Menu
Media

Simmons' HBO Debut Highlighted By Commercial Advice For Curry, Affleck Profanity

Bill Simmons' weekly HBO show "Any Given Wednesday" debuted last night, and it was a "relatively unimpressive affair, despite being front-loaded with top-notch guests," according to Brian Lowry of CNN.com After Simmons "delivered an extended ode" to Cavaliers F LeBron James for his latest NBA championship, Simmons "brought out analyst Charles Barkley to debate whether the Cleveland star ranked among the best three basketball players ever." After that, Simmons interviewed actor Ben Affleck, but mostly let the Boston native "rant for what seemed like an interminable period about how unfair the NFL was in suspending" Patriots QB Tom Brady over Deflategate. At times, Simmons and his guests "seemed almost too loose." Simmons has "demonstrated himself to be adept at viewing sports through a larger prism." However, as TV hosts go, his debut "came across as strictly a minor-league product" (CNN.com, 6/23). On Long Island, Neil Best writes a "sports talk radio show broke out" during the TV broadcast. Best: "Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that. ... But that cannot be all there is, not for a show with the advertising budget and aspirations of this one." It was not an "unpleasant way to spend a half-hour of one's limited time on Earth." However, in its first attempt, the show "failed at the biggest challenge facing anyone who tried anything in our oversaturated, repetitive, mind-numbing sports media environment: being different, being fresh, being must-see" (NEWSDAY, 6/23).

COMMERCIAL APPEAL: Simmons, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and sneakers, gave some "timely advice" to Warriors G Stephen Curry following the Barkley segment. Simmons said, “When I was growing up, NBA superstars were true trendsetters … (and) every superstar from the '80s and '90s understood one thing: Your commercials either had to be really cool or really ridiculous, with no in between.” Simmons said of Curry, “Remember when he had the highest approval rating of any NBA player in 20 years?" But Simmons said “everything turned” in the NBA Finals when Curry “lost his mojo and his crown as the NBA's best player." Simmons: "He even lost control of his wife on Twitter." Simmons called Curry's new footwear line "crummy" and asked, "Can we at least get Steph a decent commercial?” Simmons: “Steph’s ads are the NBA’s equivalent of your buddy who becomes a millionaire and insists on driving a Ford Pinto.” Simmons said Curry’s ads keep turning him "into something he's not." Simmons: "He doesn't have a twin brother, he doesn't sweep his own confetti, he doesn’t dribble in business casual and he's definitely not a creepy psycho. ... It's like he joined an Under Armour cult" ("Any Given Wednesday," HBO, 6/22).

WATCH & LEARN: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Daniel Fienberg wrote Affleck's oratory is "sure to be the biggest takeaway" which makes the show "plenty difficult to review." It was a "bizarre anomaly, because the first five minutes had been somewhat dull, nonspecific conversation." However, as the interview continued Affleck went "off the rails." There are "technical aspects that obviously still need working out." Fienberg: "I'd be much more generous about the myriad points of sloppiness" if the show were live. But since the show is pre-taped, the "expectations of tighter punchlines, more clearly edited film and better spatial awareness aren't unfair." Despite that there were "elements that had potential." What Simmons "did best was tap into the blending of pop culture and sports that has always been his calling card." Affleck "hijacking" the show was "probably the best thing to happen to Bill Simmons and company." It will "get people sharing clips and talking about the show." Producers can now "tinker with the mechanics of the thing in peace and let the raised eyebrows point in Affleck's direction, while also knowing that the Barkley interview and the smooth distillation of Simmons' voice exhibit the show's potential" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 6/22).  

BEN THERE, DONE THAT: In Newark, James Kratch writes it is "hard to decipher exactly what Affleck's point" about Giants QB Eli Manning was, because he "really had no point, other than saying a lot of expletives and showing his affection" for Brady. Affleck sounded like the guy "wearing the Brady jersey at the end of the bar" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/23). Social media commenters "thought something was off about Affleck, who appeared flustered and occasionally slurred his words during the interview" (VARIETY.com, 6/23). In N.Y., Daniel O'Leary notes the "final count" for Affleck's profanity usage was "F-Bombs: 19. S-Bombs: 3. Other bombs: 1" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 6/23). NBC's "Today" featured Affleck's rant during its "Pop Start" segment, with NBC's Dylan Dreyer noting the actor "didn't hold anything back." NBC's Matt Lauer: "Do they serve beer in the green room?" NBC's Al Roker: "Something a little harder than beer I think" ("Today," NBC, 6/23).

WRAPPING THINGS UP: The show's final segment was dubbed "Who's Got the Belt" and will feature Simmons paying "homage to the obvious winner of the week." Simmons said ESPN, the "same network that has no shame in running stuff" like content from Stephen A. Smith "might win the Oscar for a really good documentary that helped Caucasians finally understand the O.J. verdict" ("Any Given Wednesday," HBO, 6/22).

TWITTER REAX: Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock: "Hat tip to Bill Simmons on a strong debut for his new show. Simmons and HBO not scared." SI's Richard Deitsch: "Big advantage to Bill Simmons' show being taped: You can control the social media narrative much better than if it was live." Barstool Sports' Dan Katz: "Simmons first show was pretty rocky and not very good but judging off 1 show is unfair. ... Simmons talking about ESPN all the time at this point is just weird right? He's the ex that can't move on." Yahoo Sports' Leander Schaerlaeckens: "I was disinclined to like the first Bill Simmons show, but I really enjoyed it." Newsday's Best: "Everybody who goes on @HBO cannot resist test driving the F-word - repeatedly - just because they can."

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/06/23/Media/Simmons.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/06/23/Media/Simmons.aspx

CLOSE