You're right, he's changed. Especially after he was syndicated nationally, things really started getting crazy.
All of a sudden he'd switch into a completely different Mike; McCain's bad, no, wait, McGain's good. In fact, McCain's GREAT..!
The same on a myriad of different things. For awhile there, if I didn't like the show, I'd switch off until the next day, and presto! It'd be back to the orginal Mike.
And then there was constant talk about Italian yachts, Ferrari Modenas, LA mansions, LA lifestyle...lots and lots of LA/Hollywood stuff. And name-dropping of folks I hated.
It was Mike wanted to turn into that high-living, 1970's porn director caricature played by Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights. You know...with the shades and neck cravat number...?
Hey, Russ is a great guy, but I think via Russ Mike was trying to vicariously re-live his youth, or something.
It was off-putting and totally at odds with his Outsider Image. Instead of spurned outsider shows 'em by making good, all of a sudden it was Insider, Insider, I'm big Mr. Insider.
And that's just not rock and roll.
Good to see you still posting. Hope all is well. :-)