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)

Got a note from ESPN that I had to watch the start of PTI today, and they were not lying. Kornheiser and Wilbon are breaking the news that the John Calipari to Kentucky deal is reportedly of because Rick Pitino was completing a "backdoor" deal at the time of Calipari's press conference today. Check the video....

If you remember, PTI tried something similar last April, but the attempt at fooling people that they were replaying the end of an NCAA Tournament game didn't really work. I have to admit to all of you, that even though I'm not a fan of April Fool's Day, that one was pretty good.

Oh and I have to also admit that I fell for it too (bastards!).

Of course the answer is no, but there was yet another funny moment on PTI yesterday, when Wilbon called Kornheiser out for his appearance on the "Today Show" with Matt Lauer. Wilbon not only questioned it, but even accused Tony of "auditioning" for the show. Here's the clip (thanks to HK for the vid)....

It would never happen, but wouldn't it be funny if the end of PTI was brought on by Matt Lauer? If there's a way to go out....that would be it!

There was a rather funny segment on last night's PTI program that had Wilbon and Kornheiser debating just which bike accident was more intriguing, NBC's Matt Lauer during his recent bike accident, or Lance Armstrong's crash. Well the Today Show picked up on it, and even joked that Matt Lauer would sue Tony and Mikey for their comments. Here's the clip via DC Sports Bog....

Pretty entertaining, and while Matt Lauer's story is somewhat unbelievable, I have seen an actual person get hit by a deer before. Since then....nothing's really shocked me.

Update: Tony will actually be on tomorrow with Matt Lauer. I'll try to get the video for you all.

Today Show vs. Kornheiser/Wibon (DC Sports Bog)

I was all set to follow up with the based on an article from the Detroit Free-Press that detailed Kornheiser and Wilbon's, extreme anger with Detroit's NBC Affiliate for the whole disclaimer thing, but this is much more entertaining.

PTI is still doing those live cut-ins during commercials, but apparently they're running out of ideas. Why do you ask? Well because yesterday they had Tony Reali make out with the camera during one of them....

Man, that was a bit too close, wasn't it? It might be time to try something else guys. Just sayin'.

PTI's Kornheiser, Wilbon not amused by Channel 4's Matt Millen crawl (Detroit Free-Press)

It's been awhile since we've highlighted one of PTI's random commercial cut-ins, but this one was too funny to ignore. As they come back from one commercial, and heading into the next, you can tell that Kornheiser is trying to come up with something for the "Give the People Something to Watch" bit at the end of the show. Tony only cares to know if one show is on, and that show is American Idol!

Good lord. I don't watch the show, but isn't it on just about every night during the week? You would think that someone working on the set would know the answer to Tony's question.

Idol....Idol?....Idol's On???....Oh Idol! Oh and if you're looking for more Tony, be sure to check out his latest interview with Dan Levy over at "On The DL".

Tony Kornheiser (On The DL)

Ugh. ESPN has decided to once again has decided to add a fan-based, nonsensical feature to Sports Center. This winter, you'll be able to nominate individuals for something called the "Mt. Rushmore of Sports", and after Rick Reilly runs the segment into the ground on Sports Center daily, vote on the four people that should represent your state's make believe, Mount Rushmore. Via ESPN....

SportsCenter, ESPN’s flagship news and information program, and ESPN.com, the leading online sports destination, will combine to present a five-week, fan-based series to celebrate the sports icons from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The series, titled “SportsCenter Mount Rushmore of Sports,” will use fan-generated nominations on ESPN.com to identify the top four sports greats in each state/region, and online voting to select the state with the most impressive collection of sports luminaries worthy of being etched in the state’s Mount Rushmore of sports.

As part of the series, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com award-winning columnist Rick Reilly will host daily SportsCenter segments focusing on the top five states/regions selected by fans as having the most significant collection of sports icons Monday, Feb. 16 – Friday, Feb. 20, beginning daily at 9 a.m. ET. Reilly, who joined ESPN in June 2008 as a multimedia essayist and contributor to the network’s coverage of marquee events, will also pair with PTI co-host and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, and a Associated Press writer (one per state/region) to pick the fourth “must have” luminary for each state/region.

Beginning Sunday, Jan. 18, fans can submit names of their top three athletes, coaches and/or team executives in their state by logging on to: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/sportscenter/mtrushmore. To be eligible, the sports icons must be individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of sports in their respective states/regions (athletes, coaches, team executives, owners, media/commentators, et al).

During the week of February 2-7, ESPN.com will reveal the final four names for each state/region. Fans can log on and rank the top five states/regions. In addition, February 8-14, the site will include an online exclusive content featuring ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Steve Bunin discussing and debating the selections. On television February 16-20, Reilly’s “SportsCenter Mt. Rushmore of Sports” segments will profile the five finalists and argue the merits of each of the top five states/regions.

At the conclusion of Reilly’s segments on SportsCenter, fans can vote online for the top state/region Feb. 20-23, and the winner will be announced Tuesday, Feb. 24, on SportsCenter at 6 p.m.

Sorry for the length of that blockquote, but I thought it was necessary so you could understand the sheer nonsense of the idea. This is just like the annoying "Titletown" stunt, but with actual people instead of cities and towns. The fact that Rick Reilly is involved makes me dread it even that much more.

When I first got an email with the above quote, I assumed that there had to be some sort of joke involved with the comment. But no. Not joke at all. Tony was asking Michael Wilbon if he had any wedding advice for Shelden Williams and Candace Parker, who recently eloped, and he had this to say....

So that's why he was hanging out at those porn star parties! But hey, I'm not one to judge. Like Kornheiser said....good for you.

(Thanks to ES for the tip)

Michael Wilbon cause quite a stir in the MMA community last week when he decided to say that the CBS Elite XC fight between Kimbo Slice and Seth Petruzelli was fixed and even compared the Sport of MMA to professional wrestling. Well David Scott, of Scott's Shots, followed up with Wilbon via email and actually got a response back from the PTI co-host.

After Wilbon had explained his feeling on the Sport and about the fight itself, in the first email, there was a second exchange between the two. Here's what went down...

SHOTS REPLY:

Thanks Mike. Appreciate the response.

I’m far from an MMA expert - or even a fan - but the criticism I’m reading of your comments seems to stem from A) you’re not well-informed about the sport (for instance, the difference between EliteXC and UFC) and B) you’re dismissing the fact that 4.3 million watched the fight - a very respectable number and far better then hockey or soccer for instance. (That number is what MLB is averaging on TBS for the first round of playoffs, in fact).

I guess I’m asking if you would be so dismissive and condescending to the NHL? Or MLS? Or Arena Football?

Can you see where MMA fans and supporters would be a bit outraged and perturbed? Can you also comment on whether or not you would use such harsh terms with a “mainstream” sport?

Have you received a lot of correspondence re: this subject? Seems like the MMA fans are pretty protective of their sport. . .

Thanks again for your time.

Wilbon Response #2

Hi David…Believe me, I expected the criticism. But while I appear on TV 5 days a week I’m a columnist. Tough stances are what we do. I don’t need to be well versed in MMA to watch and listen and make an observation. And, I don’t care if 20 million people watch. Millions watch professional wrestling but that doesn’t mean we don’t question the outcome. The number of people watching makes it popular and well received, but doesn’t mean the event is above question. I’m not paid by MMA. I don’t care how many people watch. Why is my making the same observation about boxing, which I do know tons about and have covered and criticized, ignored in this discussion? And ANYBODY who watches “PTI” knows I have ripped (as well as praised) every single sport out there, from the NFL to MLS to NBA to the NHL to Arena Football, etc. I’ve ripped apart folks whose events get a whole lot more than 4.3 million people watching. So while there are plenty of valid criticisms of my opinions, pulling punches on various sports ain’t one of them. Whoever makes that criticism either isn’t familiar with my work or has an agenda. It’s bull*&^@ and can be completely refuted by simply pulling five tapes of “PTI” (or five of my columns) from the last 7 years. Anyway, in terms of the amount of criticism that might be coming my way, that seems to be something that people who do TV and critique TV really care about. I could care less. I’ve written a column for 18 years. I’m sure you know this ain’t the first reaction to something I’ve written. It’s their right and I encourage the give and take. But if angry readers were going to move a columnist off his mark he and his work wouldn’t be worth a damn. So if the MMA folks are upset they’ll let me know. It won’t be the first dust-up, nor the last. I think it’s a fascinating study, though, the way people apparently think now that their criticism can back people down who criticize something they love. Sorry. Not here. I don’t mind in the least the give and take with fans of whatever sport it is voicing their opinion…Conversation has to be a two-way street… In Atlanta people get upset because I call Atlanta the worst sports city in America. They write. Some scream. A very few agree. I build my argument, make my case and people accept or reject it…But it’s not like I’m going to run and hide because people send some angry e-mail…Are people in media that gutless now. If people don’t think 28 years of covering sports gives me some knowledge and insight they’ll stop watching/listening/reading. I guess we’ll see what happens over the next few days when I return to the show Monday…But thanks for engaging in the discussion. Sorry to ramble. Don’t hesitate to correspond in any case…Take care. MW

Okay....so did you make it all the way through that? Good. First of all, it's really interesting that Wilbon is taking the time to talk to websites/blogs, like Scott's Shots, now. It shows a better understanding of the new medium on his part and it's better for everyone interested in a story like this. Second, he's overall point is right. I don't think it was fixed myself, but there's no way the Sport shouldn't be without scrutiny. Just like this site, or any other blog, Wilbon is simply giving an opinion in the end. I understand the passion of MMA fans, but just because someone disagrees with you, doesn't necessarily mean that they are wrong. Remember....anything is possible.

Wilbon Expands on MMA/Kimbo Slice Comments (Scott's Shots)
ESPN's Michael Wilbon Says Kimbo Slice- Seth Petruzelli Fight Was Fixed (Fanhouse)

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.

“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.”

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.

The network also extended the contract of Jeff Van Gundy today in conjunction with the Magic announcement.

Since Tuesday, I've been getting multiple emails asking me why Tony and Wilbon keep popping up randomly during commercial breaks. To answer all of your questions....I don't know why. Here's what I'm talking about....

PTI is the flagship program for the network, and they've been using it to keep people interested in shows like the 6pm Sports Center for awhile. This move seems along those same lines, but doing so with advertisers is just a bit annoying. It's obvious that these are on purpose, and I hate commercials as much as the next person, but this comes across as someone trying too hard.

I think PTI is by far the best show on the network (I think everyone knows that), but ESPN needs to be careful they don't ruin the show with all of this nonsense. The show suffers enough when guest hosts fill-in, and when you start breaking the show up and doing these cut-ins, it's only going to make more people change the channel.

I've never believed that Sports writers should lose their allegiances once they are on a national level, but that certainly seems to be an unwritten rule. I think Wilbon's love for all things Chicago is clearly documented almost daily on PTI, but he almost considered not singing "Take Me Out...." because of potential backlash. The Chicago Tribune even said it, "raised issues."

"If I live 40 more years," he said, "it will still be the coolest and most bizarre thing I have ever done."

Cool for obvious reasons: Wilbon grew up idolizing Ernie Banks and wearing Ran Santo's No. 10 jersey on his South Side Little League team. The Northwestern alum has hit Wrigley more than 100 times as a fan. And bizarre because of the ethical line he seemingly had crossed. No, this wasn't cheering in the press box. It was wearing a team's uniform on its home field before 40,000 fans.

"When they asked me to do it," Wilbon said, "I thought: No. Sportswriters, journalists don't do that."

Then Wilbon remembered: He's not just a sportswriter. He estimates that no more than 20 percent of his "PTI" audience would even realize he writes a sports column for the Washington Post.

"There's fairness but no objectivity," he said. "I'm not going to pretend I don't root for the Bulls. The people we cover are much cooler with that then this false pretense of objectivity."

Man, the fraternity that is sports writing is just wacky. I love how you have to immediately cut all ties to any team you ever loved as soon as you get to a certain level. That has to be borderline impossible for some people. Obviously you need to be somewhat objective, but this really shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Wilbon at Wrigley raises issues (Chicago Tribune)

(FYI- Sorry for the delay in postings this morning. I had to run errands and Auto Publish failed me.)

I think Levy finally got his dream guest on the podcast in Wilbon yesterday (I'm sure I come in a close second) and the result was a fifty minute chat on just about everything. Wilbon talked blogs of course, but there are really much more interesting conversations about Tony, his health and not wearing pants on set.

Here's a quick glimpse. You can either click on the topic below to listen to that particular topic, or just listen to the whole thing via the link below....

Michael Wilbon Full Interview

On Stephen A. Smith: "I think they thought here's a different voice. It's different, there are people who connect with it and we love this voice. It sounds different......Nobody's voice sounds like Stephen A's. So for better or worse, depending on your point of view, that was his calling card."

On Blogs: “I know there are some great bloggers. But how do we know what that blogger knows. Of course, I’m giving you the cynicism of people who have cut their teeth in this business and had to, sort of pass an exam every day for years and years and years when readers would ask, ‘how do you know this.’

“Reading habits are very difficult to form and even more difficult to break. We’d like to think we’ve built up some trust, so before I believe this blogger, this person’s got to build up some trust. Again, you’re getting this point of view from someone 49 years old.”

“When it’s in good fun, I’m not that serious a guy. When it isn’t, I’m real serious. When it becomes admonishing and sanctimonious, then I come back with Fire and Brimstone. That’s the way I combat stuff. When these things are treated as they should be, in my opinion, which is with some sense that it is hilarious and some context, then it is what it is. But when people get sanctimonious, I come out swinging.”

On the "No Pants" Situation: "I wear shorts starting the moment I come home from the NBA Finals. I wear shorts virtually everyday. Virtually. So let's say 95% of the time. Until Labor Day or so. Probably late September, when the temperature gets back in the 70s. That's what I've do. I've done it for seven years. I'm going to continue to do it. I told PTI, don't put the camera done there then! We don't need to see my legs."

On hanging with Porn Stars: "They're adult film star. Oh boy. What reaction should I have had other than it's funny? People who would suggest I would have another reaction, you know, I would love for somebody to say that to my face."

On Kornheiser: "We're old and we're friends."

The whole interview is very eye opening, and while I understand Wilbon's issues with trusting the "Web", he still seems to come across as defensive for no reason. In almost every answer he says he understands but then gets combative. At one point he even says, "If you come at me with sanctimony, I will verbally try to cut you, deep." And he meant it as seriously as that reads.

I've learned by now that there are just some people who will just never understand or accept what is happening in Sports Media, and Wilbon is certainly one of them. There's also really nothing wrong with that. No one is going to convince him differently and he has every right to not like something and fight back if he feels the need to. He also should feel really proud of all of the work that he's put in because he's damn good at what he does and is an example of what's right in the business.

The other side of this that he, and others, need to understand (and they don't) is A) It's not going away, and B) There's a reason that the online movement came on so fast and so big. It wasn't by accident. Some people were tired with lazy and cookie-cutter reporting and we're looking for something new. Wilbon has certainly never really fallen into that category, but sticking up for people who do is just counterproductive to any medium or industry growing. That's something that Sports Blogs are just now figuring out, and we've been in existence for what, five to six years?

The thing that Michael needs to really understand (and everyone for that matter) is that taking all of this stuff so damn seriously is only going to make you to go crazy. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you, but you have to learn to laugh it off. The pants thing was just downright hilarious and Porn Star stuff was harmless. They way it was handled on PTI was perfect and the reason why everyone connect with the show.

In the end, if you can't make fun of yourself.....who can you make fun of?

Michael Wilbon Joins the DL (On The DL)
Mike Wilbon Is Not A Fan Of Long Pants (Awful Announcing)
The PTI Guys Have A Little Fun With Wilbon's "Night Out" (Awful Announcing)

You knew it was only a matter of time. For tonight and tomorrow's editions of PTI you'll be getting a dose of the one and only, Richard Paul Reilly. Tony is on assignment in Green Bay for Monday Night Football, so we get stuck with the ESPN The Mag writer for two days.

Expect a lot of PGA Championship talk and cheesy jokes about how he can't watch primetime Olympic coverage because he's already in bed. Actually that's not really any different than what Tony gives on a day to day basis, so he should fit right in.

Last month it was Charlie Weis in the booth for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and now it's friend of the blogger, and PTI host, Michael Wilbon....

Not a bad job if you ask me. There was however word on Sports Center this morning that he had a terrible first pitch to start the game. Still looking for that clip, but hopefully it was at least better than the Mayor of Cincinnati and/or Mariah Caray.

I swear I watched the entire episode of PTI last night and I didn't notice this, but thank to the eagle eye(s) of Mister Irrelevant we have the best photo to come out of Bristol since...well, link.

It's not out of the ordinary for announcers and TV hosts to go sans pants, but it's another thing entirely to see it on air....



I remember a few months back, I saw Jalen Rose wearing some white high tops during an NBA Fastbreak segment, but this is awesome. It almost seems like a Penn & Teller trick it's so out of place.

The Only Thing Michael Wilbon Hates More Than Sports Bloggers Is Pants (Mister Irrelevant)

See this is the kind of thing that endears PTI to its viewers and the 'Sphere. You have nothing to be embarrassed about when heading out to a party with porn stars (besides that you technically work for Disney) and you should be able to poke fun at it the day after. PTI did so tonight (careful with the volume)....

>

Sorry for the quality but I think you got the gist of things. Good times and for a refresher please refer to the post below.

AJ at Deadspin has come across some rather interesting photos at a party following Game Three of the Finals last night. Now I'm not one to normally post sketchy party photos, okay occasionally, but these look like the parties were knowing participants.

Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon (above with adult film star Carly Parker), J.A. Adande, and presumably Bill Simmons. From Deadspin via Christian Sings The Blues....(Very NSFW site)

After about an hour or so, I noticed some familiar faces standing close to our table, but they were getting bumped and jostled in the throng of clubgoers. So of course since it was not my table, nor did I pay a single cent for the alcohol there, I invited them in to join us! lol. It was Jon Barry, an ex-NBA player turned analyst, Michael Wilbon, host of the popular show on ESPN "Pardon the Interruption" and J.A. Adande, ESPN.com and LA Times sports writer. (By the way, I am calling you out Bill Simmons....quit avoiding me, you are going to be in a pic with me in this blog by Dec 31....it's not a choice! so stop stalling)

Hey I don't have anything wrong with hanging out with porn stars and Hollywood luminaries but I'm pretty sure ESPN might. We shall see. It is L.A. and there are Porn Stars f'ing EVERYWHERE, and this could have been at a Bennigans for all we know. Good times seem to have been had by all though....


Pardon The Interruption...In My Pants! (Deadspin)

From PTI this evening.....

You Guys!

Every year the Washington Post makes a huge deal about Tony Kornheiser's bracket. He writes all of these cute notes on it and everyone laughs at his silliness. Well let's take a look shall we (click for larger).....


Umm, this actually isn't that bad. Damn...I was all set to make fun of him. About all you can pick on is the fact that he lost his shirt at Belmont's track...that's no fun. Let's try the Sports Gal....

Final Four: UCLA, Memphis, UNC, and USC
Championship: UNC over UCLA

We went to bed and I was pumping milk for my baby for the following morning. Bill somehow found the porn awards on Showtime and decided to keep them on for about 20 minutes while I was pumping milk for our son. You're supposed to think about wholesome things when you're pumping because it helps your milk let down, but Bill had no problem watching a show with gross clips and disgusting awards and cracking jokes like "I hope Courtney Cummz wins this one, she's due."

Damn, I can't make fun of her either. Oh well.....anyone know where Wilbon's brackets are?

Reminder: Join The AA Bracket Contest