ESPN

[Tex Schramm]

I know everybody talks about how ESPN has gone downhill...but this new idea of interviews where the sole purpose is to antagonize an athlete is pretty ridiculous. I'm not sure what the angle is - it just ends up making me mad that the ESPN journalists are intentionally being such jerks to these guys (i.e. Dan Patrick's interview with Peyton Manning the other day).

Why is ESPN trying to create news instead of just sticking to being the best sports reporting org in the business?

[Philliesfan980]

Or like Mcgwire's interview with Ravich the other day.

[judicial clerk]

McGwire was just going through a 'roid rage.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

What happened between Patrick and Manning?

[Tex Schramm]

Patrick asked Manning straight up whether he was worth $98 million, and Manning obviously responded with a diplomatic non-answer. Dan Patrick wouldn't let up on it, saying things like "that might be fine for the Indy papers, but it's not good enough for me". Then he asked him if he blew his signing bonus on anything nice. That just about did it for me.

IMO, if the interviewee says he isn't comfortable talking about something, just drop it. It was obvious to me that Patrick was just trying everything he could to get a rise out of him.

The McGwire thing was the same way, definitely. You could tell during the whole interview Ravech was angling for the andro question, trying to catch him off guard. I can imagine it's hard enough dealing with the media even without that kind of rudeness.

[Deattribution]

The thing I didn't like about the Mcgwire stuff is they were pushing it before the 6pm show... something like.... Tune in to see what made Big Mac go irate, then they showed Mcgwire talking normally, hardly furious any means of the word.

[Pumpy Tudors]

ESPN used to be so good at, well, being good. Now it's just become a joke. I know Baseball Tonight is still a great program and people seem to love PTI (though I hate it), but I don't watch anything on ESPN except actual sporting events anymore. The network has gotten too damn full of itself (ESPN The Magazine, ESPN The Headlines, ESPN The Breakfast Cereal, ESPN The Vague Gastrointestinal Discomfort, etc). ESPN is trying so hard to be on the cutting edge, but at the end of the day, all they're doing is just cutting off the viewers who made them so big. You're witnessing shark-jumping in action.

[Crapshoot]

Baseball tonight, with noted intellectuals John "Im a fat man who thinks OBP doesnt matter" kruk and Rob "Jeter is better than A-Rod because he knows how to win" Dibble, is hardly good- the only redeeming thing about that show was Bobby V. Now he's gone, and the whole thing is becoming a piece of crock..

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have to agree. When I left the States back in early 2002, I loved ESPN. I watched Sports Center whenever I could. I enjoyed their coverage, all of that. I just spent a month back in the States in May. I watched a lot of Sports Center because it was during the NHL/NBA play-offs. Man it sucked. They have all this extra crap and nonsense, like that hot seat thing and such, with very little sports coverage. Definitely not good.

[SonyLuang]

I know everybody talks about how ESPN has gone downhill...but this new idea of interviews where the sole purpose is to antagonize an athlete is pretty ridiculous. I'm not sure what the angle is - it just ends up making me mad that the ESPN journalists are intentionally being such jerks to these guys (i.e. Dan Patrick's interview with Peyton Manning the other day).

Why is ESPN trying to create news instead of just sticking to being the best sports reporting org in the business? Dan Patrick pissed me off with that.

[Scholes]

I read somewhere that they're going to start having live musical acts on during sportscenter. Wow. I can't wait to see Nickelback play in between College Football highlights. It's just so damn awkward when there's no audience. It's a SPORTS HIGHLIGHT SHOW... not a gameshow, or a beauty contest, or a comedy bit, or a concert. I wish someone with a ton of money would come out with another sports channel and at least make ESPN think about their actions for a second.

[Ksyrup]

The first time I really thought ESPN went over the line was when they had the "Who Let the Dogs Out?" group perform live on Sportscenter. It's been downhill ever since.

All of these stupid game show segments and such remind me of MTV circa the late 80's, right before they introduced a slew of shows and drastically cut back on videos. I'm sure ESPN will continue to show sports and the change won't be as drastic, but I expect the Playmakers and mini-movie types of shows to become increasingly prevalent.

Carrying the MTV comparison, ESPNews has essentially become MTV2 - the place where you can get what ESPN (MTV) used to provide: the news, stripped of most of the crap on Sportscenter. As long as I can get ESPN2, I won't care aout SC. In fact, I'd rather watch 30 minutes of a stripped down sports news show than 90 minutes of SC fluff.

[Samdari]

Or like Mcgwire's interview with Ravich the other day.

I did not think that Ravech was tough enough on McGwire. McGwire defended his use of Andro by saying it was legal according to both the rules and the laws of the land at the time he took it (note - this is a very valid point). But, when Ravech was asking if McGwire thought his accomplishments were diminished, he stopped just short of asking, "Even though you were using a performance enhancing substance when you broke the record?" He should not have stopped.

The fact that McGwire did that is news, it is not something Ravech, nor anyone in the media, made up.

[Ksyrup]

I didn't think Ravech went over the line. McGwire knew it was going to come up, and in fact, I think he reacted the way he did because that was probably the 100th time that day the subject had come up.

I didn't see the Patrick/Manning interview, but baiting an interview subject is not appropriate, IMO. I don't think Ravech did that.

[hhiipp]

The parts I hate most are "Hot seat" they are just trying to get someone to snap off at them so they can have a story. Playmakers - didn't care for that show at all. The top 25 thing, they show people singing about the god damned numbers more than they show about the actual event, and then sometimes they only show a photo of the person they are talking about and have 3-4 sports reporters or ex-players talking about the event.

Sportscenter is overly influenced by sponsors now.. Mikes Hard Lemonade - Hardly top 10, Budweiser's Hot Seat, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting. The Home Run Derby almost wasn't enjoyable because it was too much glitz and glamour and not enough guys just going up and hitting home runs. Examples, the lame song before they brought out the guys participating and the 10 retired guys with 500+ homeruns. In round 2 Chris Berman and Joe Morgan were more involved in their conversation with Reggie Jackson than they were in watching Miguel Tejada hit, the man had 5 home runs before Berman even said anything about it.

Instead of watching the All Star game last night I decided I would rather watch a marathon of I love the 90s on VH1.

[KevinNU7]

The top 25 thing, they show people singing about the god damned numbers more than they show about the actual event, and then sometimes they only show a photo of the person they are talking about and have 3-4 sports reporters or ex-players talking about the event.Two things that really annoy me about the Top 25 thing.

[cuervo72]

And on the radio, don't forget the "On-Star Hotline".

[Ajaxab]

I mentioned this in another thread we had a month or so ago about ESPN, but I attended a lecture by ESPN programming head, Mark Shapiro, here in June and he made it very clear that they are interested in extending their audience share. That means moving away from the hardcore sports fan to the more casual viewer with things like Playmakers, the Bud Hot Seat, etc. It's unfortunate that they should move in this direction, but money talks. More viewers means more dollars no matter what the hardcore sports fan wants. I would fully expect ESPN to go the route of MTV and continue creating 'sports' like the World Poker Tour and the X Games in order to broaden their audience share. Let's face it, the World Poker Tour is only on ESPN because they know non-sports fans/casual sports fans will be more inclined to watch it and perhaps stick around for the promos/human interest stories on Sportscenter like last night's piece on the poker master who died young. It is pathetic, but it's all about the Benjamins.

[Maple Leafs]

I didn't think Ravech went over the line. McGwire knew it was going to come up, and in fact, I think he reacted the way he did because that was probably the 100th time that day the subject had come up.

I didn't see the Patrick/Manning interview, but baiting an interview subject is not appropriate, IMO. I don't think Ravech did that.I didn't see either interview. I will say that if you don't want your sports reporters to ask tough questions (and to reject non-answers) then don't complain when all you see are the same cliched love-fests over and over again.

[Samdari]

all you see are the same cliched love-fests over and over again.

You mean like a Deion Sanders interview:

Deion: You're great, man.

Subject: Yeah, I agree.

Deion: I mean, you are really great.

Subject: Again, I agree.

Deion: I'm great too. Do you like my shoes?

[pjstp20]

I didn't see either interview. I will say that if you don't want your sports reporters to ask tough questions (and to reject non-answers) then don't complain when all you see are the same cliched love-fests over and over again.
I agree, athlete interviews are the most boring in the world. If you can do anything to get them off their standard responses I'm all for it. I swear every sports organization from the NCAA on up must give all their athletes the same tired ass guide to interview responses. If I hear an athlete interview on the radio I tune out because if you've heard one you've heard them all.

Plus, the World Series of Poker is the only thing I've watched on ESPN since football season, so I'm glad they're televising it.

[hhiipp]

There is a difference between trying to get a good interview and badgering a person to try to get them to snap at you so you have a good controversy. Dan Patrick seems to be turning into the Jerry Springer of sports reporters.

[cthomer5000]

dont forget the
coors light 6 pack (questions)

and don't forget the occasional 'shorts' (COMMERCIALS that they run)

also during the footall season they did that football wrap-up/coors commercial with whoever sings the "twins" commercial song making up some god-awful song about what happened that day.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I didn't see either interview (heck, I didn't realize either interview even took place until I saw this thread. I guess that pretty much tells you how little ESPN non-event stuff I watch) but from what I've read here:

1) I agree that Ravech seems to have dealt with a subject that was pretty obviously going to come up. I mean, when I think of McGwire, I think of HR's, the impact he had on attendance, and andro pretty much simultaneously. If he doesn't like being asked about andro, he probably ought to stop granting interviews, because he's pretty much synonymous with the stuff.

2) I'm surprised that there's anyone left who considers Dan Patrick a sports "journalist".
AFAIC, he's been a cartoon character for quite a while now, and although that's occasionally (okay, rarely) entertaining on radio, he has pretty much become a name that Bristol trots out there because the sponsors know who he is, even though he really doesn't add anything worthwhile at this point.

3) Up the thread a bit, whoever made the ESPN/E2 vs MTV/MTV2 comparison really hit the nail on the head AFAIC.

[pjstp20]

If the media or individual journalists actually researched anything, they would realize that andro is a usless supplement that does nothing. It is (was?) legal in pro baseball, so case closed. There's no story there. If McGwire says andro is useless no one will believe him, so it's a no win argument for him. I'm almost as tired of this as he is.

[Karlifornia]

The top 25 thing, they show people singing about the god damned numbers more than they show about the actual event, and then sometimes they only show a photo of the person they are talking about and have 3-4 sports reporters or ex-players talking about the event.



HAHA! Wow you ripped the words right from my throat. SHE-BOP-DUH-DOP-BA-BA-DA-DA-DA- NUMBAHHHHHH TWENNNNNNNY-FO!

[rkmsuf]

The first time I really thought ESPN went over the line was when they had the "Who Let the Dogs Out?" group perform live on Sportscenter. It's been downhill ever since.

All of these stupid game show segments and such remind me of MTV circa the late 80's, right before they introduced a slew of shows and drastically cut back on videos. I'm sure ESPN will continue to show sports and the change won't be as drastic, but I expect the Playmakers and mini-movie types of shows to become increasingly prevalent.

Carrying the MTV comparison, ESPNews has essentially become MTV2 - the place where you can get what ESPN (MTV) used to provide: the news, stripped of most of the crap on Sportscenter. As long as I can get ESPN2, I won't care aout SC. In fact, I'd rather watch 30 minutes of a stripped down sports news show than 90 minutes of SC fluff.

Completely agree with this. Who can watch or has time to watch 90 minutes of Sportscenter? 30 minutes of scores and highlights is even more than enough.

Back in the day they used to keep all the same sports highlights together. Much better for the viewer since they don't have to guess when a game get's on; is it going to be before Hot Seat or just after the dancing mascots...

[Desnudo]

ESPN started downhill as soon as it became about the announcers and not about the sports. When everyone started having "signature" quotes, you could see the demise beginning. Considering the crap they've been churning out in an attempt to reach a broader audience, I'd say they have a ways to go before they're the second coming of HBO, or even MTV.

[SteelerFan448]

Shows like PTI and Around the Horn should keep the extra gimmicks out of SportsCenter. They give a huge build up for a highlight and only show a 10 second clip. Unless it is the Yankees-Red Sox, which they talk about the ENTIRE SHOW, you can't even see the clips from your team's game. And the Poker thing is a waste of time IMO. I understand that they want to appeal to the larger audience, but in that case, ESPN News needs to be more accessible on cable for people.

[The_herd]

The thing that pissed me off about the McGwire interview was the something that was actually said by McGwire. How in the hell can he sit there, in front of a camera, and try to tell anyone that andro and steroids don't help hitters hit homeruns? Seriously, thats insulting my intelligence and anyone else's that was watching that. To explain the rise in homeruns by saying that the players are simply that good was bad, but then to add that homeruns come from hand-eye coordination and "god given talent", nothing else, is sickening.

McGwire deserved as tough an interview as Ravich could have given him if he's going to say shit like that.

[korme]

That's how Dan Patrick always is. Antagonizes and is downright rude.

[pennywisesb]

The thing that pissed me off about the McGwire interview was the something that was actually said by McGwire. How in the hell can he sit there, in front of a camera, and try to tell anyone that andro and steroids don't help hitters hit homeruns? Seriously, thats insulting my intelligence and anyone else's that was watching that. To explain the rise in homeruns by saying that the players are simply that good was bad, but then to add that homeruns come from hand-eye coordination and "god given talent", nothing else, is sickening.

McGwire deserved as tough an interview as Ravich could have given him if he's going to say shit like that.
Could an alternate explanation be that players now spend alot more time lifting weights than they did in the past and also the lack of good pitching in the bigs?

[pennywisesb]

Dola: Baseball tonight was great when it was just Peter Gammons, Harold Reynolds, and Karl Ravich. Rob Dibble and John Kruk are probably the 3rd and 4th most annoying people at ESPN behind Stuart Scott and Steven A. Smith IMO.

[druez]

I didn't see either interview. I will say that if you don't want your sports reporters to ask tough questions (and to reject non-answers) then don't complain when all you see are the same cliched love-fests over and over again.

I agree with the above.

[The_herd]

Could an alternate explanation be that players now spend alot more time lifting weights than they did in the past and also the lack of good pitching in the bigs?

I'd actually be fine with that answer. But the one he gave when asked whether or not the use of andro and the current steroid scandal diminished his and others accomplishments was a flat out lie and Ravich should have called him on it.

[DeToxRox]

I am sick of the Lakers. Enough is enough.

[pennywisesb]

I'd actually be fine with that answer. But the one he gave when asked whether or not the use of andro and the current steroid scandal diminished his and others accomplishments was a flat out lie and Ravich should have called him on it.
Good answer, I just wanted to play devil's advocate. Plus, Big Mac was my favorite player growing up when he was on the A's. ;)

[Maple Leafs]

I'd actually be fine with that answer. But the one he gave when asked whether or not the use of andro and the current steroid scandal diminished his and others accomplishments was a flat out lie and Ravich should have called him on it.Not having seen the interview, I'm a little confused. Did McGwire actually try to claim that he took andro without believing that it was helping his performance at all?

I mean, why else was he taking it? Did he just feel like he needed to bulk up to meet women?

[jaygr]

The top 25 thing, they show people singing about the god damned numbers more than they show about the actual event, and then sometimes they only show a photo of the person they are talking about and have 3-4 sports reporters or ex-players talking about the event.



This pissed me off so much last night. How can you have a show about the top sports blunders and not show them? It's television! The way they do it, it could just as easily have been broadcast on the radio and not tv; you wouldn't have missed anything.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I just wish they would bring back RPM Tonight and would also love Premeire League as well as Euro SoCup finals instead of WS of Poker and any other BS ''Fringe Shows.''

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Dola, I have also seen the same decline in programmings and quality of programings on The Discovery, TLC and History channels. Focusing on ''Fringe '' shows like American Choppers or Home Makeover shows. Nothing against those shows but I want quality over quantity.

[StormcloudCreations]

Dola, I have also seen the same decline in programmings and quality of programings on The Discovery, TLC and History channels. Focusing on ''Fringe '' shows like American Choppers or Home Makeover shows. Nothing against those shows but I want quality over quantity.

Amen! Those Home Makeover shows are taking over! :) Trading Spaces as fine, but then programming execs on various channels (TLC in particular) went into an orgy of these things, all with very similar premises: Clean Sweep, While you Were Out, Mission:Organization, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Design on a Dime, etc. And of course the SWMBO likes and watches them frequently... :rolleyes: :)

[cuervo72]

And of course the SWMBO likes and watches them frequently... :rolleyes: :)

Why are you watching TV with SkyDog's wife?

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Those Home Improve shows really make me feel like a slob.

[The_herd]

Not having seen the interview, I'm a little confused. Did McGwire actually try to claim that he took andro without believing that it was helping his performance at all?

I mean, why else was he taking it? Did he just feel like he needed to bulk up to meet women?

Paraphrasing this. I don't remember exactly how he worded it. McGwire said that andro shouldn't diminish his record and the steroid scandal shouldn't diminish the accomplishments of players such as Bonds because homeruns come from and I'll quote this part from him, "Hand-Eye Coordination and God-Given Talent", thats it.

[Samdari]

The quote I kept hearing was that taking andro "Had nothing to do with hitting home runs."

[Kodos]

They're also ruining the NFL pregame show with idiots like Michael Irvin and Rush. Bring back Sterling Sharpe! At least he had some content to what he was saying. Irvin is just a total moron, and should be on FOX.

[Tex Schramm]

I worry that ESPN is morphing into what FOX is - sports for the lowest common denominator. I guess it does make sense to go that route if you appeal to a broader audience, but then you have to wonder - how did ESPN get to where it is in the first place?

[sabotai]

Paraphrasing this. I don't remember exactly how he worded it. McGwire said that andro shouldn't diminish his record and the steroid scandal shouldn't diminish the accomplishments of players such as Bonds because homeruns come from and I'll quote this part from him, "Hand-Eye Coordination and God-Given Talent", thats it.

Give a baseball bat to Hulk Hogan and lets find out.

Or that guy who had basketball sized muscles who was arrested. They like to show that footage on the Daily Show from time to time (Dunno his name).

[Tex Schramm]

And another thing I'll never stop being mad about is how they got rid of the old Sportscenter music and replaced it with whatever they're using now.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Tex, Im with you about the old Sportcenter music. I also don't like the hd intro with it starting off with of all things womens college basketball.