How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

[Blzer]

You know when you watch your sports shows, be it Sportscenter, NFL Primetime, Baseball Tonight, Around the Horn, what have you... how much is this "real discussion" an actual insight from the analyst himself? Like, are they ever really actually hit with questions that maybe they have to think up things on their toes with, or is it as unnatural as them reading a teleprompter and being told what to say?

I always wanted to know this, just wondering exactly how much they actually have things readily and preparedly, or if it's all really them being the analyzers they are. Are they just good at what they do?

[Watson]

Depends what show. On the prepared end of the spectrum, NFL Countdown and College Gameday are the most prepared shows out there. Baseball Tonight is, like baseball itself, mostly stats, so if you really watch it the only parts of BBT that are not highlights are re iewing statistics and not a lot of analysis. Obviously, they cant watch every game at once.

But really, the only things read of off teleprompter are the intros/commercial exits.

[Blzer]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Yeah, I wasn't sure if things like post-game just had them going wild with their thoughts or maybe they started to write something out beforehand. So with a daily show like PTI when Tony and Michael are shouting back and forth, do you think that is planned or do they get more thoughts based on the lack of knowing what the other will say?

[Watson]

PTI is probably 50/50. PTI is more news than than facts and analysis.

[bgeno]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Yeah, I wasn't sure if things like post-game just had them going wild with their thoughts or maybe they started to write something out beforehand. So with a daily show like PTI when Tony and Michael are shouting back and forth, do you think that is planned or do they get more thoughts based on the lack of knowing what the other will say?

They most likely have a road-map before before a show like PTI. They'll sit down before the show and say "I'm going to support this, I'm going to support that." They often take opposite sides on PTI or First Take just to raise the drama. But what they're saying isn't scripted. They may review notes before commercial breaks and come up with some key points, but most of the arguing is off the top of their heads.

[Kevin26385]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Speaking of PTI, I think Around the Horn has to be one of those shows that has though out answers most of the time. I am sure the people on the show get the questions before because they only have a specific amount of time to give their opinion.

Although Bill plaschke answers always sound like he is thinking on his toes haha

[Husker_OS]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

In terms of broadcasters/analysts, there is no rehearsal. SportsCenter anchors have it the easiest. They prepare for the newscasts but not nearly as in-depth as analysts/broadcasters do.



As far as doing research, more than you'll ever realize. I don't think anyone realizes how difficult it is to do games each week where you're having to research not only both teams, but national stories as well. It's a bitch, but it's awesome at the same time.

[kingkilla56]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

In terms of broadcasters/analysts, there is no rehearsal. SportsCenter anchors have it the easiest. They prepare for the newscasts but not nearly as in-depth as analysts/broadcasters do.



As far as doing research, more than you'll ever realize. I don't think anyone realizes how difficult it is to do games each week where you're having to research not only both teams, but national stories as well. It's a bitch, but it's awesome at the same time.

Do you/did you study broadcasting? I ask because you sound like all of the Newhouse kids at Syracuse U. Btw nobody on campus likes those kids hee hee lol.

[bgeno]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

In terms of broadcasters/analysts, there is no rehearsal. SportsCenter anchors have it the easiest. They prepare for the newscasts but not nearly as in-depth as analysts/broadcasters do.



As far as doing research, more than you'll ever realize. I don't think anyone realizes how difficult it is to do games each week where you're having to research not only both teams, but national stories as well. It's a bitch, but it's awesome at the same time.

Without a doubt. It takes a lot of preparation and studying to be confident and effective as a play-by-play guy. Color commentators can usually get away with just their knowledge of the game usually, but the play-by-play guy needs to be well-versed in everything. He keeps the train moving and if he isn't prepared, it isn't pretty.

I studied about 8 hours all together (not including the time it took me to put together cheat sheets and quick rosters) for play-by-play of one half of a Penn State football game for student radio, and I felt a little under-prepared. Eight hours of reading news stories, studying rosters, remembering general statistics, etc. and it probably wasn't enough for an hour and a half or so of broadcasting.

I did color commentary the other half, though, and I was definitely more comfortable because I was able to rely on what I knew about the game... strategy, play-calling, etc.

[p_rushing]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Most of the NFL guys don't do enough. They rely on national info too much and don't do enough local research about the teams. NFL guys have it easier as they only have 1 game a week and have nothing else going on during the week unless they want to.

ESPN shows are not real. They are greatly scripted and controlled. Most of the back and forth is planned out, but a few times you will get some real feelings, but they try to keep it controlled to not turn away viewers on one side or the other.

[Kevin26385]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Most of the NFL guys don't do enough. They rely on national info too much and don't do enough local research about the teams. NFL guys have it easier as they only have 1 game a week and have nothing else going on during the week unless they want to.

ESPN shows are not real. They are greatly scripted and controlled. Most of the back and forth is planned out, but a few times you will get some real feelings, but they try to keep it controlled to not turn away viewers on one side or the other.

Almost positive Terry Bradshaw does absolutely nothing haha

[SPTO]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

PTI is probably 50/50. PTI is more news than than facts and analysis.

Eh, I'd put PTI as more of an analytical show in some areas. They discuss news happenings but they analyze them rather than just report which is what news is.

Almost positive Terry Bradshaw does absolutely nothing haha

Au Contraire my friend! Terry Bradshaw DOES prepare! Maybe not as much as he did 20 years ago but the guy definitely knows his stuff. The Terry Bradshaw of CBS vs. the Terry Bradshaw of FOX is like night and day. Back in his CBS days he would work in the studio but every once in a while actually do analysis in the booth! He was actually quite professional and low key though there were a few times where his natural personality shined through.

I'm pretty sure he still does at least a little bit of research but the way things are done at FOX you can get away with off the cuff remarks and rolling with the punches.


Anyways, analysts do more research than you'll ever know. Nothing said on the air is totally extamporaeneous (sp) but it's not fully scripted either. The analysts know generally what's coming and will have researched for that express purpose.

Also, radio while again not scripted is heavily formulated especially ESPN Radio which is canned beyond words. A good portion of the interviews you listen to on ESPN Radio have all the topics and such lined up. Other stations and markets do things differently like the guest will have a very general idea of what's coming but will have to think on their toes.

[dickey1331]

This was an interesting read. I've always wondered this myself.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

[Husker_OS]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

Do you/did you study broadcasting? I ask because you sound like all of the Newhouse kids at Syracuse U. Btw nobody on campus likes those kids hee hee lol.

I did. Got my degree from Alabama in broadcasting.

[DrJones]

Re: How much is sports analysis prepared/rehearsed?

On-air "talent" at the major networks will sometimes phone/e-mail contacts for info, but in general, they don't do much of their own research. I've been to Bristol, and there's a small army of production assistants to handle such things. The producers and talking heads get together to discuss potential topics and their takes on certain issues, and then get grunts to gather and shape the required info.

At the lower levels, yes, pbp and colour commentators do most of their own research. But Al Michaels, Joe Buck, the studio talking heads, etc., not so much.