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OK -
ATH first.
You have to step back and view the show through a different prism than other sports shows. ATH is by design meant to be irreverent and amusing. Do not take anything on it seriously...watch "Real Sports" on HBO for that.
The points system is obviously just there to prop up or humiliate the various cast of sports journalists. Woody Paige for example - he was in Denver for years, then he moved to NYC, then back to Denver. He's the country bumpkin from Tennessee - always doing or saying something stupid - the comic foil if you will. The Blackboard behind him with a ever changing funny pay on words is priceless sometimes.
Jay Mariotti from Chicago - Jordan sycophant, Chicago homer - they all gang up on him.
Bill Plaschke from L.A. - the "reverend" - they make fun of him too - mocking his "holier than thou" persona and bald head.
J.A. Adande from L.A. - taking you to the lounge every time he wins - he's smart yet funny - he gets beat up a lot too.
Blackistone, Cowlishaw, Bob Ryan, Jackie McMullen, Michael Smith and a host of others switching off day to day add something fresh to each show. I especially enjoy the way that they all gang up on the only female member of the group, Jackie McMullen.
Does anyone remember when Max Kellerman hosted the show before stat boy Reali from PTI took over?
I watch ATH for one reason and one reason only - it makes me laugh.
Now my favorite - PTI.
Either you get Tony Kornhieser or you don't. First off, he's a brilliant writer and not just about sports. He used to write for the Washington Post style section, and his columns were wide ranging and sometimes hysterically funny. Dig up some of his old radio shows from the 90's - they are out there - they were non-stop laugh fests. "Old Guy Radio" loved it. When Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame accidently broke into Tony's house (he had the right house number, but the wrong street) and encountered Tony's wife in the kitchen he had him on PTI the next day. It was very funny and Tony was impressed that he had the opportunity to meet him, even if it was in his kitchen at 1:00 am with his totally freaked out wife.
It was "chlassic" like Tony says.
Wilbon. I love Wilbon. Long suffering Bears and Cubs fan, and south side Chicago native he's a brilliant writer in his own unique way. Big time NBA fan I love the way he mocks Tony's love for all things campy like "Dancing with the stars" and yes...even American Idol.
I guess PTI started when Wilbon would call into Tony's radio show and during commercial breaks they would go at each other, hurling sometimes profane insults and those that were listening on the web would get to hear these sometimes hysterical interactions. I wonder if some smart ESPN executive heard them as well and said "we got to get these guy's their own show". That guy deserves a pay raise because PTI is the highest rated sports talk show on ESPN or any other station.
When something bad has happened (the Virginia Tech massacre is a good example) the show becomes serious and all business and Kornhieser and Wilbon often touch on these subjects with a very deft hand and it's compelling viewing.
There are plenty of gimmick segments that really make the show. "Odds-makers" where they place odds on something happening in sports. "Over and Under" where they bet on percentages of something happening in sports. "Toss Up" which Kornhieser always wins often with Wilbon mocking him. "Predictions" which Kornhieser dressers up as a fortune teller complete with a crystal ball is the only segment that features "callers" although I suspect they are not really callers but some of the writers pretending to be so.
If you have ever seen the show at Christmas time when Wilbon dresses as an elf, complete with little pointed ears is some funny viewing.
The MNF football segments this year were some great stuff - broadcasting from whatever stadium the game was being played in often in the rain, wind and freezing cold. Brilliant.
This is a great show, and I usually watch it late at night after I get off from work. It completes my day.
Check it out - and give it some time - it'll grow on you. And by the way -
I LOVE THE PENGUIN DANCE!
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