plenzmd1 Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Things I hate about ESPN (part 1) Kenny Mayne Neil Everett (sp?) Joe Thiesman Host of Around the Horn (better than Max...still REALLY bad) Around the Horn Steven A Salisbury Mike Patrick ...to be continued... 698102[/snapback] Yea, but for some reason that Cindy Brunson chick gives me a stiffy every time i see her. Yawsa!!!!
Buftex Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 First, I meant at times they have had all four major sports. I know they now have three of them. Second, I don't mean only conceptually, I mean it's fabulous overall. They do what's best for them and what their audience likes. And if it doesn't work they go on to something else. It's the most important channel on your cable package. And if anyone here could only have one channel on a desert island, I am betting that 90% of you say fukk ESPN and then order ESPN as your only station. And again, I can't stand these announcers. I don't like any of them. But ESPN is still friggin' great. And just because you get older, or you don't like the way they handle some of their shows or decisions, shouldn't make you, IMO, lose sight of the fact that it remains fabulous despite its glaring and obnoxious shortcomings. 698043[/snapback] I guess my point is that, no I don't really think it is great, the way it is. I can enjoy sports fine without it. To say it is great, or fabulous, and then say it is so, despite the analysts and announcers is kind of silly, since, for the most part, they have become the predominant focus on ESPN. I don't even hate them all, like you, I just have no interest in hashing, and rehashing the same topic over and over again...I come to TSW for that! There are regular contributers here (you are one) who I find much more entertaining, knowledgable about the things I care about, and informative. Sorry, Kelly, generally, I agree with you, but if ESPN went away, something else would be there. They had a great thing going, for hardcore sports fans, but have left that behind. I know it is all ratings and dollar driven, so I am sure they are doing well. It doesn't mean I have to admitt I love it or anything. Like I said, I almost never watch ESPN during the football off-season. I stopped about 2 years ago. Even Primtime went from being "can't miss tv" to "if I am home, its' on, and I have nothing else to do" tv. I actually videotaped every episode of Primetime from 91-93, that is how much I looked forward to it. I can honestly say the only thing I pretty much never miss, is their Sunday night football games. I can't say that I have really missed it being an every day part of my life. I will never claim that I never/will never watch it again, but I will claim that, at this point, if it ceased to exist, it wouldn't really upset me. The concept is already out there, kudos to them. It is sort of like commercial radio. I grew up on 70's AM radio. As I got older, I realized the radio sucks, I can listen to the same music, without the ads, by simply buying the records! Or, now, swithching to satellite radio...there is always a niche to be filled...ESPN does not fill my niche any more.
The Dean Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 As long as this is a complaint thread, I'll chime in with this (hate to start a new thread for something this trivial): Was anyone else bothered by NBC's use of the drop down graphic (where the Power Play time is shown) for "Time of Shift" stats? That pissed me off to no end. When I see something there I think, "Power play?"...that's what that space is for, IMO. PLUS they still were showing those stats after the whistle had blown, the guys were on the bench and the new guys were getting ready for the face-off. For Christ's sake, at least stay on top of it! My advice to NBC is this: You have what...5 NHL games? Leave the innovation to those who cover the games regularly. Rule of thumb: If Hockey Night in Cananda doesn't do it, neither should you.
GG Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Actually, ESPN is fabulous and a sports fan's dream. They have highlights of everything. NFL Countdown was one of the best shows ever. They have the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB live for games you could not see elsewhere. They have highlights all night long. It's easily and inarguably one of the greatest things ever to happen to sports and sports fans. And I hate the announcers as much or more than anyone. 698013[/snapback] I remember when Fonzie was the coolest. Then he went to California and decided to water ski. I don't recall what happened next....
BuffaloWings Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Like I said, I almost never watch ESPN during the football off-season. I stopped about 2 years ago. Even Primtime went from being "can't miss tv" to "if I am home, its' on, and I have nothing else to do" tv. I actually videotaped every episode of Primetime from 91-93, that is how much I looked forward to it. 698184[/snapback] I completely agree about Primetime...especially how the highlights of each game changed dramatically over the years. The year they went to a 30-minute show, they condensed the highlights to get all the games in. The NFL then let them start the games at 8:30 (to accommodate an hour-long Primetime), but the highlights were still as condensed and not nearly as thorough. It seems as if the "lesser important" games got the least attention. The biggest problem with ESPN as I see it now is how they really just talk about and show highlights of the sports they cover (NBA, MLB) and give less attention to things like the NHL. This was no more evident than last night during the 11:00 Sportscenter...baseball for about 20 minutes - including idiotic stories about Barry Bonds *not* playing - until the Mavs-Suns game ended, then extended highlights of that, then to the post-game press conference in Dallas, then I turned off the tv. All I wanted was the Sabres-Hurricanes highlights so I could go to sleep. Unfortunately, it's all about what they think the majority of the public wants - and that's still basketball. They don't worry about losing 100,000 people on a night to keep 1 million. I'm with Kelly...I do love how ESPN exists, but if they really are the worldwide leader in sports (as they have always claimed), they'd give a little more focus to intense, exciting playoff games than a story about how a steroid-laden baseball player sat out of a game.
KD in CA Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 I remember when Fonzie was the coolest.Then he went to California and decided to water ski. I don't recall what happened next.... 698189[/snapback] I think he wrestled a tiger.
Buftex Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 I think he wrestled a tiger. 698201[/snapback] Didn't he move upstairs from the Cunninghams' garage, with Chachi? Now if that doesn't reek cool, I don't know what does....
ACor58 Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 I HATE CHRIS BERMAN I HATE THE COMMERCIALS FOR THAT DAMN X GAMES BIKE I HATE STEVEN A-HOLE SMITH I HATE BOO-YAH SCOTT I HATE MICHAEL "I JUST TALKED TO T.O." IRVIN I HATE JOE THEISMAN I HATE SKIP CLUELESS I HATE THE WNBA I HATE THE SPELLING BEE I HATE THAT THEY SHOW CAR SHOWS ON ESPN2 I STILL HATE STEVEN A SMITH I HATE MOBILE F'N ESPN AND THE COMMERCIALS
eball Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Things I hate about ESPN (part 1) Mike Patrick 698102[/snapback] I'm glad somebody mentioned Patrick. I cringe every time I hear that bozo do a game of any kind. He's brutal.
shrader Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 -Basketball -Steven A Smith -Skip Bayless -Tim Kurkjian's lisp -That idiot that always says "Howzit" when he starts the show -The "say hello to my little friend" guy -Stuart Scott -Stuart Scott's eye -getting rid of Did you Know -basketball -What 2 Watch 4 -Budweiser Hot Seat -the fact that I can't NOT turn this stupid show on when I wake up
Dr. Fong Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 The problem I have with ESPN can be summed up as follows. Somewhere along the line entertainment became more important than sports. So I don't watch it much anymore.
Kelly the Dog Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 The problem I have with ESPN can be summed up as follows. Somewhere along the line entertainment became more important than sports. So I don't watch it much anymore. 698239[/snapback] I really don't get why people hate it so much. I really don't. All you really ever want from ESPN is games and highlights. That's it. Maybe a little insight and analysis but look at all the posts on this site about NFL or NHL or NBA analysts. No one likes any of them anywhere. Because it's a really hard thing to do. You don't get great analysis from TV people on a consistent basis. Why even listen to the ESPN guys when they try to be funny? They're obnoxious as all hell but so what? Do you really expect them to say anything brilliant about a highlight? Just ignore them. The only time you ever get any decent analysis is when a guy like Ron Jaworski spends his entire week going through game film so he can give you three minutes of serious analysis a week. You expect to see this kind of stuff hours and hours each day? All you care about is seeing the great plays or watching the games. To me, it's like watching a porno. Who the hell cares what these people are actually saying or who the hell listens to the godawful music they are playing. Show me some nakedness and sex and I'm happy.
Dr. Fong Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Just ignore them. 698244[/snapback] That's the problem, they're so obnoxious in their attempt to outdo each other that it just grates on my nerves. The other thing I hate are these segments like the Budweiser Hot Seat. I guess it's just a personal thing, but I can't stand the fake importance they place on it and the insipid questions they ask.
Mark VI Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 That's the problem, they're so obnoxious in their attempt to outdo each other that it just grates on my nerves. 698255[/snapback] BOOYAH ! Be the story ! Reporting is secondary. Lock on to one controversial athlete for months on end, then force feed he/she down our throats. TO and Barry Bonds must be paying kickbacks to Bristol, Conn. ESPN is the plague of sports coverage.
Lori Posted May 26, 2006 Posted May 26, 2006 "Bonds on Bonds". Would the network be covering the steroids issue differently if Bonds wasn't practically on the payroll? The recent Caesar's Palace fountain jump, with Suzy Kolber along for the hype. Steve Phillips' mock "press conferences". When did ESPN decide to begin creating sports news? If nothing else, they're providing plenty of fodder for ombudsman George Solomon's column. Like Solomon, I could do with more reporting, less commentary.
Taro T Posted May 26, 2006 Posted May 26, 2006 No hockey coverage to speak of and the little bit they have tends to come from Barry Mullet. If I cared about the NBA, I'd watch the NBA channel. The rest of the football guys don't love the Bills the way Berman used to.
MadBuffaloDisease Posted May 26, 2006 Posted May 26, 2006 ESPN made me sterile! Okay, not really. But they COULD have!
Crap Throwing Monkey Posted May 26, 2006 Posted May 26, 2006 ESPN made me sterile! Okay, not really. But they COULD have! 698287[/snapback] A pity...
smokinandjokin Posted May 26, 2006 Posted May 26, 2006 "Chasing Babe." 698200[/snapback] Chasing the Babe- That was the most rediculous thing I ever saw. I also hate when they are scrolling through baseball scores and they have to show every pitcher who appeared in the game, as well as every guy who went 1-5 or better with an RBI in an 8-7 game. You just want to catch a particular score, but with all the scrolling stats, they only get through two games before they go to a commercial. So you wait through the commercial, and they come back and the bottom line reads: LA SPARKS 29 PHOENIX MERCURY 23 FINAL Swoopes 16pts, 7reb
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