CBS will present the IMG-produced special, "Tiger
Woods: Son, Hero, Champion," on Sunday at 3:00pm ET, just
before its final round coverage of The Masters. In N.Y.,
Richard Sandomir reviews the telecast: "CBS bought into the
naked conflict inherent in letting an athlete's agent
produce a 'profile' of the a client. ... CBS deserves what
it got -- an overlong, one-sided, presumptuous, poorly
written fawn-fest about a 21-year-old golfer who has barely
started living his life." Sandomir also notes that SI golf
writer Jaime Diaz, who wrote the script, "entered a conflict
minefield by participating in this business venture" (N.Y.
TIMES, 4/11). In DC, Leonard Shapiro writes under the
header, "CBS Special On Woods: Just Boo It," that "there can
be no plausible defense" for the one-hour special.
Shapiro: "It may be among the saddest hours in this once-
proud network's history." CBS Sports President Sean
McManus: "I look at it as an extended up close and personal
segment that is no more flattering or less objective than
any up close and personal aired by any other major network.
... it's not a journalistic piece" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/11).
In L.A., Mike Penner writes that despite CBS Sports saying
the show is not a "jouranlistic endeavor," it "isn't
presented as such. Its inclusion as part of the CBS Sunday
Masters package, along with [Jim] Nantz's involvement,
clouds the intent and purpose" (L.A. TIMES, 4/11).
SECOND ROUND: McManus says limited Masters coverage has
led to higher ratings for The Masters than other golf
majors, notably NBC's 12 hours of U.S. Open coverage.
McManus: "Our final day rating is 74 percent better. ... So
I'm not interested in adding hours" (USA TODAY, 4/11).
...Charles Barkley, on pulling for Woods: "That's the only
time they allow black people there. That's why I'm pulling
for Tiger" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/11)....The weather for the
weekend: "There is a 50% chance for thunderstorms for both
Saturday and Sunday" (Michael O'Bryon, iGOLF, 4/11).