Chris Berman: Yea or Nay

[WSUCougar]

I’ve always enjoyed ESPN's Chris Berman. Long ago it was the baseball nicknames that set him apart (Terry “Pit and the” Pendleton, Bert "Be home" Blyleven), but that lost its luster over the years. Then it was NFL PrimeTime, to the tune of “rumblin’ bumblin’ stumblin’” and “He could…go…all…the…way.” Sure, it was predictable schlock, but I've always loved that show, because it's a great place to get all the highlights from guys who know their football, with some humor mixed in. Berman's the anchor that held it all together. Otherwise, his NFL pre-game and draft analysis is solid. Berman’s baseball play-by-play was never his strong suit in my opinion.

Throughout his career a firm division between Berman lovers and Berman haters has existed. I’ve heard him described as an irritating sports carnival barker, and I understand exactly what the critics are saying. Yet still, I like the guy and think he’s good for NFL coverage.

But what do the FOFC masses think?

[st.cronin]

I used to love him, but I grew weary of him a long time ago.

[Vince]

He irritates me sometimes, but not enough to hate him. I went with tolerable.

[Mr. Wednesday]

A little goes a long way. I don't mind him too much on the NFL highlights coverage (will ESPN still have that show this season, though?). I don't like his pbp work.

[Anthony]

he's entertaining to listen to. i like him and Michael Irvin.

[samifan24]

Berman is a holdover from ESPN's first days. I admire that he helped build the now gigantic company but his style is far too over the top for my tastes. He's the loudmouthed Everyman and, while some of his nicknames are funny and inventive, to me his loudness doesn't make for a good broadcast. Now that I'm calling games for a living, I've taken a much more serious approach to listening to the big guns and how they call games. Whenever I hear Berman, though, I just change the channel. He's all style and virtually no substance.

[sterlingice]

NFL Primetime is the only show I'll watch with regularity on ESPN nowadays and he's part of the reason. Berman's schtick doesn't work nearly as well on play-by-play and I think he's best suited to be one of their "celebrity" faces (but not a major contributor) at events like the NFL Draft or Home Run Derby and do Primetime. That said, he was the first to really do what he does and that buys him a lot of leeway with me that the current crop of Sportscenter anchors and their comedy-club-reject act just don't get.

SI

[pennywisesb]

I think he does a good job on NFL Primetime.

[Klinglerware]

He spoke at my college a few years back. He talked about what it took to get through his NFL Sunday responsibilities: intense preparation plus the inevitable ad libbing when things get chaotic during a couple of hours worth of show. Not everyone could do what he does for a living...

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Berman irritates me more than Werewolf threads.

[WSUCougar]

Berman irritates me more than Werewolf threads.
Ouch

[st.cronin]

Berman irritates me more than Werewolf threads.

At least with Berman you can change the channel.

[Draft Dodger]

I like Berman, but, then again, I also like Madden. As long as the two of them are never doing the same show together, I think I'll be ok.

[Kodos]

I love him. NFL Primetime is great, and ESPN's pregame show is the only one that is watchable.

[Schmidty]

I think the only guys that I truly dislike are the ex-football players who try to sound like Madden, by using similar phrases and stumbling over their words (on purpose I assume).

[MikeVick7]

Been done with him for about five years now. Time to get a new schtick. I'm also glad NFL Primetime is getting the axe next year too.

God, that sounded bitter :)

[JAG]

I like Berman, but I think he has declined some in recent years. NFL Primetime last year stopped becoming a must-see for me, although I would still prefer to watch it rather than miss it. Looking at his whole career, I think he's been excellent. And even now, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have do NFL Primetime.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Tolerable for me. And, kinda surprisingly (given my lower than avg interest in the NFL) I'm in the group with those who think his best work comes on Primetime.

[JeeberD]

I like him on Primetime but can't stand him doing baseball...

[Karlifornia]

Primetime's main attraction is that damn music. Go ahead...hum it. Imagine it in your own head-you know you want to. It makes every game sound like the Super Bowl.

[Passacaglia]

Berman irritates me more than Werewolf threads.At least with Berman you can change the channel.

Classic.

[Lorena]

I like him on Primetime but can't stand him doing baseball...

Exactly what he said. Even the cute little nicknames get to me after a while

[Draft Dodger]

I like him on Primetime but can't stand him doing baseball...

it's been a while since I watched baseball...does he still do that annoying Hotel California schtick?

[Raiders Army]

I like him more than the Werewolf threads.

[gottimd]

I like him more than the Werewolf threads.
Is that even possible?

[Raiders Army]

Is that even possible?
Well, you are the wind beneath my wings, but I'd take Berman as my bitch any day of the week over you. No offense to your oral skills. :)

[gottimd]

Well, you are the wind beneath my wings, but I'd take Berman as my bitch any day of the week over you. No offense to your oral skills. :)
Que?

[Raiders Army]

Que?
Come again?

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

I cannot stand the mans voice or lame adlibs. He litterally gives me a headache when he begins talking. Im not sure when my great dislike for him started but it must have been recently because years ago I could tolerate him. Now I have to change the channel.

[gottimd]

Come again?
Brendan Shanahan?

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I like him. He's the classiest of all ESPN anchors.

[ThunderingHERD]

His schtick wore thin probably around the time I was born, but he's one of those guys (like Madden) that make an event or show seem more important just because he's there. So I guess I like having him around.

[ISiddiqui]

I really like Berman. Always have and probably always will. He knows his stuff and is very entertaining.

[ISiddiqui]

I like him. He's the classiest of all ESPN anchors.
That's like being known as the smartest on the Ohio State football team... not really that much of an accomplishment ;).

(Then again, Bob Lee still counts as an anchor, doesn't he?)

[Warhammer]

I went with like him, but he is starting to become a parody of himself which is a shame.

[kingfc22]

I enjoy Berman because he makes me laugh and he doesn't say "booyah"

[Izulde]

Berman's probably one of my favourite television commentators of all time.

I especially like in NFL Draft coverage how he skillfully plays the moderator between all the hotheaded opinions.