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re: Fox Sports Live debut thread
Posted on 8/18/13 at 1:18 am to PrimeTime Money
Posted on 8/18/13 at 1:18 am to PrimeTime Money
From the Wall Street Journal:
ESPN's "SportsCenter," which debuted some three decades ago, grew into a cultural icon in the U.S., spawning network superstars and sister broadcasts around the world. Its theme music is instantly recognizable to millions of sports fans.
But critics have complained it has lost some of the panache of its heyday in the 1990s. Meanwhile, a handful of competitors offering up their own sports-highlights broadcasts have piled in.
Now, Canada's version of the program is trying to reinvigorate the genre.
"There are plenty of shows to see your sports and get the scores and no funny business," said SportsCentre co-anchor Dan O'Toole. "That's not a show we want to watch. We go about making a show we and our buddies would want to watch."
SportsCentre—using the British spelling—airs every night at 1 a.m., with reruns all morning, on TSN, a dedicated cable sports channel. TSN is co-owned by ESPN and local media giant Bell Canada, a unit of Canadian telecoms and media giant BCE Inc.
It is a loopier, freer-flowing affair—with substantially more hockey coverage—than its bigger American cousin. And it is wildly popular north of the border.
Co-anchors Jay Onrait, 37, and O'Toole, 36, have become national celebrities in Canada, akin to the star status afforded SportsCenter stars Keith Olbermann and Craig Kilborn in the U.S. in the 1990s. YouTube clips of the pair's antics have racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
Their off-camera producer—known as Producer Tim, the butt of many of the show's on-air banter—has his own Twitter following of nearly 20,000. Each summer they take their show on the road, broadcasting from small towns across Canada.
Onrait and O'Toole say their inspiration comes from the glory days of the American sports show, along with David Letterman-style late-night routines.
"The biggest comment we get from Americans is, 'This reminds me of SportsCenter from the 90s,'" Onrait said.
ESPN defends its flagship U.S. show. "We certainly do encourage personalities on the air," said Mark Gross, a senior vice president and executive producer at ESPN's SportsCenter. "Where we can fit in some humor along the way, when appropriate, we do it. But we're conscious of not trying to force it. We don't have comedians working here."
O'Toole and Onrait were first paired together in 2005 after various stints at TSN and smaller regional TV shows across Canada.
"In a short period of time they really gelled on air," said Mark Milliere, the senior vice president of production at TSN, who hired both anchors.
Many of their comedic stunts can seem random to the uninitiated. The show sometimes uses long, awkward on-air silences, unimaginable in the U.S. Singing is another staple. Many gags, though, have roots on the field. The inspiration to put a young staffer in a yellow dress, for example, came after they spotted a man doing the same during a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers.
The U.S. version of the show features a straightforward top 10 plays-of-the-day feature. In Canada, a recent show included a "Top 10 Crying Athletes" segment.
Occasionally O'Toole and Onrait are asked to rein in the comedy. "There were times when they were pushing the boundaries more than we were comfortable with," said Milliere, the producer, adding: "To their credit, over time they evolved into this perfect mix where they really pick their spots."
ESPN's "SportsCenter," which debuted some three decades ago, grew into a cultural icon in the U.S., spawning network superstars and sister broadcasts around the world. Its theme music is instantly recognizable to millions of sports fans.
But critics have complained it has lost some of the panache of its heyday in the 1990s. Meanwhile, a handful of competitors offering up their own sports-highlights broadcasts have piled in.
Now, Canada's version of the program is trying to reinvigorate the genre.
"There are plenty of shows to see your sports and get the scores and no funny business," said SportsCentre co-anchor Dan O'Toole. "That's not a show we want to watch. We go about making a show we and our buddies would want to watch."
SportsCentre—using the British spelling—airs every night at 1 a.m., with reruns all morning, on TSN, a dedicated cable sports channel. TSN is co-owned by ESPN and local media giant Bell Canada, a unit of Canadian telecoms and media giant BCE Inc.
It is a loopier, freer-flowing affair—with substantially more hockey coverage—than its bigger American cousin. And it is wildly popular north of the border.
Co-anchors Jay Onrait, 37, and O'Toole, 36, have become national celebrities in Canada, akin to the star status afforded SportsCenter stars Keith Olbermann and Craig Kilborn in the U.S. in the 1990s. YouTube clips of the pair's antics have racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
Their off-camera producer—known as Producer Tim, the butt of many of the show's on-air banter—has his own Twitter following of nearly 20,000. Each summer they take their show on the road, broadcasting from small towns across Canada.
Onrait and O'Toole say their inspiration comes from the glory days of the American sports show, along with David Letterman-style late-night routines.
"The biggest comment we get from Americans is, 'This reminds me of SportsCenter from the 90s,'" Onrait said.
ESPN defends its flagship U.S. show. "We certainly do encourage personalities on the air," said Mark Gross, a senior vice president and executive producer at ESPN's SportsCenter. "Where we can fit in some humor along the way, when appropriate, we do it. But we're conscious of not trying to force it. We don't have comedians working here."
O'Toole and Onrait were first paired together in 2005 after various stints at TSN and smaller regional TV shows across Canada.
"In a short period of time they really gelled on air," said Mark Milliere, the senior vice president of production at TSN, who hired both anchors.
Many of their comedic stunts can seem random to the uninitiated. The show sometimes uses long, awkward on-air silences, unimaginable in the U.S. Singing is another staple. Many gags, though, have roots on the field. The inspiration to put a young staffer in a yellow dress, for example, came after they spotted a man doing the same during a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers.
The U.S. version of the show features a straightforward top 10 plays-of-the-day feature. In Canada, a recent show included a "Top 10 Crying Athletes" segment.
Occasionally O'Toole and Onrait are asked to rein in the comedy. "There were times when they were pushing the boundaries more than we were comfortable with," said Milliere, the producer, adding: "To their credit, over time they evolved into this perfect mix where they really pick their spots."
Posted on 8/18/13 at 1:22 am to PrimeTime Money
Here's a 2 minute clip of the show open.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 1:41 am to TigerattheU
Putting the panel on a separate show seems like a good idea but it would probably be a lot like "The Crowd Goes Wild" but then again they have a lot of timeslots to fill right now.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 8:05 am to itawambadog
the 2 dudes are obviosuly canadian
soriano in to close it 'oat.'
let's see what the panel thinks 'aboot' this.
soriano in to close it 'oat.'
let's see what the panel thinks 'aboot' this.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 8:58 am to Samso
I love everyone who sits here and says "They have tennis guys trying to talk football, this show sucks!"
What the hell do you think the MSB is? I'm willing to bet not a single one of us has every played a professional sport at the highest level. We sure as hell like to think that we know everything about every sport. How is their panel any different? Is it because they are getting paid to do it and you aren't?
What the hell do you think the MSB is? I'm willing to bet not a single one of us has every played a professional sport at the highest level. We sure as hell like to think that we know everything about every sport. How is their panel any different? Is it because they are getting paid to do it and you aren't?
Posted on 8/18/13 at 9:07 am to PrimeTime Money
These Canadian guys are decent ; they aren't going to be appointment TV but I'll watch if bored. I would still prefer to watch "The Lights" if that show was still around.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 9:30 am to CunningLinguist
Checking this out now. The commercials are cracking me up, every single one is directly guy centric
But Jesus, I just turned it on and it's been 7 mins of commercials
But Jesus, I just turned it on and it's been 7 mins of commercials
This post was edited on 8/18/13 at 9:31 am
Posted on 8/18/13 at 9:43 am to USAF Hart
quote:
What the hell do you think the MSB is? I'm willing to bet not a single one of us has every played a professional sport at the highest level
How much are you willing to bet?
Posted on 8/18/13 at 9:48 am to Kige Ramsey
NASCAR Raceday is my first show
Posted on 8/18/13 at 12:16 pm to Hurricane Mike
The anchors/hosts remind me of ESPN at its heyday. Funny in a good way.
As for athlete's discussing other sports, did any of you actually pay attention to what they were discussing? They weren't discussing the ins and outs of the sports at a detailed level. They were talking about it from a teammate/locker room perspective. When they were talking about Driver's comments about Rodgers not really being interested in being a leader, it made sense for Payton to chime in because for years he was like the quarterback of his teams and was expected to show some leadership qualities.
As for Roddick being asked who he thought could dethrone Alabama, what's wrong with the Louisville pick? He had a good reasoning behind it - Easy schedule that they wouldn't have to exert so much on so they can save themselves for the bowls while Alabama will have quality opponents the whole season.
As for athlete's discussing other sports, did any of you actually pay attention to what they were discussing? They weren't discussing the ins and outs of the sports at a detailed level. They were talking about it from a teammate/locker room perspective. When they were talking about Driver's comments about Rodgers not really being interested in being a leader, it made sense for Payton to chime in because for years he was like the quarterback of his teams and was expected to show some leadership qualities.
As for Roddick being asked who he thought could dethrone Alabama, what's wrong with the Louisville pick? He had a good reasoning behind it - Easy schedule that they wouldn't have to exert so much on so they can save themselves for the bowls while Alabama will have quality opponents the whole season.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 3:27 pm to DURANTULA
Would have watched more this AM, but all they had was NASCAR on and no thanks to that.
Posted on 8/18/13 at 9:14 pm to Brettesaurus Rex
This A-Rod breaking news box is a mistake. That's a big chunk of the screen.
Posted on 8/19/13 at 9:37 am to TigerattheU
Show is refreshing. Much better than ESPN...will not be watching ESPN again (not including games)
Posted on 8/19/13 at 10:35 am to TheOcean
I'm looking forward to watching this.
Posted on 8/19/13 at 10:38 am to Kige Ramsey
Bout time there is an alternative to ESPN.
And FS2 is gonna be showing NRL rugby matches on Saturday!
And FS2 is gonna be showing NRL rugby matches on Saturday!
Posted on 8/19/13 at 10:39 am to S
quote:
the 2 dudes are obviosuly canadian soriano in to close it 'oat.' let's see what the panel thinks 'aboot' this.
I think they told them to tone down the Canadian and they let it slip a lot
Posted on 8/19/13 at 10:58 am to wildtigercat93
Who is Katie Nolan? She is freakin adorable
Posted on 8/19/13 at 10:32 pm to wildtigercat93
How long is the Fox Sports Live show actually live? It can't just be a one hour show that they repeat all night, can it?
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