Mancow's Morning Madhouse

American syndicated radio program

Mancow’s Morning Madhouse (also called The Mancow Radio Experience or simply The Mancow Show) was an American radio show hosted by Erich “Mancow” Muller. From the mid 1990s until the mid 2000s, it was one of the top morning shows in the Chicago media market, and earned airtime in various cities across America via syndication. The show was last broadcast exclusively on WLUP FM 97.9 The Loop.

Mancow first started his show in Chicago, Illinois in 1994, shortly after his departure from California. Originally, the show was a regular program on WRCX (Rock 103.5). In 1998, he left WRCX for WKQX/101.1 (“Q101”), an alternative rock radio station. Mancow’s career with Q101 was cut short on July 11, 2006, when the station’s management decided to discontinue airing the show as of July 14. In order to fill the gap left behind by the show’s absence, Q101 filled the void with the station’s “On Shuffle” music programming and later a new show titled "The Morning Fix". On July 13, Mancow appeared on WFLD, and lashed out at Q101’s current management after receiving word that his show would be cancelled. Before the interview ended, Mancow promised he would not only return to the Chicago radio scene, but also bring forth a radical change, either within the next six or twelve months. In December 2010, Mancow signed a multi year joint deal with Talk Radio Network and Dial Global. The new deal called for a revamped version of the show focusing less on political talk and more on entertainment and pop culture. In September 2011, after a five year absence from the local Chicago airwaves, Mancow's show began airing on WJJG in Elmhurst. On October 22, 2012, a televised version of the radio show began airing locally in Chicago on WPWR TV weekdays 6:00 8:00AM CT.

On January 6, 2014, syndication of the program moved from Talk Radio Network to Genesis Communications Network. On October 9, 2014, Mancow announced he would be taking a break from both radio and television following WPWR TV's decision not to renew his television show. The final live broadcast actually took place on September 26, 2014. Genesis Communications Network continued to be broadcast replays until April 17, 2015.

Mancow's Morning Madhouse ran afoul with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) indecency regulations in at least six separate incidents during 2000 and 2001. As a result, the FCC levied $42,000 in fines on Emmis Communications, the licensee of Mancow's then home station WKQX. In 2004, Emmis Communications signed a consent decree with the FCC sharply restricting indecent content and requiring the payment of $300,000 to the U. S. government.

Al Roker Jr. (Ken Smith), Co host and sports reporter from May 1997 July 2010 and March 2015 present. Abe the Chameleon (Abe Kanan), Co host September 2001 – July 2006 and March 2015 present. Plays a number of characters including Leslie Anderson. Cathy the Greek (Cathy Vlahogiannis), Co host and producer/guest booker from August 2000 December 2002. Co host, producer/guest booker, and traffic/weather reporter from March 2015 present. DJ Luv Cheez (Midge Ripoli), Technical producer from 1994 October 2008 and March 2015 – present.

Irma Blanco, known as "The voice of reason", or the “Cuban Bombshell”. Turd the Bartender (Jeff Renzetti), Involved in many infamous stunts and live remotes. Left after Q101 dropped the show in 2006. Appears occasionally as of 2015, usually via phone. Now known as "Turd the Trash Man". Freak (Wally Kozielski), traffic and music reporter. Cowboy Ray (Ray Hofstatter). Hofstatter was later killed in a hit and run automobile accident as profiled on the Fox television series, America's Most Wanted.