ESPN (A bunch of Death-Spiraling maroons)

[BuckeyeBill]

It took me a while (I'm kinda slow to pick up on things sometimes) but I eventually figured it out. You wouldn't tune in MSNBC and expect to hear them cheerfully praising the Tea Party folks. You wouldn't switch to Fox News and think you're going to hear them promoting some liberal policy. Depending on your personal viewpoint, watching these channels can be about as much fun as hitting yourself in the head with a hammer.

ESPiN is the sports equivalent of MSNBC/Fox. Anyone who watches ESPiN expecting to see Sports Journalism (who, what, when, where, why, how--free of editorial content or sensationalism) is going to be at the least disappointed, and worse, frequently misled. Agenda-driven Journalism, well, that should be an oxymoron. Sad fact is, Yellow is the dominant color of the dominant "news" media now.

I know I'm stating the obvious. But, BP does exist to provide free online therapy, doesn't it?

The thing I don't get is that their business model basically attempts to piss off one fan base or another, presumably with the thought that it will drive ratings. And maybe it does. But I know for me, personally, I used to have Sports Center on damn near 24/7, or one of their other programs. Now, the only time I watch ESPN is when there is a game in which I have some interest. I suspect I'm not alone in shying away from them. It really begs the question, does this approach REALLY increase viewership over actually behaving as a responsible purveyor of sporting news? Shit, we have one of the largest, if not the largest, fan bases in the country.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

The thing I don't get is that their business model basically attempts to piss off one fan base or another, presumably with the thought that it will drive ratings. And maybe it does. But I know for me, personally, I used to have Sports Center on damn near 24/7, or one of their other programs. Now, the only time I watch ESPN is when there is a game in which I have some interest. I suspect I'm not alone in shying away from them. It really begs the question, does this approach REALLY increase viewership over actually behaving as a responsible purveyor of sporting news? [Mark May], we have one of the largest, if not the largest, fan bases in the country.

You're not alone, but far too many people still watch knowing the idiots are going to say idiotic things. Then they get pissed off at the idiotic things the idiots say.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

The "Howard Stern model of business" is not just successful for talk radio. How many people on this site watch these idiots simply because they want to know what stupid thing they say next?

I can't think of the last time I watched anything on ESPN that wasn't a game in progress. I will always turn away from the channel at half time, and this includes nights when there isn't some other game on. I have enough interest in knowing what lunacy they are spouting to follow threads like this, and I can even be sucked into the occasional rant about some news story posted on their site or in game commentary that one of their shills have made... but.. all in all, I just don't subject myself to it any more.

On a different level, I've noticed that Chuck Thompson article popping up all over the place. ESPN has a long history of over saturating things (as do the other media outlets who aren't just covering sports) and it would seem that "SEC Fatigue" is starting to get traction. I think more and more people are starting to realize these idiots aren't journalists, aren't trying to discern any facts (ie report the news) so much as create a story line. It hit me when I saw a link to Danny Kannell and Paawwwwl talking about Urban's comments re: the BCS a couple weeks ago. Kannell says "It's interesting to me that we didn't hear a word from Meyer, nary a peep, when he was at Florida about the BCS" - a comment PAAWWWL goes on to agree with... Now.. the thing that sorta hit me was this - I have a memory. I know Urban was EXTREMELY vocal about Florida being selected over scUM. So, I was left with a choice - Believe that Kannell and Finebaum were intentionally writing a new story or they're just dumb. In either case, I have no use for them.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

The "Howard Stern model of business" is not just successful for talk radio. How many people on this site watch these idiots simply because they want to know what stupid thing they say next?

I have to be honest here. I've watched more secpn in the last three months than I have in the last 4 years. In that same vein of honesty, it is some of the funniest shit I've ever seen on TV. The Baylor episodes were comedy gold. The Stanford chronicles coinciding with the subtle undertones of the ACC being overrated was pure genius. Once again I cannot lie, watching these dumb asses trying to get up shit creek without a paddle is, if nothing else, somewhat satisfying. I know it's not for everyone, but watching these pumpkins reaching for anything they can, and in doing so creating epic fail videos worthy of YouTube, is nothing short of hysterical.

 

[matcar]

Urban was vocal about Florida in place of TTUN before the period of SEC wins. So not sure that applies.

That said, most folks here who no longer watch SportCenter - myself included - no longer do so because we are older and don't watch a lot of that fodder on any channel. We got older and have better things to do. So all we watch are games. My son, on the other hand, still watches that stuff. But I expect that by the time he's approaching 30, he will move on as well.

 

[LostLassie]

I know Urban was EXTREMELY vocal about Florida being selected over scUM. So, I was left with a choice - Believe that Kannell and Finebaum were intentionally writing a new story or they're just dumb. In either case, I have no use for them.

Abso-freakin'-lutely Urban was. I distinctly remember, he was on shows talking up his team and campaigning like crazy to get them in. I thought he had a little influence on the outcome back then. (He wasn't quite as popular with me as he is now, of course. But it was clear he was good at fighting for his guys.)

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I have to be honest here. I've watched more secpn in the last three months than I have in the last 4 years. In that same vein of honesty, it is some of the funniest [Mark May] I've ever seen on TV. The Baylor episodes were comedy gold. The Stanford chronicles coinciding with the subtle undertones of the ACC being overrated was pure genius. Once again I cannot lie, watching these dumb asses trying to get up [Mark May] creek without a paddle is, if nothing else, somewhat satisfying. I know it's not for everyone, but watching these pumpkins reaching for anything they can, and in doing so creating epic fail videos worthy of YouTube, is nothing short of hysterical.

True, but I used to have a morning routine that included waking up, drinking my coffee, watching sportscenter as I "woke up" every day. It was back in the days when Kenny Mayne was funny (or I thought so, anyway) Olbermann and Patrick were - again in my opinion - a great tandum, and even Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott has strong moments... I digress... I still get up earlier than I have to, to drink my coffee and "wake up" But, I don't put sportscenter on anymore. It's not because I've grown out of my interest in sports, I can tell you that.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Abso-freakin'-lutely Urban was. I distinctly remember, he was on shows talking up his team and campaigning like crazy to get them in. I thought he had a little influence on the outcome back then. (He wasn't quite as popular with me as he is now, of course. But it was clear he was good at fighting for his guys.)

Worst part about it for ESPN is this - links to Urban's politicking can still be found on ESPN's OWN fuckin site!

 

[Woody1968]

True, but I used to have a morning routine that included waking up, drinking my coffee, watching sportscenter as I "woke up" every day. It was back in the days when Kenny Mayne was funny (or I thought so, anyway) Olbermann and Patrick were - again in my opinion - a great tandum, and even Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott has strong moments... I digress... I still get up earlier than I have to, to drink my coffee and "wake up" But, I don't put sportscenter on anymore. It's not because I've grown out of my interest in sports, I can tell you that.

Even College Gameday was pretty good up until the mid 2000s. Before Corso became a total clown, and The Big Ten Network started to threaten the cash cow.

 

[LostLassie]

One nice thing about having BTN right now. In the last week, those guys have repeatedly ripped apart the Spin's SEC propaganda--it's fun to hear someone say Oh, baloney! and counter their stats.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

True, but I used to have a morning routine that included waking up, drinking my coffee, watching sportscenter as I "woke up" every day. It was back in the days when Kenny Mayne was funny (or I thought so, anyway) Olbermann and Patrick were - again in my opinion - a great tandum, and even Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott has strong moments... I digress... I still get up earlier than I have to, to drink my coffee and "wake up" But, I don't put sportscenter on anymore. It's not because I've grown out of my interest in sports, I can tell you that.

It's not like I wake up and turn on sportscenter or anything. In fact I don't think I really ever have. Hell the only time I turn on Mike and Mike is when I know Greenie is going to be miserable. The shows talking exclusively about college football are where I find the humor, and it only gets better with every Buckeye victory. To be honest the only thing I find more amusing than secpn saying that (pick from the list) so and so is better than the Buckeyes, is seeing some people here actually try and convince us that they are right.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

One nice thing about having BTN right now. In the last week, those guys have repeatedly ripped apart the Spin's SEC propaganda--it's fun to hear someone say Oh, baloney! and counter their stats.

"Right Now" being the key words. There has been plenty of bullshit allowed to flow freely all year on the BTN. I don't mind being partial and fair but don't let someone come on the show spouting the same shit you hear on the four letter network and let it go unchallenged. What is the point of having your own network if it doesn't help support the brand it's named after? The Big Ten and Beyond show is damn near as un-watchable to me as some say secpn is to them...it has way too much beyond for my liking.

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

The "Howard Stern model of business" is not just successful for talk radio. How many people on this site watch these idiots simply because they want to know what stupid thing they say next?

I can't think of the last time I watched anything on ESPN that wasn't a game in progress. I will always turn away from the channel at half time, and this includes nights when there isn't some other game on. I have enough interest in knowing what lunacy they are spouting to follow threads like this, and I can even be sucked into the occasional rant about some news story posted on their site or in game commentary that one of their shills have made... but.. all in all, I just don't subject myself to it any more.

On a different level, I've noticed that Chuck Thompson article popping up all over the place. ESPN has a long history of over saturating things (as do the other media outlets who aren't just covering sports) and it would seem that "SEC Fatigue" is starting to get traction. I think more and more people are starting to realize these idiots aren't journalists, aren't trying to discern any facts (ie report the news) so much as create a story line. It hit me when I saw a link to Danny Kannell and Paawwwwl talking about Urban's comments re: the BCS a couple weeks ago. Kannell says "It's interesting to me that we didn't hear a word from Meyer, nary a peep, when he was at Florida about the BCS" - a comment PAAWWWL goes on to agree with... Now.. the thing that sorta hit me was this - I have a memory. I know Urban was EXTREMELY vocal about Florida being selected over scUM. So, I was left with a choice - Believe that Kannell and Finebaum were intentionally writing a new story or they're just dumb. In either case, I have no use for them.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

It took me a while (I'm kinda slow to pick up on things sometimes) but I eventually figured it out. You wouldn't tune in MSNBC and expect to hear them cheerfully praising the Tea Party folks. You wouldn't switch to Fox News and think you're going to hear them promoting some liberal policy. Depending on your personal viewpoint, watching these channels can be about as much fun as hitting yourself in the head with a hammer.

ESPiN is the sports equivalent of MSNBC/Fox. Anyone who watches ESPiN expecting to see Sports Journalism (who, what, when, where, why, how--free of editorial content or sensationalism) is going to be at the least disappointed, and worse, frequently misled. Agenda-driven Journalism, well, that should be an oxymoron. Sad fact is, Yellow is the dominant color of the dominant "news" media now.

I know I'm stating the obvious. But, BP does exist to provide free online therapy, doesn't it?

Yep, and they've done it to both the largest collective alumni base in the nation and the group with the one with the largest footprint outside its own region.

Even College Gameday was pretty good up until the mid 2000s. Before Corso became a total clown, and The Big Ten Network started to threaten the cash cow.

We need to threaten it more. We need to move to FOX, give FSN a big boost and (by joining the PAC over there) create a FOX college football stronghold stretching in an unbroken line from New York to Los Angeles--54% of the US population (if one counts NY). Not to mention immediately making FSN a player in college basketball.

 

[LostLassie]

"Right Now" being the key words. There has been plenty of bull[Mark May] allowed to flow freely all year on the BTN. I don't mind being partial and fair but don't let someone come on the show spouting the same [Mark May] you hear on the four letter network and let it go unchallenged. What is the point of having your own network if it doesn't help support the brand it's named after? The Big Ten and Beyond show is damn near as un-watchable to me as some say secpn is to them...it has way too much beyond for my liking.

It's definitely not everyone on BTN that supports the brand. True, I've heard some annoying BS on there as well.