The preset AM buttons on my car go just like this: Sportstalk/Sportstalk/Sportstalk/Sportstalk/News. And the only reason the last one is news is because I need to get the traffic occasionally. That said, I hate sports talk radio.
Why does any host insist that he can fill up three hours without a co host? Is it ego? Is it a money issue? Why?
Listening to Dan Patrick on the radio makes me want to set my GPS for the Allegheny River and then follow the directions precisely. When Rob Dibble cohosted, it was bearable. I almost like him when Olbermann joins up for an hour here and there. However, he should never pilot solo. Sometimes he goes 20 or 30 minutes at a time asking himself questions. Then he starts off the next segment by saying, “I posed the question last hour….” Yes, we remember. And we remember your answer, too. STFU!
This disease isn’t limited to Patrick, but he is the prototype for it.
At its most basic, sports talk radio is a chance for people in their cars or at their desks at work to pretend they are where they want to be — at a sportsbar. At it’s best, we get to listen in on a bar room conversation that interests us.
And who do we avoid at the bar? They guy at the end that is muttering to himself. No matter how smart the drunk loner might be, it’s an uncomfortable situation.
Other things that are jumping out at me today:
Crawford Transferring to Xavier — SI : I suppose I’ll find consolation in the fact that Crawford will get the chance to play for the guy that should be coaching Indiana.
Matt Jones Faces Felony Drug Charges: I’m Matt Jones, y’all! There’s a line in here somewhere about the Great White Hope snorting Great White Dope. No, maybe there isn’t. Is it just me, or is it best to avoid any habit that results in sitting in the back seat of an unlit car with a bunch of guys in the middle of the night?
Oh yeah, and Barry Bonds Will Be Ready in 10 days: Word has it, he has contacted Casey Martin about his plans to play left field in a golf cart.
Patrick was really brutal there towards the end of his ESPN days. If Olbermann wasn’t going to be on the show, I’d switch over to our local “let’s play the same 13 songs all the time” rock station. Thankfully, he’s not on locally anymore.
As to your second point, Colin Cowherd is the worst offender of the “look at me; I have a national radio show” persona, and has gotten worse with every passing day(I don’t count Jim Rome, because I’ve never heard his show).
Cowherd is the worst. I don’t even count him because I skip right over the station during his slot.
The worst part was that he took over for Kornheiser, who I liked a lot. No matter what you think of him on MNF, TK had the right formula for radio — he had a cohost and producer to bounce opinions off, he almost never interviewed athletes and his guests were knowledgeable sports writers who actually had insight. Plus, he wasn’t scared to talk about something other than sports occasionally.
The irony here? Had Miller gotten the IU job, Crawford probably still would’ve transfered.
At least he didn’t go to Kentucky.
I keep asking myself “Who listens to Colin Cowherd?”, and I’ve never been able to figure it out. Of all the sports fans I know and talk to on a regular basis, I’ve met exactly two who said they like listening to the guy. Most people I know just absolutely HATE the guy. His schtick is frighteningly weak.
I do miss the Kornheiser radio programme…even if it did contain too much Andy Pollin.
Incidentally, did anyone catch Eric Kuselias guest-hosting on Mike and Mike this morning? That may have been the worst radio I’ve ever heard.
Mike and Mike seem to host their show about as much as Wilbon and TK host PTI (estimated 11%).
M&M’s subs are the worst. It’s always a weekend broadcaster with an athlete. Athlete’s are the worst–why would you put them behind the mic for 3 hours?
As for Cowherd, I had a part time job unloading trucks and I could listen to the radio and I actually chose Sean Hannity over Cowherd. His show is in the same boat as According to Jim — he must have some secret, silent fan base, but I don’t know one member.