One of the more obvious annoyances within the Sports media world, is Chris Berman's nickname schtick. People call him out on it all the time, but when Berman was added to ESPN's coverage of the Masters last year, he chose to keep it in his arsenal. And according to Neil Best at Newsday, he's not going to be changing anytime soon...."But that doesn’t mean it’s a Caddyshack or even Tin Cup, which is a great film. Everything is treated with respect. It’s within the moment of golf. There will be a few nicknames. But it’s while they’re lining up a putt. It’s not distracting. You won’t hear it as the ball is halfway to the cup.While it bothers me as much as the next person, he does sort of have a point. It can't be easy to fill three hours of airtime, and if part of that time is spent lightheartedly....I don't really have a problem with it. It's when it becomes forced that I start to bang my head on the wall. Hopefully Berman can keep it to a dull roar at Bethpage this year.
"Will you hear Ground Control to David Toms? You hear it once a year, not five times a year, once a year. Will you hear me intro Roger as Chocolate Maltbie? Sure. But once. Diet Koch? Sure, when it’s in the spirit of what I’ve done in my career for 30 years. Nothing has changed.
"In golf, it’s less. But pull up a chair and enjoy the hour or half hour or three hours you can spend with us because we make it enjoyable that a couple of friends might be talking about something that you the viewer and Roger and I and everyone on the course care about. That’s all."
Chris Berman says detractors are 'missing the point' (Newsday)
You mean ESPN's coverage of the US Open. I don't think Augusta would let Berman anywhere near their coverage.
ReplyDeleteI think Berman's schtick is okay for SportsCenter highlights and PrimeTime because its highlights and its supposed to be light. But during a major golf championship or even the baseball games he announces, its out of place.
Lets also not forget that hes just reusing the same nicknames for like 20 years. It stops being cute after a while Berman.
It would be better if he shut up once in a while.
ReplyDeleteIf Berman cared so much about it, maybe he would NOT use those stupid nicknames.
But he doesn't care, because he's Berman who knows jackshit about golf and needs to have his face plastered all over the place.
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ReplyDeleteOut of all the loud-mouthed, annoying, self-important blowhards that ESPN employs, this fat ass is the #1 reason that I rarely watch the channel anymore. Ed's comment above is correct, he's only allowed to pollute the U.S. Open with his presence. I think it's in the contract between Augusta National and the four letter network that lard ass is excluded from the coverage team.
ReplyDeleteHe's big ... and he's bigger than the event he covers. Just like most everyone else on ESPN.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that I would mind his nicknames as much if they weren't so dated. Jesus, the guy only references things from the 70's.
ReplyDeleteGregg -- In fact, I believe Mike Tirico was the only ESPNer that was allowed to be on the Masters telecast on ESPN for Thursday & Friday. The rest was the CBS crew, minus Gary McCord of course.
ReplyDeleteThere's a radio commercial that runs sometimes on ESPN Radio (I have no idea what the product is, but that is illrelivent) that has Berman riding along in the car saying all his old catchphrases (back, baack, baack, he could go all the way, etc). If there is really a hell, I'm thinking it is driving for 5-plus hours with Berman riding shotgun doing his old schtick.
ReplyDeleteIt can't be easy to fill three hours of airtime...
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. On the other hand, he's the guy getting paid to do it so you think he could at least put some effort into it instead of recycling lameness.
I can't stand Chris Berman and have never liked him. Whenever he comes on TV, I have always reached the mute button. He tries to be witty and funny, but he has always failed. I don't even like looking at his fat ugly face.
ReplyDeleteHe thinks Tin Cup is a great movie?
ReplyDelete