The GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts reports hockey broadcaster Ron MacLean for the first time in 28 years is "not scheduled to be in a host’s chair for any of the first-round series" of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. MacLean will "only be seen in his role as Don Cherry’s sidekick on Coach’s Corner, although the plan is to have the popular duo on the air almost every night." Rogers' broadcast staff "has not been told formally what the plans are for the playoffs." But MacLean said that he "does not expect to be doing anything other than Coach’s Corner." He added, "Oh, I’m happy. I think it will be good for Grapes (Cherry) to do Coach’s Corner every night." But Shoalts writes Canadian viewers "may not be happy seeing MacLean in a reduced role as a host." It looks at this point like Rogers' George Stroumboulopoulos "will be the host for most of the broadcasts, in particular the bigger series involving Canadian teams" on Hockey Night in Canada (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/7).
WEEKEND FODDER: In Virginia, Mark Berman noted ESPN Radio in January launched "Marty and McGee," a call-in talk show hosted by Marty Smith and Ryan McGee. The show airs Saturdays from 2:00-4:00pm ET. Smith: "It’s ridiculous that they are letting us do this. I never dreamed I could have a radio show on ESPN Radio." The two previously hosted an ESPN podcast together, which "became so popular that ESPN decided to put Smith and McGee on the radio this year as part of ESPN Radio’s revamped weekend lineup." Smith: "We are so off the reservation compared to normal sports talk radio. What we try to do is be the guys at the end of the bar that you and your buddies meet and want to talk sports with" (ROANOKE TIMES, 4/6).
DOING HIS HOMEWORK: In S.F., Bruce Jenkins noted Tim Roye is "calling his 20th season as the Warriors' lead radio announcer." Roye "devotes most of his off-court time to studying the rest of the league." Roye: "At home I’ve got 'League Pass', and I’m watching everything I can, especially involving teams coming up on our schedule. It gives me a feel for how they’re playing, and one of the announcers might come up with a story I’d never have known otherwise." On the road, Roye "seeks out hotels that have built-in DVD players." Such was the case Saturday in Dallas, where Roye "was able to watch a DVD he’d made of a recent Mavericks game." Roye: "Otherwise, I'll pop it onto my computer and watch it that way" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/5).
NOTES: SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported "SportsCenter" anchor Bram Weinstein "has parted ways with ESPN," and this past Thursday was "his last day." Weinstein "was a quality writer and an engaging figure on the air." Deitsch: "He'll be missed" (SI.com, 4/5)....In Charlotte, Ron Green wrote he has "chosen to stay at home" this year "after 60 years of covering the Augusta Masters golf tournament." Green: "I'm satisfied with what I did in those 60 years in Augusta. ... I want to leave it alone. It doesn't need any more chapters" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/5).
