Breaking News: ABC Adding Magic Johnson To NBA Studio Show
Monday, October 13, 2008
Magic Johnson has been a TV free agent for quite awhile now. He had been showing up on TNT from time to time, but the ex-NBAer never really had an official deal. Until now. ESPN/ABC announced during a conference call this morning that Magic Johnson will be the newest member of their studio team. Via ESPN....
Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will mainly work with Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry on ABC's GMC NBA Countdown. He will provide analysis on Christmas Day – when ABC and ESPN combine to showcase an NBA tripleheader (beginning at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN) – and contribute to the networks' post-season studio coverage. The announcement was made by Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production.I don't really know how many people out there are a fan of Magic's studio work, and the hiring comes at a really weird time, but he might actually work with ABC's studio team. NBA Countdown is the only show where I can stand Stuart Scott and Wilbon and Barry can only help the guy improve.
“Magic has always been one of the most accomplished people in every field he has endeavored. He was an incomparable player and has become one of the best NBA analysts in the business. His unique insights, perspective and personality will be the perfect complement to Stuart (Scott), Mike (Wilbon) and Jon (Barry),” said Williamson.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the ESPN family. I look forward to working with a great team and covering all the big NBA events,” said Johnson. “Christmas Day can’t come soon enough for me.”
The network also extended the contract of Jeff Van Gundy today in conjunction with the Magic announcement.
12 Comments:
That's a good get for ABC. I don't think it's too much of a loss for TNT because you never knew when he'd be on. Hopefully Magic will have a calming effect on Stuart Scott.
Hopefully, they didn't hire him to be funny. Like being their Charles Barkley...because that would be a disaster.
Magic wasn't very good at TNT, but I think that has something to do with TNT's format. Their show is built for Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, and whenever a third analyst was added (Be it Magic, Reggie Miller, or David Aldridge), they just didn't fit.
Just curious, but when did studio shows seemingly become all black?
It's gotten to where when I tune into ESPN/ABC I wonder if I'm watching BET.
No, this is not intended to be racist. But somewhere, someone with the "mouse" decided to go black and didn't go back.
@Anon 11:36:
Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will mainly work with Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry
Is Jon Barry "Jon Barack" now or did I miss the memo?
When did having the ability of being able to speak coherently stop being a prerequisite to landing a TV gig? Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, etc., now this dumb ass is back?
Magic isn't always that lucid, true, but there's a bigger problem.
He still has a bit of ownership of the Lakers, from what I understand. Will he have to recuse himself when ABC airs a Lakers game? It's a small piece, but it's a piece nonetheless.
I know analysts are supposed to have opinions, but that seems a bit off. Then again, he's an analyst, not a journalist.
As great of a player as Magic Johnosn was during the 1980's, he has been equally as bad on TV. He was terrible when he was a game analyst on NBC, and to be honest, he wasn't that good on TNT either. I think the hireing of Magic by ESPN/ABC is another attempted by the network to get some viewers to watch their horrendous studio show.
But if Magic goes to ABC, how will the dunk contest be back?
Magic Johnson, he good.
talk about horrible announcer..anybody remember when he said during one of the Bulls finals games..."His two FEETS was on the line"
wont magic johnson give them hiv.