Last night’s 6:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” was co-hosted by actor and comedian Billy Crystal, along with ESPN’s Steve Levy. The broadcast began with the co-hosts on-camera and Crystal using his phone to take pictures and Levy saying, “This is a 'SportsCenter' like no other.” Crystal said to Levy, "I’m tweeting. This is very exciting. I never tweeted before." Crystal said he’s a “big fan of the show” and added, “I have (ESPN’s) John Anderson in the trunk of my car.” Levy asked, “Seriously, what are you doing here?” Crystal: “Shamelessly promoting a movie.” Levy told Crystal, “We’re going to play this straight, okay. This is a serious news program.”
Crystal’s first highlight was Nets-Knicks, and it began with footage of Jay-Z and Beyonce sitting courtside, to which Crystal said, “This is my highlight, seeing Beyonce in leather pants.” Crystal asked ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy, who was at the game, “Let me ask you this: What is harder now for you, your acting work in the NBA commercials on the bus or hanging onto Alonzo Mourning’s leg during the Knicks-Heat brawl?” Van Gundy replied, “So we’re going to the cheap shot?” Crystal said, “It wasn’t me, it was Steve. I wanted to be respectful!” (ESPN, 12/19).
