Media Notes
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Scheduling Conflicts Keep NBC
Shows From Getting Crosby, Cup |
In N.Y., Larry Brooks cited a source as indicating that NBC turned down the NHL's request to have Penguins C Sidney Crosby appear with the Stanley Cup on the "Today" show, and that Crosby "declined an invitation to travel to L.A. to be a guest on 'The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien'" (N.Y. POST, 6/21). NBC issued a statement that read, "Both the 'Today Show' and 'Tonight Show' would have loved to have had Sidney Crosby and the Cup on but unfortunately scheduling conflicts, including the victory parade, prevented it from happening. We take great pride in amassing large audiences for our partners through broad promotion, which led to the largest audience for the Final in 36 years" (THE DAILY).
PASS THE BUCK: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote under the header, "Fox Broadcaster Joe Buck Out Of His League On HBO." If one strips away "all the righteous indignation" over comedian Artie Lange's predictable performance on "Joe Buck Live," all the "hiss and vinegar, all the self-flagellation by HBO, there is a legitimate -- serious -- concern." The decision to give Buck his own show, and "invest serious coin in him, was a huge mistake ... as things stand now." Unless Buck "gets a serious makeover before the second installment of his show on Sept. 22, HBO suits should cut their losses and cut bait," as they "should cancel the show" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/21).
WHAT BEAUTIFUL GAME? In Ft. Lauderdale, Jeff Rusnak wrote ESPN's coverage of the FIFA Confederations Cup has been an "unsatisfying television experience, especially for games involving" the U.S. The dull drone of trumpets being sounded by fans at the games "wouldn't have been as irksome for American viewers if the U.S. team hadn't lost so badly to Italy and Brazil," or if ESPN's broadcasters, "particularly color commentator John Harkes, showed any appreciation for good soccer." Rusnak wrote Harkes since debuting as ESPN's lead soccer analyst in February '08 has "shown a peculiar fixation for the kind of defensive tactics that kill a game rather than illuminate it" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/21).
YOUR HOME FOR SOCCER: MEDIAPOST's David Goetzl reported ESPN's multiplatform coverage of next summer's FIFA World Cup will include ESPN Radio offering "play-by-play coverage of some of the tournament's 64 games ... for the first time." Details are "unclear, including how many games will be made available." Also, announcers "may not be on-site in South Africa next summer, but in a studio" at ESPN HQs. Goetzl noted ESPN "carries World Cup games on TV sans commercials during the action, and the same is likely on the radio," though advertisers "would be expected to get multiple audio mentions" (MEDIAPOST.com, 6/19).
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