kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 (edited) This is kind of like a side note to the Rush-got-fired-from-ESPN thread going on over in the Sports folder. Go there if you want to discuss Limbaugh, black quarterbacks and other fun stuff. What I want is some insight on the Playmakers series, since I know there have been a few topics regarding this new show. I sat down last night and watched two episodes of "Playmakers" *I really hadn't watched the show before, and the moments I did see beforehand, the content didn't do much for me.* So is this show built "with institutional racism"? From what I have seen I don't think so. Much like how all police stations aren't like "The Shield" (at last I hope not), I just think "Playmakers" goes over the line in some ways for entertainment... http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/fo...all/6916872.htm As Donovan McNabb tried to close the book on the Rush Limbaugh chapter in Eagles history, the team's owner, Jeffrey Lurie, attempted to heighten the awareness of another ESPN production that bothers the people who run the NFL. After condemning Limbaugh's remarks pertaining to McNabb, Lurie went on attack yesterday against the network's fictional show Playmakers. "It's really a shame the events of this week, but maybe it does point out some of the problems in our society," Lurie said. "Comments that were made by Rush Limbaugh showed a lack of knowledge, a lack of sensitivity and, in my opinion, were despicable. "However, the issue is not Rush Limbaugh. The issue is how we've come to hire Rush Limbaugh and how we've come to portray athletes. For example, showcasing NFL players purportedly doing cocaine at halftime in Playmakers. Nothing could be further from the truth." Lurie charged that ESPN, which pays the NFL $800-million per year for broadcasting rights, needs to be more responsible in its programming and hiring practices. "The onus of responsibility is really on the company that hires people like this and portrays athletes to boost ratings," Lurie said. "ESPN has been a very well run company, but some of the events of this week have been built with institutional racism. It exists. Let's not hide it or make us believe that the problem is a single person, because it's far from that. "Disney's brand is Mickey Mouse, Magic Kingdom. How would they like it if Minnie Mouse were portrayed as Pablo Escobar and the Magic Kingdom as a drug cartel?" Lurie was really just reiterating a point made by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who said during a CNN interview before the start of this season that he felt the show Playmakers was "a gross mischaracterization of our sport." Tagliabue has spoken to ESPN about the show and an NFL spokesperson said yesterday that the players' union also is unhappy with the show. Tagliabue called McNabb Wednesday and offered his support to the Eagles' quarterback. Lurie was in New York with the commissioner at the time. What's interesting is that McNabb, during his response Wednesday to Limbaugh's remarks, said he would hold no grudges against ESPN. In fact, he openly campaigned for a guest spot on "Playmakers." "If they wanted me to come and be on Playmakers, I'll be on Playmakers," McNabb said. "I'm still looking for my shot at Playmakers." Lurie said he couldn't comment on McNabb's desire to be on the show, but expressed concern about the potential negative influences of Playmakers. Asked if it could just be viewed as an entertainment show, Lurie said the problem was that it was being aired by a network that also has a partnership with the NFL. "ESPN, in a way, has a different task," Lurie said. "They are the leading sports network in terms of covering reality. Now, when they put on a show that . . . is not reality, what is the affect on kids around the country? Are they thinking ESPN is reality sports TV, which is purporting this to be the same thing?" Eagles defensive end N.D. Kalu admitted that he is a big fan of Playmakers. "I like it a lot," he said. "I think it's an entertaining show." Asked about the potential negative influence on kids, Kalu made an outstanding point. "Parents shouldn't let their kids watch it," he said. "I think it has a warning. If kids are being raised properly, they won't see it. It's just a show being made for entertainment." Lurie was asked if he thought the NFL was being hypocritical because it sells advertising to beer companies. "You can take it to that," he said. "I don't. I think drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and showcasing cheerleaders are part of Americana and part of life. It is when you differentiate between people and create a racial or ethnic hierarchy, that is really doing some damage." Lurie said the problem extends beyond ESPN. "We know what goes on radio, the so-called license to entertain, a lot of personal attacks. I am more worried when it is something national. That is not a direction we want to entertain our kids." Lurie said he was happy that Limbaugh resigned, but that the Eagles did not have anything to do with it. "We were certainly wanting Rush to be removed, but we had no power to do it," he said. "It is not our company." Could the NFL eventually break its ties with ESPN if the network continues to air Playmakers? "That is certainly a possibility," Lurie said. "You have to value the attack of your own brand. We are really proud of the athletes in the National Football League, the drug policies and the level of competitiveness. "It is primarily an African American sport and it is covered primarily by non-African Americans. I think it is very important that the broadcast partners do not let institutional racism get involved here. That lowers the value they are giving the NFL. It also lowers the value they are giving our society. Certainly there is a branding factor that in the future I am sure will be considered." McNabb declined to discuss the Limbaugh issue any further. "I said all I have to say on the topic," he said. "I spent more time on the subject than I expected to. It's time for me to concentrate on the Redskins and try to win a football game with my teammates this weekend." Edited October 3, 2003 by kkktookmybabyaway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted October 3, 2003 (edited) Haysoos...the massive overreacting continues Rush makes a dumb, but not overly offensive comment and all hell breaks lose. Now The Eagles and NFL are trying to take down ESPN? What the hell is going on. I'd hate to imagine if Rush made an actual offensive comment. Playmakers exagerrates and uses past events to base their stereotypes on, but I don't see it as being racist or offensive. It's not like these are baseless stereotypes. It's obvious that the NFL still can't accept that all of their players aren't model citizens and is still trying to hide it. Edited October 3, 2003 by El Satanico Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Playmakers exagerrates and uses past events to base their stereotypes on, but I don't see it as being racist or offensive. It's not like these are baseless stereotypes. It's obvious that the NFL still can't accept that all of their players aren't model citizens and is still trying to hide it. You mean people don't smoke crack at halftime or feel the effects of steroids in less than a week? Man, next thing you know you'll be telling me that Star Trek isn't real... I mean, TV tells you the truth, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Yeah players smoke crack and meet up with hookers BEFORE the Super Bowl, not DURING it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonX 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Speaking of Playmakers: Did they ever reveal the connection between the guy that the token white guy and the guy he crippled? There was definately a gay-subtext going on with the two in the pilot and I was wondering if they expanded on it or gave some sort of alternative explaination as to why token white guy knew the other guy as closely as he knew him. Was that Adam Busch (Warrne on Buffy) as the evil assistant coach from hell a couple of episodes back during the half-time episode? And given that most of the guys are analogues for real life football players, who the hell is the assholing sex-obsessed Quarterback is supposed to be an analogue for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Aikman? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2003 All I can think of is Omar Gooding's come a long way from Wild 'N' Crazy Kids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
