Bill Simmons Not Likely To Be A PTI Co-Host This Summer
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
There was a rumor, that started from a Deadspin podcast, that Bill Simmons would be filling in for Tony and/or Mike on PTI this summer, but apparently that's not the case. Dan LeBatard told the Deadcast that he and Simmons were all set to host the show together, but according to show producer Erik Rydholm, that's not the case. Via The Sporting Blog....
When Tony and Mike came back from vacation this week, the question became if, not when, Simmons and Le Batard would have their chance to pardon and/or interrupt one another. Usually the fill-in weeks are during the dog days of July, and with August just around the corner and football season starting, there may not be time for Simmons to do a full week of PTI.It's surprising to me that Simmons has never had a stint on the show, especially when you think of all of the random people they've had as fill-ins. I mean, Patrick McEnroe was a co-host at one point! Personally, I think it would be a fun experiment to have Simmons on, but I guess if it ain't broke, there's no need to fix it.
I emailed with Erik Rydholm, executive-producer/creator/genius behind PTI and he told me that he would like to make it work, but scheduling isn't cooperating. He wrote:
"Very few upcoming stretches when both Tony and Mike are off. A couple of single days and it makes little sense to fly Dan and Bill in from forever away for one day. Hope to get something (scheduled) down the line."
Don't Expect Bill Simmons Pardoning Any Interruptions This Summer (The Sporting Blog)
12 Comments:
I gave up on PTI at the beginning of this year. I have not watched a full episode since I made that decision. I like to be positive about everything.
Just so you know, Simmons has been very resistant to do TV over the years because ESPN has tried to get him out there. So that's why it hasn't happened before. But I guess he's willing to do it now.
You sure the "rumor" didn't happen to start when LeBatard told Simmons that he would make Simmons come on PTI during a SG podcast they did earlier in the summer?
Facts aren't hard.
Tony was gone for a MONTH and this didn't happen. So why would it happen once he's come back? This isn't a shot at AA, just an observation. I like Simmons, but he peaked about 4 years ago.
I think they know that Simmons would be so much better than everybody else that if they have guest host it will crush the show. Nobody will enjoy it anymore knowing how much better Simmons would be as host.
I never watch it now. But, I would if Simmons was host.
Simmons / Reilly They need to be the new everyday hosts of the show.
Jfreak- that was in response to the deadcast with LeBatard.
JA Adane is so bland. Can anyone understand Bob Ryan? Bring in these two clowns.
Why not have some athletes on there? Let Popeye Jones battle Mike Jacobs!
Have you listened to one of Simmons' podcasts? His voice is such that it'd make people actually like LeBatard.
Simmons = boring, just re-hashes the same schtick. He has become the guys he used to mock back in the digital city days
Yeah, ESPN must truly believe that America wants to watch Bob Ryan and Jackie MacMullen instead.