CBSSN's "That Other Pregame Show" Producer Discusses Format, Talent Plans

CBSSN's "That Other Pregame Show" Producer Shawn Robbins said that the show is "using 'every aspect of CBS' and talent may number in the 20s each week," according to Steve Lepore of SB NATION. CBS Sports "seems to know that it's entering a crowded field," but Robbins "has a ton of energy, which is a good sign for a man about to run a four-hour pregame show every Sunday." Robbins said, "It's a four-hour show so I'd better bring something different. The plan of the show is, really, to service the football fan. There's really a need there, to give the fan the setup of the day, and that's what TOPS is gonna be." He added, "At 9 a.m., anything goes for us as far as what we cover. Sure, we have a format, we have a routine, you know what we're going to cover. But if something happens on the field, and we can cover it right then and there, yeah, that's a story. That's what we're going after, that's what were gonna give the fan. Before, that information probably had to get held until the noon-time hour." Robbins said of bringing former Raiders Chief Exec Amy Trask on the show, "It's funny, we didn't even talk about that first female thing. ... We're all thrilled to have her at CBS. What she can bring us, as far as the insight of the GM, and a different perspective of the game itself" (SBNATION.com, 8/23). 

CAN'T WAIT! In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote CBS Sports should have used former NFLer Bart Scott "to replace one of the stiffs sitting at the big boys’ table on 'The NFL Today' rather than relegating him to the kiddies table" on CBSSN's "That Other Pregame Show." Raissman: "That's how good Scott could be." But the move still "is understandable," as Scott's presence will "produce desperately needed buzz, giving CBSSN a fighting chance." Scott will have "plenty of ways to channel the aggression he once displayed on the football field," but will need "all the inspiration he can get." Scott is "coming into this gig with the bar set high and great expectations" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 8/24).

SPREADING THE WORD: MULTICHANNEL NEWS' Mike Reynolds noted CBS and CBSSN are "running a trio of spots" from L.A.-based Stun Creative "touting 'Lead Off,' the late-night show starring Doug Gottlieb and Allie LaForce." The promos "emphasize their personalities and on-air chemistry." In a spot titled “About the Show,” the hosts "engage in a battle of verbal one-upmanship with sports clichés, with LaForce getting in the final word." Gottlieb "fares better in 'Fantasy,' where he dispenses some fantasy football league misdirection to LaForce." The final spot, "Advice," features LaForce "providing a little playbook acumen to a pro football coach of some renown, while Gottlieb tries to get her off the line as their show duties call." The "Lead Off" promos are set to air on CBSSN and CBS this week, and "will ramp up" during the NFL and SEC football seasons. Promos for the "sophomore campaign of NFL Monday QB," which premieres Sept. 9 at 5:00pm ET, are "still in production." The first spot will "center on CBS analysts and the series' signal-callers Phil Simms, Rich Gannon and Steve Beuerlein attempting to get host Adam Schein ready for the show’s debut by teaching him how to throw a pass" (MULTICHANNEL.com, 8/25).