A television pioneer will step down soon when Larry King ends his program as a five-show per week stalwart on cable news.
Like most CNN programs, Larry King Live has lost half of its audience in the last year. Mostly, CNN has fallen behind FOX News and MSNBC because it's maintained a straight news approach while the other networks have flourished with extreme opinions.
FOX and MSNBC have drawn viewers on both sides by energizing their constituents and enraging opponents.
King, along with Ted Turner, is credited with introducing the cable news format as we know it today. And in the day and age of axing shows after weeks because of poor ratings, King has endured 25 years. He's interviewed comedians, actors, athletes and politicians with knowledgeable and informed questions. It's a niche framed in King's versatility and raspy, baritone voice with the familiar, “Cleveland, Ohio, Hello.”
What CNN must do is change formats and hire a young host that would attract the coveted 20- and 30-something demographic.
Piers Morgan, Ryan Seacrest and Joy Behar are the most common replacement possibilities. Morgan, a 45-year-old British TV personality known mostly as a judge on "America's Got Talent." and Seacrest, 35, the emcee of American Idol and a Hollywood red carpet interviewer, are unproven outside of fashion and entertainment. And Behar, while she’s filled in for King, might find it difficult to establish herself with a primetime audience. Sure, she might have a show on Headline News, and of course is a mainstay on The View, but I wonder which demographic CNN goes after if it puts Behar in that time slot. Especially since her current show on HLN is “gossip news and commentary.”
Morgan and Seacrest, while they each have had their fair share of success, haven’t proven themselves with an hour show that would seem to have a large portion of current news events.
If I were the big wigs at CNN, I would hire Seacrest and try to play to the younger crowd, possibly with a combination of social media and user-generated content. A slice of the King format would work, but only as part of the show, certainly not the entire hour.
Regardless of who’s picked, look for the reports with unnamed sources and other leaks to trickle out the rest of the summer. And don’t be surprised if the CNN suits don’t officially announce a successor until King has been showered with plenty of accolades.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Athleticism aside, cheerleading is not a sport
The age-old argument of whether cheerleading is a sport was raised today by the opening arguments of a case in Bridgeport, Conn. where a judge will decide.
The problem was that the volleyball program at Quinnipiac University was cut in favor of cheerleading because of the cost and number of athletes impacted more students. Of course I’m not even considering the type of cheerleading that takes place on the sidelines of basketball and football games. That’s little more than rhythmic clapping.
I’ve never argued whether cheerleading, or gymnastics, is a form of athleticism. You only have to watch for a couple of minutes to determine that the backflips, jumps and twists require loads of athleticism and talent. The problem is the scoring system. Just like figure skating and skiing, to name a couple, the winner of a competition cannot be determined without an outside, and subjective, judge.
For example, two teams of sports that require goals or bases can play by themselves without a referee, umpire or official and still reach a conclusion. Cheerleading, figure skating and skiing can’t do that. That’s why cheerleading isn’t a sport. If somebody came up with some kind of unbiased scoring system, we’ll revisit it.
Because Quinnipiac receives federal funding, it is required to abide by Title IX, and therefore budgets and the number of athletes are compared with male sports. The decision that the judge makes is how to interpret a law that was passed in 1972, especially considering the advancements in cheerleading in the last 38 years.
The school’s argument is cheerleading is a competitive, athletic activity that creates more opportunities for women than volleyball, ABC News reported. It says it has adequately complied with the law.
"The university believes that it has complied with all aspects of Title IX legislation and will continue to do so. Given that this is a matter awaiting adjudication, we will not comment further," said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs, in a statement reported by ABC News.
This could easily turn into a case of sexism. I can’t see a similar situation involving male sports, especially a male cheerleading squad.
Most cheerleading supporters reach for the argument of training time and dedication. They belabor the point about endless hours of practice, strength training and fitness to throw each other, and tumble through the air. But just because a football, basketball or baseball player can’t do a back flip or somersault doesn’t somehow enhance the athleticism of cheerleading.
But if you say cheerleading is a sport, where do you draw the line after that? Is ballroom dancing a sport? Considering the hours of choreography and practice needed to compete in Dancing With the Stars, for example, you could make that argument.
The problem was that the volleyball program at Quinnipiac University was cut in favor of cheerleading because of the cost and number of athletes impacted more students. Of course I’m not even considering the type of cheerleading that takes place on the sidelines of basketball and football games. That’s little more than rhythmic clapping.
I’ve never argued whether cheerleading, or gymnastics, is a form of athleticism. You only have to watch for a couple of minutes to determine that the backflips, jumps and twists require loads of athleticism and talent. The problem is the scoring system. Just like figure skating and skiing, to name a couple, the winner of a competition cannot be determined without an outside, and subjective, judge.
For example, two teams of sports that require goals or bases can play by themselves without a referee, umpire or official and still reach a conclusion. Cheerleading, figure skating and skiing can’t do that. That’s why cheerleading isn’t a sport. If somebody came up with some kind of unbiased scoring system, we’ll revisit it.
Because Quinnipiac receives federal funding, it is required to abide by Title IX, and therefore budgets and the number of athletes are compared with male sports. The decision that the judge makes is how to interpret a law that was passed in 1972, especially considering the advancements in cheerleading in the last 38 years.
The school’s argument is cheerleading is a competitive, athletic activity that creates more opportunities for women than volleyball, ABC News reported. It says it has adequately complied with the law.
"The university believes that it has complied with all aspects of Title IX legislation and will continue to do so. Given that this is a matter awaiting adjudication, we will not comment further," said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs, in a statement reported by ABC News.
This could easily turn into a case of sexism. I can’t see a similar situation involving male sports, especially a male cheerleading squad.
Most cheerleading supporters reach for the argument of training time and dedication. They belabor the point about endless hours of practice, strength training and fitness to throw each other, and tumble through the air. But just because a football, basketball or baseball player can’t do a back flip or somersault doesn’t somehow enhance the athleticism of cheerleading.
But if you say cheerleading is a sport, where do you draw the line after that? Is ballroom dancing a sport? Considering the hours of choreography and practice needed to compete in Dancing With the Stars, for example, you could make that argument.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Haynesworth uses rare argument in holdout
Albert Haynesworth’s refusal to attend any of the Washington Redskins’ mandatory team activities flies in the face of the conventional professional athlete’s monetary dispute with a franchise. Usually, a player has had a breakout season, and believes he is now underpaid for his position, then refuses to play until a new contract arrives. Haynesworth, though, signed the richest deal in the history of defensive players in the NFL, and recently was awarded a $21 million bonus.
But because he doesn’t agree with the coaching staff and front office’s view point on his position and contributions to the team, he’s refusing to show up. Some might say because of a coaching and general manager change, Haynesworth should get the benefit of the doubt because he was promised something by the previous regime, and now those promises are obsolete. But in this day and age of countless clauses in contracts, his agent should have had it in writing that he could only play a certain position in a specific scheme. Obviously that conflicts with a coach or defensive coordinator’s belief that a player could be open to fit the needs of the team. The situation stemmed from awarding that huge contract to a noted head case, who had attitude and weight problems with the Titans.
But because he doesn’t agree with the coaching staff and front office’s view point on his position and contributions to the team, he’s refusing to show up. Some might say because of a coaching and general manager change, Haynesworth should get the benefit of the doubt because he was promised something by the previous regime, and now those promises are obsolete. But in this day and age of countless clauses in contracts, his agent should have had it in writing that he could only play a certain position in a specific scheme. Obviously that conflicts with a coach or defensive coordinator’s belief that a player could be open to fit the needs of the team. The situation stemmed from awarding that huge contract to a noted head case, who had attitude and weight problems with the Titans.
Applaud Izzo for sticking to his roots
Tom Izzo’s decision to remain with Michigan State is contradictory to what many coaches and players have done recently in pro sports. Instead of cashing a big(er) payday, with at least an outside chance of coaching LeBron James, Izzo stuck to his state roots and the program he’s led to six Final Fours. The Detroit Free Press said Izzo's decision was a win for the state.
“For a state that has lost so much and so many in recent years," the staff wrote in an editorial, "it's a blessed relief to win one. Even some fans at rival University of Michigan had to smile for the home state, even if Izzo's teams have generally been masters of the Maize and Blue during his 15 seasons as head coach of the Spartans.
With 13 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, six trips to the Final Four and one national championship, Izzo is among the best -- many would say is the best -- at what he does. He has no worlds left to conquer at the college level.”
In interviews after he announced the decision, Izzo also admitted to flirting with the job because of the money, which is something coaches rarely say. Izzo has always been easy to root for and, even with his consistent success, has stayed clear of the NCAA infractions police. In the same week that college football revealed its dark (money) side, it’s nice to see one of the best active college basketball coaches remain with a blue chip program.
“For a state that has lost so much and so many in recent years," the staff wrote in an editorial, "it's a blessed relief to win one. Even some fans at rival University of Michigan had to smile for the home state, even if Izzo's teams have generally been masters of the Maize and Blue during his 15 seasons as head coach of the Spartans.
With 13 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, six trips to the Final Four and one national championship, Izzo is among the best -- many would say is the best -- at what he does. He has no worlds left to conquer at the college level.”
In interviews after he announced the decision, Izzo also admitted to flirting with the job because of the money, which is something coaches rarely say. Izzo has always been easy to root for and, even with his consistent success, has stayed clear of the NCAA infractions police. In the same week that college football revealed its dark (money) side, it’s nice to see one of the best active college basketball coaches remain with a blue chip program.
Keep the Vuvuzelas
The first few days of the World Cup were met with plenty of chatter about a constant buzzing sound in the background of television broadcasts. Many compared it to the sound of a swarm of bees. The source was a Vuvuzella , an African horn, which is a traditional instrument at soccer games there. Thousands of fans blow them constantly to create a festive atmosphere. Many people around the world asked for a ban, or at least complained to the television networks to muffle the audio feed.
The problem with that is it takes away from the local traditions and atmosphere. Wanting Vuvuzellas limited or banned would be the equivalent of outlawing the Seventh Inning Stretch, or even tailgating. Could you imagine baseball and football without those age-old traditions? So realize that the South Africans and other soccer fans around the world deserve to have their own customs. We should embrace something new like this, and not quickly look to tailor it to what we’re used to.
The problem with that is it takes away from the local traditions and atmosphere. Wanting Vuvuzellas limited or banned would be the equivalent of outlawing the Seventh Inning Stretch, or even tailgating. Could you imagine baseball and football without those age-old traditions? So realize that the South Africans and other soccer fans around the world deserve to have their own customs. We should embrace something new like this, and not quickly look to tailor it to what we’re used to.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wooden and Strasburg offer some perspective
In the last week, we’ve recalled the unparalleled career of John Wooden with all of his wisdom-drenched quotes, and then given tremendous hope for baseball in Washington D.C., which has starved for this kind of baseball success in the form of Stephen Strasburg for more than 30 years. It's been an end of an era, and the beginning of another, within days.
Wooden's graciousness was highlighted when he welcomed nearly every autograph seeker, and continued to write love letters to his wife decades after she passed away. While his 88-game winning streak and 10 National Championships are eye-popping, it’s his humble and soft-spoken personality that resonates today.
Perhaps because it’s so rare.
With 14 strikeouts in seven innings, Strasburg lived up to the impossible hype of today's social media and 24-hour news cycle culture where everything is magnified.
In a time where there is incredible divide and conflict in news and politics, it's refreshing, once again, to be reminded that sports is the place to go for hope, wisdom and perspective. It's lessons on how to handle yourself with all of life's adversity and ups and downs. Through it all, we are reminded that simplicity and focus are most important. If you listen to Wooden's wisdom, you make it routine to help someone every day, to make your small slice of the world a better place.
“You can’t live a perfect day,” Wooden once said, “without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
It’s important to note that in the age of multi-million dollar contracts for college and pro coaches and players, one of the top five coaches of all-time, in any sport, made less than $40,000 per year in the peak of his career.
If you observed Strasburg, who by the way signed for $15.1 million last summer, I hope you took away his sharp focus to simply do his job, while using a rare combination of God-given ability and work ethic. That in front of more than 40,000 fans in the stands, and millions more on TV and radio, he kept the blinders on.
It’s nearly impossible to live up to the pre-game hype, and only the 2006 Texas-USC National Championship, and the sustained careers of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady come close to doing so in recent memory. But Strasburg exceeded the hype in a revolutionary way.
Given the passing of one great contributor to sports and life lessons, and the hope and optimism of the dawning of a new superstar, stop and realize the era that we live in and how these types of things rarely come along in a week’s time.
Wooden's graciousness was highlighted when he welcomed nearly every autograph seeker, and continued to write love letters to his wife decades after she passed away. While his 88-game winning streak and 10 National Championships are eye-popping, it’s his humble and soft-spoken personality that resonates today.
Perhaps because it’s so rare.
With 14 strikeouts in seven innings, Strasburg lived up to the impossible hype of today's social media and 24-hour news cycle culture where everything is magnified.
In a time where there is incredible divide and conflict in news and politics, it's refreshing, once again, to be reminded that sports is the place to go for hope, wisdom and perspective. It's lessons on how to handle yourself with all of life's adversity and ups and downs. Through it all, we are reminded that simplicity and focus are most important. If you listen to Wooden's wisdom, you make it routine to help someone every day, to make your small slice of the world a better place.
“You can’t live a perfect day,” Wooden once said, “without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
It’s important to note that in the age of multi-million dollar contracts for college and pro coaches and players, one of the top five coaches of all-time, in any sport, made less than $40,000 per year in the peak of his career.
If you observed Strasburg, who by the way signed for $15.1 million last summer, I hope you took away his sharp focus to simply do his job, while using a rare combination of God-given ability and work ethic. That in front of more than 40,000 fans in the stands, and millions more on TV and radio, he kept the blinders on.
It’s nearly impossible to live up to the pre-game hype, and only the 2006 Texas-USC National Championship, and the sustained careers of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady come close to doing so in recent memory. But Strasburg exceeded the hype in a revolutionary way.
Given the passing of one great contributor to sports and life lessons, and the hope and optimism of the dawning of a new superstar, stop and realize the era that we live in and how these types of things rarely come along in a week’s time.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Will Spanx for men really catch on?
For generations, women have used various garments to augment and conceal their physical strengths and weaknesses. Panty hose, push-up bras and body shapers to just name a few.
Now, the fashion industry has tapped the male market share as increasing numbers of men have become a little vainer recently.
Spanx, which was awarded a patent for panty hose in 1998, has largely kept its attention on female garments, from underwear, to tights, to swimming suits. But The New York Times recently reported that shaping products for men have hit store shelves and have enjoyed skyrocketing sales.
“We are selling them as quickly as Spanx can make them,” the Times’ quoted Nickelson Wooster, the men’s fashion director at Neiman Marcus as saying.
Neiman Marcus was the only department store to carry Spanx, until last month when it was sold at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
While the main men’s products are T-shirts and golf shirts, Spanx also sells a more discreet product: “profile-enhancing underwear, which has been called 'the equivalent of a push-up bra' for men."
Before you dismiss these products as a dent to your ego, men, you should embrace technology much like our female counterparts have done for more than a century. Plus, Spanx could help on job interviews for an extra boost of confidence.
As the Times’ article suggests, men should use the Spanx products as an extension of the metrosexual look much like moisturizing lotion was 10 years ago.
The obvious problem with Spanx is trying to make a good first impression, particularly with the opposite sex. Things go well, and all of a sudden, when the form-fitting shirt is on the floor, the bulges you tried to hide have spilled out to their old places.
What would you do if you had a new boyfriend and when the lights are dimmed, he looks like Paunchy or Lumpy, a finalist for the Seven Dwarves? Should you take the advice of some women, who say just change in the other room?
Will women be OK with their man wearing Spanx, or will they expect him to hit the treadmill more often to prevent the soft belly?
Me? I’d work on the spare tire mid-section as much as possible, and take solace in the fact that your significant other probably has some kind of performance enhancer themselves. So relax, and enjoy each other’s love handles.
Now, the fashion industry has tapped the male market share as increasing numbers of men have become a little vainer recently.
Spanx, which was awarded a patent for panty hose in 1998, has largely kept its attention on female garments, from underwear, to tights, to swimming suits. But The New York Times recently reported that shaping products for men have hit store shelves and have enjoyed skyrocketing sales.
“We are selling them as quickly as Spanx can make them,” the Times’ quoted Nickelson Wooster, the men’s fashion director at Neiman Marcus as saying.
Neiman Marcus was the only department store to carry Spanx, until last month when it was sold at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
While the main men’s products are T-shirts and golf shirts, Spanx also sells a more discreet product: “profile-enhancing underwear, which has been called 'the equivalent of a push-up bra' for men."
Before you dismiss these products as a dent to your ego, men, you should embrace technology much like our female counterparts have done for more than a century. Plus, Spanx could help on job interviews for an extra boost of confidence.
As the Times’ article suggests, men should use the Spanx products as an extension of the metrosexual look much like moisturizing lotion was 10 years ago.
The obvious problem with Spanx is trying to make a good first impression, particularly with the opposite sex. Things go well, and all of a sudden, when the form-fitting shirt is on the floor, the bulges you tried to hide have spilled out to their old places.
What would you do if you had a new boyfriend and when the lights are dimmed, he looks like Paunchy or Lumpy, a finalist for the Seven Dwarves? Should you take the advice of some women, who say just change in the other room?
Will women be OK with their man wearing Spanx, or will they expect him to hit the treadmill more often to prevent the soft belly?
Me? I’d work on the spare tire mid-section as much as possible, and take solace in the fact that your significant other probably has some kind of performance enhancer themselves. So relax, and enjoy each other’s love handles.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
NBA Finals preview, prediction: Can Celtics overcome Kobe, Phil a second time?
Arguably the most recognizable NBA Finals matchup, the Celtics vs. Lakers, begins again tomorrow in the City of Angels. The teams are meeting for the 12th time in the Finals with the Celtics owning a 9-2 edge. These two franchises have won the most championships in NBA history, with the Celtics owning 17 to the Lakers’ 15.
As Bob Ryan wrote in The Boston Globe, “The Celtics and Lakers already have met more times to decide a major American sports championship than any two clubs have in any of our four major team sports.”
While you might say that Phil Jackson gets the easy nod in the coaching column, remember Doc Rivers was the coach two years ago when the Celtics beat the Lakers. The better question might be will Paul Pierce turn in the same kind of performance that helped him win MVP honors?
To do that, he’s going to have to at least neutralize an in-the-groove Kobe Bryant.
It was Bryant who made two unbelievable shots in the clinching game against Phoenix around and over a double team that included tough defense from Grant Hill.
While you obviously need a quality supporting cast to reach the Finals, superstars are the ones who separate themselves and earn the hardware.
So make no mistake, while the Celtics have more of the better players among the 10 in the starting lineups, the Celtics don’t have a player on par with Kobe Bryant. The difference the last time, though, was the Celtics’ physical play against the likes of big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Jackson has already launched one of his patented pre-series comments about the opposing team’s best player (Kevin Garnett, in Jackson’s mind) in hopes of planting a seed in the referees’ minds.
Kobe aside, the most important player in this series could be Rajon Rondo, who played arguably the best stretch of his career in the beginning of the Eastern Conference Finals as Boston coasted to a 3-0 series lead. Rondo gives the Lakers, like many opponents, matchup problems. Will they leave Derek Fisher on him and risk a lot of dribble penetration? Or will they take Ron Artest and hope to rough him up a bit?
Artest is the only player in either starting lineup who wasn’t in the 2008 series. He was signed, instead of Trevor Ariza, for matchups like this one against Pierce.
It’s these kinds of matchups that always decide the Finals, the time when even the casual sports fans tunes in.
While it’s difficult to go against Kobe and Phil, put me in the corner that will take the Celtics in seven games. They’re more physical, Rondo will be too much for Fisher, and Pierce will have just enough to cancel out Kobe.
The teams will split the first two games in L.A., then Boston will get two more at home in the middle of the series, and wrap it up on the road in Game 6.
As Bob Ryan wrote in The Boston Globe, “The Celtics and Lakers already have met more times to decide a major American sports championship than any two clubs have in any of our four major team sports.”
While you might say that Phil Jackson gets the easy nod in the coaching column, remember Doc Rivers was the coach two years ago when the Celtics beat the Lakers. The better question might be will Paul Pierce turn in the same kind of performance that helped him win MVP honors?
To do that, he’s going to have to at least neutralize an in-the-groove Kobe Bryant.
It was Bryant who made two unbelievable shots in the clinching game against Phoenix around and over a double team that included tough defense from Grant Hill.
While you obviously need a quality supporting cast to reach the Finals, superstars are the ones who separate themselves and earn the hardware.
So make no mistake, while the Celtics have more of the better players among the 10 in the starting lineups, the Celtics don’t have a player on par with Kobe Bryant. The difference the last time, though, was the Celtics’ physical play against the likes of big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Jackson has already launched one of his patented pre-series comments about the opposing team’s best player (Kevin Garnett, in Jackson’s mind) in hopes of planting a seed in the referees’ minds.
Kobe aside, the most important player in this series could be Rajon Rondo, who played arguably the best stretch of his career in the beginning of the Eastern Conference Finals as Boston coasted to a 3-0 series lead. Rondo gives the Lakers, like many opponents, matchup problems. Will they leave Derek Fisher on him and risk a lot of dribble penetration? Or will they take Ron Artest and hope to rough him up a bit?
Artest is the only player in either starting lineup who wasn’t in the 2008 series. He was signed, instead of Trevor Ariza, for matchups like this one against Pierce.
It’s these kinds of matchups that always decide the Finals, the time when even the casual sports fans tunes in.
While it’s difficult to go against Kobe and Phil, put me in the corner that will take the Celtics in seven games. They’re more physical, Rondo will be too much for Fisher, and Pierce will have just enough to cancel out Kobe.
The teams will split the first two games in L.A., then Boston will get two more at home in the middle of the series, and wrap it up on the road in Game 6.
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