This is SportsCenter? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Mr Cowboy · 07-27-2004

This is SportsCenter?

Mon Jul 26, 3:25 PM ET

By Fritz Quindt - Sporting News

Crotchety/jealous media rivals aren't the only ones saying SportsCenter ain't what it was. Rewind to the All-Star postgame July 13, when a satellite-switcher malfunction permitted some viewers to hear what was supposed to be a scrambled private conversation on Baseball Tonight's dark set. There was Harold Reynolds, moaning that Shaq trade talk was the lead on SportsCenter -- on the night of the pastime's midsummer classic? -- and Chris Berman, icon of The Worldwide Leader past and present, reverberating, "Now you know why I don't watch our show anymore." Ouch, baby.

Does perception equal reality? SC reigns supreme in the sports information age, right through 12 straight quarters of ratings growth. But notice ESPN doesn't try to attract new eyeballs by marketing its journalistic triumphs. Instead, it's frappucinoing news with in-show concerts by Alanis Morissette during "Music and Sports Week." See also Mr. Dream Job winner, the smirking Mike Hall, putting his muddy feet on the new million-dollar anchor desk in preparation for his next assignment: SC's first international correspondent. Mmmph.

Nostalgians shouldn't miss "Old School Week," SportsCenter's August publicity stunt, with alums guest-reading the TelePrompTer -- Greg Gumbel, Craig Kilborn, George Grande, Gayle Gardner, Charley Steiner ... but not Keith Olbermann. Imagine the liability potential of him making a State of the Franchise address.

# Vital stat: The ultimate video of Dale Earnhardt (news - web sites) Jr.'s fiery practice-lap crash -- spectacular, and no fatalities -- merited 1 minute, 58 seconds that night on ESPN, but 2:17 on ABC's World News Tonight.

# FYI: FOX Sports Net will be rebranded FSN by September, to eliminate all confusion of whether it's a channel or a website. (However, FOX isn't issuing the JB acronym to Joe Buck, lest he be confused with James Brown.)

Yeagermeister · 07-27-2004

I miss Charlie Steiner laughing so hard at Carl Lewis that he couldn't breathe

InmanRoshi · 07-27-2004

Really, it is unwatchable these days. The only redeemable shows on ESPN are the specialty shows like Baseball Tonight, NFL Countdown, etc., etc.

SoTex · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Really, it is unwatchable these days. The only redeemable shows on ESPN are the specialty shows like Baseball Tonight, NFL Countdown, etc., etc.

Don't forget about pool and bowling.

Yeagermeister · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoTex

Don't forget about pool and bowling.

Pool is ok if Janette Lee is playing

SoTex · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Pool is ok if Janette Lee is playing

Damn straight.

Yeagermeister · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoTex

Damn straight.

AHHH a fellow black widow fan

jacs · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Really, it is unwatchable these days. The only redeemable shows on ESPN are the specialty shows like Baseball Tonight, NFL Countdown, etc., etc.

baseball tonight is very good but i guess that is why they made the NEWS channel so they could make other programs

Chief · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Really, it is unwatchable these days. The only redeemable shows on ESPN are the specialty shows like Baseball Tonight, NFL Countdown, etc., etc.

Nice little article and I agree. SportsCenter is unwatchable anymore.

It seems to have really taken a dip this summer. Stuart Scott is so awful that it's almost comical.

I really miss ol' Charley Steiner. He was clever, dry and never took himself too seriously. He could be funny without acting like a clown.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Really, it is unwatchable these days. The only redeemable shows on ESPN are the specialty shows like Baseball Tonight, NFL Countdown, etc., etc.

Agreed.....Jaws NFL matchup is really good IMO.
Some of the outside the lines shows are good.
The Sports reporters used to be good...have not really watched in since Schapp (sp?) passed away.

I also like PTI when the regulars are on there...but that seems to have lost some of the draw it used to have.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief

Nice little article and I agree. SportsCenter is unwatchable anymore.

It seems to have really taken a dip this summer. Stuart Scott is so awful that it's almost comical.

I really miss ol' Charley Steiner. He was clever, dry and never took himself too seriously. He could be funny without acting like a clown.

I used to love when they would show clips of Charlie getting tickled and him trying to hold back his laughter....it was so funny to see him tearing up and wiping his eyes.