Showtime Wednesday night at 10:00pm ET will debut a six-week run of "Jim Rome On Showtime," and host Jim Rome said that the show "will be different" from the various daily talk shows he has hosted in his career, according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. Rome said, "Rant, interview, panel, rant, then 'see you tomorrow.' It's what I've done for 20 years. I like doing it and will keep doing it every single day. But this won't be the daily topical grind. ... I'll have people I would never normally talk to." Wednesday's show will include actor Matthew Perry, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, former NFLer Tiki Barber, Lakers G Kobe Bryant, NBPA President Derek Fisher and Warriors co-Owner Peter Guber. Rome, whose CBS deal "includes cameos on the broadcast network," suggests Showtime "will be sort of liberating." He said, "It's premium cable, as opposed to basic cable, so I can push the envelope and do some things I haven't been able to do in the past" (USA TODAY, 11/19). Rome compared the Showtime venture to his daily show on CBS Sports Network and said, "It's different in a lot of ways, far and away the most challenging show I've ever taken on ... there's nothing else like it on television." He added, "It's nice to know if I want to go to another place and push another envelope, I can do that. There'll be a crossover element. People in the arts, politicians, literary people ... who have an opinion on sports" (L.A. TIMES, 11/19). SI.com's Richard Deitsch noted the show is "part of CBS' using of Rome across multiple platforms." In addition to shows on Showtime and CBSSN, his radio show "will debut on CBS Radio in January 2013." CBSSN "hasn't gained much ratings traction," but Deitsch noted he has "long appreciated Rome's giving run to sports writers we don't often see on television" (SI.com, 11/19).
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: Rome said that his new radio show "will be similar to the show distributed for years by Clear Channel's Premier Radio Networks." He said, "I would be foolish not to take advantage of some of the resources that CBS offers. Looking at their plans, I can tell you that they are getting an extremely motivated host" (CHRON.com, 11/20). More Rome: "I could not have had a better partner than Premier Radio. They have been wonderful to me, and I will be forever grateful. But CBS Radio is launching in January, and they will be offering me a chance to be on in cities where I have not been before, which is exciting" (WASHINGTONEXAMINER.com, 11/19).
