Well the time is upon us. Super Bowl XLIV is here, and I wanted to pass along your full broadcasting schedule. I've broken it down by network (CBS, ESPN and NFL Network), so you can flip around during the day depending on where your interests lie.

CBS

The Road To The Super Bowl (Noon-1pm)
Phil Simms All-Iron Team (1pm-2pm)
Studio Show: Super Bowl Today (2-6pm) - James Brown, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, Charley Casserly; Reporters: Lesley Visser, Sam Ryan, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots, Dick Enberg and contributor Katie Couric

SEGMENTS:

- THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS: James Brown takes a look at New Orleans four-and-a-half years after one of the nation's worst natural catastrophes, Hurricane Katrina
- PLAXICO BURRESS: Plaxico Burress sits down with Bill Cowher for his first interview since being sent to jail in September of 2009.
- DREW BREES: Katie Couric sits down with the Saints quarterback.
- REGGIE BUSH: Bush is interviewed by NFL Today analyst Shannon Sharpe.
- NEW ORLEANS DEFENSE: Lesley Visser sits down with Darren Sharper, Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith as they prepare to face the Colts high octane offense.
- PEYTON MANNING: Dan Marino visits with him and talks about Manning’s first Super Bowl win three years ago in Miami, the Colts’ decision not to go for a perfect season, and facing the team that his father Archie played for, the New Orleans Saints.
- DWIGHT FREENEY AND ROBERT MATHIS: Boomer Esiason sits down with Freeney and Mathis as they get ready to take on Drew Brees and the Saints.
- INDIANAPOLIS RECEIVING CORPS: Sam Ryan visits with the Colts’ receiving corps and discusses the role Peyton Manning has played in the quartet’s success.
- WYNTON MARSALIS: Jazz impresario Wynton Marsalis pays a special tribute with music and words to his beloved city of New Orleans.
- BARACK OBAMA: Katie Couric interviews the President before the game.
- GUY FIERI: Will prepare the “perfect tailgate food.”
- MUSICAL PERFORMANCES: Steve Winwood & Daughtry

SUPER BOWL XLIV (6:28pm Kickoff)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots

ESPN

Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2, 6am)- Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
SportsCenter (ESPN, 7am)
Outside the Lines (ESPN, 8am)- Bob Ley Guest: Chicago Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley
The Sports Reporters (ESPN, 8:30am)- John Saunders and a panel of sports journalists
SportsCenter live from Sun Life Stadium (ESPN, 9am)- Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski
Sunday NFL Countdown (ESPN, 10am-2pm)- Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, Tedi Bruschi, Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden, Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter, Suzy Kolber and Ed Werder

Special Guests:

– Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider, stars of the upcoming movie Grown Ups (11:30am)
- Celebrity chef and television personality Emeril Lagasse, who lives in New Orleans, will discuss Cajun Super Bowl cuisine (12:30pm)
– Grammy Award-winning musician Kenny Chesney, a close friend to Saints head coach Sean Payton, will appear on the show (1pm)

NFL Network

NFL GAMEDAY MORNING SUPER BOWL SUNDAY PREGAME FROM SOUTH FLORIDA (9am-5:30pm)- Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Rich Eisen
From the Sun Life Stadium booth: Fran Charles, Rod Woodson
From NFC and AFC hotels- Scott Hanson, Kara Henderson
From South Beach set- Alex Flanagan, Jamie Dukes, Tom Waddle

SEGMENTS:

- A look inside the Indianapolis Colts defense with Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Gary Brackett.
- How Colts WR Pierre Garcon and Saints LB Jonathan Vilma are bound together by the disaster relief effort in Haiti.
- A closer look at what the Saints organization and players mean to the city of New Orleans, straight from the fans.
- Steve Sabol gives his take on how the legacy of Colts icon Peyton Manning now includes taking on his father’s team in Super Bowl XLIV.
- Super Bowl Journey – Saints DT Anthony Hargrove visits the Miami rehabilitation facility that he was in a year ago.
- In Memoriam – A reflection on the NFL icons that were lost in 2009
- Sabol chronicles the best decade of Super Bowl matchups
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Also, if you're planning on betting on the Super Bowl, be sure to check out the ridiculous props at Bodog.

Tonight's game is supposed to set all sorts of cable ratings records, and we'll be live blogging all of the action here and at 12SD tonight. Below are the particulars, and the ratings from ESPN's largest Monday night broadcasts. Get your predictions in and I'll see you at 8:30 for the game!

Eagles-Cowboys (9/15/08): 18,608,000
Patriots-Ravens (12/03/07): 17,522,000
Giants-Cowboys (10/23/06): 16,028,000
Panthers-Cowboys (09/28/09): 15,705,000
Falcons-Saints (09/25/06): 14,999,000

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN, 8:30pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: MINNESOTA -5, O/U 46

And thanks to Bodog, we even have some awesome prop bets for the game as well....

- How many times will Brett Favre’s wife Deanna be shown on TV during the Broadcast of Monday Night Football Week 4 of the 2009 NFL Regular Season? (Over/Under: 1.5)
- Brett Favre – Total Passing Yards Week 4 vs. the Green Bay Packers (Over/Under: 205.5)
- Brett Favre – Total TD Passes Week 4 vs. the Green Bay Packers (Over 1.5: +110/Under 1.5: -150)
- Brett Favre – Total Interceptions Yards Week 4 vs. the Green Bay Packers (Over/Under: 1)

In his first sitdown with Sports Media since his New Year's arrest, Charles Barkley chose Dan Le Batard as his destination. Among the topics were the details surrounding the arrest, his endorsements and his drinking issues. From 790 The Ticket via SbB....

The crazy part of the whole interview isn't really those comments, but rather the fact that the talk was over 50 minutes long! That was just the first three minutes. Other than that, I can't really tell a grown man what to do with his life, so I just hope Charles can come to happy medium with his drinking and gambling. It's not an easy thing, but his job and well-being depends on it.

FYI- Barkley will be conducting another interview with Ernie Johnson before the start of Inside the NBA tonight.

The Dan Le Batard Show (790 The Ticket)
Barkley’s 1st Post-DUI Interview: “I Like To Drink” (Sports by Brooks)

A week ago, I passed along the info that TNT was bringing back Barkley, following his leave of absence, after the All-Star break. Well we have an official date now, and that will be this Thursday. Barkley will be back in studio with Ernie and Kenny, before the network airs their usual pair of games that night. Via TNT....

The TNT lineup includes the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai. Inside the NBA will feature Ernie Johnson (host), Kenny Smith (analyst) and the return of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley (analyst). Barkley has been on a leave of absence from the show to deal with legal and personal issues following an incident on Dec. 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“From the beginning, Charles recognized that he used poor judgment. He took full responsibility and apologized for his actions,” said David Levy, President of Turner Sports. “We look forward to having him back in the studio, where Charles will once again share his opinions, insights and humor with colleagues Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith. Collectively, they entertain a huge group of loyal fans that tunes into the NBA on TNT each week.”

While there's no word on if he'll do another sitdown with Ernie Johnson like the one following his gambling issue, it's good to hear that Chuck will be heading back to work. TNT showed how great of an organization they are, in the way they handled this, and hopefully it will be the last time Barkley has to take a leave of absence.

(HT: First Cuts)

Bob Knight and Billy Packer are causing quite a stir in the Sports World since announcing the details surrounding their new FSN show, "Survive and Advance". USA Today spoke with a former gambling addict, and she says that program's locale is saying it's okay for College kids to bet on games....

"The NCAA should have enough clout to stop something like this. It sends the message to (college) kids it's OK to do this," complains Arnie Wexler, a recovering compulsive gambler who runs a gambling hotline.

"They're setting themselves up for a scandal. Who knows how many college students are going to bet on these games? I'm sure some athletes will bet too. What kind of message are we sending by running a show like this? The whole thing is sick."

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, says the show flies in the face of the NCAA's anti-gambling stance. "This is really an issue for the NCAA. There's a contradiction between their zero-tolerance gambling approach — and the reality that most Americans do gamble."

The unfortunate thing, is that a hell of a lot of Americans do gamble on Sports, and there's nothing that can really be done to change that. Especially when you consider that banning online gambling in the U.S. did absolutely nothing to curtail it. FSN promises that the show will have nothing to do with betting, but young kids are impressionable, and all of the lines posted and people walking around with betting slips won't go unnoticed.

Hell, College is when I started gambling, and I'm sure that's the case for most people my age. I'm not for telling grownups what to do, but FSN might want to think about changing the location of the show.

Vegas venue raises eyebrows for Knight-Packer show (USA Today)

So all day yesterday the World waited as Billy Packer and Bob Knight prepared for a groundbreaking announcement. I honestly though it was going to be something unimportant, but it turns out to actually be something of substance. The two are teaming together for Fox Sports, and are planning on doing an hour show on March Madness right from the Sportsbook at the Wynn in Vegas. Via PR Newswire....

Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book will host Billy Packer and Bob Knight's "Survive and Advance," a series of five one-hour tournament television programs analyzing the 2009 NCAA National Championship. Packer and Knight have teamed up to develop the ultimate men's college basketball tournament platform that includes broadcast television, interactive TV, fantasy leagues, computer games and the Internet.

"Survive and Advance" is scheduled to air on FSN (Fox Sports Net) at 12 a.m. local, directly following the basketball games on March 15, March 22, March 29, April 3 and April 5. The one-hour program will feature live commentary from the hosts and their top-tier guests including coaches, former players and well-known personalities. The shows will re-air throughout the week (check local listings). FSN is the nation's leading provider of local sports and reaches more than 80 million homes across the U.S.

In addition to their arrangement with Wynn Las Vegas to host the television shows, Packer and Knight are also teaming to develop an interactive web platform. The interactive platform will feature custom games and a website, including news, analysis, blogs, video, and other original content. Packer said, "this initiative will enable fans to experience the best college basketball tournament coverage across multiple media vehicles."

Well that's quite an interesting/random pairing, isn't it? I can't imagine the two being able to calmly put on a show with a thousand drunk gamblers hanging all over them, but I wish them luck. Actually, that's a lie....I want it to be a trainwreck. I'll be sure to have video(s) up in March.

Wynn Las Vegas to Host Billy Packer and Bob Knight's 'Survive and Advance,' a Series of Tournament TV Shows

I was supportive of Charles Barkley's original admission to gambling problems during the Playoffs, but since then he's been gradually reverting back to the old and tired, "the media is out to get me," stance. By all accounts I don't think anyone in the media is out to get Charles and now he's causing more problems by still addressing the issue, rather than just ignoring it.

Here is Chuck for a channel called RawVegas.TV (Via Deadspin) on why he's not gambling outside of the charity poker tournament he's currently involved in....

Obviously I like Charles, but this kind of paranoid thinking is just counterproductive to getting his addiction under control. Seems like a classic case of trying to blame your problems on anyone else but yourself and it's getting old rather quick. Just stick to being the loving Sir Charles we all know and enjoy.

Charles Barkley Thinks We're Jacksses (Wicked Chops)
Charles Barkley's Petulance About His Gambling Problem Is Truly Entertaining (Deadspin)

There isn't really anything groundbreaking that comes out during the talk, but it's interesting to hear how paranoid Chuck comes across....

I'm pretty sure that most people in the media really like Charles and they're actually trying to help him, but I could be wrong. Barkley also said during that he, "wasn't going to gamble and he's not going to gamble", but that's not the whole piece. He said he wasn't going to even set foot in a Casino for two years. I wish Chuck all the best, but it's never just that easy.

Charles Barkley Interview (DanPatrick.com)

Sir Charles vowed about a month ago to not step foot inside a casino for at least two years and apparently charity Poker events at the Rio don't count....

Charles Barkley is headed back to the tables in Las Vegas to play in a poker tournament about a month after pledging not to gamble. He says it's all for charity.

The former NBA star is scheduled to play in a celebrity poker tournament at the 2008 World Series of Poker on July 2.

The "Ante Up for Africa" event is designed to raise money and awareness for the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. More than 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced since ethnic warfare began in 2003, according to the U.S. presidential envoy to Sudan.

Players in the poker tournament put up $5,000 to play, and are asked to donate at least half their winnings. The event raised more than $500,000 last year and finished with the top two players agreeing to pool their winnings and donate the full $350,000 to the cause. Of the field of 167, 18 players won money.

Contributing to charity is always a good thing, but not if it comes at someone's own harm. It only takes addicts one hand or one drink and they're back in the swing of things. I know Chuck is kind to a fault, but if he really wanted to donate to charity you can't tell me that couldn't just cut a check.

Charles Barkley enters celeb poker event in Vegas (FOX Sports)

(Thanks to JMK for the tip)

I'll be the first to admit that I just didn't think the Lakers had enough. I couldn't for the life of me understand how Pau Gasol, Derrick Fisher, and Lamar Odom were going to be enough for Kobe to take the team to the next level. Boy was I wrong.

All Kobe did tonight was pour in 39 points and lead his Lakers into the NBA Finals. Oh and Sasha Vujacic either made some people very happy or very very pissed off (I'll explain after the video)

Not only is Vujacic a dick for taking that shot (I would have have done more than give him a look like Finley did), but someone ask me what the spread for the game was? Go ahead ask....

Lakers by 7 and a half points.

Amazing. Did you hear that collective gasp? That was probably half of the attendees at the Sportsbooks in Vegas just passing out. Anywho, the Lakers look unstoppable at this point and I just like everyone else is hoping for a Lakers-Celtics Final, but just having Kobe in the Finals should be enough to grab my attention.

Also, bravo to the Spurs who are definitely a dynasty in my book. Hopefully Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili can keep it together for a few more years and this can be a yearly showdown. One more scoring wing player and this series would be much closer (bye bye Michael Finley).

Charles Barkley was on Dan Patrick's show today and had some interesting comments on the gambling issue and his critics....

I'm not sure Barkley knows this, but most people really like him. It also seems like a very paranoid statement to say people are "out to get you", but that doesn't mean they aren't. I know that Chuck likes to be public, but the sooner he stops talking about this the sooner it will go away.

Via DanPatrick.com

It's not often that you get someone who is open and honest with their personal lives, especially in the Sports World these days. Whether you like it or not, Charles Barkley is one of those people and here is his sitdown with Ernie Johnson before Game Seven tonight where he discussed his Gambling issues and his desire to quit.....

From what I've gathered on Charles is that this is a serious problem and I think his comparison to someone like an alcoholic, while it somewhat makes sense, still seems like he won't entirely admit to having said problem. He gave this same speech to Trey Wingo in February of last year and there's obviously still an issue. I'd never preach to anyone (lord knows I'm not the person to talk to when it comes to Gambling problems), but I hope Chuck works this out as it's obviously a big enough deal to discuss it on-air.

(Via Real Clear Sports)

According to the Associated Press Charles Barkley will be in some trouble if he doesn't pay back a debt to Wynn, a casino in Las Vegas. So much so that he could be facing felony charges....

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A prosecutor says retired NBA star Charles Barkley will face felony charges if he fails to repay a $400,000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas Strip casino.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger says Barkley will get a chance to make restitution to Wynn Las Vegas to avoid felony bad check charges.

The casino alleges in court documents filed Wednesday that Barkley failed to repay four $100,000 casino markers, or loans, he received last Oct. 18 and 19.

When you gamble $2.5 Million dollars away in a 6-hour period (as Barkley admitted) you should be able to cover $400K, but that could also be the reason you wouldn't be able to. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Charles Barkley faces gambling debt case (AP)
Barkley: How Much Money? (TSB)

I enjoy Poker just as much as the next guy, but if you shell out money for this thing....I just can't be friends with you.

ESPN will offer live pay-per-view coverage of the Final Table of The World Series of Poker from The Rio in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 17. Fans can purchase The World Series of Poker Final Table Live! for a suggested retail price of $19.95, and can view the final table either on TV or via live online video stream on ESPN.com. Pay-per-view coverage will begin at 3 p.m. ET and will continue until the 2007 World Series of Poker main event champion is crowned.

Some dude named Ali Nejad and Phil Gordon are your announcers, but again....I don't know you if you pay $20 to see something that you could read/see for free.

(ESPN Press Release)

With the Super Bowl coming up there will upwards of $100 Million Dollars in play this February. The bets that you can place are absolutely insane....Some of my Favorites....

What will Peyton Manning's QB Rating Be?
Peyton Manning's Total Rushing Attempts?
What will Joseph Addai's Yards per Rush be?
Dallas Clark's Longest Reception?
What will Rex Grossman throw first an Int or a TD?
And always the craziest one.....MVP of Super Bowl?

Here are the odds:
Manning Even
Dal. Clark +2000
Harrison +900
Vinatieri +1000
Bob Sanders +3000
Rhodes +1500
Addai +800
Wayne +1200
T. Wilkins +3000
Grossman +500
Muhammad +1900
Thomas Jones +1000
Berrian +1200
Benson +1000
Des. Clark +1800
Urlacher +2000
Hester +2000
Gould +1500
Field (any other player) +900

The weirdest part is that Gould has better odds than Mush Muhammad and Urlacher. Given the fact that a kicker has never won and MVP......I wouldn't bet on Goulet.

But my personal favorite bet comes via The Cappers Forum. You may have heard that another Bengals player was arrested, but did you know you could have won money on it?

Ticket Number: 45002100 - 1
Accepted Date: Jan 05, 2007 06:25 PM - EST
Graded Date: January 22, 2007 06:11 PM - EST

Wager Type: Future/Prop
Wager Status: Won
Risk: $10.00 (USD)
To Win Amount: $100.00 (USD)

Amount Paid: $110.00 (USD)

Description: NFL Futures - Cinci Bengals arrested special - Next Cincinnati player arrested will be? - Secondary Player +1000