Maybe it's just me because I'm so old school that ,ost of today's sports show host/announcers have an ego all their own. It seems to me it is more about them than the stories they are reporting on or the people they are interviewing. One of my all time favorite sports personalities is Roy Firestone. He always gave great interviews and ask fair questions. Don't know what happened to him. Who are some of yours. OFC
Sports show host/announcers.
- Thread starter skysdad
- Start date
This is a cool topic.
John Saunders is probably my favorite anchor/program host of all-time. Saunders as the calming presence for Valvano and Vitale is some of my favorite studio work ever.
I like Ernie Johnson, and I think he plays a hell of straight man in a room full of personality.
I think a federal law should be passed that no televised discussion of baseball should take place without Bob Costas. He's that good in that realm and his passion for the subject makes baseball seem like the most important sport ever created.
Although she doesn't do sports anymore, I always enjoyed Robin Roberts work in the studio.
Currently, aside from EJ, I like Scott Van Pelt and Maria Taylor.
Although, he serves most notably as an analyst (and this is damn close to blasphemy), I am a big fan of Jalen Rose. Teenage me would be very confused.
As you mentioned Roy Firestone (who was outstanding) did you ever watch any of Rick Reilly's "Homecoming," specials?
Really good topic Sky. I am an OFC of course, and many folks wont make the correlation here because its not entirely sports related. Those from NC may remember an interview show former UNC system president and the late Bill Friday hosted. It came on early Sunday evenings on Public Television Channel. I saw Friday occasionally interview sports figures from around the state including our beloved Bones McKinney and others. I had the pleasure of meeting him once after his retirement. One of the most humble gentlemen I've ever met.
OFC
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I agree about Roy Firestone his interviews were interesting. My favorite baseball guys were Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubeck from way back. I think the talent level has dropped across the board for announcers. I watch a lot of golf and I'm surprised that Faldo has survived this long.
Enjoyed Firestone, and grew up with Curt and Tony on Saturday afternoons. Three good ones!
OFC
Did any of y'all watch ESPN's Sports Reporters?
Sports I like Pat Summerall and Brent Musburger. Talk shows (not sports) I always liked Charlie Rose, before the disturbing allegations. He asked questions and then actually listened to his guest, and was not just waiting to throw in a zinger like Leno or Letterman. I also like Jeremy Shcaap. Baseball I like Vin Scully. He certainly rambles; but I associate him with baseball.
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Gowdy and Don Meredith, not together.. Howard Cossel, doubt I spelled his name correctly, could be both interesting and obnoxious, but knowledgeable. Today , I really like most of them.
I've seen a few of you guys give this one the thumbs up, did any of you have any favorites from over the years?
I was sure that Roy Firestone was dead. He's apparently fine and doing a one-man show of storytelling, singing,etc. in Las Vegas and on the road. He's only 66 years old
Loved it. Dick Schaap, Mike Lupica, Mitch Albom, Bob Ryan, William Rhoden, etc. It was Sunday morning, wasn't it? Couldn't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday but I didn't miss that show.
I never liked lupica or albom. Ryan used to be great, but he smacks his lips a lot now. I'm sure that he can't help it. He's pretty old. Those three now do 'Sports Reporters' as a podcast on Mondays and Thursdays
I was always a huge fan of both Ralph Wiley and Mitch Albom. I also liked Bill Rhoden and Bill Conlin. I can even remember enjoying the work of a young Stephen A (both in print and on the show) before he became a caricature of himself.
Third or fourth maybe.
Real talk, Stephen A the Philadelphia beat reporter was very good and completely different than Hot Take Stephen A. You can occasionally see flashes of that guy when he's on Top Rank Boxing.
I will give him, along with Skip Bayless, credit. They saw traditional print media was changing and saw the rise of Jim Rome style TV media being the wave of the future. They adjusted, created a gimmick and became far wealthier than either could have ever imagined when they were pursuing their journalism degrees.
Jim Valvano had his own show on wptf. It was spectacular. He was a great talker. An entertainer. A very smart man who loved basketball, but also realized it was just ten tall men in short pants
Listened every Monday nite ged! Loved it! OFC
Tony Romo gives the best play analysis I have heard in any sport, not just football. Besides, he is a Duke fan.
Skip Carey. Would have a little transistor radio under my pillow as a kid listening to Braves games. Esp when they were in the west and those 10:30 starts.
A lot of people sometimes think he's over the top, but I could listen to Gus Johnson call basketball games all day.
Harry Carrey was far from polished, but as a kid growing up in the Midwest with access to WGN it was hard not to take notice. The Cubs were pretty bad in those days....yet Harry always made it entertaining.
Huge fan of the Sports Reporters as a teenager. Always tuned in right after church on Sunday mornings. Dick Schaap was brilliant.
Also loved Pat Summerall and John Madden together.
Harry Carrey was far from polished, but as a kid growing up in the Midwest with access to WGN it was hard not to take notice. The Cubs were pretty bad in those days....yet Harry always made it entertaining.
Huge fan of the Sports Reporters as a teenager. Always tuned in right after church on Sunday mornings. Dick Schaap was brilliant.
Also loved Pat Summerall and John Madden together.
I'm now very fortunate to have a career that I like. Years ago, I would dread the prospect of going to work on Monday. There was nothing more soothing than Summerall and Madden calling a 4:00 NFC game.
I'm a huge fan of Tony Kornheiser and Roy Firestone. I was disappointed to hear Kornheiser say that he doesn't like Firestone. PTI replaced Roy Firestone and earned much higher ratings
I still remember waiting to hear Sail With The Pilot and listening to Jim Thacker and Bones doing ACC BB on Saturday.Was the highlight of the weekend
Remember Dizzy Dean saying it is the bottom of the seventh and it’s time for a Falstaff
Give me Jim Nantz covering the Masters. McCord and Feherty are worth watching. In football, none better than Madden.
Love Terry Bradshaw too.
Love Terry Bradshaw too.
Some people think he is turrible, but I like Charles Barkley.
College BB: Gus Johnson is the best. Wish we did more FOX games, we only get him now when we play St Johns (which may not be happening anymore). I also love Bill Walton, but that's probably because we enjoy the same recreational activities, I'm glad he doesn't do Duke games.
NBA: Jeff Van Gundy as sharp as it gets. And when it comes to Studio shows/guys, nothing comes close to the NBAonTNT show with Charles Barkley.
NFL: Romo is amazing. Calls out plays before they happen.
NBA: Jeff Van Gundy as sharp as it gets. And when it comes to Studio shows/guys, nothing comes close to the NBAonTNT show with Charles Barkley.
NFL: Romo is amazing. Calls out plays before they happen.
Charles is just about the only thing tolerable about the NBA. He’s an American treasure.