As I was watching ESPN’s coverage of the Home Run Derby through MLB.com, two quick observations. Chris Berman is just plain awful. And during one commercial break, Chris asked his producer during a blimp shot, “Is that the Empire State Building?” Had that been me, I would have replied, “Um, what the hell do you think, Jerky?” That’s probably the reason why I’m not a producer. I would not have the patience. And when Erin Andrews walked behind home plate while Justin Morneau was batting in the second round, she got a huge round of cheers from the fans. Very funny.
To some linkage.
Newsday’s Neil Best cautions his readers not to jump to any conclusions as WFAN’s Mike & the Mad Dog are back together again, for now. Neil tells us that ESPN has hired former NFL QB Trent Dilfer as an analyst.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that Dilfer will join ESPN’s NFL Primetime and other various ESPN studio shows. Eggerton adds that the Open Championship on ABC may not be the only TV work that Tom Watson will do.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with two New York Yankees executives who say that the time will lose money this season.
John Consoli of Mediaweek reports that despite a slow start to the season, MLB TV partners, ESPN, Fox and TBS have had strong ad sales.
Also from Mediaweek, Mike Shields writes that NBC is almost sold out of its online ads for the Olympics and is getting ready for record web traffic to its website.
Paul J. Gough of the Hollywood Reporter writes that NBC could rake in a record $1 billion in ad revenues for the Olympics in Communist China.
Ray Melick of the Birmingham News reports that Ken Stabler is taking himself off University of Alabama football broadcasts after he was arrested on drunk driving charges last month. Cecil Hunt of the Tuscaloosa News says Stabler is taking a leave of absence for this season.
The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron talks with Billy Packer who says his departure from CBS was planned since last year.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette wonders what will be Packer’s next move.
Alan Ford of the Shelby (NC) Star says he won’t miss Packer.
Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald Record says Clark Kellogg looks forward to filling Packer’s seat next to Jim Nantz.
Chris Pursell in his TV Week Pressbox blog says Kellogg is a perfect fit with Nantz.
Here’s the press release from CBS announcing Kellogg’s promotion.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has tributes from Packer’s colleagues. Pete also has the entire NFL Network exhibition game schedule.
Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun has Ron Darling’s comments during TBS’ telecast of the Red Sox-Orioles game on Sunday.
Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times writes that Florida high school football coaches aren’t happy about ESPN placing college football games on Friday nights.
That’s going to do it for tonight.
