Just a quick note for all of you Sirius/XM subscribers. I'll be on "The B-Team with Bruce Murray and Bill Pidto" around 1:15pm today. The show airs on Sirius Channel 123/XM Channel 144, so check it out if you can.

Mad Dog Radio (Sirius)

Just wanted to send out a quick thanks to those of you that emailed me saying that you nominated Awful Announcing for a "2008 Weblog Award". The finalists were released today, and AA made the cut, but is up against some tough competition. The regulars are of course there, but there are also some up-and-comers that could end up winning as well. Here's your list of finalists....

- Awful Announcing
- BLOGF1
- Deadspin
- F1 Fanatic
- Kissing Suzy Kolber
- Hugging Harold Reynolds
- With Leather
- The LoHud Yankee Blog
- The Big Lead
- Soccer By Ives
- Beyond The Boxscore
- Rumors and Rants
- Metsgrrl
- Cozybeehive

Here's the link for you to vote, and no....this isn't a plea for more votes. Everyone already knows that KSK is going to win for like the 40th time in a row. I just don't want to be last! I kid. Anyway, get out there and vote for your favorite, and be sure to poke around the other categories as well.

Best Sports Blog (2008 Weblog Awards)

One of the sites that I've linked to a bunch lately for various interviews they've posted decided to add yours truly to the list. Dan Levy's On The DL decided to have me on recently and I'm following such luminaries as Chris Cooley, Jenn Sterger, AJ Dauleiro, The Mayor of Philly and Ron Jaworski. I'm not quite sure how I fit in with those folks, but if you enjoy two random dudes talking about Sports and Sports Media for over an hour....then this podcast is for YOU!

Here's are the topics which you can listen to separately by clicking this link or feel free to listen to the whole shebang in two parts by at the bottom of the post....

- How AA Started
- The Deadspin Videos
- How AA Hasn't Been Sued
- Being Scooped
- Erin Andrews
- The Good Announcers Out There
- Billy Packer
- Joe Buck
- Rick Reilly
- Bob Costas and the Olympics
- A World Without ESPN
- Has ESPN Left Itself Open To Competition?

Many thanks to Dan for having me on and while I'm bitter he used my Facebook photo (in which I'm wearing a bright pink shirt) it was a great time.

Part 1
Part 2

Brian Powell of Awful Announcing Joins the DL (On The DL)

Got video of Kelly Tilghman's on-air apology, which was pretty standard besides the fact that the Golf Channel forgot to turn on the sound at first. Check it out over at Sporting News.....

Tilghman's Apologizes; Hopefully Tiger Reads Lips (The Sporting Blog)

Other Goodness at SN Recently:

Jeremis Smith Sure Can Dunk (Chris Mottram)
Go Daddy Edited For Showing a Furry Creature (Orson Swindle)
Rudy Gay Wants Your Dunks (Chris Littman)
Shanoff's Wake Up Calls (Dan Shanoff)
Case might cost Moss (Mike Florio)

I was going to use the word finally in the title considering this first got press on January 14th, but that would just be splitting hairs. ESPN in a response to the Catholic League has suspended our dear vodka drinker a week, and has now issued a statement on her behalf.....

"I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I've caused ESPN and Mike and Mike.

"My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won't make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

I guess we don't know exactly what she said but it seems odd to me she would call them "Notre Dame" remarks. I'm pretty sure the Catholic League wasn't as upset as the "F-Notre Dame" comment but rather the "F-Jesus" that she may have let out. Either way it's done with and people will most certainly forget about it in a few weeks or until someone else says something dumb. I'm with the majority of people that think context needs to be taken into account. It was a roast and worse things have been said in that forum (see: Lisa Lampanelli).

Here's the video from Dana's own show First Take in regards to her statement....



The best part of the video is that wasn't what aired earlier during the live show. Michael Kim tried to go to the graphic with the quote, but it failed so he awkwardly moved on to an Alstott story.

It's time to move on from this one, but not before I head to the airwaves to talk about it! I'll be on Sporting News Radio with Matt Spiegel at 3:30 to discuss this whole fiasco and you can listen along if you please. Good times.

Sporting News Radio

My latest article is up over at the Sporting News and I'm taking this space to make sure you click on it. Twice. I delve into last week's Divisonal game ratings and whether or not a Chargers team missing a few starters can bring the AFC Championship game any viewers (the answer is obviously...no).

NFL Playoffs See Huge Spike in Ratings (The Sporting Blog)

Other goodness from SN:

New Yorkers Foil BASE Jumpers Attempt (Orson from EDSBS)
Meet the Parcells Mafia (Dan Shanoff)
KG, Celtics Jerseys Are Top Sellers (Chris Littman)

After all of that early nonsense the Semifinals have shaped out pretty nicely. Sal Masekela is apparently the George Mason of the group, but we should get a solid winner after it's all said and done. Remember folks vote for who you think is worserererer than the other.

Who's The Worst Sports Announcer (AOL Sports)

P.S.- Quick reminder that I'll be doing a full field of 64 here some time in the near future.

Just a quick note that I'll be on Houston Radio's 1560AM with Sean and John this afternoon around 4pm EST. We'll talk about a variety of topics, but mostly breakdown the AA-AOL Worst Announcers bracket. You can listen live if you so choose by clicking on the link below and then the listen live button on their page.

1560 The Game

P.S.- That tourney will be heading into Round 2 very shortly and I'll let you know when and where to vote.

Recently, Extra Mustard got to speak with Erin Andrews about her love for their site, but more importantly the fact that she's been alluded to AOL's Best and Worst Announcer Brackets that AA took part in putting together.

SI.com: So we were thrilled to see you like Extra Mustard, especially since you're one of our go-to "celebrities" who we can always count on to generate lots of hits.

Andrews: My girlfriend and I always go to it. She religiously goes to it and I started going to it because it always has good scoops on the boys and a lot of people in sports. My girlfriend sent me a link to Hot Clicks the other day because you had an item about a contest on sideline reporters. She said I better hope I get some votes.

So if EA's taking a gander so should you. Why? Not because she's graced the webpage's presence, but because I honestly couldn't be more disappointed in the voting. Take a look at some of these matchups......

Okay, I can understand that maybe Sal Masekela is a bit more annoying than Jim Gray, but Joe Morgan and Chris Berman getting knocked out in the first round?!?! You people are crazy. I want you each to email me personally and tell me why you like Joe Morgan. I will then post your responses in and let the AA readers pick you apart like vultures.

Reggie Miller worse than Joe Morgan......Who are these people?!?!


Erin Andrews Q&A (Extra Mustard)
Who's Worst Studio Host? (AOL Sports)
AOL Sports And AA Bring You The Worst Announcer Tournament (Awful Announcing)

Just wanted to let everyone know that my interview with Zach at The Big Picture is up for all to peruse. I told him that I wasn't going to do it because I was 20th on the list, but he let me link about 1,000 blogs (and did the link coding for me), so I begrudgingly agreed. Just kidding....it was a blast and I hope it gives you some insight into what I (and C4News) do here. Thanks a ton Zach and enjoy! Please leave your feedback over at TBP first, but feel free to make fun of me here as well.

Blogger Interviews: Awful Announcing (The Big Picture)

P.S.- Enough of all the patting on the back right? Back to your regularly scheduled AA after this post.

So apparently ESPN mentioned AA while talking about the Suzyn Waldman incident during the 6pm SportsCenter. Here's the quote that was forwarded to me....

"You never want to end up on AwfulAnnouncing.com"- Brian Kenny

I guess that's true, but it's not really THAT bad is it Brian? Also, if anyone has video I'm told it happened around 6:35pm. I would have pulled it myself but I don't watch Sports Center anymore! Hey Yo (I kid, I kid)! Well only when Stu Scott is doing Poetry.....when's the next session? I need to get my bongos ready.

If you're new to the site.....click around, make a few comments.....trust me you'll enjoy yourself. All are welcome....yes, even you Brian Kenny. Good to have you. Here are the two items that Kenny was mentioning.....you're welcome to add your opinions to the fray.....

Suzyn Waldman Cries On-Air Following Yankees Defeat (Awful Announcing)
Ms. Waldman Addresses The Crying Incident (Awful Announcing)

P.S.- I'm also thankful I'm not on the "list". Frankly I'm curious as to what you have to do to get on that thing.

We're kicking off the Monday Night Football Season with two...count 'em two live-blogs tonight, and I don't think I'll ever be the same after this. Hopefully you can stick around for the whole shebang, but if not I'll be glad you stopped by anyway.

Added Bonus: I'll be stepping away from the live-blog duties around 9pm for an appearance on ESPN 710's The Big Show With Steve Mason & John Ireland. The show is based out of L.A. and I'll probably just talk about the stuff you've already read this week, but feel free to listen along.

Click Here to Listen Live at 9pm.

Here's what you need to know for the games tonight.....

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals:

Spread: Bengals by 3, O/U 40
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincy
When: 7pm
Weather: Tonight, Partly Cloudy Low of 64 Degrees

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers:

Spread: 9ers by 3, O/U 46
Where: Bill Walsh Field, San Fran
When: 10:15pm
Weather: Tonight, Mostly Clear Low of 57 Degrees

MNF Programming Details.....

- First and foremost.....No In-booth guest!!!
- 1st Game Announcers: Tirico, Jaws, Tony K/2nd Game Announcers: Mike & Mike & Mike (Ditka)
- Chad Johnson is promising a hilarious celebration that involves prop(s)
- A PTI Segment at halftime
- Fan Videos
- And something called "a virtual lineup scrimmage”

AA's Predictions: Baltimore 20 - Cincy 16, San Fran 27 - Arizona 21

Leave your predictions in the comments and I'll see you around 7pm folks!

Click Here For The 1st Quarter Action

For anyone who cares to listen, I'll be on Houston Radio's 1560AM The Game this evening around 5:30 Eastern/4:30 Central. The Show is the Sean and John show, and I don't know how I'll be able to top their "Kige Ramsey/Corey Haim" combo from last Friday....but I'll give it a shot.

You can head here if you want to listen live, and I'll post the audio whenever they post it on their site.

1560 The Game (1560 The Game Online)

Just a quick morning announcement that I'll be on 790 The Ticket in Miami today around 2pm. The normal host of the show Sid Rosenberg is out and his fill-in, Jason Jackson, will have me on to discuss all things announcing.

You may remember Jason from the old NBA2Night on ESPN in the late 90s. He's most recently served as the Miami Heat's sideline reporter on SUN. I've seen a few of his games, and I think he's one of the better ones out there today.

You can listen live in the 2 O'clock hour here. Just click listen live on the homepage.

For some reason ESPN Radio in Pennsylvania has decided that my Sports Bloggers Live Performance needs to be re-created.

So Yours truly will be on ESPN 1050 with Edsel at 4:25pm EST this Friday. I hear Edsel is a friend of the bloggers, so I will try my darnedest not to damage his credibility with ESPN (I said TRY people!). He wants 15 minutes out of me, so you can pretty much bank on total announcer coverage....from Boxing to Arena Football to Billy Packer.

You can listen in your car on 1050AM Williamsport, PA....and online at Sports1050.com.

From time to time actual mainstream media talks to or mentions Awful Announcing. The following is a collection of those interviews and links.

Awful Announcing Mention On Sports Center (AA.com)
Awful Announcing Mention On Bill Simmons' Podcast (ESPN.com)
Awful Announcing On ESPN Radio (AA.com)
Best Non-Corporate Sports Web Site 2007- Honorable Mention (Sports Illustrated)
Awful Announcing Mention As A Blog To Watch In The New York Post (NY Post)
Awful Announcing On Gus Johnson Sports (Gus Johnson Sports)
Awful Announcing Mention In The New York Times (NY Times)
Awful Announcing Mention In The Wall Street Journal (WSJ Online)
Awful Announcing's Greatest Hits (Ballhype)
Blog Rankings (Ballhype)
Everday Is A Roast (Chicago Sports Weekly)
Encoding For A Living: The Online Sports Video King (the story of Brian Powell) (Sports Illustrated)

Other Mentions Without Links: Palm Beach Post, Chicago Sports Review (Top 10 Blog Stories), The Capital (Annapolis, MD), SLAM Magazine, Sporting News

Blogger Interviews: Awful Announcing (The Big Picture)
SMJ Interview- Brian Powell, Awful Announcing (Sports Media Journal)
Interview With Awful Announcing (Larry Brown Sports)
Mondesi Interview: Brian Powell of Awfulannouncing.com (Mondesi's House)
Brian Powell of Awful Announcing Joins the DL

Other Interviews Without Links: ESPN 710 (Los Angeles), 790AM The Ticket (Miami), 1570AM The Game (Houston), Sporting News Radio