FSN Declines To Renew Contracts Of "BDSSP" Hosts Peete, Dibble

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

Lewis To Be One Of Several Guest Hosts On FSN's "BDSSP"

FSN has taken Rodney Peete and Rob Dibble off its "Best Damn Sports Show Period" series, deciding not to renew their contracts. The network will replace the duo with rotating guest hosts who will work with regulars Chris Rose, John Salley and Charissa Thompson. The first show without Peete and Dibble, who have been with "BDSSP" since April '05, came on April 22 with former NFLer Eddie George and Giants LB Antonio Pierce serving as guest hosts. The hosts did not mention Peete and Dibble's departure and have no plans to do so. An FSN spokesperson said, "This will give people a chance to see which athletes are going to be good on TV. The show refreshes talent every few years." In addition to George and Pierce, FSN plans to use about 10 regulars to serve as guest hosts. They include Giants DE Michael Strahan, Univ. of Memphis men's basketball coach John Calipari, D'Backs LF Eric Byrnes, former NBAer Gary Payton, Ravens LB Ray Lewis and Fox MLB analyst Mark Grace. The FSN spokesperson dismissed rumors that "BDSSP" would be canceled this season, pointing to a year-long Hooters sponsorship that was signed recently. The spokesperson: "People have been saying that the show was going away since it was six weeks old -- and that was 1,600 shows ago. The show sells. It has a loyal fan base. It's not going anywhere."