Is ESPN Holding Open Tryouts For Analysts?
Monday, February 18, 2008
It was last Thursday wen Fanhouse's MDS reported that ESPN might be expanding Keyshawn Johnson's role if he doesn't return back to the NFL. Keyshawn is scheduled to fill in for Jim Rome starting today....
Today I was told that Johnson is scheduled to guest host ESPN's Jim Rome is Burning on Monday. It's the first time he's served as the host of an opinion-oriented show since he signed with ESPN last year, and it's an opportunity for Johnson to expand his TV reach beyond his normal role as an in-season NFL analyst.Now I don't know if giving Keyshawn his own show is a sign of the apocalypse but it very well could be. Johnson isn't the only person it seems getting a tryout for a larger role. Both Dana Jacobson and Sage Steele were missing from First Take last Friday and ex-Team USA Midfielder Julie Foudy was sitting in. The Soccer analyst did a pretty great job and only stumbled once or twice.
So is ESPN openly trying people out for larger roles on the network? We saw it more recently with Fantasy Guru Matthew Barry and as long as they keep picking people with something valid to say then I don't have a problem with it. When Skip Bayless starts appearing on College Gameday...then I'll be scared.
ESPN Expands Keyshawn Johnson's Role (Fanhouse)
6 Comments:
Let's see:
1. Went to USC. Check.
2. Played in New York. Check.
3. Played for the Cowboys. Check.
Sorry guys, he's an Analyst for Life.
What about Roger Lodge...
Make that in Romespeak, Woger Wodge.
How many times did Rome rip MeShawn during his playing days...
This is like Ted Kennedy filling in for Rush Limbaugh
Don't forget about the time Bonnie Bernstein hosted. It's kind of funny how everyone who guest hosts have the same opinions, make the same cracks as Rome does, and even have his personality.
I just wanted to point out the odd ones--don't expect too much 'smack' out of Lisa Salters, Patrick McEnroe or Jim Gray. Jason Whitlock used to do a good job filling in before his ESPN exile.
@jeff v:
Charles Barkley actually took the phone from Kenny Smith in a radio interview years ago to say "Kiss My Ass, Jim Rome," and now he's on the show regularly & buying Rome's wife & her friends $17K worth of Cristal in Vegas. Things can change over time.
Rome has had some odd people fill in as host for his TV show: Jemele Hill, Patrick McEnroe, even Lisa Salters. Shoulda been you, Emmitt!