MJ vs. Bubba: The lawsuit

TAMPA -- Radio host Todd "MJ" Schnitt says he's had enough of the on-air mudslinging by radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem and has filed a defamation and false light lawsuit against him.

Schnitt, host of the MJ Morning Show, and his wife, Michelle, filed the lawsuit against Clem in Hillsborough County Circuit Civil Court. Also named as defendants are Cox Radio, Inc. and Bubba Radio Network, Inc.

The suit claims Clem is exacting revenge against Schnitt and his wife for allegedly orchestrating his prosecution after Clem broadcast the castration and slaughtering of a pig on his show.

Clem went on trial on an animal cruelty charge in 2002 and a jury acquitted him.

Schnitt was "one of the top four or five people behind our arrest and the trial of the hog deal," Clem told listeners of his show, according to the lawsuit.

Clem also accused Schnitt of having secret meetings at the time with Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober, the suit alleges. Michelle Schnitt is a former assistant state attorney.

C. Philip Campbell Jr., Todd Schnitt's attorney, wasn't immediately available for comment. Elise Brown, Clem's publicist, had no immediate comment about the lawsuit.

Clem has a morning drive time show on WHPT-102.5 FM (the Bone) in Tampa and WFYV-104.5 FM in Jacksonville.

Schnitt's MJ Morning Show airs on WFLZ-93.3 FM. He also hosts the Schnitt Show in the afternoons on 970-WFLA.

The lawsuit says Clem has referred to Schnitt on air as a snitch and called his wife a whore. In an email read by Clem on his show, a listener said that Schnitt should be "thrown into a burlap sack and tossed into the river" and someone should "drive that little midget to drink a bottle of bleach," the lawsuit states.

It also alleges that Clem told his listeners, known as "Bubba's Army," to mouth off at Schnitt during the Gasparilla Day Parade.

"I need all you sick b------- and drunken drunkards, if you will, at the Gasparilla Day Parade ... bring your loud mouths and grease that midget. Grease 'em," the lawsuit says.

The word "grease," the lawsuit explains, can be interpreted to mean "whack or eliminate someone, to bump someone off."

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

Comments

[Scott]

So MJ calls people and acts like an old man, having fun at the expense of others.....but when it's done to him he cries like a big baby.

Go get him, Bubba....

[Jeff]

Waaa! Waaa! Anyone else hear a big baby crying here?

You wanna make millions of dollars making fun of OJ Simpson and Britney Spears - posting her likeness on billboards and such - but not be subject to a competitor's criticism of your lame on-air persona and rehashed TMZ material?

Quit wasting taxpayers' time and money with frivolous lawsuits, grow a pair, and get over yourself MJ!

[Schnitt]

MJ- You are a Kittycat. Toughin' up little man. Dish it, but can't take it?

[Scott]

Maybe its time for MJ to find a new carreer.

[louise kahle]

at least mj does not castrate animals.
people can defend themselves. animals can't.

[Jessica]

MJ is a big baby, it true he can call and harass people, but he cant take it himself. Bubba just says it like it is. Your time is over MJ you are Old news in Tampa.

[DB]

Get over it Schnitt, you degrade others daily on your show, both for intelligence and their physical appearance. It's not so funny when you're on the other end. Clem has just as much right to voice his opinion as you do yours. Certainly, you and your attorney cannot believe "grease" referred to harming you as in gangster days. This is the equivalent to a media outlet taking once small piece of a quote and spinning it any way they like. You speak about "morons in the news" on your show; this time you should cover yourself with your rediculous suit. Now you're the one wasting tax payer dollars.

[Matt]

I listen(ed) to both MJ and Bubba now and this has totally sent me over to Bubba full time now. MJ is being a baby just because he is not #1 now, and its all good for him to poke fun at others but not OK when its him.

[Brian]

Isn't it about time to be rid of all the pathetic, lame, desperate for attention shock dj's anyway. I mean how much more of a loser could either of these guys be. I mean look at them, they're Howard Stern wannabe's, and even that guy is a complete tool. To quote an Adam Sandler movie "We are all now dumber from listening to that" Come on America, don't sink to the disgusting depths that these loser pander too. You're bettter than Brittany Spears jokes, and prank phone calls. DEMAND MORE FROM YOUR ENTERTAINMENT!!!!

[Ice]

Fisher and Boy in the morning, forget the other two.

[Jasonhouse]

I stopped listening to the Schnitt years ago, when it became obvious that he was an egomaniac, and in some ways acts like a sociopath. Some of his pals on the show are talented and funny, but the Schnitt himself turns me off big time.

With that said, I don't listen to Bubba either.

[Lisa]

This is a ratings booster for both parties. Either way they both end up with listeners taking sides in a fight that is no more than two animals marking their territory. I will just say no and pop in a cd so I dont have to listen to the pandering.

I second that Ice, "Fisher and Boy in the morning!!!"

[Blubber and MJ -- Losers, Both]

Even Pinellas Park people think these two are losers! Does anyone really care about these two has-beens?

Talentless but obnoxious.....I guess that still sells on Tampa Bay radio. It's as if someone gave two high school boys -- and yes, these two turds are boys -- their own show and said "talk like you think you're funny."

Of course, we all know by now that they are not funny.

[Roger]

Flush both the TURDS!!!!

[Anthony]

This is why I listen to real radio like Opie And Anthony weekdays 6am till 9am ON Krock and then 9-11 on XM SATELLITE RADIO

[Carrie]

Neither one are brain surgeons. Listen to CDs instead.

[Shango Wang]

Number 3 on the top 10 things that haven't been cool since 1996 -

Morning Show shock radio DJs.

[Ruby]

Yeah Fisher and Boy in the Morning....if you dont like what the other jox are saying-97X is a great change of pace-no, I dont work for the radio station.

[GFrantz]

Brian, are you joking? This is ENTERTAINMENT!!! It doesn't get any better than this. And i beleive Bubba also went toe to toe with Stern and came out on top. I really don't like either one of them, but this is good entertainment.....

[Al]

Living in the Tampa Bay area for over five years now, I am not surprised at the DJ's, or their followers. Whoever in their right mind purposefully listens to that crap on their way to work - or wherever? Between the excessive advertising and radio talk shows, there is just way too much garbage on the airways. I'll stick with my 100.7, 101.5 and 107.3 for my morning commute, and try to to get my mind as far away from thinking about the antics of these local idiots as possible. MJ, you're a little freaking cry baby who was abused in the playground when you were a little wus. Now you're a short, big wus.

[Tonoccus]

Hey MJ,
You are nothing but a no-talent hack with a serious Napoleon complex that can dish it but can't take it. Face it, you are not "Arbitron rated number 1" anymore and you have been supplanted by a better talent. Your supporting crew is much more talented than you, but it's obvious you hold them down.
Quit crying and man-up and just admit you have been bested.

[mark]

Bubba The redneck deserves it. He has to rely on this kind of crap for ratings because he has no material of his own to stand on. The loser should go back to hanging out with the Hogans. DuhhhhO

[tmoney]

stop crying MJ if you can't handle the heat stay out of the kitchen BUBBA ARMY

[Jim]

Bubba Army = residents of trailer parks across the county. What do Springer and Bubba have in common? Everything.

[matt]

Bubba sucks, and MJ is god awful. They are both no talent hacks who are probably in kahoots for the publicity.

All hail the sports animal and Ron and Ian! And Batches!

And I have sirius!

[Tgoody]

Small minds discuss people.

Average minds discuss events.

Great minds discuss ideas.

that says enough about both

[Uma Gumma]

Ever since i got my Sony xplode 500 watt surround sound CD player and 12" 250, watt woofer installed i haven't needed to tune in to any of the myriad loudmouth, loser, DJ's and their pathetic commercial radio stations. Now i listen to what i like, when i lke as loud or soft as i like and never have to hear a discouraging word from some pompous, egomaniac, pervert DJ and or their masses of idiot fans. Its great to be an American in possession of Japaneese techno.

[Jason A.]

97x W/ Fisher and Boy and Danielle (you hottie!!). They make the morning commute AWSOME!! Just dirty enough to give you that warm feeling inside without the queeziness of having to 'explain' things to your kids that they just heard :-) Hope you guys read this and keep up the good work!

[dddddd]

they both stink as morning show personalities, but bubba is nothing but a low life redneck, slaughtering a pig on show. is that suppose to be funny?

[Brian]

It is too bad that MJ has to take what could be a fun radio war (beneficial to both sides)and involve the courts. This is going to take up resources provided by taxpayers. Quit being a baby MJ. Instead of mouthing off and having some fun, you have reduced yourself to a wimp who is unable to verbally defend himself. Not a good trait for a radio show host.

[Scott]

Loser vs. loser...

[Chester]

Don't listen to either as I'm more of a Ron & Ian guy, but Bubba pretty much called his shot in this one. One can only hear about celebrity worship and American Idol for so long.

[Walter]

Nuttin' like watch'in two idiots fight... maybe the court case will go down in history as "Idiot vs Idiot"

[matt]

thank god for my ipod.

[Unknown Soldier]

I have been a resident for many years, Q-Zoo in the morning days. I have grown up with numerous different DJ styles. I have to admit I listened to Bubba back in the Power Pig days (oh yeah that was 93.3 also) and have grown up with him since. The only time I did not like what Bubba did was his stint on Sirius, did not need the upgraded vulgarity.
MJ is, as mentioned by many others, an egotistical maniac, I loath his voice and his humor is only enjoyed by those that find themselves stuck in the 80's and 90's. Where’s Mason Dixon when you need a referee? Grown up, Schnitt. Get a crying towel and belly up to the bar, as the BIG Dawg is back in your town, BOO HOO!

I guess Schnitt does Happen!

[DB]

Did anyone forget that MJ recently had a DJ fired from his very own station because they made a joke about him, and his "crack smoking" daughter? Talk about egomaniac!

MJ did have this coming. When a DJ during the morning drive hours gleans most of his material from hollywood gossip sites and becomes/stays #1, you know we need some competition in this area.

MJ should sue Scientologists, too. I'm just saying.

[LUKE]

WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOWNS! WHO EVENS LISTENS TO THAT CRAP IN THE AM !!!!! 94.1 IS THE WAY TO START THE DAY!
GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!!!!!

[Duane]

This is like a pig suing a cow because he called him a swine. Schnitt has an uber right wing talk show where he slanders anyone who he feels isn't as conservative as Heinrich Himler. What a baby. When you dish it out but can't take it, that just makes you a bully. Big surprise.

[MJ KELLY]

I I I'm Arbitron Rated #18 How can this be- The Great MJ KELLY at #18 - Who can I sue NOW!!! WAH WAHHH!!

[ads]

Don't know much about MJ, but can't stand Bubba. I was appauled that he came back to the Tampa radio market. The guy's disgusting! Go AWAY!!!!!

[BDIDDY]

Hey don't forget Bubba was hand picked by Howard Stern to help start his Sirius Channel- What has MJ Done- oh yeah he's on AM spreading Conservative Nonsense-

[Bob Noxious]

Only a p***y would file a lawsuit and then go run and hide for a week. MJ, you'd better be working on saving you a**$ in the ratings, by coming up with better bits and less celebrity rehash.

I've been through many phases of listening to Bubba. From the Power Pig Days to 98Rock and now on The Bone. I've loved him, hated him and now I truly admire him. I listened more than ever to MJ while Bubba was banned from Tampa's terrestrial air-waves mainly due to the fact that I knew Fester. I've never actually liked MJ, or his vanilla programming. Kudos to Bubba for finally being able to call out that no talent, midget fraud. Sorry Fester, I still love ya buddy!

[rick]

MJ, stay calm, we all know that Bubba is a fat piece of Crap.....Bubba you are an IDIOT................

[RM]

1 giant ego suing another. WHO CARES!!!!

[tommy boner]

both these guys are horrible I listen to Travis and Jenny on 1035 in the afternoon and Jack and tedd in the am

[CT]

This is nuts... but probably good for both their ratings! MJ you should come out on top, you probably invented lawsuits or were at least the first to do it!
I don't listen to Bubba ....and only listen to MJ every now and them but I do like like Froggy!

[Stlaw]

STOP. Read the complaint. I found it at tampabays10.com. As a lawyer, I am getting a kick out of the above comments. This is not a "wah wah, crybaby case." I heard a few of the broadcasts by Bubba back in January and was shocked at the content. I commented to a colleague that the material was clearly over the line and slander per se. Calling any woman a Wh--- in this context is clearly not parody and is actionable. Cox radio open your wallets on this one. That's the consensus from my law pal geeks.

Listen to NPR

[John]

MJ, Are you kidding on this? You can't take some jabbing now you have to go cry to the court to try to tell that person to stop. You would have a better shot crying to your mommy to make the bully stop. As for Bubba killing a pig on the air. Please people it is radio. Get with it. Besides he was for not guilty in court. So it really didn't happen.

[derek]

Waaaaaa, Bubba's picking on me, waaaaaaaa. Stuff it mj, you are so weak.

[LukeM]

Much better piece written by Kevin Graham. Wow, a reporter that actually gets the law. I read Eric Deggans' blog earlier and it read like a Bubba groupie wrote it. Deggans was at Bubba's wedding as an invited guest, how he can he be remotely objective? Bubba groupie. Let's see this show up on the SP Times home page.

[bill]

what a hypocrite!

And by the way, MJ is not even as interesting as Lex and Terry, and those guys are lame.

[Al]

It's all about p-nis size... ah.. er.. I mean the lack thereof.

[Mike]

I havent listened to MJ in years because I can't stand the way that he treats people. He deserves all the bad karma he's created for himself.

[Rodger]

Better watch what we say here we might get sued. I think it's funny how it's Todd "MJ" Snitch and bubba the love sponge Clem. I think we see who's side the paper is on. get over it and lets have the Todd and Todd show. lol lol. and the last time I looked Veterinarians make pretty descent money loopin off nuts.

[Bobmoss]

Some of the above posters sound like clueless Bubba high school dropouts. The first ammendment DOES NOT allow malicious libel and slander. I do not know if MJ/Schnitt has responded on his morning program, but sometimes the proper response is legal action. I am not a MJ listener, but I do listen to Schnitt, which has turned out to be on of the most informative well-researched shows currently on talk radio.

[BDIDDY]

Snitt Show = BS!!!

One sided piece of crap show- Rush repeat

[Young Spock]

XM Radio
Opie And Anthony 6-11
Ron and Fez 12-3

[ChargerGuy]

Thanks for the reminder to make sure my Sirius subscription is paid up-to-date.

Makes me sad for the non-subscribers in the area that have to be subjected to this tripe.

[Tom]

Mason and Bill in the morning... Q105... Seems to be all I need...

[X Radio Guy]

This is the perfect reason why everyone should jump to XM or Sirius. Tampa Bay Radio used to be cutting edge and in the forefront of radio in the nation, now you have a bunch of lame stattions, the same music, the same lame joke, nothing special and all you radio people know it. You all remember the hey day of the Q-morning zoo, now all radio is lame. Go ahead, go to Best Buy and Try XM or Sirius, you'll never go back.

How could two double chinned tubs sue one another? They're so much alike.

[Dave Wilson]

come on MJ - its a game - a ratings game. when it was all you - the world was fine you could do and say anthing you wanted BUT not now BUBBAs back -

agree with tommy the boner they both are crappy but if i had to pick I'd go Bubba.

You're right on the Jenny and travis show. I wish they were on in the morning.

[Young Spock]

Satellite radio is obviously where it's at for talk radio... though you'll always have a bunch of Ham & Eggers listing to free FM. It's free for a reason people!!!

XM Radio
Opie And Anthony 6-11
Ron and Fez 12-3

[Liana]

um, i think mj's wife michelle maybe worked as a lawyer for like, 5 minutes, right? hmmm....poser

[Joe]

Bob you are an idiot. Schnitt just want to shock in the afternoon, he wants to be a mini Rush. Give me a break his Right sided views are ridiculos..Informed..no..Bias Yes...Our Nation has done really well under your republican leadership.

[ESTER]

Bubba sucks, plain and simple. The man is useless, as his attempts to run for Sheriff have been. A big fat idiot who thinks he is cool. Fool there, Bubba, not cool.

MJ's wife is the one who is in a high profile position and Bubba has no right to say a thing about her. If he has an axe to grind, it's one thing to do it with that person, but not to bring another persons career in to it and falsely accuse them of something, as Bubba and his redneck army have done.

MJ, you have our support in this case.

[duff]

Reading some of the above post sounds like Bubba wrote the statements for them...

[Vince McMahon]

I suggest a match at WrestleMania,It is only 2 weeks away.We can have a triple threat match in the HELL IN THE CELL.We can have Bubba vs.MJ vs.Mark Lunsford.Then all of this feuding will be over.Also special guest ref will be Hulk Hogan.Or we can have a bra and panties match between MJ And Bubba.Or a hair vs. hair match between Bubba and Mark.People would pay good money to see mark loose his mullet.

[Constand]

I too am an attorney. I just read the filing as well and Cox Radio and Bubba have big problems. MJs attorney is the best around and he would not have taken this case if it didn't have merit.

[Dan]

Is this going to hold up in court? I say no.

[Jason]

If you live in a glass house don't throw stones. Man up Schnitt

[anthony]

poor mj he makes fun of people every day now he cant take it what a cry baby

i'd wrestle Jenny from that Country show.

Although I think she's getting married to Skip soon

Go Bubba

Jenny is not marrying Skip he already has a beard.

[CJ]

This just substantiates what we already know and what Bubba chooses to reaffirm, Schnitt is a cry baby and a whiner! I've listened to his shows, both morning and afternoon, huge ego... don't even try to disagree with him or a "click" is not far off!

[Eric]

Ice totally agree Fisher and Boy in the morning 97.1. Let's send both these clowns a message and this Friday everyone hit 97.1 on your morning drive.

[jerry]

What did you do bubba slob stay up alnight and write these comments because I know you don't have that many listeners. Go get em MJ

[Lisa]

MJ acts like this big tycoon. He makes fun of people's financial positions and even does it to his crew. I think he is so stuck on himself and half the things he says and does are for attention. He is a little man with little !#%$^ and has to fight his battles in court. Does he think because Michelle is an attorney he will win!!!! GET OVER IT

[CW]

Bubba is exactly what Tampa needed being out of the area a while I can tell you Radio has gotten extremely stale and corporate sounded with 20 minutes or so an hour of commercials. Remeber Bubba put the infamous Power Pig on the national map, which led to Tampas long history of cutting edge radio. Its a shame that we are all to worried about someones feelings who wholly opened the door when he (MJ) went into a girlly rant on the air. I thnk CC should act quickly and make MJ settle down and battle Bubba on air. Save our tax dollars and man up MJ. If you dish it you MUST take it.

IM OUT

What is a Beard?

Bubba will win this it won't even get to court.

How will MJ dropping to second effect the CC cluster?

MJ has a good show too bad he didn't fire back like a man.

Bubba Army go go go.

MJ is second to the king of all radio.

Why are Skip and Nancy still on the air?

Why are Randy and Dave not on in the morning?

Why are Travis and Jenny not on in the Morning?

Why are Ron and Ian not on in the morning?

Seems like besides Bubba there is nothing on in the morning - the action is later in the day. Tampa still has great radio it's just on in the afternoon.

[Feesh]

Who listens to terrestial radio anymore? Do yourself a favor and buy a Sirius radio!

[Feesh]

Forgive my typing error. Who listens to terrestrial radio anymore? Do yourself a favor and buy a Sirius radio!

[Cathy]

I listen to MJ every day but only for his supporting crew who carry his show. He has some strong talent and nice, funny people around him who are hushed as soon as he doesn't agree with what they say and belittled on top of being ssssshhhhh'd. He and his wife are both snobs who think they are better than everyone else. I could probably tell you every vacation they have taken and where they have gone, dined, and how much money they have spent. Brags Too Much!!!! Don't forget the corvette!! I would hate MJ to go off the air only because I would miss everyone else on his show.

Oh as for Bubba, who cares.

[Simon]

Both of these douche bags need to strap on a pair, dip their resin covered hands in bins of broken glass and get into a caged death match. The winner? Every one of us.

[tallguy007]

WOOOW WHAT A RATEING GAME ONE DOSE FAMILY JOKES THE OTHER SHOCK JOCK AND BOTH WANT TO BE #1 WHEN ONLY ONE CAN BE.HAVE THEM BOTH DO WAR GAMES AND/OR DRIVEING CARS FAST TO SEE WHOM CAN REALLY BE #1...

[LC]

C. Philip Campbell Jr., Todd Schnitt's attorney, wasn't immediately available for comment. Elise Brown, Clem's publicist, had no immediate comment about the lawsuit.....
Of course, they wouldn't be available, they know they don't have a leg to stand on! Because the Nepolian to friggen short!!!!

[jim]

Skip and Nancy is all I listen to. I like getting in touch with my feminine side on the way to work. Plus, I can relate to Nancy (got a DUI and I was a fill-in on Regis). Seriously, this market has sucked since Ron and Ron left. LET THE PUPPIES BREATH!!!

[LC]

....and another thing, BJ Should come back too and bury this little Q-Tip headed, bird abusing, it's alot about calling "Mommy"(Oops, I mean Michelle) Nepolian idiot!! Wouldn't THAT be the day!? I have D-TESTED this little "short man complex" jerk while in the day of the "MJ and BJ Show". Couldn't wait for the next day MJ would be off, so that BJ could make it good Radio. Until Bubba, for me, it was ALL Cowhead in the morning, now I have the BEST of both worlds, morings w/Bubba, and afternoons w/Cowhead!! They both are THE shows!! Bubba, Please read this on air, so that I know you know I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Love, (VERY proud to say, my name is Lori from Englewood, FL)

[Trailer Trash Extraordinaire]

Both loooooooooosers! Back to me beer swill'n and toe pick'n.

[Rock n Roll]

Bubba the Disco Pig wants people in Ybor to do the same thing that happened to him at Livestock. The fat azz couldnt even enter the campground without a hail of garbage raining down on him. It was a beautiful sight. He has no business in Rock n Roll - he should go back to the teeny bopper bubble gum music he seems to like so much.

[The Undertaker]

Why doesn't everybody just turn the radio dial off both stations and listen to music instead of a couple of loud mouths rant in the morning.

[Rich]

Get rid of both of them. Problem solved.

[Bubba Fan!]

Stop crying MJ, Ican't wait to hear what Bubba has to say about you know.

[Jeff]

I am not an active listener but have heard Bubba passively because some of the guys in our warehouse listen. I have heard at least two months of slanderous comments from Bubba directed toward MJ. I am not talking about "he's short, he sucks, etc," I am talking about slanderous comments of a malicious nature. Folks, that it not constitutionally protected. Hopefully I have written clear enough for the retards above who spit out whatever Bubba the buffoon shovels in their faces. The virtual exact Bubba lingo regurgitated by his fans on this site is hysterical to read.

[Mooney]

Read the whole lawsuit people. MJ has a case. He's not a p****y for protecting his wife and family. You would do the same thing if your wife was repeatedly called a Wh*** by this puke. Oh, can the Bubba fans actually read?

[Tampa Bay Radio Is In The Toilet]

If you only remember one thing, make sure this is it: Tampa Bay radio has been on life-support since Ron & Ron went off the air. Yes, you heard me correctly, I said Ron & Ron. They would crush these two clowns.

The TB area would be a lot better off if these two simply went away. They are a couple of losers whose 15 minutes are thankfully approaching an end. If the average IQ of the Tampa Bay area was a bit higher, these guys wouldn't have an audience.