Not even a week has gone by since XM first started podcasting, and the Opie & Anthony show has hit the #1 podcast on Apple's iTunes service.

The "Opie and Anthony Shorts" which features animated shorts of select snippets from the show, is currently today's top podcast. Currently there are only two episodes available, but word has it that not only new episodes - but also additional animators - might be brought into the mix.

Also in the Top 10 on iTunes is "XM's Weekly Music" podcast. And not too far behind at #11 is "XM Unmasked," featuring Ron Bennington from the Ron & Fez show.

It's nice to see XM podcasts gaining so much popularity in such a short amount of time. The key, of course, is maintaining that momentum.

Opie and Anthony are being sued by a WABC-TV news reporter for an "Assault on the Media" stunt performed over two years ago.

The reporter, Anthony Johnson, filed the suit on behalf of him and his wife, WNBC-TV reporter Pat Battle (yes, the Pat Battle) against O&A, John D. Walton (the person who actually performed the prank) and XM Satellite Radio; in seek of compensatory and punitive damages.

Johnson was doing a live, early morning broadcast when Walton reportedly allegedly blew an air horn near the reporter. According to the complaint, Walton pulled up behind Johnson while he was at a Hess gas station, waved an Opie & Anthony bumper sticker, blew a hand-held air horn and screamed "Opie & Anthony XM Radio!"

Johnson says he missed two weeks of work and suffered permanent ear damage.

If in fact he suffered permanent ear damage, I can understand suing the person who did the prank, but Opie and Anthony were very clear to instruct listeners not to harm anyone. I'm no lawyer, but I don't see why the duo and XM are involved. Well, except for the seemingly larger potential payout.

[AP, North Jersey Media Group]