In Miami, Barry Jackson writes TV's "infatuation with the Heat was never clearer than this week, when ABC passed up Game 1 of a potentially compelling Knicks-Celtics series, choosing instead to air the Heat’s playoff opener against a 76ers team that lacks superstars and national appeal." A source said that ABC "wanted the Heat on Saturday because the team -- with all its star power -- consistently produces strong ratings." The net also "saw an opportunity to air Knicks-Celtics the following Sunday, after it carries Game 4 of Heat-76ers." Jackson notes ESPN this season earned 11 of its 20 "highest-rated NBA games since acquiring half the cable package nine years ago," and eight of those 11 involved the Heat (MIAMI HERALD, 4/15).
SPEAK SOFTLY: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth writes the reaction to Lakers G Kobe Bryant's anti-gay slur on Tuesday night is "another test case in how dangerously destructive today's free-form and manipulative journalism operates." By Wednesday morning, Deadspin and TMZ both had stories about the incident, but "without parabolic TV microphones pointed his way, who hears the beginning of his yelling?" Dr. Dan Durbin, Dir of the Institute of Sports, Media & Society for USC's Annenberg School for Communications & Journalism, said, "What could have been heard by maybe 20 people sitting nearby Bryant and not offended any of them as they talked about it on their way out of the building is now something perhaps billions around the world have the potential to see and discuss, all because of something volume-generated just by sheer media" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/15).
GIANTS AMONG US: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Kaduk wrote Showtime's 30-minute preview Wednesday of its new documentary show on the MLB Giants, "The Franchise," indicates the series is "something that fans and non-fans alike will want to watch." Like HBO's "24/7" and "Hard Knocks" series, the "producer's knack for cutting through the well-paid lifestyle and getting through to the personal dramas at play are what will make this show worth the Showtime subscription fee" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/14). In San Jose, Cam Inman writes, "It was not riveting, scandalous, reality television. Instead, it was as the Giants vowed, an insightful look at their team on and off the field without disrupting their title defense" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/15).
U OUGHTA KNOW: In West Palm Beach, Greg Stoda reported Univ. of Miami officials are "in discussions with ESPNU to produce a half-hour show documenting the beginning of Al Golden's tenure as head coach" of the school's football team. Webisodes about the football program "rolled out on hurricanesports.com have been popular, and footage for the proposed show has been collected since early January." UM Associate AD for Communications Chris Freet "didn't say the university would have final-cut approval, but neither did he say it wouldn't" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/14).
