At least when they spoke about not liking MM in DT, they said they don't wish that he was replaced because they would never wish somebody loses their job. That's pretty classy at least.
That's how I feel. I don't wish the man ill, but I just would prefer that MP and DT reconcile. I'm sure MM would have no trouble finding work.
I need to listen to this podcast, but I wanted to chime in and say (and I can't believe I am saying this now), I agree. I was always very critical of MP toward the end of the tenure. I felt he was too much and brought the band down with all his extraneous stuff. Now, however, what, six years on, I gotta say, I miss the excitement MP brought to the band.
Let me explain that briefly -- I miss the guy in the band who truly was like one of the fans, and "got it," from a fan perspective. DT is a bit... "colder" now that MP is gone. Mangini is arguably a technically better drummer (amazing to even say that), but MP's personality in his playing, which gave DT a lot of its character, is no longer there. It could be sentimental on my part -- I've been really missing old school DT (early =-mid 90s) lately. But after DT has now settled down and released three records without MP, I gotta say, it doesn't seem right that he's not there.
There are some things that I think (again, I'm not as informed as some fans, so forgive me if I'm not on-point with stuff) would need to be addressed. First and foremost, he would need to repair his relationships with John and James. I think it is pretty evident that MP and James drifted apart over the years severely. That has to be mended. and of course, with MP leaving, and the lawsuit, and all of that, he needs to sit with JP and talk as friends, and see if there can be a resolution. MP's still tight with Jordan, and I assume he and JM are fine.
Second, if (and that's a big IF) all of the successful changes that have been made in DT -- James being more comfortable doing vocals in the studio, etc....those are things MP would have to be good with, and not rock the apple cart. I mean, DT was MP's baby, but it wasn't his baby alone, and now belongs even more to JP and JM, not to mention JR and JLB. So Portnoy would have to be OK with what they do.
Again, no disrespect to MM at all. And honestly, I can't believe I am saying what I am saying regarding MP. But simply put, I miss his presence in DT.