http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=sportscenter/040805Before returning to Bristol to kick off SportsCenter's "Old School Week" (Sunday, 11 p.m. ET), CBS's "Late Late Show" host Craig Kilborn and ESPN's Dan Patrick rekindled some of the long dormant embers that made them en fuego, on the radio show that bears Dan's name.
Craig Kilborn left ESPN in 1996 for Comedy Central and now hosts CBS's "Late Late Show."Here are some highlights:
Dan Patrick: Are you nervous?
Craig Kilborn: No, I'm just glad you're going to be there.
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CK: I noticed they (SportsCenter directors) do a tease now that includes a full-length shot of the anchor. I've never worn a suit at ESPN and I don't plan on starting now. I'm just going to wear a jacket and jeans. So, would you mind doing the opening tease thing? It's easier for you to pack a suit from your home than for me to haul one across the country.
DP: Well, if you start packing now, you could probably remember to pack a suit.
CK: I like to pack lightly.
DP: You know, that's been your label -- that you're not packing much.
CK: (laughter) Oh that's right! Hey, we're a team now. At least for a night.
DP: We're the "Dream Team" on Sunday night. Do you at least have a tie?
CK: Yes, absolutely. And I'm wearing an old blazer that (Chris) Berman gave me.
I'm going to do it right this time too, with no catch phrases. I'm just gonna give 'em the scores and highlights and get out of there.
DP: Oh there's no way you can do that!
CK: Let's just get out clean. I don't like all the young punks who try to be entertaining. I just want the scores and highlights. I want to see Iverson's shot at the buzzer and let go. Ya know?
DP: Alright, if you want to play it straight on Sunday, so will I.
CK: At least for a few minutes.
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Dan Patrick is going back, back, back ... Well, not this far back.
DP: How much sports have you followed besides basketball?
CK: OH! Barry Bonds . . . GONE! Com'on, this is easy!
Here's the thing, people ask if I'm excited, and I am. It's an honor to be asked to come back. But if it were hoops season, there would be a little more giddy-up in my approach. I'm just going to have fun and enjoy the moment.
Obviously, it's the post-show beer with Dan Patrick that I'm really looking forward to.
DP: I think we should take down Bristol, like we once did, many years ago.
CK: (laughter) Whooo! I think I had two drinks in Bristol in my three years there. I don't really know how it works.
Who's coming in on Sunday? Is (Mike) Tirico, (Steve) Levy or (Karl) Ravech going to come by? How does this work?
DP: I have no idea.
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DP: I know any publicity is good publicity, but in a recent Sports Illustrated article on Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova . . . did you see the quote in there from her agent?
Here's the exact quote, because I am a journalist. This is from the article "A Star is Born" by Jon Wertheim: Maria Sharapova appearing on the Craig Kilborn Show last year, according to her agent from IMG Max Eisenbud, "We did Craig Kilborn's show last year, the thinking was, if you mess up, who knows about it?"
CK: Ahh, that's right! We break 'em in Dan!
It doesn't bother me. I pride myself on interviews. There was this really good interviewer who once said to me, "I really enjoy your interviews." And that man was Dan Patrick. Now, he'll give me a little guff on his radio show, but he knows there's only a few of us out there.
DP: Well, I admire you because no matter who the woman is, you somehow try to pick-up on her.
CK: It makes for good television Dan.
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CK: I finally saw "Anchorman." Did you enjoy "Anchorman"? What were your thoughts?
DP: Of all Will Ferrell movies, it's not at the top of my favorites.
CK: I know you loved "Old School." Now, rank "Old School," "Anchorman," "Starsky and Hutch" and "Dodgeball" in order.
DP: I'm going "Old School" right away, no question. And put the other three right there together. But you can't go wrong with "Old School."
I love you Blue.
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Even Dan can't get Craig to dish the dirt on his Hollywood love life.
DP: Are you dating anyone famous?
CK: No, I don't do that. I'm a very private young man.
DP: But you've tried to?
CK: Not worth the headache, Dan.
DP: Well, you had to date someone to find out it was a headache. Tara Reid? Doesn't everyone go out with Tara Reid?
CK: Well, she's like a little sister to everybody.
DP: Winona Ryder?
CK: Never met her.
Who's going to date an actress? You've got to be crazy to do that, right?
DP: But that's like saying, I don't like brussel sprouts. But I have to try brussel sprouts to know I don't like them.
CK: Alright, Phyllis George. OK, you twisted my arm.
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DP: Do I have to do the "Late Late Show" now?
CK: But how will you get across the country? Does ESPN have a private jet yet?
DP: Yeah, but it's parked at Berman's house so I never get to use it.
CK: Ahh, Boomer, if I get his permission, I'm going to make reference to "Hotel California" during SportsCenter -- You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
DP: You can do whatever you like
CK: By the way, I know they're bringing back five anchors. Am I the only one getting an appearance fee? I shouldn't talk about this . . . But it's going to be exciting, right?
DP: There's no drinking before the show.
CK: Just during? Again, my approach is to have fun. Someone printed up some of the old catch phrases, and I forgot some of them. I don't know what's going to happen Dan, let's just enjoy ourselves.