SportsCenter - Bristol
posted by Diane Lamb on April 13, 2013 11:20 AM
Longtime ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose is known for many things: his hockey knowledge, quick wit, coaching resume and, last but certainly not least, his distinct style of dress.
While his style has changed during his 20 years at ESPN, it has always been one thing: authentic. continue reading…
posted by Sheldon Spencer on April 8, 2013 3:56 PM
Around The Horn often provides a window into pop culture beyond its focus on sports discussion and debate.
Witness the creative way ATH celebrated 10 years on the air in 2012 with Beatles-inspired opening artwork. Host Tony Reali also once famously recreated the memorable Copacabana scene from Goodfellas.
“We love to acknowledge the shows we love,” Reali said.
Reali and the ATH crew were showing the love again on Friday, March 29 when they paid tribute to the third season debut of HBO’s popular Game Of Thrones series. As seen in the video above – which took about eight weeks from concept to completion – the show’s panelists and Reali own keys to the kingdom in what they affectionately dubbed Game Of Horns. Reali discussed the show’s latest creative effort with Front Row. continue reading…
posted by Joe Walsh on March 8, 2013 10:00 AM
Welcome to another edition of the Fan Central Mailbag. Remember, if you have an ESPN-related question, follow us @ESPN_FanCentral and use #FanCentralMB to tweet your questions. Also, be sure to “like” our new Fan Central Facebook page. You can also e-mail questions to FanCentral@espn.com.
Before we get to the latest mailbag questions, let’s first address some programming news. This Sunday night’s 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC) game between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will be simulcast in Spanish on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. There will be another Spanish-language WBC simulcast on ESPN2 Tuesday, March 12, at 1 p.m. The Spanish-language simulcasts are part of the exclusive Spanish-language, live coverage of all 39 WBC games on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.
We realize some fans are curious about the decision to have Spanish-language simulcasts on ESPN and ESPN2, so we spoke with Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions Norby Williamson about the offering.
“The World Baseball Classic provides a great showcase of how ESPN’s resources can document a global event with strong multi-cultural appeal,” Williamson said. “Having the exclusive Spanish-language rights to all 39 WBC games on Deportes and Deportes+ for both the 2013 and 2017 events provides us with unique opportunities to serve fans across our television, audio and digital properties. The upcoming simulcasts are the latest examples.”
Two other quick baseball-related notes: First, ESPN’s first spring training game of the 2013 season takes place this Monday at 1 p.m. when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the New York Yankees (Full Spring Training schedule). Second, for those on Twitter, you now can get all your ESPN baseball news, updates and insight by following @BBTN.
Now onto your questions:
Note: This first question was directed to Jamie Little, pit reporter for ESPN’s NASCAR and IndyCar coverage and a reporter for the Winter X Games.
ESPN’s Jamie Little (Andy Hall/ESPN)
I always wondered about who makes the replacement car parts that are destroyed during each race and who makes the new interior roll cages for each car? – Bill continue reading…
posted by Hannah Worster on January 12, 2013 12:00 PM
The New England Patriots and the Houston Texans will meet for an AFC divisional playoff game Sunday, 4:30 P.M. ET at Gillette Stadium. Quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots are favored to win the game; the last time the teams met they defeated the Texans 42-14. But don’t despair, Texans fans.
In the video above, Numbers Never Lie hosts Michael Smith, Hugh Douglas and Jalen Rose explain why the Texans may have a chance to win.
ESPN’s divisional playoff coverage will feature two editions of Sunday NFL Countdown — a two-hour special Saturday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. ET, and the regular three-hour edition Sunday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m.
ICYMI: Highlights from the past week on Front Row
• The latest “This Is SportsCenter” segment stars anchors Chris McKendry, Stuart Scott, the Boston College Eagle and the Temple Owl mascots. Watch the ad and see how it came about.
• Between wrapping up his College GameDay season and preparing for the Australian Open, Chris Fowler describes what’s it’s like to make such a quick transition “from sport to sport, role to role, winter to summer and North America to Down Under.”
• ESPN’s Talent Department recruits, manages, coaches and retains more than 1,000 commentators. A sampling of the hundreds of ESPN contract renewals and/or new signings of 2012 can be found here.
• You’ve seen him on Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn, but ESPN.com columnist J.A. Adande also works as an educator in USC’s journalism department. He shares more about his role as an educator in this Front & Center podcast.
Row of Four
Our favorites from across ESPN over the past week continue reading…
posted by Joe Walsh on November 30, 2012 8:00 AM
Welcome to another edition of the Fan Central Mailbag. Remember, if you have an ESPN-related question, follow us @ESPN_FanCentral and use #FanCentralMB to tweet your questions. You can also e-mail them to FanCentral@ESPN.com.
We’ll start off this week by addressing an issue that has been the subject of fan emails and tweets over the past week or so: ESPN’s coverage plans for the 2012 NCAA FCS playoffs (formerly Division I-AA).
To start, every first, second and quarterfinal round game of the FCS playoffs will be shown exclusively on ESPN3, which is available at no additional cost to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider (see full list of providers). To accommodate fans who are not with these affiliated providers, the following second round games are available on GamePlan tomorrow:
• South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State, 4 p.m. ET
• Stony Brook vs. Montana State, 7 p.m.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will televise quarterfinal and semifinal games beginning a week from today (click for full schedule). Finally, the 2012 NCAA FCS Championship game will be on ESPN2 on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m.
Why does ESPN focus so much on debate these days? – Kige continue reading…
posted by Bill Hofheimer on November 2, 2012 3:26 PM
Around the Horn celebrates its 10th anniversary today (5 p.m. ET). (ESPN)
This week marks the 10-year anniversary of ESPN’s Around the Horn, which debuted on Nov. 4, 2002.
The popular daytime sports talk and debate show will celebrate the milestone today at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Host Tony Reali — who penned this for Front Row yesterday — will be joined by an expanded group of panelists including show regulars JA Adande, Kevin Blackistone, Tim Cowlishaw, Israel Gutierrez, Bomani Jones, Jackie MacMullan, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan and Michael Smith.
A special guest will also make an appearance.
In recognition of the anniversary, Front Row asked a few of the ATH regulars for their thoughts on the show, its success and the experience of being part of it the past decade. (Note: No points were awarded for these answers and no one was muted.)
Bob Ryan, the legendary Boston Globe sports writer, who has been part of ATH since the very first show:
“What is amusing to consider is that what we are the most successful spin-off of its kind ever. We exist because of PTI’s success. I sense that we skew a bit younger, and that one of the keys to our popularity is the idea among kids that the young guy controls his elders, even to the point of muting, as well as judging. A younger host is essential, and Tony is ideal.
“Whether it was [original host] Max [Kellerman] or now Tony, this is the hardest hosting job in the history of TV, period. You need to keep things moving with perpetual ad-libbing, all while working the levers. And they both have made it look so damn easy, when it’s anything but. I know I’d never want to do it.”
Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News, who made his debut on ATH’s second show (Nov. 5, 2002):
“The first person who contacted me about the show said it was probably going to be called ‘Zones’ or ‘Time Zones’ because they wanted a show where columnists from four time zones argued about sports. I was also told one of the ideas was that we would try to break news for the other cities — in other words, I would go on the show and tell Bob Ryan something that’s happening in Boston that he wouldn’t know. I thought ‘This is going to be a very difficult show.’”
Jackie MacMullan, ESPNBoston.com columnist — and one of ATH’s two female panelists, along with Jemele Hill — who debuted during ATH’s second week (Nov. 12, 2002): continue reading…
posted by Joe Walsh on November 2, 2012 12:00 PM
Welcome to another edition of the Fan Central Mailbag. Remember, if you have an ESPN-related question, follow us @ESPN_FanCentral and use #FanCentralMB to tweet your questions. You also can e-mail them to FanCentral@ESPN.com.
I’m trying to figure out how the scoring is tabulated on Around the Horn. I see scores increase and decrease as a panelist is speaking, but I’m lost as to whom is doing the scoring and how. Thanks! – Michael, Bronx, N.Y.
Michael, it’s only fitting that we start the mailbag with your question since today Around the Horn’s celebrates its 10th anniversary (the show actually debuted Nov. 4, 2002). On ATH, points are awarded to or taken from panelists based on the strength or weakness of their arguments. It’s that simple. The man deciding the points? None other than host Tony Reali, aka, Pardon the Interruption’s Stat Boy, who has hosted ATH since 2004.
Today’s 10th anniversary edition of ATH is on at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. For a little nostalgia, watch this clip of Tony reminiscing about ATH’s premiere episode.
I wanted to know if there is a resource for knowing which of your announcers/personalities will be announcing which games/events on your various channels. As an example, how would I find out which announcers/personalities will be covering this weekend’s college football games? — Archie, Boston, Mass. continue reading…
posted by Tony Reali on November 1, 2012 4:42 PM
Note: ESPN’s daily sports talk and debate show, Around the Horn, will mark 10 years on the air with a special Friday show (5 p.m. ET, ESPN) featuring an expanded group of panelists and other special guests. On the eve of this milestone, host Tony Reali offers his thoughts on the show’s successful run and what the opportunity has meant for him personally. (Front Row also thanks him, Chris Gavin and Mars Lewis for the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band-inspired artwork.)
Pele wore it on his back.
Phil Jackson once wore it on his head.
Pearl Jam debuted with it.
Dudley Moore thought Bo Derek was it.
Ten. X. 10.
And now, it’s our number.
2,217 shows and I can remember every single one. Or, at least the 2,000-plus I have done. I remember the day Woody (Paige) almost choked on confetti celebrating his 300th win. The day Michael Smith broke out an impromptu (Barack) Obama impression for 64 points. I remember having Lil Wayne on as a guest panelist and thinking “This guy could take all our jobs.” I remember when Kevin Blackistone dressed as Ron Washington for Halloween. I remember Jay Mariotti working 265 straight shows. 265 straight!
I remember February 1, 2004. I got the call to host the show the next day while watching the Patriots-Panthers Super Bowl. Max Kellerman was in contract talks. Could I sit in? I had been a panelist previously and hosted a couple of times but never a day after the Super Bowl. At first I said ‘no’. I was scared stiff. I couldn’t comprehend this was how ESPN hired its hosts. (Spoiler alert: It’s not.) I was 25 and my entire broadcasting career consisted of 10 seconds a day as “Stat Boy” and saying inappropriate things on radio at Fordham.
When I finally said ‘yes,’ I realized I had no clothes. I wore my only suit to work the next day — sweated through it — and put together a hosting stint that has to go down in history as the worst of all-time. But I did get through it, and I’m much better for it. I wore the same suit to work the next day, and by Wednesday I needed a new tie. It was 18 months later when I signed my first contract to host the show. continue reading…
posted by Keri Potts on August 31, 2012 2:30 PM
Versatile Jemele Hill will be seen on ESPN and ESPN2 football telecasts this fall. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN)
Tonight, ESPN.com columnist and on-air contributor Jemele Hill will embark upon a new chapter in her professional career: She’s a sideline reporter for ESPN and ESPN2 Friday games with Carter Blackburn and Rod Gilmore.
She will debut in a big way on ESPN’s 8 p.m. ET Boise State at Michigan State telecast. Two days later, she will be on the sidelines for ESPN’s Sunday, Sept. 2, Kentucky at Louisville matchup at 3:30 p.m.
Her new role will reduce the frequency of her appearances on the First Take and Around the Horn sets where she injected a unique perspective on a variety of sports topics while going toe-to-toe with the likes of Skip Bayless and Woody Paige.
Still, she’s looking forward to taking up the microphone, lacing up her athletic footwear and chasing down coaches, players and team personnel all in the name of live sideline reporting.
What appealed to you about the sideline reporting opportunity?
I covered college football and basketball for basically the first decade of my career, including six years at Michigan State. As much as I love doing debate shows like Around the Horn and First Take, I missed covering live events, and routinely talking to coaches and players. This is my way of not only reconnecting with my roots, but trying to master a whole new medium.
How have you prepared for this new role? Anyone you look up to and why? continue reading…
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posted by Tara Chozet on January 8, 2013 2:15 PM
Front & Center: J.A. Adande
ESPN’s JA Adande. (Rich Arden/ESPN Images)
Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.
J.A. Adande wears many hats at ESPN — he’s an ESPN.com senior writer, an Around the Horn panelist and sometimes host of Pardon the Interruption. Perhaps not as well known is that Adande has another title to his name: educator. Since 2004, Adande has taught at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He serves as an adjunct professor, teaching Sports Commentary to undergraduate and graduate students (including this Front Row contributor).
An alumnus of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Adande brings lessons from his own schooling and his experience at ESPN to his students, even running them through mock PTI and ATH exercises to demonstrate that being on camera isn’t as easy as he and his co-panelists make it look.
Front Row recently sat down with Adande to talk with him about his experiences in the classroom, his thoughts on education and how ESPN factors into his lessons.
Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast, Uncategorized