Bryant Gumbel was filling in for Regis on Regis and Kelly today, and he dropped a bomb on the viewing audience. Gumbel announced that he has been receiving treatment for Lung Cancer. Via People....

The sportscaster and TV host, 61, said that he had surgery last month to remove a malignant tumor in his chest, a revelation prompted when Kelly Ripa asked Gumbel, subbing for Regis Philbin, to dance – and he begged off. According to Gumbel, part of his lung was removed, and he will be seeing his surgeon next week.

“We had told a few people, we told my family, obviously. I even kept it from my staff at Real Sports. So I’m okay for the time being. I’m hoping they greenlight me to play golf again.”- Bryant Gumbel

While I find it a bit odd that he decided to announce it on an ABC show that his filling in on, he does seem to be in good spirits about the whole thing. I obviously can't imagine what it would be like to hear that type of news, but I can guarantee I wouldn't be as cool with it as Gumbel. Good luck in beating it, Bryant.

Bryant Gumbel Has Lung Cancer (People)

The first go around was eventful, to say the very least, and I'm sure HBO learned a lot about the direction that they want the show to go. Artie Lange was rumored to be a return guest for the second show, but it appears that Buck and HBO will try and pretend that blow up never even happened. Your guests for the September 22nd taping will be a slew of great NFL QBs, political hopeful Curt Schilling, and Owners Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones. They even want you to attend!

The second edition of Joe Buck Live features NFL Greats Joe Namath, Dan Marino and John Elway, Pitching Star Curt Schilling as well as Mark Cuban, Owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Jerry Jones, Owner of The Dallas Cowboys. All our guests are scheduled to appear live on the stage of the Equitable Center with Joe Buck. Filming in front of our live studio audience in New York City, this new hour-long edition of the Joe Buck Live show will include live interviews, panel discussions and pre-recorded features. You won't want to miss what promises to be an engaging, informative and entertaining evening of TV.

To attend this exclusive JOE BUCK LIVE show on TUESDAY, SEPT. 22nd, YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 8:30PM and 11:30PM. It will air on HBO simultaneously with repeat broadcasts at later dates. RSVP quickly as there are limited tickets for this event. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND THE SHOW AND YOU MUST LIVE IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TICKETS OR BE IN NYC DURING THE TAPING WEEK. TICKETS ARE COMPLIMENTARY.

If you are interested in being part of the JOE BUCK LIVE SHOW, please email us at joebucklive@broadwayvideo.com with the following information in both the subject line and body of your email:

1. Your full name
2. Your email addressOne which will not put our reply to you in your trash
folder and one which you check frequently.
PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK YOUR TRASH FOLDER JUST IN CASE!3. Your phone number(s)
4. Your age range (35-40, 18-25, 50-55 etc.)
5. Number of tickets — 2 tickets is the maximum number we can allow per
request. SINCE THIS IS A LIVE EVENT WE EXPECT THAT IF YOU ASK FOR TICKETS
YOU WILL BE USING THEM. Thanks.6. Do you consider yourself a big sports fan
— which sports (you can put this inthe body of the email)

If anyone wants to go, and be an on-site reporter for AA, let me know. I'm pretty sure that it's not going to be half as exciting as the first time though.

Joe Buck Live Lives (Deadspin)

It was announced earlier in the summer that the Cincinnati Bengals would be the subject of this "Hard Knocks" on HBO, and the time for its debut is upon us. The series will kick of next Wednesday, August 12th at 10pm, and should provide for some interesting television. Via HBO PR....

HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Cincinnati Bengals team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CINCINNATI BENGALS debuts next month. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – kicks off its fifth season WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT & 9:00 p.m. CT), exclusively on HBO and presented in HD. New hour-long episodes air subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 9 season finale, with regular encore plays on Thursdays.

“We are delighted that HARD KNOCKS will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on head coach Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals,” says Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. “There will be plenty on the line during training camp for veterans, free agents and rookies alike, and we are eager to chronicle all the passion, heartache and achievement.”

“This is a fascinating team,” says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “They’ve got a lot to prove to themselves and to the fans. As Coach Lewis has said, ‘This is a team with a chip on their shoulder.’ Training camp is a laboratory of human emotions and the Bengals have a compelling mix of personalities that should make for
dramatic television.”

Well I should say so, Marvin. The fact that you should have been fired two years ago, half your team has been arrested AND you brought Chris Henry back for a seventh time, should make for "dramatic television". I can't wait!

Obviously this isn't serious, and it's rare that Joe Buck makes me chuckle, but here is his latest tweet about the guests on his September 22nd show. Via the JBL Twitter feed....



Pretty darn funny, but there's no way that Buck would subject players of that magnitude to that kind of comedy. Michael Irvin and Chad Johnson, yes....but not Elway and Montana.

(FYI- Buck is also hinting at an appearance from Vin Sculley as well)

It's been well over two weeks since Artie Lange's tirade on "Joe Buck Live", and the story just will not die. Lange went on Michael Irvin's radio show today in what was supposed to be a discussion about the program, but quickly turned into another awkward appearance for the Stern sidekick. Not only did Artie Lange defend himself , but he also challenged Irvin's co-host to a fight at one point, and bragged about book sales following the show. Oh and there was this moment, in which Irvin brough up the news that Lange might be going back on the show. Here is some of the audio via SRI....

I think we all know that Lange is going to be on the second show, black-listed from HBO or not, and that Buck will be making the right move by doing so. In its first airing, JBL almost tripled the ratings of the final "Costas Now" show, and a return visit from Lange would certainly improve on that. Who cares if Joe Buck is uncomfortable? HBO is in the business of making money, and that's how they're going to get people to tune in.

Artie Lange Talks To Michael Irvin About His Appearance on Joe Buck Live (Sports Radio Interviews)

Yesterday, there was more fallout from the whole Joe Buck/Artie Lange exchange on Monday night, and while HBO was issuing apologies, Lange was trying to defend himself. Lange went on Chris Russo's Sirius Show yesterday, and the two station mates battled about his "set" on Joe Buck Live....

I could have done without all of the yelling, but both parties had good points. Russo was just trying to state that it wasn't funny, and while I tend to agree with him for the most part, some people are obviously going to disagree. The more I think about this, the more I think it's HBO's fault. They knew what they were getting when they asked Lange to come on, and even moreso, when they directed him to "spice it up". Plus, you can't expect to get what you want, when you don't set any guidelines. Lesson learned, I guess.

Tell me something I don't know, HBO. That's what HBO is staying today after one of the most awkward exchanges in television history, SI's Richard Deitsch was on hand to witness the whole thing. Deitsch got to talk with both Joe Buck and HBO President Ross Greenburg, and here were their thoughts....

Buck said after the show that he was aware of Lange's comedy "but I didn't think it would go to that degree. But I don't want it to ruin what I think was a really good show. For whatever happened [with Lange], live is live. There were things said at the end that I am not fan of but people can judge what Artie said however they want."

Before Lange left the stage, Buck said he asked him, 'Was I good? Was that great?' "That's his M.O.," Buck said. "That's what he believed he was brought here to do. And, you know, he can. He's a guest and it's live TV. At some point short of hitting a trap door, what are you going to do?...He came out and did his thing. I can't blame him for that but I wish it was a notch lower. I was thinking, 'How much longer do we have in the segment?' I thought that spending time on a treadmill felt long, but that [segment] was eight or nine minutes turned into an eternity."

Lange walked off the stage to mostly applause. As he departed the stage, he said, "Waaagggh. I'll never be on here again." Prior to show in talking with a reporter who asked him about throwing out a first pitch at a minor league game in Trenton soon, Lange cracked, "I'm going to be thrown out the first minute here."

HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said Lange "bordered on bad taste" and had a "mean-spirited" tone. Greenburg said the segment made him uncomfortable at times, but he hoped that the Favre interview (which Buck handled very well) would be the story that carried the day. "This feels like they are not going to be too complementary to his [Lange's] appearance, just judging from the reaction of the crowd. But it really is the public's judgment. Live television is all about risk-reward and we knew who Artie Lange was when he was booked. There was a certain degree of a risk factor where he would go and where he would take us."

For all that Buck went through last night, he certainly has a calm viewpoint following the venom. Obviously you don't know what you're getting with Lange, but I'm sure that was above and beyond what anyone was imagining beforehand. Lange, on the other hand, is saying that Greenburg told him to go there if Rudd and Sudeikis "were boring", and had some choice words for him on the Stern Show this morning.

While the event was certainly shocking, the best take I've heard on the situation comes from The Big Lead, who posed the question, "If Artie Lange Hadn’t Appeared on Joe Buck’s Show, Would There Be Any Buzz About the Debut?" The answer.....probably not.

Joe Buck, HBO respond to wild Artie Lange appearance (SI)

Well if you thought that the on-air segment with Artie Lange was uncomfortable, you ain't seen nothin' yet. The comedic panel stuck around for "Joe Buck Show Overtime", and the insults just kept on a flyin'. The video is a bit choppy, but you'll be able to make it out....

Ummm....yeah. I don't even have words really. I'm hearing word that none of that was planned, or was it appreciated by Buck himself. So very uncomfortable. During the live segment it was kind of funny, but that was just downright uncalled for. By the end, it just seemed forced and venomous. Thank god for Paul Rudd's comedic timing. Good lord.

I hope HBO doesn't mind me sharing some of the highlights from last night's debut of "Joe Buck Live", but honestly I'm doing them a favor. I don't know why for the life of me I thought that Favre would provide something interesting, but it was really 20+ minutes of nothing. That wasn't Joe Buck's fault in the least, but Favre was a waste of time. Well, outside of Favre cursing halfway through the interview.

The rest of the show was pretty entertaining though. Buck had dinner with David Wright, talked celebrity with Ocho Cinco and Michael Irvin, did a piece on "The Smoking Gun", and then brought the funneh with Artie Lange and High School buddy Paul Rudd, bringing the funneh. In fact, Lange might have stole the show with his takedown of Buck in the last segment. I warn you not to be taking a sip of something when Lange is speaking. Here are the highlights and beware of some NSFW language....

Wow....just wow. Hearing someone hint that Joe Buck "sucks c**k", has to be one of the greatest moments on this site. As far as the show....it was a bit hit and miss. Buck did a great job asking questions, wasn't overly smug and even cracked a few good jokes now and then. And while I think the format is spot on, and the fact that the show is a quarterly program gives the producers time to set the show up with some great guests, it's a little bit scattered. The theme was supposed to do with Sports and Celebrity, but none of the panelists touched on that at all.

Two quick suggestions and then I'm done....1) Get rid of the cheesy telescope bits. Not funny. 2) Keep the panels to two guests. With three, someone always gets left out (See: Sudeikis, Jason).

It certainly wasn't a bad first show, but definitely needs to be tightened up. Oh and for those of you who want to see the whole Artie Lange segment, complete with jokes about Jack Buck, here ya go!

HBO has nabbed Brett Lorenzo Favre as the first guest on Joe Buck Live, and the interview will serve as his first interview since the Vikings rumors began. Not only will Favre be appearing on the debut show, but the network has also lined up David Wright, Michael Irvin and comedian Artie Lange. Wait really?

Primed to be entertaining, informative and lively, the premiere of Joe Buck Live will offer a diverse collection of interviews, opinions and humor as the topic of Sports & Celebrity is addressed. The show will originate from midtown Manhattan and a live studio audience will get to participate.

Segment One: One- on-One live interview with former Green Bay and New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre.

Segment Two: The Glare of Celebrity with former Dallas Cowboy wide receiver and radio personality Michael Irvin and Cincinnati Bengals newsmaker and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. David Wright of the New York Mets will appear in a taped piece on living in the hot New York media spotlight.

Segment Three: A comedy panel featuring Paul Rudd, Artie Lange and Jason Sudeikis, offering their unrehearsed take on sports and celebrity.C

I honestly thought that the first episode was going to just be a lame panel discussion about athletes and celebrities, but this lineup is pretty impressive. The show will also be airing a few taped segments, including one from the Will Ferrell comedy site, "Funny or Die". I'll try to have clips up later tonight, or tomorrow morning.

So details about the first episode of Joe Buck Live airs this Monday, and I know the excitement is palpable. The topics appear to be almost exactly the same as the infamous Buzz Bissinger HBO dust-up, but with more witty commentary (courtesy of Buck, obviously). Oh and get this, you might even be able to attend! Via Deadspin....

The first edition of Joe Buck Live focuses on "Sports and Celebrity." Combine the 24-hour news cycle with internet reporting, bloggers, gossip columns, sports talk radio, commercial endorsements and the glare of continuous television coverage, and today's superstar athlete is constantly in play.

Utilizing a live studio audience in New York City, the hour-long show will include live interviews, panel discussions, pre-recorded features and a few surprises. We are keeping the great guests a secret and waiting for the big reveal on June 15th when Joe Buck Live will be filmed in front of our exclusive audience. You won't want to miss what promises to be an engaging, informative and entertaining evening of TV.

To attend this exclusive JOE BUCK LIVE show on MONDAY, JUNE 15th YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 7:30PM and 10:30PM. It will be shown live on HBO simultaneously with repeat broadcasts at later dates. RSVP quickly as there are limited tickets for this event. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND THE SHOW AND YOU MUST LIVE IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TICKETS OR BE IN NYC DURING THE TAPING WEEK. TICKETS ARE COMPLIMENTARY.

If you are interested in being part of the JOE BUCK LIVE SHOW, please email us at joebucklive@broadwayvideo.com with the following information in both the subject line and body of your email:

1. Your full name
2. Your email address (one which will not put our reply to you in your garbage folder and one which you check frequently.)
PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK YOUR GARBAGE FOLDER JUST IN CASE!
3. Your phone number(s)
4. Your age range (35-40, 18-25, 50-55 etc.)
5. 2 tickets is the maximum number we can allow per request.
(SINCE THIS IS A LIVE EVENT WE EXPECT THAT IF YOU ASK FOR TICKETS YOU WILL BE USING THEM. Thanks)
6. Do you consider yourself a big sports fan — which sports (you can put this in the body of the email)

You can't just show up at the Joe Buck Show! No way, no how! You have to write an essay on why you are a Sports fan, email it in triplicate and then wait by the mother f**king phone, if you want to get into this rodeo!!!

Joe Buck Will Slay You (Deadspin)

There was one point in time when Joe Buck made me laugh. I think I was 12 at the time, but that's besides the point. In his first commercial for his now show, Joe Buck Live, the Buckster has once again made me chuckle. Here's your first look at the spot for the show which debuts on June 15th at 9pm....

While I'm certainly not a fan, I'm not writing off his show entirely....yet. Part of the reason Buck became so annoying, was because he decided to move away from the "everyman" approach, and let his ego takeover the broadcasts. Hopefully this new venue will give him some much needed "AA" (attitude adjustment).

Yes! Our prayers have been answered folks. A week or so ago, I mentioned that the Bengals were being considered for the HBO show Hard Knocks, and today the team will announce that they are accepting the cable channel's offer. Via the Cincy Inquirer....

The Bengals are expected to be officially named on Thursday as the team that will appear on HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp.”

The team has scheduled a noon press conference at Paul Brown Stadium to make “an announcement regarding a major development for the Bengals 2009 preseason."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and NFL Films President Steve Sabol are expected to be among the speakers.

The Bengals would be the fourth team to appear on the HBO series. Lewis was the defensive coordinator at Baltimore during the first season in 2001. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer appeared in the second season in 2002, which featured Dallas.

That is just about the best news, I've heard in awhile. If there are not solo story lines following Chris Henry and Andre Smith, I'm going to be very upset. Good job, HBO.

'Hard Knocks' taps Bengals (Cincinnati Inquirer)

It's been a good while since HBO announced Joe Buck would be replacing Bob Costas on his vacant talk show, and we now have a first air date, and a name for said show. According to Broadcasting & Cable, the quarterly program will be called "Joe Buck Live" and will be airing on June 15th. Oh and get this, the first episode will include a segment on bloggers!

New quarterly sports series Joe Buck Live is set to kick off June 15 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. The show, produced by HBO Sports' Peabody and Emmy-winning production department, will include a live studio audience, interviews, panel discussions, and pre-recorded features.

The first episode explores sports and celebrity, delving into the 24-hour news cycle, bloggers, gossip columnists, sports talk radio, commercial endorsements, and today's multimillionaire superstar athletes.

"I am just going to be myself," Buck said of his new show. "We will cover serious topics, but we will also have a lot of fun. With the combination of live television, sports and entertainment, I am excited to see what happens. It's a new avenue for me and I am going to give it all I've got. I hope I am as funny as my mom says I am."

Great....just great. Not only do we have to deal with Buck himself, we have to deal with his first show being about a medium he knows nothing about. At least give the guy something he's knowlegable for his first airing. You know....fake moonings and Desperate Housewives.

‘Joe Buck Live' To Debut On HBO In Mid-June (Broadcasting & Cable)
Joe Buck's Talk Show Is Set To Air June 15th (With Leather)

Please, please, please let this happen! The Cincy Enquirer, via First Cuts, is reporting that the producers of HBO's Hard Knocks are seriously considering following the Bengals for the show this Summer....

The Bengals are being considered to be the featured team on this year's Hard Knocks:Training Camp series, which is aired on HBO in late July and August. No final decision has been made though by HBO or NFL Films, which produces the series. Both HBO and NFL Films like teams that train away from their home complexes during training camp, which makes the Bengals a fit. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also has experience with what the series entails. He was the defensive coordinator at Baltimore during the first year the series ran in 2000. There is one factor though that would make this seem like a weird arrangement -- team owner Mike Brown rarely gives interviews anymore (and he would have to be on TV plenty for this series).

What a great idea, HBO! This will bring an entirely new meaning to the term "Hard Knocks", especially when you consider that they just brought in head case Andre Smith into the fold. This better happen!

HBO Considers Bengals For 'Hard Knocks' (First Cuts)

I stopped watching Entourage about two season ago, but with some of the recent athlete cameos they've put together, I might be getting back in. First it was Michael Phelps doing a walk-by, and now the crew while be hanging with New England Pats' QB, Tom Brady. Pop Sugar (via DSpin) has the details and photos....

Tom Brady got to work — if you could call it that — on a golf course filming Entourage with the cast yesterday. The QB signed on to guest star as himself playing in a celebrity golf tournament on the HBO series and executive producer Mark Wahlberg couldn't resist getting in on the scene as well. The boys hit the links, playing around with each other between takes and having a few laughs at Kevin Dillon's outfit. Hopefully Tom took it easy on his knee, though there are no complaints here seeing a handful of handsome men, starring a few Boston favorites, all together.

Those are some dapper looking, young lads! I don't know how I'd feel about Brady playing Golf during his recovery, but you have to get moving at some point. I'll be sure to have the video when the appearance airs.

Tom Brady Tees Up on the Set of Entourage (Pop Sugar)
Tom Brady Wants To Be Your Superhero (Deadspin)

Jim Lampley has been in and out of the news over the past few years, and whether or not you respect him as person based on some of his past transgressions, you can't deny that he's good on camera. Lampley has always had a spot in both the Winter and Summer Olympics, but following NBC's placement of Al Michaels as the Winter studio host, Lampley might end up skipping this year's Olympics in a bit of a protest.

It has been rumored that Lampley was offered a Hockey role for the Games, but according to the NY Daily News, the HBO Sports' play-by-play man has reportedly turned the offer down....

His EbNess decided to boot Lampley from the role of daytime Olympic studio host in favor of Al Michaels (he last hosted the earthquake at the '89 World Series), who will don the turtleneck and smoking jacket for NBC's 2010 Winter Games coverage from Vancouver. Lampley had a string of working 14 straight Olympics. Ebersol said he "could not imagine" Lampley not having a role in Vancouver.

Start imagining. Spies say Lampley was offered the hockey-host gig and turned it down.

I don't really think of Lampley as someone who would be offended by this. He only had a small role during the last Winter Olympics, but after being replaced on the Summer Games by Bob Costas, he could certainly be feeling a bit slighted.

Turning off the Lamp(ley) (NY Daily News)

HBO Sports has been putting together a nice collection of rivalry documentaries, with the last being a look at Ohio State and Michigan, and their latest should be just as interesting. The network will be delving into the dynamic that is Duke-UNC, titled "Battle for Tobacco Road", and they've got a pretty impressive lineup of cameos. Via HBO PR....

Separated by fewer than ten miles, the two schools have been going at it on the hardwood since 1920. But over the past 25 years, their heated competition has steadily grown in intensity, with Duke and North Carolina gearing up each season to reach a common goal: to beat their archrival twice in the regular season, regardless of rankings or won-loss records. These two Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouses frequently dominate the conference standings, and routinely compete for the top spot in the national polls. Remarkably, since the NCAA Tournament expanded to its current configuration in 1985, these two schools alone have combined for more national titles (five) and made more Final Four appearances (18), than any other entire conference.

The high-profile list of interviewees from the Blue Devils and Tar Heels programs weighing in on the intense rivalry in BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD: DUKE VS. CAROLINA includes: Hall of Fame coaches Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski; players Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Charlie Scott, Larry Brown, Art Heyman, Kenny Smith, Phil Ford, Eric Montross, Mitch Kupchak, Chris Collins, Grant Hill, Alaa Abdlenaby, Jay Bilas, Mike Gminski, Johnny Dawkins, Brian Davis, J.J. Redick, Jeff Capel and Christian Laettner; commentators Jim Lampley and Seth Davis; former Duke athletic director Tom Butters; and current Tar Heels coach Roy Williams.

Sounds pretty interesting, and if it's anywhere near as good as the UM-OSU one, it will certainly be a hit.

So the details surrounding Joe Buck's new show on HBO are slowly starting to take shape, and Sports Business Daily has a few of the more interesting angles and ideas. According to SBD, the show will be 90 minutes in length, air quarterly and take on the town hall format that people responded to so well. Not only that, but Buck is even suggesting that they keep the name "Costas Now"....

HBO Sports Thursday announced the hiring of Fox' Joe Buck in the wake of Bob Costas' departure to MLB Network. Buck will host a sports talk show starting this May that will air on a quarterly basis and likely will utilize a town-hall format. HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg: "We will build a show around Joe that will showcase his personality and his talent and … there will be some comedic elements as well.” Buck added the show "will be different," but admitted some of the details were still undetermined. Buck: "We don't even have a name for it. I suggested to Ross that we keep 'Costas Now.'" Buck also said he "would like to bring in other elements" outside of just sports. Buck: "I don't think that keeping it straight sports all the time is something that really suits me best. ... This is going to be a unique look"

The biggest question, I have about the show, is if they are going to go straight Sports or make it more of a late night talk show format. Both could actually work, and while I think Joe Buck isn't the greatest PbPer, people might respond to him in as a talk show host. Obviously you have to find a balance between non-Sports and Sports, but I'm not totally discounting HBO and Buck actually pulling it off. I'll be sure to keep you updated as things progress.

HBO Sports Hires Buck To Host Show In Wake Of Costas Exit (Sports Business Daily - $)

Huzzah! That was fast wasn't it? You would have thought that HBO would have taken a little bit of time considering Bob Costas left just two days ago, but when there's a marquee guy like Buck out there I guess you don't wait. The network made it official just a few minutes ago and here's their press release....

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2009 – HBO Sports, widely recognized for its pioneering, award-winning and distinctive storytelling productions, will add another accomplished broadcast talent to its programming roster when Joe Buck hosts a sports talk show launching this May, it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports, and Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. The new series will be presented on a quarterly basis and likely utilize a live town hall format.

“I am flattered and beyond excited that HBO has given me this opportunity,” said Buck, who will continue as FOX Sports’ lead play-by-play commentator on its NFL and MLB packages. “With HBO’s track record, production quality and rate of success, there is no more desirable home in sports. I hope to create something fresh and unique for the network that truly showcases all I can do. And I hope to get Larry David’s cell phone number someday.”

“At HBO we strive to produce programs viewers cannot watch anywhere else on the dial,” said Greenburg. “Whether it’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’ or ‘Hard Knocks’ or our ‘Sports of the 20th Century’ documentary franchise, we try to capture our audience’s attention with something unique and innovative. With someone as talented and engaging as Joe Buck, this new show should become another signature program for HBO Sports.”

“We will craft the series to showcase Joe’s character and personality,” said Bernstein. “Joe is a tremendous broadcaster and we are thrilled to develop this new platform with him.”

So yeah, I said everything I wanted to say in regards to this yesterday, so umm....good luck or something. Oh and Larry David's cell phone number? You never cease to amaze me with your wit and humor, Buckster.

With Costas Gone, The HBO Door Opens For Joe Buck (Awful Announcing)