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.

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."
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.

Don't Expect Bill Simmons Pardoning Any Interruptions This Summer (The Sporting Blog)

12 Comments:

Yeah, ESPN must truly believe that America wants to watch Bob Ryan and Jackie MacMullen instead.

GMoney said...
Jul 29, 2009, 1:24:00 PM  

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.

Nathan Brice said...
Jul 29, 2009, 1:48:00 PM  

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.

gman26 said...
Jul 29, 2009, 3:05:00 PM  

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.

JFreak said...
Jul 29, 2009, 3:32:00 PM  

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.

Unknown said...
Jul 29, 2009, 4:21:00 PM  

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.

Jay said...
Jul 29, 2009, 6:16:00 PM  

Simmons / Reilly They need to be the new everyday hosts of the show.

testing thing said...
Jul 29, 2009, 7:03:00 PM  

Jfreak- that was in response to the deadcast with LeBatard.

Unknown said...
Jul 29, 2009, 10:39:00 PM  

JA Adane is so bland. Can anyone understand Bob Ryan? Bring in these two clowns.

Michael said...
Jul 29, 2009, 11:27:00 PM  

Why not have some athletes on there? Let Popeye Jones battle Mike Jacobs!

Anonymous said...
Jul 30, 2009, 12:29:00 PM  

Have you listened to one of Simmons' podcasts? His voice is such that it'd make people actually like LeBatard.

Morgan Wick said...
Jul 31, 2009, 6:51:00 PM  

Simmons = boring, just re-hashes the same schtick. He has become the guys he used to mock back in the digital city days

Unknown said...
Aug 1, 2009, 11:39:00 PM  

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