Remember way back when MTV used to be a music video channel. Those were the good old days. Now MTV is full of TV shows like Punk’d and The Real World. I’d like to list more shows, but I don’t watch MTV anymore. I’m not even sure if Punk’d is still in production. Well, ESPN seems to be following in their foot steps, to a degree. When I think of ESPN, there are 4 things that I think about; (1) ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, (2) ESPN.com, (3) ESPN The Magazine, and (4) ESPN Zone (the restaurant). Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that ESPN has lost it’s luster as the place to go for sports. Take the ESPN network of channels (ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews). Now, I have no qualms with ESPNews, it’s a good place to go when I need an update on scores and I’m not near a computer. But ESPN and ESPN2 have made a bad habit of playing the ever enticing sport of… poker. Since when is that a sport! Nothing against the GAME of poker as it’s fun to play with friends or in Vegas, but it has no place on ESPN. Then there’s ESPN.com, which I only go to now when I’ve finished surfing other sites like cbsportsline.com, cnnsi.com, and the local NY newspapers. There’s a pretty simple reason for this, everything is IN. What does that mean? Well, you have to pay an extra fee to get real information that you can just get on other sites. And wouldn’t you know it, the extra fee is attached to their oversized magazine. They must have some sort of Napolean complex to issue such a large magazine. Finally, there is ESPN Zone. I’ve only been there a few times, but I haven’t been greatly impressed with them as opposed to other sports bars. Actually, their food is stinks compared to other sports bars. So, there you have it, the service company that doesn’t service what their name implies. Good luck with that business model.
random rumblings
there has been an alarming increase in things I know nothing about!
K, I agree with you that ESPN is starting to think of themselves as an entertainment channel vs. a sports programming channel. I as well like to play poker but it is not a sport. It is a game. There is no physical exertion going on unless you count those 500 pound lard asses having to lift 2 playing cards 1/4 of an inch off the table a physical activity. Have you seen the new trend? World Series of Darts!! WTF?! Why don’t we have a whole hour devoted to a rousing game of ‘Chutes and Ladders’? One more thing before I go, why when watching ‘Sports Center’, do they insist on building this drama over the game they are talking about and then 2 seconds into it, the final score is posted. I f***ing hate that. If you need your scores that much, they have this new invention called the ‘internet’. It is pretty cool, you have access to all kinds of information at the touch of a button. I’m getting pissed, I’m out of here.
I’m liking the soap box you were on. Showing a little bit of irony. Today, I went over to Landsdowne for a quick dinner and a few drinks. And, wouldn’t you know it, they had poker showing on ESPN. Just ridiculous!