Michelle Beadle Goes Full Circle

If there's one thing to take from the following story, it's that the you sometimes don't realize how good you have it until it's gone.  Better yet, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Does this sum up how things have gone for you the last few years Michelle Beadle?  For those who need a quick update, Beadle is back at ESPN, the network that made her a big name star as co-host of Sportsnation in 2009.  To say that Beadle is ecstatic to be back at the World Wide Leader after spending two rather tough and tumultuous years at NBC would be a huge understatement.

Her show at NBC Sports Network, "The Crossover" was canceled about as quickly as it began.  Beadle apparently couldn't find the right chemistry with co-host Dave Briggs like she had with Colin Cowherd on Sportsnation.  Combine that with the fact that "The Crossover" had putrid ratings, then you have the makings for a disastrous show.  It also probably didn't help that at the time Beadle left ESPN to join NBC, NBC Sports Network was in the stages of its infancy at the time and hadn't gained the traction with viewers that it probably has today.  

For the record, I admire Beadle for her honesty and willingness not to sugarcoat what she's thinking at any given moment, even if she's a little too honest and forthcoming at times.  Sports programming needs these kind of personalities to thrive in my opinion.  Best of luck to you Beads on your second go around with ESPN.

Tim Musick
Copyright 2014
All Rights Reserved  

Favorite Sports Talk Shows

Right now, I want to tell you about two of my favorite sports talk radio shows. Mike and Mike in the Morning and The Herd.

As sports talk shows go, these are two of the best around and they are each unique in their own way.

Mike and Mike in the Morning: 6-10 AM ET/3 AM-7 AM PT on ESPN Radio and ESPN2

Each morning, I start off my day by watching the last hour of Mike and Mike on ESPN2.  It is like a cup of coffee for sports fans.  Hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic are a modern day version of the Odd Couple.  Greenberg, affectionately known as "Greeny" is portrayed as the knowlegeable sports fan who lives life as a metrosexual for wanting to stay germ-free by using Purell hand sanitizer as well as other things.  Golic, a former NFL defensive linesman and Notre Dame alum is the tough-minded no nonsense opposite of Greeny who loves to eat a lot.  Not only do they talk about current events in the world of sports, but they do it in some pretty interesting and entertaining ways.  One example that comes to mind is the Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks segment during the NFL season.  This is where each host makes their picks on key games from the upcoming weekend in the NFL.  Another funny thing is the songs they come up with for certain athletes with the help of "Joaquin" a.k.a Curtis Caplan, the show's go to guy for on-air radio production.  Greeny and Golic also make no secret of their  sports allegiances.  Greeny is often ridiculed for being a New York Jets fan while it has been said that Golic has a man crush on Brady Quinn, former quarterback of Notre Dame and currently a member of the Cleveland Browns.   These are some of the reasons why Mike and Mike is among my favorite sports talk shows and the perfect way to start your day if you're a fan of sports.


The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 10 AM-2 PM ET/7 AM-11 AM ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNU

I like to follow up my daily dose of Mike and Mike with a healthy serving of The Herd with Colin Cowherd.  I started watching the show a few months ago on ESPNU, which is channel 141 for Dish Network subscribers.  From the first moment I started tuning in, I was hooked.  Cowherd seems to be the voice of reason at ESPN and more often than not, I find myself agreeing with most of what he has to say.  Not only does he talk about his thoughts on the latest sports news, but he also tries to look at certain aspects from the business side of the industry, which is very fascinating.  I always find myself learning something new everyday I tune in.

So there you have it.  Something a little different than what I usually cover in sports.  Feel free to let me know what you think.  Your input is always welcome.

Tim's Two Cents-December 19

I was listening to The Herd with Colin Cowherd yesterday and he brought up an interesting topic about the NFL.

NFL Network commentators Matt Millen and Bob Papa.

Should NFL Network Be Available to Everybody?  As of right now, many households do not have access to the NFL Network.  I'm one of the lucky ones who does have the NFL Network as part of my Dish Network package.  I'll be honest.  I'm not a huge fan of the NFL.  I know this may shock some of you, but I'm more into baseball and basketball.

Anyway, yesterday on The Herd, Colin was saying that the reason the NFL Network is not available everywhere is related to the business aspect of the league.  Since the NFL Network is only available on a limited basis, it increases the desire of those fans who don't have it to pay the extra cabbage to get it.  You know what?  It makes perfect sense.  The other major sports allow so much access for fans to watch games that it doesn't make watching it all that special.  For the NFL Network though, it is special because the games that are shown are some of the premiere matchups each week and only a certain percentage of the population will be priviledged enough to watch certain NFL games that not everybody has access to.  Those who do not have access will have to settle for watching the highlights on SportsCenter on ESPN.

So while there will those individuals who will be calling their local cable or satellite provider complaining they don't have the NFL Network, I'll be one of the lucky few who will get to watch the Saints and Cowboys batlle it out tomorrow night in New Orleans.

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons and John Martinez Pavliga under CC-BY license