Larry King, yes Larry King, to fill in for Olbermann

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Talk about a change in gears.

While Keith Olbermann goes to TBS to host its studio show for the MLB playoffs, Larry King will serve as guest host Tuesday through Thursday of next week.

Should we expect King to do an opening rant on Walter O’Malley for moving his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers to LA?

Will he take calls? “Yes, Topeka, hello…”

At 79, King is a kid compared to the 82-year-old Regis Philbin.

New ESPN slogan: Even our old guys are younger than Fox Sports 1.

Jeremy Schaap and Colin Cowherd also will be filling in for Olbermann.

Here’s the official rundown from ESPN:

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Television icon Larry King (Larry King Now) will guest host ESPN2’s late night show Olbermann from October 1-3, when Keith Olbermann will be taking a temporary leave from the show to host the MLB postseason studio show on TBS.  King will be hosting Olbermann for the three-night run live at 11 p.m. (time may shift depending on live events) from the show’s Times Square studios in New York City.  Additionally, King is scheduled to make a guest appearance on Olbermann this Friday, September 27.

“Olbermann is designed specifically around Keith’s one-of-a-kind personality so having a guest host like Larry, who can deliver a similar level of editorial expertise and intellectual commentary to entertain sports fans, fits the bill perfectly,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, programming and acquisitions.  “Larry is so popular and well-known to television viewers but being able to bring them his unique perspective on sports topics is a new twist and we’re excited to have him.”

“I am a great admirer of Keith Olbermann who I think is the quintessential sports host,” said King.  “Sports have always been my avocation – they’re part of my being.  Having the chance to come back to my hometown of New York and host Keith’s show for several days is a terrific joy for me and a return to my first love.”

Following King, Jeremy Schaap will guest host the program on October 8-10, followed by Colin Cowherd who will guest host from October 15-17.  Olbermann will leave the show on September 30 and return on October 21.

“Both Jeremy and Colin have distinctive personalities and points of view that will bring a different perspective to the program while Keith is away,” said Jamie Horowitz, vp of original programming and production.  “While we’ll certainly miss Keith in the coming weeks, we’re also looking forward to producing some fun and entertaining shows for sports fans with our guest hosts.”

Larry King Now is King’s first-ever web series, primarily featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the day’s most fascinating newsmakers, celebrities, world leaders and internet stars.  The series launched in July 2012 and can be found on Hulu and Ora.TV.

Jeremy Schaap is a correspondent for E:60, the host of ESPN Radio’s The Sporting Life and a frequent contributor to Outside the Lines, NFL Countdown and College Gameday. His reports, interviews and commentaries are regularly featured on SportsCenter.

Colin Cowherd is host of ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd, broadcast nationally 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET Monday-Friday and also host of Colin’s New Football Show which puts his unique take on football and irreverent view of life on full display every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.  Cowherd was previously co-host of SportsNation.

 

 

 

 

Proposed ESPN movie should focus on wacky origins, chaotic early years of network

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Jeff Sneider and Lucas Shaw of TheWrap have the latest:

Always on the lookout for smart projects in turnaround, Focus Features has acquired screen rights to “ESPN: Those Guys Have All the Fun” and attached Derek Cianfrance to direct the film, TheWrap has learned.

Book is an oral history that chronicles the formation of the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

20th Century Fox acquired the book by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales back in July 2011. Several months ago, Fox put the movie into turnaround, though Focus has come to the rescue, recognizing the project’s potential.

The move reunites Focus with “Fifty Shades of Grey” producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, who will produce with Jamie Patricof and Lynette Howell.The quartet are currently searching for a writer to adapt the book.

Co-author Miller will executive produce, and Alissa Phillips is working on the film for DeLuca’s company.

That’s terrific news. However, it would be a mistake to cover 34 years in a two-hour movie.  If I am Miller and the producers, the film should focus on ESPN’s founding and the chaos of the early years. The most interesting part of Miller’s book was how the network came together. Given all the wacky characters and the long odds, it is amazing that ESPN saw a second day, let alone a first. That section would make the best movie.

Question: Who plays a young Chris Berman? Why do I keep thinking Seth Rogen?

 

 

Why Deadspin’s analysis of SI’s Oklahoma State series really ‘sucked’

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In Deadspin’s world, everything sucks. If it doesn’t suck, the site doesn’t want any part of it.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Deadspin ran a post Tuesday with this headline:

Why SI’s Oklahoma State Series Sucked: The Inside Story

Recently, Deadspin labeled me as “ESPN PR’s favorite sports media reporter.” Now after this post, I am sure that I will be Sports Illustrated PR’s favorite too.

However, I can’t let this pass.

The Deadspin post, written by Dom Cosentino, is based on “a source” who was in the room when Sports Illustrated’s George Dohrmann and B.J. Schecter laid out the series for Oklahoma State officials. Considering that there were a handful of people in the room, SI likely has a good idea of the identity of this person.

Do you think this person had an agenda?

Cosentino writes:

The two sides met for approximately three hours that Tuesday—that conversation was off the record, according to an SI source—then re-convened on Wednesday afternoon for roughly three more hours. These meetings would be the first time school officials were informed specifically and directly about the depth of SI’s investigation.

A report in The Oklahoman described the meetings OSU had with SI as “very professional.” Our source agreed with that assessment, adding that the discussions were “cordial.” At the same time, the source said, “We asked for a lot of information, most of which was not provided.”

There also was some Thayer Evans stuff about being pro-Oklahoma, territory that’s already been covered.

Cosentino later writes:

Our source said the Oklahoma State officials asked for names of any players, coaches, tutors, or professors mentioned in the report. Dohrmann and Schecter did not provide the names of any players making specific allegations, nor did they provide the names of any tutors or professors. Once the stories were published, the source added, it was apparent that SI had talked mostly to “disgruntled” players prior to the meetings—players who the source said posed “very little risk” of informing school officials they were being questioned by a reporter.

“There were inferences made that players would recant,” the source said. “They did not want us contacting them.”

On one hand, SI was being prudent: The magazine clearly did not want OSU interfering with its investigation. Also, the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents schools from releasing transcripts without the consent of a student over the age of 18. But SI’s reluctance to name certain players, tutors, or professors also made it impossible for OSU to verify—or refute—some of the specific allegations being made.

Cosentino then hammered SI for having the wrong information about Fath’ Carter and his academic record. Perhaps that situation could have been rectified, he implies from the source, if SI had been more forthcoming about what it had.

Admittedly, the Carter segment is troubling, giving the school and its supporters a huge target to shoot down the series. It is a big flaw. SI definitely would like to have that one back.

However, does that mean the entire series “sucked?” Hardly.

SI talked to more than 60 former players and numerous assistant coaches and other staffers associated with the program through the years. Even if some of them were labeled quote-unquote “disgruntled,” it leads to a basic question: Why did Oklahoma State have so many disgruntled players? Doesn’t that suggest a trend?

Cosentino writes:

Dohrmann and Schecter also presented the OSU officials with a figure indicating that from 2002 to 2010, 48 percent of football players left the program before exhausting their eligibility. OSU objected to that number and asked about SI’s methodology. Dohrmann and Schecter promised to look into it. That 48 percent figure was subsequently leaked to the Oklahoman, perhaps justifying the magazine’s discretion in dealing with the university.

Actually, the number had to be adjusted down because it included a player who was killed in a car accident.

Cosentino:

By the time SI published the eligibility figure in Part 5 of its series, Vernon Grant had been removed from the list, and the statistic had been revised to 43.5 percent. “They came back and apologized and said they recalculated this number,” the source said. “On their own, they admitted that the 48 percent is wrong.”

Yes, but how much difference is there from 48 to 43.5 percent? Doesn’t that still suggest a problem. Not sure what Cosentino is getting at here.

I’m not saying Cosentino didn’t make some valid points. And to be fair, he might have written a more balanced piece if SI had made its reporters available to counter some of the charges. It didn’t, although SI’s top editors Chris Stone and Jon Wertheim previously did a Q/A chat on Deadspin.

Clearly, though, Cosentino got used by the “source” at Oklahoma State. The crisis management agenda continues at the school, and Cosentino and Deadspin were more than willing to go along for the ride.

 

 

Oklahoma State alters media access in wake of Sports Illustrated series

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Jimmie Tramel of the Tulsa World reports things were a bit different at Oklahoma State’s weekly press gathering for the football team.

But this season became something other than normal as soon as Sports Illustrated uncorked a five-part investigative series on the Cowboy football program.

The transition back to normal bled over into OSU’s first weekly press conference since the series concluded. What happened Monday was, in a word, different.

Normally, OSU’s offensive and defensive coordinators, plus players who get press conference invitations, are made available individually on the suite level of Boone Pickens Stadium.

Reporters float around and ask questions (sometimes one-on-one) to interview subjects before eventually migrating to head coach Mike Gundy’s at-the-lectern news conference in the press box.

The format was changed to lectern-only for coordinators and players Monday.

OSU is in the midst of an internal review of SI’s allegations. Chuck Smrt, president of The Compliance Group in Lenexa, Kan., is shepherding the university through the process.

In the meantime, OSU wants to streamline media access to folks within the football program, according to a university official. So, every question Monday was asked in front of everyone in attendance. And everyone heard the same answers.

Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, flanked by safety Daytawion Lowe and linebacker Caleb Lavey, simultaneously represented the defense to christen the press conference.

Offense? Running back Jeremy Smith went solo and a Walsh-Yurcich combo session followed.

Then Gundy wrapped up the unusual press conference with his usual Q-and-A exchange.

Tulsa World columnist John Hoover thinks Oklahoma State would be wrong if it limited access.

There’s word out of Stillwater that the new media interview policy implemented this week might be temporary.

Very temporary, one athletic department official hinted.

That’s a relief.

Realistically, the last thing Oklahoma State football needs now is anyone’s perception that OSU needs to hide more secrets.

Later Hoover writes:

After all the anticipated bad publicity for OSU actually turned into bad publicity for Sports Illustrated, the idea of keeping ranks closed – keeping reporters on the other side of the room – actually would be counterproductive.

Aside from the process of its intensive internal investigation, all indications are that OSU has nothing to hide.

All the accusations in SI were from players no longer in the program.

The coaches accused are no longer in the program.

Most of it happened years ago.

Nothing was documented.

Much of it was hearsay or conjecture.

The court of public opinion largely has sided with OSU, and now, other than when the school and/or NCAA announce their findings, it’s pretty much over.

So what purpose does it serve, other than enabling a creeping paranoia, to take everyone out of the usual, relaxed interview setting and put them in front of a dozen cameras?

None.

Indeed, Hoover is right. Oklahoma State should listen to his advice.

 

NBC SN ‘adjusts’ schedule; Failure of Beadle show big blow to network

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NBC SN send out a release this afternoon with this headline:

NBCSN ADJUSTS PROGRAMMING AS NHL SEASON BEGINS

Talk about burying the lede.

The official release makes no mention of Michelle Beadle’s show, The Crossover, being canceled. That’s kind of a big deal since Beadle was brought over to be one of the main faces of NBC SN. Her show didn’t even make it nine months.

Instead, the release says:

“With NBCSN televising three weeknight NHL games each week plus pre- and post-game shows beginning with the October 1 start of the season, NBCSN has adjusted its late-afternoon weekday schedule to create vertical programming blocks around its core sports.”

Keep in mind that there isn’t a sports show out there that isn’t doing at least 50 percent on NFL these days, and that included The Crossover. Obviously, if the show was generating ratings, there wouldn’t have been a need for NBC SN to “adjust” the schedule.

The failure to make Crossover work is a blow to NBC SN, which has struggled to establish studio shows. I’m sure the folks at ESPN are getting a good chuckle over this one.

Here’s the official release:

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With NBCSN televising three weeknight NHL games each week plus pre- and post-game shows beginning with the October 1 start of the season, NBCSN has adjusted its late-afternoon weekday schedule to create vertical programming blocks around its core sports.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 30, NFL studio programming will be presented in a 90-minute block beginning at 5 p.m. ET.  On weekdays with a live Premier League match, that game will be followed by Premier League Goal Zone.

Following is a summary NBCSN’s new late-afternoon weekday programming schedule:

NFL Programming

  • Pro Football Talk will be preceded by NFL programming each weekday. On Mondays without a live Premier League match, Pro Football Talk expands with a 90-minute program.
  • NBCSN will air an additional Fantasy Football Live on Tuesdays. Fantasy Football Live, in conjunction with Yahoo Sports, will air at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Thursdays, followed by Pro Football Talk at 5:30 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation at 6:30 p.m. ET on evenings when NHL Live, NBCSN’s pre-game show starts at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Football Night in America: Coach’s Clicker will air on Wednesdays and with an encore presentation on Fridays at 5 p.m. ET, followed by Pro Football Talk at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Premier League Programming

  • NBC Sports Group’s Premier League Goal Zone expands on weekdays, primarily Mondays at 5 p.m. ET, following Premier League fixtures.

NHL Programming

  • NBC Sports Group’s 2013 NHL regular-season coverage begins Tues., Oct. 1 with NHL Face-Off as the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with NBC Sports Group’s pre-game show, NHL Live.
  • New NHL programming to be announced tomorrow on 12 noon ET conference call.

Typical Weekday Programming Schedule – without a Premier League Weekday Fixture (all times ET, subject to change):

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m.
Pro Football Talk Fantasy Football Live Football Night in America: Coach’s Clicker Fantasy Football Live Football Night in America: Coach’s Clicker Encore
5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Pro Football Talk Pro Football Talk Pro Football Talk Pro Football Talk
6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
New NHL Program Fantasy Football Live

 

 

NBC SN cancels The Crossover; What’s next for Beadle?

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Earlier this week, I did a post on how Michelle Beadle planned to do more promotion for her show, The Crossover.

No need.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times just did a tweet saying her show has been cancelled.

Indeed, even with some heavy promotion for the initial launch of the show last winter, it never caught on. Beadle’s appeal, which made her a star at ESPN, hasn’t transferred over to NBC SN.

So it’s back to the drawing board for Beadle and NBC SN. The network made a considerable investment in her, and she does have a track record. Finding the right vehicle is another story.

Clearly, it wasn’t The Crossover.

 

 

 

Right call: Fox dumped James because he is too “polarizing”

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I’ll start by saying that I couldn’t disagree more with Craig James’ views.

But that’s not the reason why James was fired after his short stint with Fox Sports Southwest.

In a statement addressing James’ threat to sue over religious discrimination, Fox said:

“At Fox Sports we respect all points of view, and despite reports to the contrary, the decision to no longer use Craig James in our college football coverage was simply because he was not a good fit for Fox Sports. Mr. James, while both experienced and knowledgeable, is a polarizing figure in the college sports community. Regrettably, the decision to use him was not properly vetted, and as a result he will no longer provide commentary on Fox Sports Southwest’s college football coverage.”

Exactly. The key word is “polarizing.”

While James has a right to say and believe whatever he wants, he also has to be willing to accept the backlash when it comes to his broadcast career. He has become a controversial figure whose views turn off a significant portion of the audience. I received several extreme anti-James Twitter responses after I published my post yesterday.

Sports networks like polarizing figures when it comes to their views on sports. But social views are a different story. In this case, Fox Sports determined having him as a commentator on college football wasn’t worth the negative fallout.

Obviously, the person who hired him at Fox Sports Southwest didn’t clear it with the upper executives at Fox. When the statement says he wasn’t “properly vetted,” it really means, “No way.”

Surely, James will make more noise here. However, it likely won’t help him.

Given his views, the fact that even Fox doesn’t want him shows that his sports broadcast career is over.

 

 

 

 

Posting for managing editor job for Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight: ‘Imagine a career with an organization that brings smiles to millions every day’

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Is this a post to work for Nate Silver’s new FiveThirtyEight site at ESPN, or to operate the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disney World?

The last part of the official posting for the managing editor job includes this amusing boilerplate from the “Happiest place in the world.”

Imagine a career with an organization that brings smiles to millions every day. Imagine working with people whose passion for what they do is simply indescribable. We are The Walt Disney Company, live with a rich legacy of innovation, entertainment, and lifelong memories. With our vast array of both businesses and professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to join a team that’s beloved around the world, and to find out how it feels to love what you do. We invite you to discover for yourself why a career with Disney is the opportunity you‘ve been looking for.

Oooo, I wonder if Silver’s ME gets to wear one of those neat costumes?

I don’t imagine Silver’s new site will put smiles on people’s faces. In fact, it likely will make some of his subjects frown. Now that is so un-Disney.

However, if you have the qualifications, here’s your chance to become Silver’s new best friend.

Some excerpts:

ESPN is seeking an ambitious and bright individual to serve as Managing Editor of a new digital initiative, FiveThirtyEight.com, an ESPN-owned and operated high-volume website that focuses on quality of content. We are searching for a highly experienced editor with strong journalistic values who also embraces a data-driven approach toward news coverage in leading the new FiveThirtyEight team. The Senior Director/Managing Editor should provide a vision for how to innovate and expand FiveThirtyEight’s coverage, while maintaining the high standards of quality that FiveThirtyEight is known for. The position requires strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills with an experienced editing/content background.

 

OK, so far so good for me.

Responsibilities.

•Coordinate and manage day-to-day editorial operations for FiveThirtyEight.com
•Set content development strategy and overall vision for the site
•Oversee daily editorial, writer and talent assignments, assigning and editing content on a daily basis
•Manage and develop staff on news desk, including mentoring developing writers to improve their communication, analytic, and journalistic skills
•Help develop editorial guidelines and ensure they are followed
•Help develop detailed editoial budget and resource allocation plan
•The job is based in New York City, and will require a significant office presence. Hours will be variable depending on the demands of the news cycle, and will sometimes require night and weekend work.

Weekend work? I’m out. I have a Sunday date with Scott Hanson and NFL RedZone. Somehow, I don’t think I was Silver’s man anyway.

 

 

Craig James demands to be reinstated: Blasts Fox for firing him because of religious views

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Somebody at Fox Sports Southwest surely is feeling the repercussions of opening the door to Craig James.

From Breitbart News:

“I was shocked that my personal religious beliefs were not only the reason for Fox Sports firing me but I was completely floored when I read stories quoting Fox Sports representatives essentially saying that people of faith are banned from working at Fox Sports,” James told Breitbart News. “That is not right and surely someone made a terrible mistake.”

James continued, “I have worked in broadcasting for twenty-four years and have always treated my colleagues with respect and dignity regardless of their background or personal beliefs. I believe it is essential in our business to maintain professional relationships with people from a diverse background and have tolerance for those of different beliefs. I have never discussed my faith while broadcasting and it has never been an issue until now.” James’s attorneys at Liberty Institute have sent a demand letter, given exclusively to Breitbart News, to Fox Sports.

From the Washington Times:

Mr. James‘ legal team claims he has a solid case of discrimination. In a letter sent to Fox Sports on Tuesday, Liberty Institute’s general counsel Jeff Mateer wrote that the “decision to terminate Craig James because of Mr. James‘ religious beliefs is a severe violation” of his liberties, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Mr. Mateer pointed out that Fox actually solicited Mr. James for the position, knowing full well his political background.

“The actions have also led to the breach of Craig James‘ contract and the impugnment of his career,” the letter states. “We demand the immediate reinstatement [of] Mr. James to the on-air college football analyst position. If you refuse to reinstate Mr. James, millions of Americans will be left with the impression that you do not respect religious liberty and Liberty Institute will be forced to pursue subsequent legal options.”

Yep, someone is having an interesting day at Fox.