CBS Sports Network last night debuted "We Need To Talk," the net's new weekly all-female sports talk show. Co-host Lesley Visser introduced the show on-set alongside 10 other analysts. Visser said, "Welcome to 'We Need To Talk,' the first sports show on a national network comprised of all women -- inventive, knowledgeable, conversational, women who've never had a platform quite like this before." The first topic discussed was the domestic violence scandal that has rocked the NFL recently, taking almost the first 30 minutes of the hour-long broadcast. Visser called September "arguably one of the worst months in the history of the NFL." She said the handling of the Ray Rice case "has been bungled from the beginning, but I am trying to take a longer view." Visser noted she has known NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "for a quarter of a century, and I was in great admiration of him for the way he handled the Michael Vick situation." Visser: "I cannot condemn him now." CBS' Tracy Wolfson said, "I do think Goodell is moving in the right direction ... but what I am confused about is why we haven't heard from the players' association." The show also dedicated a fair amount of time to the developing situation around the Michigan football team and its handling of the apparent head injury suffered by QB Shane Morris. Other topics brought up on the show included the Raiders firing coach Dennis Allen, the recent DUI of swimmer Michael Phelps, the Pirates making the MLB Playoffs for the second year in a row, and the U.S.' disappointing showing in the Ryder Cup. Yankees SS Derek Jeter's recent retirement led to the retired athletes on the panel trading stories of their final moments as an active competitor. The show also featured a segment of what's trending on social media and a "We Need To Listen" commentary segment on the NFL's pink initiative, which was delivered by NFL Network's Andrea Kremer ("We Need To Talk," CBSSN, 9/30).
INITIAL REACTIONS: The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Steve Carp wrote on his Twitter feed, "Watching 'We Need To Talk' On CBSSN. Some smart women with some strong opinions re: domestic violence." FS1's Julie Stewart-Binks wrote, "First few minutes of 'We Need to Talk' is serious, credible & informative. Respect the competitor for taking a huge step for women." Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman wrote, "The debut of We Need to Talk was excellent." SI's Richard Deitsch wrote, "We Need To Talk has a lot of potential and bright people behind the scenes. Show will improve with normal rotation of less people on set." USA Today's Maggie Hendricks wrote, "Watching 'We Need to Talk' now. Impressed by the group assembled, but not really down with the format."
IT'S ABOUT TIME: SI.com's Deitsch previewed the show before last night's episode aired and wrote CBS Sports execs deserve credit for "executing a concept that’s long overdue." The quality of “on-air staffers and behind-the-scenes people is first rate,” and if it is given enough time to develop, the show “has the potential to be outstanding.” CBS Coordinating Producer Emilie Deutsch said, “I’m serious about this -- I want this show to succeed for all these little girls across the country who sit and watch baseball games with their Dads and Moms and want to get into this business and have been -- and I choose these words carefully -- relegated to three minutes during a football game.” Deitsch notes the show has 12 "regular on-air commentators," including CBS Sports' Visser, Wolfoson, Dana Jacobson, Allie LaForce and Amy Trask, as well as several current and former athletes. Kremer said, “I wanted to do this show because it’s historic, and kudos to CBS for the decision to move forward with this idea that so many of us have harbored for years.” Trask said, “This show is really a pivotal moment in sports television but ultimately the show should be judged based on the quality of the show” (
SI.com, 9/30).
