THIS WEEK:
- Agent of change
- Blitz bits
- Minced Golic
- See you, Slater
- Calling Comcast
Radio waves and television raves take center stage
Two sources in Providence sports radio have told Media Blitz that midday
hosts John Rooke and Steve Hyder may be leaving The Score AM and FM and be
replaced by a revamped midday show. WEEI regular Sean McAdam is rumored to be a
host candidate.
ESPN Radio AM 890 and AM 1400 in Boston is undergoing studio renovations,
which should be completed this week. Word is that the ESPN affiliate has also
welcomed former AM 1510 and The Score in Providence regular Kevin Winter.
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg sent a friendly email regarding the fact
that there were no HBO personalities on Media Blitz's recent "Ten to Watch"
national football commentators. He stated, "We win the Sports Emmy two of the
last three years for "Inside the NFL." (Cris) Collinsworth wins for
analyst and (Bob) Costas for host and we don't make the cut? Whew, you are tough."
Thanks for reading, Ross. Collinsworth and Costas would be in my Top 15
for what it's worth.
AM 1510's "Celtic Pride" and Bleachertalk.com's Patrick Gilroy reports that
if you visit 1510TheZone.com and click the Bleachertalk link on the Hickman
and Gilroy page, you can now listen to his show via podcast on itunes.
SIRIUS satellite radio and The Ivy League have inked a multi-year agreement
to broadcast a "Game of the Week" for football and men's basketball and a
select number of men's hockey and other games. The Ivy League football season
starts September 17 and men's basketball begins November 11. Complete SIRIUS
broadcast schedules for both football and basketball will be announced at
later dates.
Sports media types are still gabbing about last Tuesday's Rolling Stones
concert at Fenway Park. That same night, I caught Hall and Oates at the Bank of
America Pavilion. While the Stones are still a draw, their age is showing
and they sound every bit as old as they are. Give me the dulcet tones of Hall
and the smooth backups of Oates any day over those Budweiser-peddling, Larry
Lucchino cash cows. Besides, I saw the Stones before Keith Richards passed
away.
Secret agent
Recently, sports agent Steve Freyer told Media Blitz that he once sent
a letter to WEEI host and former Boston Globe cartoonist Larry Johnson
complaining about a Johnson cartoon in which a sports agent was depicted as a rat.
Johnson responds, "What bothers me about Freyer's comments is that I
never got a call from him. To be offended about a cartoon depicting agents as
rats is like saying politicians are crooks or all cops eat doughnuts.
Obviously, if the shoe doesn't fit, don't worry about it."
Freyer, who represents Ray Bourque, Dale Arnold, Dan Roche and Butch
Stearns among others, reiterates that he did, indeed, make a call to Johnson. "
It was many years ago and I'd have no reason to bring the whole thing up if
it didn't happen. I brought it up principally because most people do have a
lousy image of agents so the cartoon smarted. However, it was also before voice
mail was common and it's indeed possible the message was lost at the newspaper
before it ever reached Larry."
Johnson states that another well-known sports agent had no problem with
his rendering. "Howard Slusher seemed to get it and we had quite a few laugh
s over the years. Lighten up, Steve. Obviously everybody knows you have
always conducted your business with class and dignity. By the way, I'm still
waiting for my phone call."
Freyer responds, "No blood, no foul. I'll be happy to have a cup of
coffee with (Johnson) and fill him in on what competent, well motivated agents do
for their clients that most folks never see."
Muzzle Mike
This past week, on ESPN's "NFL Live," analyst Mike Golic was weak to
say the least. You've heard of "He-Man, Master of the Universe." Golic was
"G-Man, Master of the Ludicrous."
Golic appeared to contradict himself in discussing Mike Nolan's
surprise decision to name Tim Rattay, not rookie Alex Smith, starting quarterback for
the 49'ers. Golic stated, "If you're going to make a change, make it now,
but I think (Nolan) made the decision too soon." Huh?
Golic went on to say that the Patriots biggest loss this season is
Charlie Weis. Are we in August or January? Since Weis accepted the Notre Dame
job, the Patriots have bid official farewells to the talented likes of David
Patten, Ty Law, Ted Johnson and, for 2005 anyway, Tedy Bruschi. Harping on
the Weis departure is outdated.
Later in the program, Golic opined that Michael Vick should learn to
trust his receivers more than himself. Golic played alongside Randall
Cunningham in Philadelphia. The electrifying Cunningham was Michael Vick before
Michael Vick. He should know that with such talents, it's about instincts and
learning, not trust.
Golic ended his lowly performance by telling the world that he believes
the loss of QB Rex Grossman puts the Bears' season in jeopardy. Forget
ludicrous. Golic is now "G-Man, Master of the Obvious."
Clean Slater
"ESPN Hollywood" (weeknights, 6:00 p.m., ESPN2) host Mario Lopez can
identify with youthful superstars like LeBron James and Sidney Crosby. As a
teenager, he portrayed Slater on the hit NBC series "Saved by the Bell."
"I easily could have become a bad "E! True Hollywood Story," says
Lopez, who also starred in USA's "Pacific Blue" and NBC's "The Other Half." "
So many young stars have gone bad. I was very lucky to have a great family
around me. I can't identify with LeBron's money, but the fame aspect is
similar."
Like young athletes, Lopez was no stranger to worldwide recognition.
He states, "Our show was seen in 183 countries. It's tough to be a kid and
have that much pressure and notoriety. I don't mind that people still
identify me with Slater, but as a child star or athlete, you have to prove yourself
a little harder to show people that you can remain successful."
Making demands
Comcast On Demand is once again whetting the appetites of hungry
football fans. The regional cable provider is providing season previews for every
NFL team as part of their On Demand package. In addition, Comcast's NFL
Weekly Replay will begin on September 9 including.
"The replay includes 8-20 minute highlights showcasing the crucial
moments and outstanding performances from up to 16 NFL games each week, including
the playoffs and the Super Bowl," says Comcast PR guru Marc Goodman.
According to Goodman, weekly replay highlights for Sunday games will be
available by midday on Monday, and highlights for Monday night games will be
available by midday on Tuesday. The highlights are available to watch
throughout the week.
In 2004, Comcast's replays were a huge success. In week one of the
service, Comcast enjoyed 600,000 views. That rose to 2.9 million after one
month and 8.6 million for the 2004 season. Player profiles for the 2005 NFL
draft had more than 600,000 views, including 50,000 views on the first day of the
draft.
John Molori's columns are published in The Providence Journal, The Boston
Metro, Patriots Football Weekly, Boston Sports Review, New England Hockey
Journal, New England Ringside Magazine, The Providence Journal, TheRemyReport.com,
PatsFans.com, BostonSportsReview.com, BostonPressBox.com,
BostonSportsMedia.com, ColdHardFootballFacts.com and MethuenOnline.com. Email John at
JOMOL3@aol.com.
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