Today was a VERY interesting PTI with Bill Simmons making his debut as guest co-host.
Man, did he look rattled doing the opening headlines. It was pretty obvious he was nervous (and who could blame him?) and he had shaky moments. He had those Simmons-isms that he really should have kept to himself (bringing up the hometown Patriots during the first topic, patting himself on the back for backing Durant), but he showed some good stuff too. Definitely liked him dropping "Don Draper-style" in that first segment.
Simmons is co-hosting for the rest of the week. He'll get better, right? Especially once he gets comfortable?
He had the "Deer in hidelights." look through most of the show. He seemed to only come alive bashing the Yankees and talking about his beloved Boston teams. I also didn't care for the crack about Bill Murray. Tony did his best to care him through the show. Hopefully, he will do better the rest of the week, but I think he is better off with his columns and the occasional pop-up on ESPN shows.
Simmons wasn't very good tonight, and he would have surely hammered on his showing if it were somebody else. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get better, but it's got to be tough to go out there and put up a showing like this after mocking others in his colum for years.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoSimmons wasn't very good tonight, and he would have surely hammered on his showing if it were somebody else.
Simmons on Twitter..."Just taped my first PTI episode. Tried my best, only 1 big mistake but it turned out be funny. 4 days of this, by Friday I will be mediocre!"
I enjoyed it personally, as much for the novelty as anything. But, then, I like Simmons and generally find him funny. If you like him, you'll probably give him the benefit of the doubt. If you don't, you probably think he sucked. Not really sure why he seems to be a polarizing figure for some people (not anyone in this thread, I've just seen a lot of vitriol aimed his way 'round the Net). On the other hand, I like Dan LeBatard, too, and I'm clearly in the minority there.
"Never piss off a hawk with a blowgun" - Conan O'Brien
people are always nervous and not good on their first couple shows.
Funny thing is that Lebatard kept trying to get Simmons to do the show during the summer when Mike and Tony are on vacation. and now, he does it with TK and not Dan.
Also, I was curious about why they avoided the McKinley story.
The producer of the show told me that it would have been a bad story for Simmons on his first day and it was not really the kind of story that provokes debate.
I actually think Simmons fared better today. He didn't seem as nervous, but someone forgot to give him the memo that he's supposed to dumb things down for the TV audience. Talking about sabremetrics on TV is just a bad idea, because it goes over so many people's heads.
Good show, but looking into the wrong camera at the end is the kind of running joke that'll haunt Simmons for a long while.
TV is like pro wrestling -- part of your job is to put the other guy over. Some TV guys don't feel obligated to do this; they only care about themselves. It's also easy to subtly undermine someone else and/or sabotage takes if someone else is coming off better than you. The point is, Tony Kornheiser was like Ric Flair circa 1985 for me this week -- he did everything he could to sell someone who had no idea what he was doing.
Originally posted by CRZSo who did Simmons have to blow to get the spot?
Well, PTI's in its 9th season. No one knows when Kornheiser and/or Wilbon will be ready to hang it up for good. Simmons has maybe a few years left as a good column-writer before he inevitably hits the perma-wall, as all writers eventually do. Might the idea be to try and train Simmons now, so eventually they could hand him and LeBatard the show for good sometime in the future?
It's frightening for me, not just because of LeBatard, but because that'd mean two basketball guys would be running PTI.
I can't state enough how much I hate basketball. I don't consider it a sport, I loathe David Stern, and I hate nearly every NBA player out there. So for two basketball-first guys to be charge of anything would be a personal hell for me, let alone a TV show I watch daily.
Michigan against the SEC: 20-5-1 (7-3 in bowl games)
Originally posted by BoromirMarkIt's frightening for me, not just because of LeBatard, but because that'd mean two basketball guys would be running PTI.
I can't state enough how much I hate basketball. I don't consider it a sport, I loathe David Stern, and I hate nearly every NBA player out there. So for two basketball-first guys to be charge of anything would be a personal hell for me, let alone a TV show I watch daily.
Is Le Batard really a basketball guy? I've been listening to his radio show for the last month, and he strikes me as a football guy, particularly college football. (Unless your definition of "basketball guy" is "resides in same city as Lebron & Wade".)
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. "Well. Shit." -hansen9j Let's Go Riders! (7-4, 2nd West Division) Go Pack Go! (1-0, T-1st NFC North)
Originally posted by BoromirMarkIt's frightening for me, not just because of LeBatard, but because that'd mean two basketball guys would be running PTI.
I can't state enough how much I hate basketball. I don't consider it a sport, I loathe David Stern, and I hate nearly every NBA player out there. So for two basketball-first guys to be charge of anything would be a personal hell for me, let alone a TV show I watch daily.
Is Le Batard really a basketball guy? I've been listening to his radio show for the last month, and he strikes me as a football guy, particularly college football. (Unless your definition of "basketball guy" is "resides in same city as Lebron & Wade".)
I've been listening to LeBatard's show lately too, and it seems he talks about baseball and football more than he talks about basketball, so I'm not sure if I'd call him a basketball guy either.
Then again, the original "accusation" came from someone who says basketball is not a sport, so...
Originally posted by odessastepsWait until nba season.
Since dan is writing a book on heat and he shares agents with wade and bosh, you can beat on a lot of basketball stuff.
Oh no doubt. There's no nationally-known sports commentator who has been more vocal about the new Miami Heat than LeBatard. But that's to be expected. I think the same would be true for any OTHER nationally-known sports commentator if he was in LeBatard's place. Unless you're John Kruk, John Clayton, Barry Melrose, or someone like that who focuses 100% on one sport, if you're a Miami sports guy you're going to go basketball crazy this coming NBA season.
...but I still don't think LeBatard is a basketball guy the way Bill Simmons (or Wilbon) is a basketball guy. Just my opinion though.
Didn't know the thing about the agent though, that's interesting. Doesn't Udonis Haslem have the same agent too? And LeBron has a different agent but the same agency. CAA might as well move its basketball division to Miami.
Bill got better as the week went on. Yet, I wouldn't put him close to that desk full time. I don't see why Relia couldn't fill in the spot since he is already doing ATH. I also find it hard to believe Tony or Wilbon would give-up a show that they can do from anywhere and have a ton of vacation time. I am less worried about the NBA talk then I am having a pro-Boston, anti-New York guy.
Thread ahead: Family Guy 9x2: Excellence in Broadcasting Next thread: The Cleveland Show 2x2: Cleveland Live! Previous thread: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
I am a House fan but since baseball has been on I have tuned into the Earl/Office hour and I say I might have to tape House now. The Office Episode made me laugh throughout. Good stuff. Look forward to next week.
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