OT…Have sports debate shows run their course?

[Lieutenant Aldo Raine]

Not even they're honest opinions anymore.  It's mostly scripted talking points and hero vs heel commentary.  

[Ramza86]

I pretty much stopped watching anyone talk about sports unless it just happens to be on. Im sure there are some good guys out there.....but I cant deal with the regurgitated storyline talk and preschool analysis. 

 

I stick to twitter for some stats and some clips. Follow my fantasy football stuff and thats it. 

[Simon]

 

They were awful from Day 1, imo

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

I don't watch any of them. my nfl source for information is here, nfl.com for scores and the platform that loon musk has taken over.

[dma0034]

First Things First is the only one I watch. The three guys on there have great chemistry and they poke fun at each other a lot. You have to realize they have bias but it's quite enjoyable imo

[BattlinBill]

I stopped watching them years ago, prefer a few of the podcast instead. They are much more informative and don't get quite as caught up in the national theme of the week.

[Alphadawg7]

Only one I like is Pat McAfee.  The rest are mostly unwatchable 

[JerseyBills]

i used to watch all the time. Espn would stay on , haven't watched in a few years. Definitely ran its course

[Captain Hindsight]

I work from home so occasionally I have GMFB or Get Up

 

GMFB is ok on mondays when they go through each game. The rest of the week is just filler stories that I rarely watch. 
 

I used to love Mike and Mike so I turned on get up. It was unwatchable. Greeny and Rex  Ryan talking about the Jets and other loud people talking. I had to turn it off 

[The Wiz]

The problem with these shows nowadays is that they don't even know what they are arguing about.  They take whatever is the latest hot-take on social media and ride it without actually getting any factual information.

 

Consider Tim Hasselbeck after the bills ran all over the raiders and then saying that the reason why Allen had such a good day was because they couldn't run the ball against them and he had to be "reckless" to move the football.  It makes absolutely no sense any which way you slice it.

Edited September 20, 2023 by The Wiz

[GETTOTHE50]

They’ve taken the fun out of sports debating and made it lame as well as stupid. 

[oldmanfan]

I like PTI.  Tony and Wilbon are fun to listen to, and they’ve been around long enough to have educated and informed opinions.

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

Were they ever popular?

 

It's content to fill a time slot on a network or radio schedule.  People have always tuned in to laugh/argue the over the top takes.  They always will. 

 

These shows are doing exactly what they were designed to do.

[maddenboy]

1 hour ago, FrenchConnection said:

They exist because sports networks need to fill airtime.

this gets to the broader question:

 

Have sports networks run their course?

[slipkid]

24 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

I like PTI.  Tony and Wilbon are fun to listen to, and they’ve been around long enough to have educated and informed opinions.

Yep. It’s the only one I’ve ever watched (for 20+ years now). Both are respected journalists and provide some insight on timely sports stories* while admitting their biases. I tried the other fools at one point or another and couldn’t take more than a few minutes.
 

 

*i wish one of them knew at least something about hockey.

[Another Fan]

ESPN I never really watched much in the 21st century.

 

WFAN in New York I listened to as a teenager and in my 20's.  From I'd say early 2000's to early 2010s.  I used to find it pretty informative and entertaining but now its insufferable.  

 

 

[BruceVilanch]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

Were they ever popular?

I actually enjoyed PTI in the early years.

[Eastport bills]

When you have KeShawn Johnson debating, it’s the beginning of the end. He is an acknowledged empty head. Stephen A made that format. 

[Wizard]

Agree with the majority of points, and kudos to the OP for the topic.

 

24 hour sports cycle, a flooded market of opinions, quick access to YouTube, cell phones, ridiculous salaries, and the movement away from actual journalism all are culprits of the horrific drop in quality.

 

It is why I am opposed to Thursday Night football. I think it actually waters down the overall product.

 

Like any organization, if you expand too quickly, push an agenda, don't innovate, or lose focus by trying to reach/market to everyone, quality drops.

 

Ask Disney, The Federal Government, the Roman Empire, California, or Hollywood writers for more details on how to take a nose dive. 😉

 

 

[LewPort71]

I  like PTI  and its the only show I watch.

I really miss Mike & Mike.