Movies and TV R.I.P. George Michael - Sports Reporter - Page 2

orange · 12-24-2009, 03:07 PM

George Michael Dead: Sportscaster Dies At 70

NAFEESA SYEED | 12/24/09 02:05 PM | AP

WASHINGTON — George Michael, a mainstay on the Washington, D.C., sports television scene for decades who reached a national audience with "The George Michael Sports Machine" highlights show, has died. He was 70 years old.

Michael's daughter, Michelle Allen, said Michael was surrounded by family and friends when he died Thursday morning from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

"He waged his battle against cancer with the same drive and determination that made him a one-of-a-kind in the broadcasting industry," the family said in a statement. "Whether it was covering a sports story, working on his horse farm, or spending time with family and friends, he approached everything in life with passion."

"Sports Machine" began shortly after Michael's arrival at WRC TV in Washington in 1980 as "George Michael's Sports Final," a late-night local feature. Then in 1984 it grew into the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show, eventually airing in 194 markets across the United States and in 10 foreign countries.

It was a trendsetting program, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available. The show was also the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports like NASCAR and professional rodeo.

In a statement, WRC called Michael a pioneer in sports broadcasting and a dynamic force in its newsroom.

"He was a gifted interviewer, a master storyteller, and one of the hardest working journalists out there," the station said.

Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder said Michael was a "consummate reporter and a valuable friend." Michael regularly interviewed the team's coaches and served as the longtime Redskins Welcome Home luncheon master of ceremonies.

Story continues below

"I doubt we'll ever again see a sports reporter who was so admired by the people he covered," Snyder said in statement.

Michael won more than 40 Emmy Awards and members of the "Sports Machine" staff received more than 100 Emmys for their work on the show. He also helped jump-start the TV careers of several national sports personalities, including David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstien, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon.

Jeff Martinez, 40, of Sterling, Va., who worked on "Sports Machine" first as an intern and later as an associate producer from 1991 to 1995, said Michael was a perfectionist.

"You had to bring your A-game every day," Martinez said. Michael had no problem letting a staffer know "if you weren't performing what he thought your potential was."

Martinez also said Michael was supportive when he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which affects the digestive system, allowing him to take a leave of absence.

"He definitely took care of his own ... he was very very caring," he said. "Rather than pressuring me to come back to work sooner than I needed to, he was always there calling me and making sure I was doing well."

The show ran until March 2007. Michael said in late 2006 that significant layoffs and staff cuts announced at NBC, which owns WRC, prompted his decision to end the show.

"I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet," Michael said.

Michael continued to appear on air for the next couple of years, hosting the station's weekly half-hour shows, "Redskins Report" and "Full Court Press."

Michael's family said plans for a memorial service are not yet complete. Besides his daughter, Michelle Allen, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Patricia, and his son, Brad.

"The passion that he brought to television was the same as he brought to being a father," Allen said. "He appreciated everything and he appreciated his fans."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/1..._n_403034.html

Demonpenz · 12-25-2009, 05:42 PM

I liked that show, hated he had to do all that work pressing the button to show highlights

Pablo · 12-25-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Whew. I thought half of Wham! had perished. I mean, RIP to the Sports Machine guy, but Faith was a great album.

Ditto. I guess this George Michael has seen his 'Last Christmas'.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-25-2009, 07:07 PM

Jitterbug.

DJJasonp · 12-25-2009, 07:10 PM

the last true sports highlights show (since ESPN sold their soul to the devil and started creating stories - brought to you by such and such).

RippedmyFlesh · 12-25-2009, 07:12 PM

During the pre ESPN days Sports Machine was one of the only outlets you could see highlights of an out of region team.
RIP George.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-25-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

During the pre ESPN days Sports Machine was one of the only outlets you could see highlights of an out of region team.
RIP George.

Inside the NFL with Nick and Len. LOVED the "football prose" and music during the highlights.

RippedmyFlesh · 12-25-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Inside the NFL with Nick and Len. LOVED the "football prose" and music during the highlights.

In the old days sometimes all i could get was those 5 minutes highlights of the chiefs. That show was a godsend to me. the story was the highlights not him loved watching george.

Deberg_1990 · 12-25-2009, 08:12 PM

Waaaaay back in da day....the only way u could get highlights was to wait for MNF halftime show with Howard Cosell....
Posted via Mobile Device

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-25-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Waaaaay back in da day....the only way u could get highlights was to wait for MNF halftime show with Howard Cosell....
Posted via Mobile Device

Maaaan, that was back in the day of 300' microphone cables.

RippedmyFlesh · 12-25-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Waaaaay back in da day....the only way u could get highlights was to wait for MNF halftime show with Howard Cosell....
Posted via Mobile Device

sometimes I looked more forward to that then the game itself.
cosell was great at it when he wasn't slobbering over joe namath

milkman · 12-25-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Whew. I thought half of Wham! had perished. I mean, RIP to the Sports Machine guy, but Faith was a great album.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Yeah, so not the George Michael I was thinking of when I clicked.

I loved "The George Michael Sports Machine" back in the day.

Shows the difference between me and the two of you (and many others, I imagine).

I've heard of Wham, but had no idea that someone named George Michael was a aprt of that group.

The Geoerge Michael sports machine was a Sunday night must see back in the day.

12-24-2009, 03:07 PM
orange MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $10004900	R.I.P. George Michael - Sports Reporter George Michael Dead: Sportscaster Dies At 70 NAFEESA SYEED \| 12/24/09 02:05 PM \| AP WASHINGTON — George Michael, a mainstay on the Washington, D.C., sports television scene for decades who reached a national audience with "The George Michael Sports Machine" highlights show, has died. He was 70 years old. Michael's daughter, Michelle Allen, said Michael was surrounded by family and friends when he died Thursday morning from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital. "He waged his battle against cancer with the same drive and determination that made him a one-of-a-kind in the broadcasting industry," the family said in a statement. "Whether it was covering a sports story, working on his horse farm, or spending time with family and friends, he approached everything in life with passion." "Sports Machine" began shortly after Michael's arrival at WRC TV in Washington in 1980 as "George Michael's Sports Final," a late-night local feature. Then in 1984 it grew into the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show, eventually airing in 194 markets across the United States and in 10 foreign countries. It was a trendsetting program, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available. The show was also the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports like NASCAR and professional rodeo. In a statement, WRC called Michael a pioneer in sports broadcasting and a dynamic force in its newsroom. "He was a gifted interviewer, a master storyteller, and one of the hardest working journalists out there," the station said. Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder said Michael was a "consummate reporter and a valuable friend." Michael regularly interviewed the team's coaches and served as the longtime Redskins Welcome Home luncheon master of ceremonies. Story continues below "I doubt we'll ever again see a sports reporter who was so admired by the people he covered," Snyder said in statement. Michael won more than 40 Emmy Awards and members of the "Sports Machine" staff received more than 100 Emmys for their work on the show. He also helped jump-start the TV careers of several national sports personalities, including David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstien, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon. Jeff Martinez, 40, of Sterling, Va., who worked on "Sports Machine" first as an intern and later as an associate producer from 1991 to 1995, said Michael was a perfectionist. "You had to bring your A-game every day," Martinez said. Michael had no problem letting a staffer know "if you weren't performing what he thought your potential was." Martinez also said Michael was supportive when he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which affects the digestive system, allowing him to take a leave of absence. "He definitely took care of his own ... he was very very caring," he said. "Rather than pressuring me to come back to work sooner than I needed to, he was always there calling me and making sure I was doing well." The show ran until March 2007. Michael said in late 2006 that significant layoffs and staff cuts announced at NBC, which owns WRC, prompted his decision to end the show. "I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet," Michael said. Michael continued to appear on air for the next couple of years, hosting the station's weekly half-hour shows, "Redskins Report" and "Full Court Press." Michael's family said plans for a memorial service are not yet complete. Besides his daughter, Michelle Allen, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Patricia, and his son, Brad. "The passion that he brought to television was the same as he brought to being a father," Allen said. "He appreciated everything and he appreciated his fans." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/1..._n_403034.html
Posts: 11,661

12-25-2009, 05:42 PM	#16
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-443864	I liked that show, hated he had to do all that work pressing the button to show highlights __________________
Posts: 54,960

12-25-2009, 07:07 PM	#18
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Jitterbug. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

12-25-2009, 07:10 PM	#19
DJJasonp My work speaks for itself!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $-1954800	the last true sports highlights show (since ESPN sold their soul to the devil and started creating stories - brought to you by such and such). __________________ Its easier to fool a man, than to convince a man he's been fooled.
Posts: 14,005

12-25-2009, 07:12 PM	#20
RippedmyFlesh Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Casino cash: $10005817	During the pre ESPN days Sports Machine was one of the only outlets you could see highlights of an out of region team. RIP George.
Posts: 4,848

12-25-2009, 08:12 PM	#23
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $44454	Waaaaay back in da day....the only way u could get highlights was to wait for MNF halftime show with Howard Cosell.... Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 68,721