Boston Radio Hosts Mock San Francisco in Controversial Super Bowl Tirade

Felger and Massarotti's comments about the city draw backlash from locals

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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Boston radio hosts Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti faced criticism this week for their disparaging comments about San Francisco during a Super Bowl segment. The hosts called the city a "zombie apocalypse" and advised visitors to "seek higher ground" to avoid "drugged-out people in wheelchairs." The comments were seen as insensitive and out-of-touch by many San Francisco residents, who defended their city's diversity and vibrant culture.

Why it matters

The hosts' remarks highlight the persistent negative stereotypes about San Francisco and the challenges the city faces in addressing homelessness and poverty. Their comments also reflect a broader lack of empathy and understanding towards urban issues that many cities grapple with.

The details

During the segment on WBZ-FM, Felger and Massarotti mocked San Francisco's homeless population, saying the "higher you go, the neighborhoods automatically get a little nicer" because "the zombies can't walk up the hills." They also described the city as having "a million drugged-out people in wheelchairs with their dogs" and compared it to the "Mad Max" dystopia.

  • The segment aired on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, ahead of Super Bowl LX.

The players

Michael Felger

A Boston radio host who made disparaging comments about San Francisco during a Super Bowl segment.

Tony Massarotti

A Boston radio host who joined Felger in mocking San Francisco during the Super Bowl segment.

Peter Hartlaub

A San Francisco Chronicle columnist who wrote a critical response to the radio hosts' comments.

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What they’re saying

“Seek higher ground," said Felger, in town to cover the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. "The higher you go, the neighborhoods automatically get a little nicer ... and I think it's because the zombies can't walk up the hills.”

— Michael Felger, Boston radio host (WBZ-FM)

“There's ... a million drugged-out people in wheelchairs with their dogs. It's like 'Mad Max.' ... But the higher you go, they can't get their wheelchairs up there and they can't get up there. So seek higher ground and head on a swivel. Those are my two pieces of advice if you're coming to San Francisco.”

— Tony Massarotti, Boston radio host (WBZ-FM)

What’s next

The radio station and hosts have not yet issued a public apology or response to the backlash from their comments.

The takeaway

The Boston radio hosts' derogatory remarks about San Francisco highlight the need for greater empathy and understanding towards the complex social issues facing many urban areas. Their comments reflect a troubling lack of compassion and an unwillingness to engage with the realities of homelessness and poverty in a meaningful way.