Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 26, 2004 Another thing about Dream Job that pissed me off: On the episode where the contestants went to MLB spring training to do field reporting, Zach did a piece on autograph-seeking fans. The last scene of the segment was of a fan asking Zach for his autograph and Zach singing it. So afterwards, the judges are doing the critiques, and everyone basically liked it; he was funny, it was an interesting topic, blah blah blah. The one negative, the judges thought, was that it looked a little too much like a "Kenny Mayne piece." (As if Kenny Mayne is the only ESPN person allowed to be funny...but that's another topic). So anyway, then they get to Al Jaffee. He says, yes, it was a Kenny Mayne-type piece, but Jaffee also says that he didn't like how Zach, with the part where he signed an autograph, made the piece about himself. Now at the time I'm like, "ALL of Kenny Mayne's pieces are about himself!" And I left it at that. And then what do I see on today's Sportscenter? Yet another "Kenny Mayne goes to four cities in one day" piece, which was all about...Kenny Mayne. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 I love the fact they completely skipped over some teams in the FIRST round. At least talk about each team as they come up in the first round. They didn't really say shit about the Seahawks in the first round. However... I swear I heard Berman predict Seahawks vs. Eagles in the NFC title game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 He did. Of course, throughout the course of the season he'll be picking EVERY TEAM vs. Eagles in the NFC title game at one time or another... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 I love the fact they completely skipped over some teams in the FIRST round. I also loved how they went to commercial every few picks. They even did that yesterday as the Giants were making a pick the "Current Selection" thing came up, then they went to commercial. Just what I always wanted to see during the NFL Draft, the same few commercials over and over and over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 I know what you mean. I turned ESPN on Sunday afternoon just to see who the Steelers selected in the later rounds, and when it came time for that little sidebar to show me they went to a commercial. When I cam back, I was looking at Buffalo's picks... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted April 26, 2004 I know what you mean. I turned ESPN on Sunday afternoon just to see who the Steelers selected in the later rounds, and when it came time for that little sidebar to show me they went to a commercial. When I cam back, I was looking at Buffalo's picks... You know what I hate? How ESPN underplays EVERYTHING! Eli didn't want to go to SD? WHY THE HECK DIDN'T ESPN TELL US THIS CONSTANTLY, AND FOR DAYS AFTERWARDS? Geez, you EXPECT such subtlety out of MTV --- not ESPN. -=Mike ..Sarcasm, off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve J. Rogers 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 How about this, way they treat MLB and how they are so up Commadant Tagliabue and the NFL's kesters: 1) ESPN used to air the HOF ceromonies life from both Cooperstown and Canton every year (both are back-to-back weekends) well in recent years (since getting Classic Sports) they've shifted the broadcast of baseball's HOF ceromony there, but the football one is still shown on ESPN! Not to mention the fact that the HOF football game is AIRED and the baseball one isn't. I'm not saying either should be aired, its just alittle odd as both are exhbition games, granted the NFL one is on ABC and usually gives the MNF crew a good run through before the season starts, I'm not saying they should use Miller and Morgan for the baseball one but it'd be nice to see the game somewhere if you are going to air the NFL one 2) This year they did the Yanks-D'Rays game from Japan, only their broadcasters were sitting in a studio in BRISTOL, CT watching the Japanese feed. This is a regular season game! Yet when the Jets were involved in a PRESEASON game last year (and whenever the NFL does exhibitions aboard) they send full crews out there to do the game, and add those [sarcasim] great cultural differences pieces[/sarcasim] to various programs (SC, NFL preview/wrapup shows, ect) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted April 26, 2004 The thing that bothers me most about ESPN (and their radio stations) is when they try to tell the fans how they should react to things. Right now Dan Patrick is getting on New York Yankees fans for having the temerity to boo Derrik Jeter for going 0-for-25 and is saying something to the effect of 'Oh, that wil help Jeter hit now'. Look YOU DICKS... if a fan who paid money to go to a sporting event wants to boo anything they have the right to do so. Much less a Yankee fan who sees their World Series team going down to their arch rival in a sweep at home with their best player going 0-for-25. What sounds should these fans be making? This is not Little League, you do not get points for trying hard. You underperform by every standard... you deserve boos and any sports writer who thinks differently is way too caught up in their own love affair with themselves and their buddies the players. <-- Hates The Yankees and their fans... knows why they're getting booed and accept it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 Well if you can't boo someone in that instance, when are you allowed to boo someone then, Dan?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2004 I'll ask again; how is Michael Wilbon a racist? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 26, 2004 And what the hell are these "ESPN Shorts?" I just saw one the other night, about a baseball scout who's about to get fired. Just utterly and completely pointless, and it took about 5 minutes away from something useful, like more than 2 highlight plays from actual playoff games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted April 27, 2004 Tuna ass kissing. I love the fact that Dallas made one of the worst draft moves ever yet ESPN is trying it's hardest to find a positive spin on it. Some guys are actually trying to say it was a great move by Dallas to pass on everyone and go for Julius Jones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 27, 2004 Is it me or does ESPN always jump on recently-fired coaches to bring in as commentators/analysts? I swear I saw Doc Rivers on NBA Fastbreak about a week after Orlando fired him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2004 I love the fact they completely skipped over some teams in the FIRST round. At least talk about each team as they come up in the first round. They didn't really say shit about the Seahawks in the first round. However... I swear I heard Berman predict Seahawks vs. Eagles in the NFC title game. Wait, did Sean Taylor get selected in the Top 5 overall in the NFL Draft, and top defensive player overall? I have no idea because they started yelling about the Manning/Rivers trade that everyone knew was coming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2004 They can take that World Series of Poker with it, too (and I know Dr. Tom and some others will hate that idea ) Hey now, leave my World Series of Poker alone. I need the fix on ESPN, especially since Comcast is currently the suck and doesn't have The Travel Channel (which broadcasts the World Poker Tour) in my area. Anyway, my ESPN gripes: -- Stuart Scott trying to act all ghetto. Stu, you're a suburbanite who easily makes six figures a year. Get over the fact that you're no longer down wit' da homies in da projects, yo. I found him tolerable on Dream Job, but he's almost unwatchable on SC these days. -- Tom Jackson and his ridiculous drama queen tendencies. He might be knowledgeable about football, but as soon as the topic veers 1 degree from the NFL, someone should stuff a potato in his mouth so he can't talk. -- SC anchors getting their catchphrases over all the time. Sometimes, I just want the news and highlights, and don't need to hear, "Say hello... to my little friend!" in a bad faux Italian accent everytime someone hits a homer. The exception is Kenny Mayne, because he's awesome. -- Playmakers. It sucked. I don't care if some player just did something that was on the show. That doesn't make it "real." It means that the show was a collection of caricatures and stereotypes, and stereotypes exist for a reason. That's about it. I still watch ESPN, but I roll my eyes and change the channel (often to ESPNews) when it sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2004 -- Tom Jackson and his ridiculous drama queen tendencies. He might be knowledgeable about football, but as soon as the topic veers 1 degree from the NFL, someone should stuff a potato in his mouth so he can't talk. Racist. I never found Tom Jackson to be a drama queen ever ... ever... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 29, 2004 -- Playmakers. It sucked. I don't care if some player just did something that was on the show. That doesn't make it "real." It means that the show was a collection of caricatures and stereotypes, and stereotypes exist for a reason. Whoever said the show was supposed to be real? It was a drama show, which means there are sometimes going to be over-the-top situations, i.e. The Practice, ER, Boston Public, Law and Order, or any other drama show ever released. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Whoever said [Playmakers] was supposed to be real? Apparently the NFL thought it was a bit too "real" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 -- SC anchors getting their catchphrases over all the time. Sometimes, I just want the news and highlights, and don't need to hear, "Say hello... to my little friend!" in a bad faux Italian accent everytime someone hits a homer. The exception is Kenny Mayne, because he's awesome. Sweet jesus, you guys act like this is some recent development. It's not like Dan Patrick ("It's deep and I don't think it's playable"), Chris Berman ("Rumblin', bumblin', stumblin'") or Craig Kilborn ("YAHTZEE!") didn't have catchphrases ten years ago. Personally, the show has been in a gradual tailspin since Olbermann left, and the new influx of "special segments" like Fact or Fiction and the Budweiser Hot Seat certainly haven't helped. I agree with the idea of all the original programming going over to ESPN2, since it's supposed to be the "alternative" channel and most cable companies carry both ESPN and ESPN2, in my experienced. As far as the non-Sportscenter shows go, I think the opinion shows are doing okay, but the sports-specific shows are starting to take a dive. Baseball Tonight, for example, used to be one of the best sports shows on any network, but they need fresh blood to replace Peter Gammons (he's a great reporter, but his on-air presence is long gone) and John Kruk ain't the answer. It's pretty much the same story for NFL Countdown, which was awful early on last year with Michael Irvin and Rush Limbaugh. (What's the lesson? Don't hire anybody who has ever worked on the Best Damn Sports Show.) Stephen A. Smith and Bill Laimbeer are two of the worst on-air personalities I've seen in a long time (for entirely different reasons), and they're both on NBA Gamebreak. And, finally, we can't mention annoying TV personalities without covering nearly all of the college sports reporters, specifically Dicky V and his quasi-sexual obsession with Chris Duhan and Coach K. The opinion/extra shows aren't that bad, though. PTI and Outside the Lines fill excellent niches - the former's basically the best 30 minute compression of news and analysis that you'll find out there, and the latter is an excellent "serious" news program. The real culprit is Around the Horn, which toed the line between entertaining and annoying with Max Kellerman barking about Michael Jordan and Pedro Martinez non-stop, but has taken a HUGE dive with Statboy as the host. If it doesn't get canceled in the near future, I will be amazed. The game crews range in quality. It's been said before, but it bears repeating - the Sunday Night Football squad is one of the worst crews ever, in terms of analysis, commentary, and even production values. Tom Tolbert and Bill Walton have up and down nights for the NBA. But Mike Tirico isn't offensive, and he covers a lot of different sports. The real gem is the baseball crews, as nearly all of the regulars (Miller/Morgan, Gwynn, Sutcliffe, even David Justice) are great and always seem to offer some interesting insight. All in all, ESPN is fairly mediocre, but they're still better than a lot of their competitors (Fox Sports News, anybody?) and they certainly aren't worthy of comments like "why don't terrorists fly over Bristol." For the love of god, it's just a television station. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 If I want news and analysis I watch ESPNNews. There just isn't enough time on SportsCenter anymore for anything indepth due to all the gimmicks (the already mentioned hot seat) and how if they find a story... it's going to be taking up half of the show even if it is meaningless (Bonds) at this point in the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Any company that employs Jim Gray and lets him loose among professional athletes is a company in need of some changes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Sweet jesus, you guys act like this is some recent development. It's not like Dan Patrick ("It's deep and I don't think it's playable"), Chris Berman ("Rumblin', bumblin', stumblin'") or Craig Kilborn ("YAHTZEE!") didn't have catchphrases ten years ago. Personally, the show has been in a gradual tailspin since Olbermann left... That's the problem. I didn't mind the catchphrases and antics before, since the anchors were talented and entertaining. Now, the talent pool is VERY thin, and what used to be funny is annoying. I still like Chris Berman and Kenny Mayne, and Dan Patrick is pretty good, but the rest of the SC anchors could die and the TV-viewing world would be no poorer for the loss. and the new influx of "special segments" like Fact or Fiction and the Budweiser Hot Seat certainly haven't helped. I don't mind Fsct or Fiction. Something that engenders debate about a sports event or issue isn't a bad thing, IMO. The Budweiser Hot Seat, though, does indeed suck a big one. I pretty much agree on the baseball and football studio shows. The personalities they have on there now are not nearly as good as they used to be. Maybe John Kruk will become a good studio analyst (I don't think he's bad now), but he'll have to work on it. I always liked Rob Dibble, myself. Jeff Brantley sucked and sounded like a dumb hick. The NFL crew could use an overhaul. the Sunday Night Football squad is one of the worst crews ever, in terms of analysis, commentary, and even production values. I've never noticed anything bad about the production values, but that three-man crew is fucking shitty. I've always despised Joe Theismann as an analyst, since he seems to prefer talking about himself to talking about the game. Paul Maguire was probably more funny and useful when he was a drunkard. Mike Patrick is just kind of there, and I think he'd be better with a better crew around him, instead of the two pieces of shit he gets saddled with on Sundays. The real gem is the baseball crews, as nearly all of the regulars (Miller/Morgan, Gwynn, Sutcliffe, even David Justice) are great and always seem to offer some interesting insight. Definitely. It makes me wonder why ESPN can't do the same thing with football. There are a lot off former players out there. Audition a bunch of them until you find two good ones, with both presence on camera and an ability to talk about the game clearly, and then pair them with a good PBP man. I also think the hockey crews are very good. Gary Thorne is good, and both Darren Pang and Bill Clement are good, knowledgeable commentators. I don't think ESPN uses John Davidson anymore, but he was good when they did. All in all, ESPN is fairly mediocre, but they're still better than a lot of their competitors (Fox Sports News, anybody?) and they certainly aren't worthy of comments like "why don't terrorists fly over Bristol." For the love of god, it's just a television station. Yeah, they have their faults, and there are times I shout at the TV and want to pull my hair out. But overall, it's not as bad as some make it out to be. They do have joneses for a few select players, which is irritating, and the anchor talent pool is thin, but I'm not going to stop watching ESPN or anything like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Maybe John Kruk will become a good studio analyst (I don't think he's bad now), but he'll have to work on it. You mean like actually doing research before he gives opinions? I don't think he has it in him. In fairness that does seem to be a problem with almost all ex-ballplayers turned analysts but Kruk I think has taken it to a new level. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Look on the bright side: at least Tom Arnold isn't on ESPN. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tino Standard 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 - If the St. Louis Rams didn't exist, I think the 6 p.m. SportsCenter would've imploded a couple years ago. We used to make jokes about it here on a daily basis- It was like the "Stone Cold and Bradshaw vs. The NWO" of ESPN. The Yankees saga is getting entrenched in that role now. - Whoever mentioned Doc Rivers... He's not just a studio guy- ABC/ESPN hired him on as the lead color commentator. He'll be doing the Finals this year with Al Michaels. If you ask me, Brad Nessler got a raw deal. He was a perfectly competent play-by-play guy (and I love him on college football broadcasts), but he got saddled with Tolbert and Walton last year. Of course, the whole Doc Rivers thing is a moot point because he's going to Boston at the end of the playoffs. - Take a drink every time Linda Cohn says "Oh, by the way..." - John Clayton has quite possibly the most disturbing hairline I've ever seen. Just bit the bullet and use the Gillette already, man. - ESPN has started really forcing issues to be much bigger than they actually are. Bonds chasing Mays for No. 3? I DON'T CARE. (Well, actually, he's on my fantasy team, so the HRs are a bonus, but I still don't need to see every ESPN program interrupted to show his at-bats). - I generally despise Dan LeBatard, but his rant last month on women's college basketball during one of those "Voices of SportsCenter" had me giving him a standing ovation in my living room. - I wish SportsCenter went back to showing more highlights. And yes, like it was previously mentioned, it would be nice if the anchors didn't telegraph the results of games before the highlight actually finished (kinda like JR saying after a big move that 'This is DEFINITELY over!'). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted May 3, 2004 *BUMP* I'm legit curious you know; how is Michael Wilbon a racist? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tino Standard 0 Report post Posted May 3, 2004 *BUMP* I'm legit curious you know; how is Michael Wilbon a racist? The only thing I can think of is that he has started making a habit out of whining and bitching every time a black person is cut from a reality show competition and things of that nature. I wouldn't call it "racism" per say, just "really fucking annoying." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted May 3, 2004 *BUMP* I'm legit curious you know; how is Michael Wilbon a racist? The only thing I can think of is that he has started making a habit out of whining and bitching every time a black person is cut from a reality show competition and things of that nature. I wouldn't call it "racism" per say, just "really fucking annoying." I vaguely recall him getting pissed off when some umpire made some racist comment at a Jewish baseball commissioner or something, and even after his apology Wilbon was still pissed. Kornheiser who is Jewish wrote it off really, but Wilbon had no tolerance for such things. I just find it hard that a guy who hates other guys that make racist douchebag comments can be a racist himself, especially since he's a big fan of many white players, and coaches. Yeap, all the signs of a racist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 3, 2004 IMO: Much like Tino said, I don't think Wilbon is a RACIST, but he does have a LOT of double standards in regards to race mattes. I remember when Sapp made his "slave master" comments, Wilbon just went "We have to think about what he said and see if there is any deep meaning to it," but then he'll crap his pants with other matters. I just chalk it up to having to watch ESPN... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted May 4, 2004 ESPN's constant crying about Bonds getting walked all the time is starting to get rather annoying. Don't blame other teams for realizing that no one else on the Giants are a threat on offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites