehab.
21:25Trudy Daniels is another face of the duo's morning show.
21:29She does the news.
21:30She, too, is out.
21:32But she's already got her next gig lined up.
21:34Well, Nima, actually, I thought that it was your job.
21:37So I'm broadcasting live for WXYZ.
21:41Nima Sheffay just gave me his position.
21:44And she's got a special message for listeners.
21:47Well, I want them to know that I keep grabbing your mic.
21:50I really am not trying to take your job.
21:52But I think that, you know, we've loved the show.
21:55And we love people who listen to the show.
21:57And you're kind of like with us.
21:59And so we feel really disconnected from you.
22:02And that part hurts.
22:04Love us at our new location.
22:06I know.
22:07It'll be the new and improved show.
22:09I know.
22:10Hopefully a new set of call letters real soon.
22:12In Ferndale, Nima Sheffay for 7 Action News.
22:16Among the duo's most memorable moments in their 22 years on the air,
22:20talking with Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr from the Beatles.
22:23Yeah, Drew says his first priority is helping their team behind the scenes get new jobs.
22:27The pair remains confident, though.
22:29You heard them really both say it there, that they'll be back on the air soon.
22:31And I'm sure we'll be bringing you an update before too long.
22:34Yeah, they're so much fun.
22:35But such a trusted voice as well in addition to all that fun.
22:38Yeah.
22:39Yeah.
22:40Yeah.
22:41And it feels really fun.
22:42So.
22:43Yeah.
22:44Yeah.
22:45Yeah.
22:46Yeah.