| | The Daily Insider
Morning News & Headlines
Friday, September 27, 2002
9:00am ET | |
| |
| • | Ryder Cup Coverage Opens Today On USA, Continues On NBC This Weekend |
| • | Despite Injuries And Age, Jordan To Return To Wizards In '02-03 |
| • | MLB Commissioner's Office To Meet Today To Set Division Series Start Times |
| • | Disney Theme Park Boss Leaves To Fill The Gap At Retail Clothing Chain |
| • | NBC Wins Morning And Late-Night Viewership As Season Comes To A Close |
| • | A Lighter Buzz/In Other News/Laugh Track/TV Monitor/Final Jeopardy! |
NBC BRINGS DOUBLE-DIGIT CONTINGENT TO COVER RYDER CUP
The ORLANDO SENTINEL notes that USA Network began its coverage of the Ryder Cup today at 8:00am ET, and will feature ten hours of coverage, while NBC will offer ten straight hours tomorrow, starting at 8:00am. Both nets will "augment their coverage with tape-delayed footage," as live golf is expected to end around noon. On Sunday, all coverage on NBC will be live, starting at 7:00am. NBC has sent a "double-digit announcing contingent" to England, including hosts Bob Costas and Dan Hicks, analyst Johnny Miller and guest analyst Nick Faldo. Referring to Miller's occasional reference to the U.S. team as "we," producer Tommy Roy said that "once he gets on the air, there will be no 'we' or 'them'" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/27).
JORDAN ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETURN TO WIZARDS IN '02-03
Wizards F Michael Jordan announced yesterday that he will play for the team again this season and "honor the second and final year of his $2.3 million contract." The WASHINGTON POST reports Jordan's decision "came with far less fanfare and drama than last year," when he helped the Wizards lead the league in attendance, as they sold out all 41 home games and all but three games on the road. NBA Commissioner David Stern, on Jordan's announcement: "I think that's great news for Wizards fans as well as basketball fans around the world" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/27).
MLB TO GRANT TWINS' WISH WITH DAY GAMES IN DIVISION SERIES
The Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE reports that the MLB Commissioner's office is "expected to meet this morning to set starting times" for the four Division Series. While the Twins had "initially been told to expect" night games in Oakland on Tuesday and Wednesday, the team was "given indications Thursday night that they will get their wish – day starting times" for the first three games of the series. The day starting times will help the team's travel and workout plans (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/26).
PRESSLER DEFECTION LIKELY TO REVIVE EISNER CRITICISM
The ORLANDO SENTINEL reports that Disney "was dealt an unexpected blow" yesterday when Theme Parks Chair and Anaheim Sports interim President Paul Pressler "left to revamp the troubled" Gap Inc. Pressler said that his decision "stems from his desire to become a chief executive." Pressler had been "viewed by some as a potential successor" to CEO Michael Eisner and his departure is "likely to revive criticism from investors and some board members" that Eisner has "not mapped out a clear succession plan" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/27).
A LIGHTER BUZZ
The AP reported that Mike Tyson testified before the OH Board of Tax Appeals yesterday, in an effort to get the state to return $5.8M in income taxes he paid in '95 and '96. Tyson said that his primary residence during that time was in NV. The two-day hearing will determine "whether Tyson should have paid taxes for those years, when he owned a 62-acre estate about 40 miles southeast of Cleveland" (AP, 9/26).
AZ racetrack Turf Paradise begins its 169-day meet today, with ten live races scheduled today beginning at 12:30pm PT. The track will have live racing Fridays through Tuesdays, with simulcast racing being held each day of the week (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/27).
The DETROIT FREE PRESS reports that the Detroit City Council passed a resolution yesterday, honoring former Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman "for 'an extraordinary coaching career' that 'will go down in legend'" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/27).
NFL BLACKOUT WATCH:
- The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS reports that although Sunday's Texans-Eagles game "is not technically sold out," it will be televised in Philadelphia, as the local CBS affil "agreed to purchase any remaining tickets to avoid a blackout" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/27).
- The SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER reports that the NFL extended the sellout deadline for Sunday night's Vikings-Seahawks game until 5:30pm PT today, as "about 1,900 tickets remain unsold" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 9/27).
TODAY'S EVENTS
Longtime AP sportswriter Jim O'Connell and CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF today as the recipient of the 13th annual Curt Gowdy Media Award, as part of the '02 Enshrinement Weekend. The award was established by the Board of Trustees to recognize members of the electronic and print media for outstanding contributions to basketball (THE DAILY).
The Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF will conduct a Class of '02 news conference and jacket presentation from 10:00-11:00am ET (THE DAILY).
The Atlanta chapter of the National Sports Marketing Network will conduct a discussion titled "Teams, Leagues, Properties: Who's Buying in the Down Economy?" from 8:00-10:15am ET at Turner Field. Panelists include Braves Dir of Corporate Sales Jim Allen, Home Depot Dir of Sales Promotions Hugh Miskel and Turner Sports Senior VP/Sports Marketing & Programming Jeff Gregor (THE DAILY).
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT….
Every Friday, the Morning Buzz highlights a video clip, chart or piece of information that might have fallen through the cracks. This week, in preparation for yet another playoff appearance by the Yankees, VH-1's "Top 20 Countdown" discovers that Derek Jeter is old school in his music tastes. Judging by his performance, Jeter isn't facing any "Dilemma" over the decision to quit his day job to work as a full-time VJ (THE DAILY).
IN OTHER NEWS….
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that AOL Time Warner has held "some discussions about a potential sale" of its 50% stakes in cable nets Comedy Central and Court TV as the company looks to cut nearly $30B of debt and "retain investment-grade debt ratings" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/27).
Dow Jones & Co. said that it will raise the subscription rate for The Wall Street Journal by 8% on October 1, the "first increase in nearly six years." While the annual subscription rate will rise to $189 from $175, the newsstand price will remain unchanged at $1 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/27).
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes NBC's "Today" and "The Tonight Show" ended the season atop the morning and late-night categories, respectively. "Today" finished the season 1.46 million viewers ahead of ABC's "Good Morning America," securing its eighth straight win among total viewers. Meanwhile, "The Tonight Show" averaged 5.7 million, as compared to four million average viewers for CBS' "Late Show" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/27).
FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION
Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "World Leaders."
"In April 1952 he wrote in a poem, 'Cherry Blossoms are blooming full today, now is the nation's springtime.'"
LAUGH TRACK
THE MONOLOGUES:
NBC's Jay Leno: "Senator Strom Thurmond is retiring. He turns 100-years old in December. 100-years old! Or, as Anna Nicole Smith calls him, 'The Bachelor.' My favorite political story of the week – oh, I love it when these guys get caught – is (KY) Governor Paul Patton, who admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a woman. I love it when men talk like that. Because that is how they speak to each other in the men's room, 'Hey, Susan and I had an inappropriate relationship. Oh, she was really inappropriate!' He announced that he is withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race in 2004, and now the woman said that the Governor had a sexual affair with another woman. Can you believe it? Another woman? When did he have time to be Governor? The Governor said he was dropping out of the race for concern for his family. Don't you love it? Politicians always show concern for their family after they get caught. They never show concern for them when their pants are down around the ankles, 'Honey, just calling home. How are the kids? Yeah, OK, I'll see you later.' …. Meanwhile, Al Sharpton is threatening to boycott the movie, 'Barbershop' (because of jokes about certain civil rights leaders). Have you seen Al's hair? I'm thinking he's been boycotting barbershops his whole life. … And Hurricane Isidore. Did you see all those pictures of all the flooding in New Orleans? It got so bad on Bourbon Street that women were flashing their breasts in exchange for life preservers. Have you heard about the guy who tried to sail his boat from Long Beach to Catalina Island? What is that, about 22 miles? Anyway, he ends up four months later, 2,500 miles off course. They find this guy off Costa Rica. These men will not ask directions! Just ask for directions! … We have some good news. Michael Jackson. 
Wait, not Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan. Well, you could see how you make that mistake. They are both so similar. Anyway, Michael Jordan is coming back to play another season. Now practice starts in a week? Do you think that Michael can get in shape in a week? Did you see him at the press conference today? Take a look. I don't know, he didn't look that good. Yeah, looks pretty chubby, he's put on a few pounds. One other sports story. Hey Kevin, what does Randy Moss calls a traffic cop? A hood ornament. … How sad is that? He couldn't shake a meter-maid in single coverage. No wonder they haven't won a game! … Here's something I don't understand about this stupid 'The Bachelor' show. They always show bachelors as well-dressed guys with a beautiful house, gorgeous furniture, fresh flowers everywhere. Does that sound like any bachelors you know? Most bachelors are sitting in their underpants watching ESPN, with piles of pizza boxes stacked up against the wall" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 9/26).
CBS' David Letterman: "What I like to do during the autumn in (N.Y.) is watch the colors change. They change from like brown, to like gold, to like red, to kind of like rust, and that's just the tap water. … Because of the drought, in (N.Y.), there is a marijuana shortage. It's gotten so bad that Mayor Bloomberg has switched to blow. There's an odd story coming out of Virginia, they busted a guy who ran an auto body shop because it was actually like a brothel … and police became suspicious because the girls were charging twice the estimates. Well, sadly, I guess it's officially a trend, because earlier today during a taping at CBS, a shirtless father-son team beat up Dr. Phil. … (Also) earlier today, Senator Tom Daschle was beaten to a pulp by both George Bushes. … George Bush refuses to say the name Al Gore. That's silly isn't it? He will not say the name Al Gore in a sentence. The last time he said Al Gore in a sentence was to his brother Jeb, he said, 'Jeb, hide all those Al Gore ballots.' … Former President Clinton is on a big trip to Africa. You remember Bill Clinton? … He's doing all the sightseeing and all the tourist stuff. I guess the day before yesterday or this morning, he took a ride on an elephant, and I was thinking, 'Jeez, he hasn't mounted something that big since he was impeached.' Hard to believe this show has won awards, isn't it?" ("The Late Show," CBS, 9/26).
LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:
Last night's "Top Ten," as read by Air Force Cadets was, "Top Ten Reasons I Joined The Air Force" ("The Late Show," CBS, 9/26).
| 10. | "Got sick of waiting in airport lines." |
| 9. | "I love saying stuff like "Alpha tango foxtrot bravo." |
| 8. | "If we invade Iraq, would you rather be marching through the desert or in an air-conditioned jet?" |
| 7. | "We get all the wild blue yonder we want." |
| 6. | "You don't get to fly F-16s in the Peace Corps." |
| 5. | "Free socks." |
| 4. | "Better skiing in Colorado Springs than Annapolis or West Point." |
| 3. | "Everybody likes the way I look in cadet dress blues." |
| 2. | "When I'm in the sky I feel like a bird... God I hope none of my friends are watching." |
| 1. | "Me like clouds." |
THURSDAY NIGHT'S TV MONITOR
ESPN's 11:00pm ET edition of "SportsCenter" (late due to FL State-Louisville college football) led with Louisville's overtime upset of FL State, followed by Michael Jordan announcing he will honor the final year of his contract with the Wizards.
FINAL JEOPARDY ANSWER
"Who is Emperor Hirohito?"
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