Michelle Beadle, Cody Decker publicly call out SiriusXM for losing their timeslot to Stephen A. Smith: 'This didn't feel good'

Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker were not too pleased with the news Stephen A. Smith would return to “Mad Dog Radio” on Sirius XM. Smith made it official Wednesday on The Howard Stern Show as well as First Take, announcing he’d have a 1-3 p.m. ET time slot on Mad Dog Radio beginning in September.

The move brings Smith back to Channel 82 on SiriusXM headlined by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who has been Smith’s Wednesday sparring partner on First Take in the last couple of years. Smith was originally on the channel from 2013-17 in between stints at ESPN Radio. 

Beadle and Decker, which is the aptly self-titled show airing from 12-3 p.m. ET on the channel, were practically blindsided by the news Wednesday. They spoke on their show about Smith coming back to the channel, meaning Beadle and Decker is now up in the air in terms of time slot or even being on Mad Dog Radio.

“Yes, so the cat’s out of the bag, I guess we’re talking about it,” Beadle said. “We weren’t supposed to just as a heads up, we were only given a few hours’ notice, but we weren’t told any details. We were promised that no details would be released. We didn’t even know who was taking our place in the lineup, just that it was going to be announced that a new show was being added. 

“Unbeknownst to us The Hollywood Reporter, of course, had all the details. So it was a little embarrassing. I’m not going to lie, but in this business for 20-plus years, I’ve been treated poorly a couple times. This didn’t feel good, I’m not going to lie. Congrats.”

Beginning September 2nd, Smith will lead into Russo’s Mad Dog Unleashed. He will also have a non-sports show, likely airing on the “POTUS” channel, coming later this year as well.

Beadle and Decker used Tom Thibideau’s firing as a jumping-off point to explain how they felt about the move on Wednesday. The next few months are likely going to be a little awkward.

‘Beadle and Decker’ call out Sirius XM after Stephen A. Smith addition

“All I ask is to be treated with respect,” Beadle said. “Well, how many times do I say I give what I get, I get what I give. And so here we are. We’re going to do our shows because we’re contractually obligated to be here. We’re going to talk about Tibbs because, yeah, they fired him yesterday in the middle of this here show, which we both reacted to very organically and genuinely, because as much as people had sort of been talking about it. 

“It still felt very, very absurd after a 51-win season and just being eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals. And I’ve heard so many theories. I’ve heard so many buts and it’s time. And I will never agree with anybody saying that. I think that is absolutely absurd, stupid, short-sighted and asinine. But then again (laughs) what isn’t? It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a fun few hours.” 

Then, Decker weighed in. Albeit, Decker was certainly sarcastic, playing up Beadle’s tones as well.

“Yeah, I’m sure. And I’m sure no one’s feelings will get hurt in any way, shape or form,” Decker said. “888-Mad Dog-six. How you guys doing? Because announcements abound, I heard (Adam) Schein (say) ‘the big three are back.’”

“What does that mean? Big what?” Beadle responded. 

“Big three,” Decker said. (Him, Stephen A.) and Mad Dog.” 

“Oh, you mean, well, if you want two hours of Jamal Williams needs to show up for the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Beadle said. “Hey, who’s Jamal Williams? That’s right, a guy who doesn’t exist. And by the way, I’ll have lots of these fun types of nuggets for you for as long as we remain on the air, just like an appetizer, you know … Yeah, we’re coming in hot today, ladies and gentlemen, coming in hot.”

Beadle and Decker were added to the Mad Dog Sports Radio lineup on August 22, 2023. By the time they are off the timeslot, or even off the air, it’ll have been two full years on the channel.

Beadle is known for her time at ESPN as a co-host of SportsNation with Colin Cowherd and the initial co-host of Get Up with Mike Greenberg. Decker is a former MLB outfielder, having played college baseball at UCLA.