The Catholic Guy Show

The Catholic Guy Show is a radio talk show currently aired on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM Radio, a subscription-based satellite radio service, since December 4, 2006. Hosted by Lino Rulli, Emmy Award-winning Catholic personality, The Catholic Guy show discusses life, religion, and theology in a humorous fashion through the eyes of an average Catholic guy.[1]

The Catholic Guy
GenreTalk, religious, entertainment
Running time2 hours (4 p.m.–6 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday)
Country of originUnited States United States
Language(s)English
Home stationThe Catholic Channel
(Sirius XM 129)
StarringLino Rulli
Original releaseDecember 4, 2006 (2006-12-04)
Opening theme"It's The Catholic Guy Show with Lino Rulli..." by Tyler Veghte
Websitewww.catholicguy.com
PodcastThe Catholic Guy Podcast

The show has been recognized by The New York Times for its spontaneity and edginess, having ability to sound like catechism class one minute and The Howard Stern Show the next.[2]

History

It was first announced in May 2006 that The Catholic Channel would come to Sirius Satellite Radio later that year; the channel's purpose was to spread the Word in a new way.[3] It then was announced that Emmy Award-winning television host Lino Rulli would host the afternoon drive show (4–7 PM Eastern) on the new channel.[4] The first broadcast of the show was on December 4, 2006 with Rulli alongside producer Maureen McMurray, technical director Lou Ruggieri, and phone screener Tom Falcone. Frequent appearances were also made by program director Rob Astorino. Father Jim Chern also began to appear frequently after his well reception from playing the game "Push-ups for Prayers".

In 2008, Falcone was the first of the original four crew members to depart from the show. Christine Stern/Lloyd became the new phone screener until 2009. McMurray left later that year to pursue a career with NPR, then later Martha Stewart Living Radio. The show was then introduced to Father Rob Keighron, who first appeared as a guest but began making weekly appearances. Ryan Stewart briefly filled the producer void in 2008, followed by Jared Rizzi until he departed in 2009. McMurray went on to return to the show in September 2009. Rulli described the show as being back to "the way it was ever meant to be" with himself, Ruggieri, and McMurray broadcasting together until 2011.

In April 2011, Rulli announced that long-time assistant producer/technical director Lou Ruggieri would depart from the show. Ryan Grant was hired in May to work alongside McMurray as assistant producer. Less than a month after Grant was hired, McMurray again left the show. Rulli and Grant continued to broadcast each day with frequent appearances by Father Rob Keighron. It was announced in September 2011 that Keighron would join the show full-time and serve as co-host alongside Rulli, as well as co-producer. Grant left the show in late 2011. In late 2012, the show moved to a new slot, live Monday–Thursday from 5–7 PM Eastern, and Friday from 11 AM–1 PM Eastern.

On October 10, 2013 Father Rob Keighron announced his departure as co-host; his final full-time show was October 25. Rulli then announced his plans to change the format of the show, leaving the New York City studio to broadcast from a different city each week to focus on individual Catholic ministries.[5] Keighron continued to make periodic in-studio guest appearances with Rulli until June 19, 2014, when he announced his full departure from the show and active ministry.[6] Following the format change, the show began to broadcast only Monday–Thursday from 5–7 PM Eastern, with no live show on Fridays; however in January 2015, the show moved back to its former slot (live Monday–Friday from 5–7 PM Eastern).

In September 2016, Rulli announced another format change. After three years of broadcasting the show on the road, Rulli returned to New York to broadcast daily shows from his apartment. This format featured rotating co-hosts Mark Hart and Father Jim Chern. Both longtime periodic guests, Hart and Chern joined the show full-time, with Hart co-hosting three days per week and Chern two. Hart had been with the show since the first week of its existence, and Chern first appeared in August 2007.[7] Chern originally got Sirius XM to listen to Howard Stern, and eventually stumbled upon Rulli's show where "for about 15 minutes, [he] couldn't tell if the show was pro-Catholic or anti-Catholic."[8] This format continued until Chern's announced departure on June 6, 2019. A similar format still exists after Rulli's 2020 move to Minnesota. Hart remained as co-host until his departure of the full-time role in September 2022. Rulli currently hosts the show five days per week with producer Tyler as co-host, with occasional appearances by assistant producer Chuck.

Show content and format

The Catholic Guy consists of an average "Catholic guy" (Rulli) discussing both current events and personal religious issues in a humorous (and sometimes off-color) light.

2006–2013

The original format was featured during its first seven years. The show would begin with Rulli discussing something on his mind, followed by callers' input and opinions. This usually led into many different segments, which could be caller input discussions, games in which callers won religious prizes, or in-studio guests. The show featured a relatively small number of celebrity guests during its original format run, with notable guests appearing once every few months on average during that time.

2013–2016

Following the departure of his co-host Father Rob Keighron in October 2013, Rulli announced a new format for The Catholic Guy. In the new format, each week Rulli travels around the world to various outreach ministries, colleges, youth organizations, and other Catholic institutions. In each show, he discussed the organization by often featuring co-hosts and guests, adding humor to the discussions.

2016–present

After Rulli married in 2016, The Catholic Guy ended its tenure of travelling throughout the world for broadcasts. Rulli returned to New York to broadcast shows in a similar style to the 2006–2013 format (featuring various segments, games, and occasional guests). The same format still exists presently after Rulli's move to Minnesota in 2020.

Opening theme music

Cast, crew, and guests

Current crew members
Lino Rulli, host
  • Lino Rulli – host (2006–present)
  • Tyler Veghte – executive producer, co-host (2015–present)
  • Chuck – "assistant to the executive producer" (2022–present)

Periodic co-hosts and guests
  • Mark Hart ("Bible Geek", Executive Vice President of Life Teen) – periodic guest (2006–2016); co-host (2016–2022); periodic guest (2022–present)
  • Tom Leopold (comedy writer) – (2012–present)
  • Jennifer Fulwiler (author, former "The Catholic Channel" host) – (2014–present)
  • Gina (Rulli's mom) – (2007–present)
  • Jill (Rulli's wife) – (2015–present)

Past crew members and guests
  • Father Jim Chern (priest, chaplain at Montclair State University, "America's Favorite College Campus Minister") – (2007–2019)
  • Jonathan Morris (Fox News Channel analyst) – (2012–2018)
  • Hallie Lord (author, "The Catholic Channel" host); periodic co-host – (2014–2018)
  • Rob Keighron – weekly guest (2008–2011); co-host/co-producer (2011–2013); periodic guest (2013–2014; 2015)
  • Lou Ruggieri – technical director (2006–2009); assistant producer (2009–2011); periodic co-host (2014–2016)
  • Leah Darrow (model, Catholic speaker) – (2014–2016)
  • Kerry Weber (America managing editor, "The Catholic Channel" periodic guest) – (2014–2016)
  • Kayla Riley (host on Sirius XM's Octane, Ozzy's Boneyard & The Message Amped) – periodic guest (2007–2013)
  • Scott Shea – co-producer (2011–2012)
  • Ryan Grant – co-producer (2011)
  • Maureen McMurray – producer (2006–2008, 2009–2011)
  • Krista D'Amore – intern (Summer 2010)
  • Ryan Stewart – producer (2008); periodic guest (2008–2010)
  • Rob Astorino – "The Catholic Channel" program director (2006–2009)
  • Jared Rizzi – producer (2008–2009)
  • Christine Stern (aka Christine Lloyd) – phone screener (2008–2009)
  • Tom "the Bird" Falcone – "Professional Phone Answerer" (2006–2008)
  • Emily Dunning – intern (Summer 2008)
  • Josh – producer (2006)

Recurring segments
Main article: List of The Catholic Guy recurring segments

Notable guests

Although Rulli often states he does not like having guests on the show, The Catholic Guy has featured many notable guests throughout its existence:[9][10][11]

Special editions of The Catholic Guy

The Catholic Guy broadcast many shows from various locations throughout its incarnation. Prior to a format change in 2013, where Rulli broadcast from a different location each week, the show visited the following locations:

Date Location Occasion
December 3–7, 2007 Rome, Italy Celebrating the first anniversary of The Catholic Guy Show broadcasting from Vatican Radio
March 31–April 2, 2008 Tampa, Florida "Spring Break" broadcasts from the home studio of fellow Catholic Channel host Gus Lloyd
December 3–7, 2007 Rome, Italy Celebrating the second anniversary of The Catholic Guy Show broadcasting from Vatican Radio
October 2–3, 2009 South Bend, Indiana From the campus of the University of Notre Dame in conjunction with The Catholic Channel's annual contest to win a trip to a football game
December 2–6, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada From the "Seven Deadly Sins Suite" at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino to celebrate the show's third anniversary
February 15–17, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana Covering Mardi Gras celebrations leading up to Ash Wednesday
July 19–23, 2010 Rome, Italy Week of broadcasts from Vatican Radio after the first listener pilgrimage
September 25–29, 2010 Saint Paul, Minnesota From Rulli's parents' house to celebrate the proclamation of "Lino Rulli Day"
November 30–December 4, 2010 Las Vegas, Nevada From the "Seven Deadly Sins Suite" at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino to celebrate the show's fourth anniversary
April 29, 2011 Rome, Italy From Vatican Radio celebrating the beatification of Pope John Paul II at the beginning of the second listener pilgrimage
August 16–19, 2011 Madrid, Spain taped one-hour shows from World Youth Day celebrations
October 24–27, 2011: Rome, Italy Week of broadcasts from Vatican Radio after the third listener pilgrimage
December 1, 2011 San Diego, California Celebrating the show's fifth anniversary
December 2, 2011 Los Angeles, California
February 16–17, 2012 Rome, Italy Joint broadcast from Vatican Radio with The Busted Halo Show celebrating New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan's elevation to the College of Cardinals
March 5–7, 2012 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Shows from a lodge where Rulli was staying while participating in a retreat with priests from the Diocese of Saskatoon
April 27, 2012 Missoula, Montana From a former convent where Rulli was speaking at events to raise funds for Catholic schools in the area
June 8, 2012 Galway, Ireland Live special broadcast with The Catholic Channel program director Father Jonathan Morris
September 21–22, 2012 South Bend, Indiana Live broadcasts from University of Notre Dame campus covering the Notre Dame-Michigan football rivalry game (with Father Jonathan Morris)
October 15–19, 2012 Rome, Italy Week of broadcasts from Vatican Radio during the sixth listener pilgrimage, with listeners in studio
February 11–15, 2013 Texas Week of live broadcasts from multiple locations for listener appreciation week
March 18–22, 2013 Rome, Italy Week of broadcasts from Vatican Radio during the seventh listener pilgrimage, again with listeners in studio (these broadcasts also occurred just after the papal conclave)
October 21–25, 2013 Rome, Italy Week of broadcasts from Vatican Radio during the eighth listener pilgrimage with listeners in studio, coinciding with Father Rob Keighron's final full-time show

The show was put on temporary hiatus in March 2013 for the papal conclave. Before and during the conclave, Rulli hosted a special show titled Holy Smokes: The Road to the Papacy from Vatican City with Father Dave Dwyer, fellow Catholic Channel host. Father Rob Keighron also hosted the Papal Election Show from New York City, recapping each day's conclave news alongside Tom Leopold (also a Catholic Channel host).

References
  1. "Sirius Radio Catholic Channel Program Guide". Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  2. Vitello, Paul (13 July 2008). "For Catholics, an On-Air Mix of Sacred and Silly". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  3. Luo, Michael (16 May 2006). "Sirius to Begin a Catholic Channel". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  4. Colon, Alicia (10 October 2006). "Time To Praise, Not Backstab, Cardinal Egan". The New York Sun. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  5. Catholic Guy Podcast #147: The Decision. (And Fr Rob cries...). Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  6. TCGS Podcast #175: In NYC with Lino's mom, Pope's health, and Fr Rob's bye!. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. Lino Rulli, Fr. Jim Chern (January 4, 2016). Catholic Guy Podcast #232: Lino looks back on 2015! (podcast). Event occurs at 16:30. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  8. Lino Rulli, Fr. Jim Chern (June 1, 2018). The Catholic Guy Show (radio). Sirius SX.
  9. "Catholic Guy Show". linorulli.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  10. The Catholic Guy podcast. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  11. "Lino Rulli: Catholic Guy". linorulli.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2007.
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