Tagged: ‘Lil Wayne’

posted by on November 16, 2012 12:00 PM

Fan Central Mailbag: ESPN’s commitment to veterans; Lil Wayne & Randy Moss; ScoreCenter app news

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.

As we kick off this week’s mailbag, we want to address a question asked by some fans about why ESPN did not televise the in-stadium Veteran’s Day celebration at Lambeau Field before the Vikings-Packers Monday Night Football game last November.

As a general rule, ESPN does not always show the National Anthem on MNF or other event telecasts. As part of ESPN’s weeklong Salute to Veterans last November, however, we did begin the MNF telecast with a patriotic Veteran’s Day-themed opening video narrated by Marine Jake Wood, which was filmed at a military base in Wisconsin.

The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game on MNF. (ESPN)

Just this week, the Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steelers game on MNF was again part of ESPN’s annual companywide Salute to Veterans. This year, ESPN did cover the National Anthem as the Steelers saluted veterans before the game with a special ceremony and stadium-wide appreciation message (pictured above). In addition, during Monday Night Countdown, essayist Rick Reilly told the story of a father and son from Chicago who are going to all 32 NFL stadiums this season and taking wounded veterans along to each game.

Rapper Lil Wayne (R) with 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss. (ESPN)

How is Lil Wayne remotely qualified to interview players on an NFL pregame show? – Travis

It’s a fair question Travis.

For those who don’t know, the rapper interviewed the 49ers wide receiver on last week’s edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (Sundays, 10 a.m. ET, ESPN). Why? It’s simple. ESPN always seeks new and unique ways to tell a story, and does so with the understanding that some fans might not necessarily agree with every decision.

It should be noted, however, that Moss, who retired last year without much fanfare, did not want to do a “traditional” sit-down interview, but was intrigued when our very own Colleen Dominguez approached him about sitting down with Lil Wayne for the interview.

When will there be an ESPN ScoreCenter app for android tablets like ScoreCenter for iPad? – Scott continue reading…

Filed in: ESPN Fan Central

posted by on November 9, 2012 12:48 PM

Icon to Icon: Rapper Lil Wayne interviews 49ers star Randy Moss for Sunday NFL Countdown

In his prime as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, Randy Moss was often reticent about sitting down for one-on-one interviews.

After 13 dominant seasons as one of the best deep threats in football, Moss announced his August 2011 retirement in a one-sentence statement released by his agent.

No fanfare. No news conference. No farewell speech.

Colleen Dominguez
(Photo courtesy of Mike Quain)

When Moss returned to the NFL after a one-year hiatus and joined the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN bureau reporter Colleen Dominguez requested a sit-down interview. He declined.

“I have done a couple ‘Sunday Conversations’ on SportsCenter with Moss in the past,” Dominguez said. “He’s quite conversational in person. In this case, he told me he just doesn’t want to talk a lot.”

Moss declined several more requests until Dominguez tried a different tack.

“How do you get a ‘yes’ out of a guy who doesn’t often sit for one-on-ones?” Dominguez said.

“You offer to approach rapper Lil Wayne about conducting the interview.”

Moss, a big fan of Lil Wayne’s music, was intrigued. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on November 2, 2012 3:26 PM

Lightning Round: Around the Horn panelists weigh in on show’s 10 years

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…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on November 1, 2012 4:42 PM

Sgt. Reali’s Around the Horn Club Band turns 10: 2,217 shows and counting

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…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes