ESPN

[Bishop2b5]

My theory is that Stephen A. is annoying but has enough unique characteristics that he is easy to mock and imitate, which makes watching him fun, because it's like being in on a punchline. "Kobe is a dear friend, we've shared many bubble baths together. "

Hill is annoying and is completely unoriginal in her schtick. For Rstings: Interesting/likeable = Great (Van Pelt), Boring/likeable = Good (Herbstreit), Interesting/Unlikable = good (Bayless), Boring/Unlikable = Bad (Hill)

Bayless is one seriously annoying buffoon. I'm addicted to Undisputed just to watch Shannon humiliate him over & over. Shannon's entertaining as hell and hilarious.

 

[ACamp1900]

I can't watch any of those shows anymore... Dan Patrick and DA shows are the only ones I can really stomach... and even those can turn me off at times.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I can't watch any of those shows anymore... Dan Patrick and DA shows are the only ones I can really stomach... and even those can turn me off at times.

I used to like Stephen A, but his "Baptist preacher on a roll" schtick got old. Cowherd's occasionally entertaining, but usually just provocative and shallow. Undisputed is the only one I watch anymore. Joel Klatt's a regular visitor and he's very good, as well as most of the other guests. Shannon Sharpe, for all his comedic schtick and tormenting of Skip, is actually smart as hell and knows his stuff.

 

[ACamp1900]

I used to like Stephen A, but his "Baptist preacher on a roll" schtick got old. Cowherd's occasionally entertaining, but usually just provocative and shallow. Undisputed is the only one I watch anymore. Joel Klatt's a regular visitor and he's very good, as well as most of the other guests. Shannon Sharpe, for all his comedic schtick and tormenting of Skip, is actually smart as hell and knows his stuff.

What bothers me about ALL of them most and this includes Patrick... is they are a sports talk show host, but unless it's the NFL they NEVER talk SPORTS. They'll talk on and on day after day about some sideshow bullshit that involves athletes off the field or before/after games... but God forbid they actually just focus on who played, who won, and how. Nobody talks games anymore... if they do it's usually in the context of how terrible the games are or how boring they are, "Dude you are a sports talk show host, how about try and actually sell the sport for once??"

 

[Bishop2b5]

What bothers me about ALL of them most and this includes Patrick... is they are a sports talk show host, but unless it's the NFL they NEVER talk SPORTS. They'll talk on and on day after day about some sideshow bullshit that involves athletes off the field or before/after games... but God forbid they actually just focus on who played, who won, and how. Nobody talks games anymore... if they do it's usually in the context of how terrible the games are or how boring they are, "Dude you are a sports talk show host, how about try and actually sell the sport for once??"

I can't disagree with you on any of that. I've lost almost all interest in basketball, baseball, and the NFL, but I do love boxing and college football. I constantly listen to ESPNU on Sirius/XM from August to January. Most of their shows are really good, they have a lot of coaches on, and they actually talk about the games & players. They generally do an excellent job of actually talking sports and the games with a lot of insight. Totally the opposite of what most sports shows do as you point out above.

 

[dublinirish]

those mainstream shows have evolved past sports though, they are pop culture shows and take the majority of their content from Twitter/Reddit what ever is trending/viral at the time. It's basically aggregate sports news tbh and not meant for informed fans like folks who post here on IE.

 

[Irish#1]

My theory is that Stephen A. is annoying but has enough unique characteristics that he is easy to mock and imitate, which makes watching him fun, because it's like being in on a punchline. "Kobe is a dear friend, we've shared many bubble baths together. "

Hill is annoying and is completely unoriginal in her schtick. For Rstings: Interesting/likeable = Great (Van Pelt), Boring/likeable = Good (Herbstreit), Interesting/Unlikable = good (Bayless), Boring/Unlikable = Bad (Hill)

I agree with this. The Skips, Stephan A's and Cowherd's of the world can at least be entertaining at 1:00pm when nothing else is on. And they have guests on frequently that add value and will debate them. Jemele made me want to turn the TV off and any guests she interviews or talks to are just people that agree with her.

Jemelle Hill literally has no talent. She has less talent than anyone I've ever seen on TV, period. There is no one thing that she even does "well"... it's all just bland, below-average television. She isn't funny, she isn't original, she isn't particularly insightful, she doesn't have presence... it's just a joke she even has a job much less was making millions of dollars. And before being a failed TV personality, she was a below-average writer.

You 19th century chauvinistic a$$holes! Admit it you just don't like women in sports.

 

[Bishop2b5]

You 19th century chauvinistic a$$holes! Admit it you just don't like women in sports.

I actually called into Rachel Baribeau's show on ESPNU yesterday and got to talk to her for a couple of minutes. She said my name on the radio. I think she likes me. I'll keep you posted and let you all know how it works out.

 

[OhioIrish31]

What bothers me about ALL of them most and this includes Patrick... is they are a sports talk show host, but unless it's the NFL they NEVER talk SPORTS. They'll talk on and on day after day about some sideshow bullshit that involves athletes off the field or before/after games... but God forbid they actually just focus on who played, who won, and how. Nobody talks games anymore... if they do it's usually in the context of how terrible the games are or how boring they are, "Dude you are a sports talk show host, how about try and actually sell the sport for once??"

Totally spot on! Nobody gets into the nitty-gritty of games anymore. For some reason they are under the impression we want to hear hours on end of off field BS. Can't stand it.

 

[ACamp1900]

You 19th century chauvinistic a$$holes! Admit it you just don't like women in sports.

You should hear my mom talk about Jessica Mendoza... she channels her inner Sean Connery pretty well on that topic.

 

[gkIrish]

What bothers me about ALL of them most and this includes Patrick... is they are a sports talk show host, but unless it's the NFL they NEVER talk SPORTS. They'll talk on and on day after day about some sideshow bullshit that involves athletes off the field or before/after games... but God forbid they actually just focus on who played, who won, and how. Nobody talks games anymore... if they do it's usually in the context of how terrible the games are or how boring they are, "Dude you are a sports talk show host, how about try and actually sell the sport for once??"

I used to like Dan Patrick's show a lot but you are right that the sports talk is secondary now.

Honestly the best shows are the ones on NFL Network, MLB TV, NBA TV because they are really sports driven. I am rarely home during the day so it doesn't matter to me much anymore but when Jemele Hill is one of my 2-3 options at 6pm it's very frustrating.

 

[ACamp1900]

I used to like Dan Patrick's show a lot but you are right that the sports talk is secondary now.

Honestly the best shows are the ones on NFL Network, MLB TV, NBA TV because they are really sports driven. I am rarely home during the day so it doesn't matter to me much anymore but when Jemele Hill is one of my 2-3 options at 6pm it's very frustrating.

I've never watched one second of NBA TV but that's me as a fan... I do however enjoy NFL and MLB network and basically agree on that point.

 

[T Town Tommy]

That is the part that most people can't comprehend, myself included. I just don't see how she was ever interesting/good enough to merit anything close to a seven figure contract. You should be able to hire five pretty good people at half a mil each to provide so much more content than her at $2.5M.

Hopefully it is a sign they realize the need to be non-political, shut up and give me highlights, scores and news. Most likely she just went too far, flew too close to the sun and got burnt.

Didn't the new President of ESPN make it a point to say that he wanted his tv personalities to move farther away from the political spectrum? I thought I read that somewhere. It would be a smart move. That's the main reason I tune ESPN out most of the time.

As far as J. Hill... she has never been good at much of anything in sports journalism and actually made her co-hosts worse when partnered with her. They are probably happy she is being shown the door as well.

Oh... and shout out to Desmond Howard for picking Michigan to win the NC this year.

 

[Irish#1]

I actually called into Rachel Baribeau's show on ESPNU yesterday and got to talk to her for a couple of minutes. She said my name on the radio. I think she likes me. I'll keep you posted and let you all know how it works out.

Don't forget to keep your wife posted and let us know how that works out.

 

[ulukinatme]

Jamele Hill was going to make 2+ mil on her ESPN contract? As far as overpaid buffoons go that's like Charlie Weis level right there.

 

[NDdomer2]

Beadle is leaving (or forced out) of Get Up! I've seen in articles that the show has poor ratings. How bad are we talking here? Is she leaving because of her statements that she doesnt watch football and football season is upon us?

Does anyone know if Wingo & Golic ratings are comparable to Mike & Mike?

 

[ACamp1900]

I obviously don't watch much but follow threads like these from time to time... it sure seems like they are having trouble finding any kind of consistency. They had a few versions of sports center, numerous different shows like Get up and His and Hers and such... it feels like they can't find anything that works long term.

 

[Rack Em]

I obviously don't watch much but follow threads like these from time to time... it sure seems like they are having trouble finding any kind of consistency. They had a few versions of sports center, numerous different shows like Get up and His and Hers and such... it feels like they can't find anything that works long term.

Maybe because the shows they roll out aren't about sports?

 

[Rocket 94]

What bothers me about ALL of them most and this includes Patrick... is they are a sports talk show host, but unless it's the NFL they NEVER talk SPORTS. They'll talk on and on day after day about some sideshow bullshit that involves athletes off the field or before/after games... but God forbid they actually just focus on who played, who won, and how. Nobody talks games anymore... if they do it's usually in the context of how terrible the games are or how boring they are, "Dude you are a sports talk show host, how about try and actually sell the sport for once??"

This is why I love 670 the Score in Chicago as they break down the Cubs or Bears game and talk just sports. Nothing political for the most part just talking about the game. This is all I want out of my sports channel.

 

[wizards8507]

We had the company picnic today. The entire company goes to the local theme park. Kevin Negandhi and Adam Schefter are the coolest, most down to Earth guys if you guys want some ESPN talent to root for. Just hanging out with their wives and kids like everyone else.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Don't forget to keep your wife posted and let us know how that works out.

If I did that, you wouldn't need me to let you know anything. You'd see it on the evening news: "Let's go live to Reptile Gardens where a woman has pushed her husband into the Komodo Dragon pit and is screaming, 'Baribeau that!' at him."

 

[connor_in]

I am glad they don't want to play up politics anymore...

https://twitter.com/RMoses10/status/1034215187560230914?s=19

 

[Irish YJ]

I am glad they don't want to play up politics anymore...

https://twitter.com/RMoses10/status/1034215187560230914?s=19

Now, even if you don't want to play the political game, you're a sell out or a traitor. YOU MUST SPEAK LEFT or you're a deplorable.

 

[NorthDakota]

Clay Travis and Ben Shapiro absolutely savaged ESPN on Ben's sunday special. Always love watching ESPN get demolished. F you wiz.....thx for the recent reps though.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Now, even if you don't want to play the political game, you're a sell out or a traitor. YOU MUST SPEAK LEFT or you're a deplorable.

I rarely watch ESPN anymore. I did watch the F1 race on sunday morning as I'm an avid race fan and pull for Haas in the F1 series.
I can now watch Indy Car and NASCAR on NBC Sports and most football, basketball and hockey on non ESPN networks. They just overplayed their hand and got too big and arrogant. Glad to see them struggling.

 

[Irish YJ]

I rarely watch ESPN anymore. I did watch the F1 race on sunday morning as I'm an avid race fan and pull for Haas in the F1 series.
I can now watch Indy Car and NASCAR on NBC Sports and most football, basketball and hockey on non ESPN networks. They just overplayed their hand and got too big and arrogant. Glad to see them struggling.

ESPN needs to get back to what go them there.... sports... It would be nice if they got politics out of most shows, and then had a few shows for political viewers that were honestly labeled as such...

They got rid of Jemele Hill at least. I didn't mind here all that much until she went full tilt and got too big for her britches. When politics gets bigger than the actual topic (sports), it just won't end well. The only thing I really watch is Golic and Wingo aside from actual games. Politics has infected way too much. There's not a lot of escape to be found in sports and entertainment anymore.

 

[Irish#1]

I am glad they don't want to play up politics anymore...

https://twitter.com/RMoses10/status/1034215187560230914?s=19

How lame is that? They're trying to make something out of nothing. Get off the #metoo bandwagon boys.

ESPN needs to get back to what go them there.... sports... It would be nice if they got politics out of most shows, and then had a few shows for political viewers that were honestly labeled as such...

They got rid of Jemele Hill at least. I didn't mind here all that much until she went full tilt and got too big for her britches. When politics gets bigger than the actual topic (sports), it just won't end well. The only thing I really watch is Golic and Wingo aside from actual games. Politics has infected way too much. There's not a lot of escape to be found in sports and entertainment anymore.

Can't remember where I heard it, but I heard they are trying to get back to their roots or at least a lot closer. Except for FB or BB I haven't watched ESPN in over 10 years.

 

[IrishLion]

Beadle is leaving (or forced out) of Get Up! I've seen in articles that the show has poor ratings. How bad are we talking here? Is she leaving because of her statements that she doesnt watch football and football season is upon us?

Does anyone know if Wingo & Golic ratings are comparable to Mike & Mike?

I think Beadle is getting reassigned after her admission that she doesn't/won't watch football anymore. The interesting part of that, to me, is that she is making HUGE money with ESPN. Now they're going to have to find something for her to do that matches the compensation... unless of course her contract was fully tied to "Get Up," in which case ESPN did a good job of covering their own asses.

'Wingo & Golic' get lower ratings than 'Mike & Mike' did, or at least they were a couple of months ago. I'll have to see if I can dig up the article that reported on it. It wasn't an unforgivable drop, but it's enough to make you wonder if they screwed up by not trying to salvage the Mikes' relationship.

 

[wizards8507]

I think Beadle is getting reassigned after her admission that she doesn't/won't watch football anymore. The interesting part of that, to me, is that she is making HUGE money with ESPN. Now they're going to have to find something for her to do that matches the compensation... unless of course her contract was fully tied to "Get Up," in which case ESPN did a good job of covering their own asses.

They're moving NBA countdown to LA because LeBron. Literally, no italics. It was in the press release.

 

[NDdomer2]

I think Beadle is getting reassigned after her admission that she doesn't/won't watch football anymore. The interesting part of that, to me, is that she is making HUGE money with ESPN. Now they're going to have to find something for her to do that matches the compensation... unless of course her contract was fully tied to "Get Up," in which case ESPN did a good job of covering their own asses.

'Wingo & Golic' get lower ratings than 'Mike & Mike' did, or at least they were a couple of months ago. I'll have to see if I can dig up the article that reported on it. It wasn't an unforgivable drop, but it's enough to make you wonder if they screwed up by not trying to salvage the Mikes' relationship.

They are paying Greenburg a shit ton to tho right? and Get Up is not doing well, makes you wonder what they are going to do with him as well.