A loyal reader pointed me to this article from FMQB:

“A closer examination of the footage shows the second would-be-heckler placing his middle finger up to the sign in effigy of O&A, then whispering something into Nathaniel’s ear. The person? Embattled WXRK/New York deejay Crazy Cabbie who happened upon the scene by chance and decided to show his disdain for the XM personalities.”

Upon closer examination of the video? You bet, it does look like Cabbie to me.

Crazy Cabbie is a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, and has had issues with O&A in the past. Cabbie apparently is using his time wisely before he goes off to jail for a 1-year prison sentence for tax evasion.

Opie and Anthony have an on going “assault on the media” as a way to get publicity for the show. Well, they hit gold yesterday.

During a report on WCBS Channel 2, two virus spreaders walked behind reporter Arthur Chi’en with an Opie and Anthony sign saying “Opie and Anthony… XM Radio!” while flipping off that camera.

Chi’en (who apparently thought the camera had cut to tape) turned around and said “What the FUCK is your problem man?!”

Chi’en incidently, was fired. “I regret the entire thing and I apologize to those who were offended,” he said.

Watch the completely hilarious video clip here.

You have to wonder whether this is good press or bad press for O&A and, as a result for XM. Understand the audience that O&A attract - 18-34 males. Understand the audience that satellite radio attracts - 18-34 males. Which demographic is the most mischievous and cynical and loves this sort of stuff? 18-34 males. (Oh, and who do advertisers want to target the most? You guessed it.) Sure, this type of publicity is “bad” publicity, but really very good as a result. I don’t see Opie and Anthony having to worry about any repercussions over this - perhaps a dressing down will be in order (which, by the way, is also wonderful publicity for O&A). But a public statement from XM disowning responsibility over this? Please. Sure, corporate yuckity-yucks hate this kinda of stuff - but subscribers looove it.