Movies and TV An Inside Look At The Ridiculous Hype Machine That ESPN Turned Itself Into - Page 3

listopencil · 10-03-2012, 02:50 PM

I gave up on watching ESPN quite a while ago. I eventually abandoned cable and satellite TV all together, so it's not like I can wander by the channel and get hooked by a particular program. I do occasionally see a few minutes of ESPN at work in the break room. It typically confirms my opinion that ESPN is giant flaming pile of garbage.

Here's an interview with a guy that did radio work for them, Doug Gottlieb. It is referred to as an "exit interview" as he talks about his time with ESPN:

http://www.danpatrick.com/2012/10/03...ebow-coverage/

A few highlights:

I was told specifically, 'You can't talk enough Tebow.' I would jokingly throw it into a segment. 'I gotta find 15 seconds here to talk about Tebow, all right let's move on and talk about Major League Baseball.'

Is it ridiculous how much you have to talk about Tebow? Yeah! But for whatever reason people can't get enough of that story, and they kind of stoke the fire—that's kind of what ESPN does.

They've lost that credibility, a large portion of the credibility of covering news. I think that it's now: ‘What's trending?' Focus groups. You're trying to create things there. Bernie Fine story at Syracuse. Where's that? The New Orleans story with the Saints with Mickey Loomis? Where's that? Where are those stories? Those are big stories that you guys created. You were late on the Joe Paterno story. I think there's just a different mindset from what they're doing and how they're covering it. And they always fall back on ‘Well, Bob Ley covers the serious news stories.' SportsCenter should be covering sports, they should be covering the news. I think they created it with Tebow. And ESPN embarrassed themselves in spending a week out there at Jets camp.

**Lzen** · 10-04-2012, 07:19 AM

I haven't cared for Sportscenter for a lot of years now. I think it started as early as the whole Terrell Owens drama back in Philly. But I still have ESPN as I like to watch football and basketball games.

Pasta Little Brioni · 10-04-2012, 07:33 AM

There are just too many "Knowmos" out there that believe everything they spew that sit around jerkin off to false praises and outright lies given to prop up there Cowboys, Mannings, Tebows, Yankees, Red Sox, and every LA team.

blaise · 10-04-2012, 08:15 AM

The only things I watch on ESPN are live sporting events and sometimes Baseball Tonight. But now, with MLB Network, I don't even watch Baseball Tonight much. There's so much contrived debate, so much self promotion and self appreciation that I can't stand it. And all the Stu Scott/ Berman type schtick is just so tired.

I like Dan Patrick's interviews, but I get bored by a lot of his interaction with the crew.
I think what makes him good with the interviews is that he won't let guys give a stock answer a lot of the time. He'll ask an athlete or coach a question, they'll give some cliche BS answer, but Dan will say, "Well, now, wait a minute. That doesn't really answer the question." Also, most radio hosts clearly have a set list of questions and they'll ask a question just because it's on their list even though the interviewee addressed it in an earlier answer. Patrick doesn't do that.

**MahiMike** · 10-04-2012, 08:19 AM

Now that I have NFL network, I rarely watch. My son will have it on to check out baseball and golf. Top 10 plays.

Pasta Little Brioni · 10-04-2012, 08:26 AM

The ESPN "Whatever big market team they are trying to fellate".coms are abortions as well.

stevieray · 10-04-2012, 08:30 AM

.... how do you FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL?

women.

**J Diddy** · 10-04-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

It's too bad. I can remember a time when I'd wake up, turn on Sportscenter, and literally watch repeats of it all morning while I did shit around the house. Now I don't even know what channel ESPN is on.

Same here.

**Bob Dole** · 10-04-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

It's too bad. I can remember a time when I'd wake up, turn on Sportscenter, and literally watch repeats of it all morning while I did shit around the house. Now I don't even know what channel ESPN is on.

Same here.

stevieray · 10-04-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

It's too bad. I can remember a time when I'd wake up, turn on Sportscenter, and literally watch repeats of it all morning while I did shit around the house. Now I don't even know what channel ESPN is on.

i hear that..and the sunday night recap of the games....

Chiefnj2 · 10-04-2012, 08:55 AM

Once the NFL network came to be, I'm not sure ESPN had much of a choice. The NFL owns all the footage, access, etc. Tough to compete.

ChiefsCountry · 10-04-2012, 08:57 AM

The midnight SportsCenter when they switch to Los Angeles is worth watching. Trouble with sports is you have to programming 24 hours a day and live games only take so much of it. You are going to have alot of rambling going on.

listopencil · 10-04-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

It's too bad. I can remember a time when I'd wake up, turn on Sportscenter, and literally watch repeats of it all morning while I did shit around the house. Now I don't even know what channel ESPN is on.

Yup. I would watch ESPN constantly during football season. Way back when I played fantasy football, it was a great source of information. I used to really enjoy the highlights too.

htismaqe · 10-04-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Same here.

There was actually a time when I looked forward to ESPNs coverage of the NFL SO much that I would sit through "The Sports Reporters".

whoman69 · 10-04-2012, 12:28 PM

The problem is the more stupid and hyped they get, the higher their ratings. You even have Steven A. being copied on SNL. The worst there is Bayless. He used to be a good writer, but now is the biggest troll on TV.

**morphius** · 10-04-2012, 12:35 PM

I gave up on ESPN a long time ago, I'm just surprised that so many people here had as well.

10-03-2012, 02:50 PM
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $2225880	An Inside Look At The Ridiculous Hype Machine That ESPN Turned Itself Into I gave up on watching ESPN quite a while ago. I eventually abandoned cable and satellite TV all together, so it's not like I can wander by the channel and get hooked by a particular program. I do occasionally see a few minutes of ESPN at work in the break room. It typically confirms my opinion that ESPN is giant flaming pile of garbage. Here's an interview with a guy that did radio work for them, Doug Gottlieb. It is referred to as an "exit interview" as he talks about his time with ESPN: http://www.danpatrick.com/2012/10/03...ebow-coverage/ A few highlights: I was told specifically, 'You can't talk enough Tebow.' I would jokingly throw it into a segment. 'I gotta find 15 seconds here to talk about Tebow, all right let's move on and talk about Major League Baseball.' Is it ridiculous how much you have to talk about Tebow? Yeah! But for whatever reason people can't get enough of that story, and they kind of stoke the fire—that's kind of what ESPN does. They've lost that credibility, a large portion of the credibility of covering news. I think that it's now: ‘What's trending?' Focus groups. You're trying to create things there. Bernie Fine story at Syracuse. Where's that? The New Orleans story with the Saints with Mickey Loomis? Where's that? Where are those stories? Those are big stories that you guys created. You were late on the Joe Paterno story. I think there's just a different mindset from what they're doing and how they're covering it. And they always fall back on ‘Well, Bob Ley covers the serious news stories.' SportsCenter should be covering sports, they should be covering the news. I think they created it with Tebow. And ESPN embarrassed themselves in spending a week out there at Jets camp.
Posts: 55,949

10-04-2012, 07:19 AM	#31
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2220692	I haven't cared for Sportscenter for a lot of years now. I think it started as early as the whole Terrell Owens drama back in Philly. But I still have ESPN as I like to watch football and basketball games. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,346

10-04-2012, 07:33 AM	#32
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3978880	There are just too many "Knowmos" out there that believe everything they spew that sit around jerkin off to false praises and outright lies given to prop up there Cowboys, Mannings, Tebows, Yankees, Red Sox, and every LA team. __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 68,549

10-04-2012, 08:15 AM	#33
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	The only things I watch on ESPN are live sporting events and sometimes Baseball Tonight. But now, with MLB Network, I don't even watch Baseball Tonight much. There's so much contrived debate, so much self promotion and self appreciation that I can't stand it. And all the Stu Scott/ Berman type schtick is just so tired. I like Dan Patrick's interviews, but I get bored by a lot of his interaction with the crew. I think what makes him good with the interviews is that he won't let guys give a stock answer a lot of the time. He'll ask an athlete or coach a question, they'll give some cliche BS answer, but Dan will say, "Well, now, wait a minute. That doesn't really answer the question." Also, most radio hosts clearly have a set list of questions and they'll ask a question just because it's on their list even though the interviewee addressed it in an earlier answer. Patrick doesn't do that.
Posts: 22,188

10-04-2012, 08:19 AM	#34
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	Now that I have NFL network, I rarely watch. My son will have it on to check out baseball and golf. Top 10 plays. __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

10-04-2012, 08:26 AM	#35
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3978880	The ESPN "Whatever big market team they are trying to fellate".coms are abortions as well. __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 68,549

10-04-2012, 08:30 AM	#36
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2585273	.... how do you FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL? women.
Posts: 71,205

10-04-2012, 08:55 AM	#40
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7873688	Once the NFL network came to be, I'm not sure ESPN had much of a choice. The NFL owns all the footage, access, etc. Tough to compete. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,392

10-04-2012, 08:57 AM	#41
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2318752	The midnight SportsCenter when they switch to Los Angeles is worth watching. Trouble with sports is you have to programming 24 hours a day and live games only take so much of it. You are going to have alot of rambling going on.
Posts: 49,607

10-04-2012, 12:35 PM	#45
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6935027	I gave up on ESPN a long time ago, I'm just surprised that so many people here had as well.
Posts: 25,971