River City Rocker 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2003 WHY is ESPN showing a spelling bee right now?! When did spelling words become a sport? -Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted June 1, 2003 Same reason they show high stakes poker games, its time filler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted June 1, 2003 What raza said. I always giggle when I turn to EPSN and see a spelling bee, poker, or pool on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted June 1, 2003 Those trick-billiards events are fun to watch, though. It's amazing to see what they can come up with, in terms of creativity. You can add cheerleading competitions to the list of "things I don't want to see on ESPN". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alkeiper Report post Posted June 1, 2003 It could be worse. A few months ago, ESPN Classic ran a MARATHON of past spelling bees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DokDoyle Report post Posted June 1, 2003 Dosen't ESPN stand for Entertainment-sports Network? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I believe I've seen Chess on ESPN2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JHawk Report post Posted June 1, 2003 And they wonder why we get pissed that wrestling is only mentioned in drug stories and Sportscenter commercials. Didn't ESPN2 show a Magic: the Gathering tournament two or three years ago? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I believe I've seen Chess on ESPN2. I've seen Chess as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I watched chess. Garry Kasparov + Deep Blue = Ratings!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted June 1, 2003 The karate exibitions of breaking cider blocks and wood is not a Sport! They F'N precut the wood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted June 1, 2003 And people still contend that Auto Racing isn't a Sport... Hello...This thread shows that there are at LEAST about 10 other "SPORTS" that less-sporty... Spelling Bee- I respect the hell out of the kids but it's not a Physical Activity which is the requirement to be a sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I don't have a problem with the Spelling Bee being on ESPN. It reaches a larger audience, and it's not useless drivel like alot of stuff on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fazzle Report post Posted June 1, 2003 And people still contend that Auto Racing isn't a Sport... Hello...This thread shows that there are at LEAST about 10 other "SPORTS" that less-sporty... Spelling Bee- I respect the hell out of the kids but it's not a Physical Activity which is the requirement to be a sport. Bullshit. At least half of those kids almost die from hyperventilating on stage. If that doesn't make it a sport, I don't know what does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Czech Republic Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I made it to state for spelling but damn "grandiloquence" took me out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Some Guy Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I saw a marathon on ESPN Classic a few eeks ago. A fucking marathon! I can't think of anything more boring than watching a bunch of people jog for 26.2 miles in 1972. I guess watching them grab the oranges on the run is considered a high spot. Oranges=ratings apparrently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted June 1, 2003 i bet you any money that the Spelling Bee gets better ratings than the NHL Playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Czech Republic Report post Posted June 1, 2003 i bet you any money that the Spelling Bee gets better ratings than the NHL Playoffs. I also bet that the Stanley Cup trails Men Throwing Cinder Blocks, Basket Weaving, the 4 a.m. Sportscenter rerun, Billiards, Chess, and Soapbox Derby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted June 1, 2003 we all know what NHL Playoffs can beat though.... A telethon. But that is pushing it aswell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Czech Republic Report post Posted June 1, 2003 I don't know, I bet the parts with Carrot Top could beat out Ducks and Devils. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted June 1, 2003 Didn't ESPN2 show a Magic: the Gathering tournament two or three years ago? Indeed they did, JHawk. And as a player and judge of the game, I wish they would again. Even just a few of the bigger events each year would bring a lot of exposure to the game. They always showed it at like 2:00 AM, so it's not like it took the place of an important piece of real sports programming. Btw, I think watching poker and chess on ESPN/2 is *fascinating*. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eagan469 Report post Posted June 2, 2003 ESPN also is the home of the annual "Putt-Putt Golf & Games Championships". I remember when I was younger I read that on the back of my Putt-Putt scorecard and I was all WTF? That can't be real. Then I finally saw one about 3 years ago on ESPN. Grown men playing miniature golf for like $50,000. Funny stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
River City Rocker 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2003 Didn't ESPN2 show a Magic: the Gathering tournament two or three years ago? Indeed they did, JHawk. And as a player and judge of the game, I wish they would again. Even just a few of the bigger events each year would bring a lot of exposure to the game. They always showed it at like 2:00 AM, so it's not like it took the place of an important piece of real sports programming. Btw, I think watching poker and chess on ESPN/2 is *fascinating*. Heh. I bet the Magic players were more athletic than most Green Bay Packers fans. -Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MarvinisaLunatic Report post Posted June 2, 2003 I liked it when they had the Sumo championships (or whatever they were called) on a couple months back. First time I'd ever seen it on tv. Interesting stuff... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alkeiper Report post Posted June 2, 2003 They had kickboxing a week ago. Interesting actually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted June 2, 2003 Btw, I think watching poker and chess on ESPN/2 is *fascinating*. SNL had a sketch where Jim Belushi played the Bobby Knight like High School Chess coach. That would be pretty amusing if Chess had really animated coaches, and players. Trash talking, dancing, fights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted June 2, 2003 Those trick-billiards events are fun to watch, though. It's amazing to see what they can come up with, in terms of creativity. I really like the trick-billiards matches. Especially the setup, where it forces the opponent to beat the other player at his/her own game. All kinds of cool shots. I actually like the regular billiards games too. I just wish they would show Jeanette Lee (The Black Widow) more. She is smoking. The billiards games have a pretty decent pace too...they move quicker than you think they would. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted June 2, 2003 The best part about the Billiards games is the commentators. I love how they use the telestrater and are all, "Yes, Marie will use the bumper to move around the five, zig through the eight, and do a dance before sinking the four ball." And then that's EXACTLY what happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JHawk Report post Posted June 2, 2003 Didn't ESPN2 show a Magic: the Gathering tournament two or three years ago? Indeed they did, JHawk. And as a player and judge of the game, I wish they would again. Even just a few of the bigger events each year would bring a lot of exposure to the game. They always showed it at like 2:00 AM, so it's not like it took the place of an important piece of real sports programming. Btw, I think watching poker and chess on ESPN/2 is *fascinating*. Actually, I do enjoy watching poker, but I'd just as soon watch World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel than have ESPN use it as filler. I agree that things like chess and Magic and that stuff should air someplace since there's a market for it, but is ESPN really the place to do that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted June 2, 2003 At 2:00 in the morning, on their secondary channel? Why not? Who else is going to show it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
