Josh Innes Gets New WIP Co-Hosts

A month after going on an epic rant, storming out the studio, then revealing that his co-host had suddenly retired, Josh Innes has new on-air radio partners.

The afternoon drive time sports-talk host on 94 WIP will now be joined by Spike Eskin (son-of-Howard) and former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Hollis Thomas. The newly reformatted Josh Innes Show starts on Monday and will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Meanwhile, Philly.com is reporting that Jon Runyan will join WIP as part of the morning show and for Eagles pre-game shows. After football, Runyan got elected to the House of Representatives in the 3rd District of New Jersey only to resign because of frustrations with Washington’s slow political system.

In early July, Innes’ co-host Tony Bruno abruptly retired from the show. But before it was announced publicly, Innes found himself on the air alone — with callers and listeners wondering where Bruno was. That led him to go on a bizarre rant before walking out of the studio. “Because of people that wear suits, I’m muzzled. I can’t tell you anything.” He returned soon after and announced that Bruno had retired.

Although there were rumors that Innes and Bruno were feuding, both denied that publicly.

“I enjoyed being around Tony,” said Innes on his show. “I respected him.”

Bruno concurred, and said he retired because the changing paradigm in radio — along with rise of social media — “has sucked the fun out of doing this.”

“I did not quit in haste because I ‘hated’ or couldn’t work with Josh Innes. That is totally untrue. Josh and I have never had any arguments or confrontations during or after any shows since day 1,” said Bruno in a retirement letter on his website.

Thomas and Eskin are no strangers to WIP or the Philadelphia media landscape. Thomas played for the Eagles for 10 years and makes guest appearances on the station. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, and Carolina Panthers during his NFL career.

Eskin has been the program director at WIP since March of 2014, and has also served as CBS Philly sports editor.