1/14/10 - @totalpts, CHFI, TSN, Kelley, Fay Vincent, Marvin Miller

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Phil King, president of TSN; Sportsnet.ca's Jim Kelley, Dan Shulman, ESPN broadcaster; NHL executive Colin Campbell, NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, Don Banks; former commissioner of Major League Baseball, Fay Vincent; Clint Hamilton, CIS president.

"What's with the weird music around here? We've turned into CHFI!"...and so it began. Poor @totalpts getting slagged but thanks for playing some Oasis for me (note how Bobcat didn't get peeved over that one, eh??) More on our bud @totalpts coming soon!

Interesting to have the president of TSN appear on PTS. Has the president of Sportsnet ever appeared on PTS? Does Doug Beeforth ring a bell?? Not to me, so I'd be willing to bet he hasn't been on.

These segments with Kelley in fine form are also becoming classic! Is it me, or is Kelley much better as a guest than a co-host. I'm not sure why, but he is!

I am a big time Fay Vincent fan. He has a "Bert Sugar"-type adoration by Bobcat, and in turn the listeners. More gripping radio as a listener. McCown asked Vincent about Mavin Miller being in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Vincent called it an "outrageous scandal". Not being given the context ahead of time and having no clue on who Marvin Miller is, I decided to google him, and it's a fascinating story. He's alive at 92, and in an era where there is only Andrew Dawson going into the BHOF, he really should be put in to acknowledge the work he's done for Baseball.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, January 7th, 2010 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Jim Kelley, columnist for Sportsnet.ca, Former head coach of the Toronto Raptors, Butch Carter; Nicholas Routhier, president and CEO of Sensio, ESPN play-by-play announcer, Dan Shulman; Bill Plaschke from the Los Angeles Times; Tim Keown, writer from ESPN The Magazine

Kelley was on fire today, and it was great to hear him back. Razor sharp and hopefully he's in continued good health. It felt like old times.

Butch Carter is one of McCown's favorites. Many one liners and a great sense of humor. The fact that he lives near Tiger Woods provided for a few awesome lines.

3D TV?? BRING IT!!! I'm sooooo in!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, December 17, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Jim Kelley, Chris Bosh, member of the Toronto Raptors, Don Banks, Ed Olczyk, Don Loding.

Awesome to hear Kelley on the radio again. I wasn't his biggest fan, but when someone is going through a struggle, you certainly want to see them come out on top.

In the interest of full disclosure here at PTSR, we did publish the news that Kelley has cancer on our blog directly from William Houston's blog. We also did ask PTS themselves if it was true, to which they said no comment. We were unaware that this had not be "authorized" by Kelley and apologize to him and want him to know that we will not be publishing any stories from William Houston's blog in the immediate future.

Here's a message targeted towards William Houston who (as Kelley pointed out in the show), published the Kelley report of having cancer without Kelley's knowledge:
"As Kelley pointed out on Prime Time Sports last week, William, you are a slime bucket for publishing this without even calling Kelley first to see if it was okay to publish.

Even the dirtiest of journalists will call their subject to give them a heads up first before publishing something so personal. Kelley reports the news, he isn't the news itself. Even if he were, this is a show of disrespect for anyone, let alone someone of Kelley's stature.

Shame on you William. I hope you will call Jim to apologize and publish it here."

What's the big deal about Bosh getting a tattoo? Isn't he the last player in the NBA not to get tatt'd up?? Don't understand what the news is all about (let alone making a DVD about it.) Slow news day in Toronto, I guess?

Reason behind Jim Kelley's departure from Prime Time Sports

From William Houston's blog:
source: www.truthandrumours.net
(thanks Mike S for the heads up)

"We reported almost two months ago that John Shannon had replaced Jim Kelley as the semi-regular co-host of Bob McCown’s Fan590 afternoon drive. It’s worth pointing that Kelley was not pushed out of his job. His departure was necessitated by illness. He has pancreatic cancer. It’s not terminal, but he’s in a fight. We wish him all the best."

Jim, if you are reading this, on behalf of the Prime Time Sports Review blog, we wish you nothing but the best in your fight. From the time we had listening to you and reading your posts, you don't strike us as a passive person. Get well soon and fight this thing with everything you got! We look forward to hearing you on Prime Time again soon.

Jim Kelley leaves Prime Time Sports

Thanks to poster Mike S for this via the Globe and Mail:
"Speaking of The Fan 590, as previously reported by Usual Suspects, John Shannon has taken over permanently as co-host on Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown. Jim Kelley, who had commuted from Buffalo to work the show the past few years, has left the station for personal reasons. No timetable for his return has been announced."

What do you guys think about this? Will you miss him? Kelley, hope the personal reasons aren't health related, and thanks for the entertainment!!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Friday, October 23, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable with Bob McCown, Jim Kelley, Bruce Arthur, and Neil Smith.

If the Senators played Dodgeball during practice, the Toronto media would have a flippin' field day. I can't believe the number of journalists defending the Leafs. Soon the tide will turn on Burke. The early play of the Leafs seems to be Burke's "bogey" by the media, and everyone but McCowns love affair with Burke is continuing. I admit that I was skeptical of how McCown would handle criticizing Burkey, but he definitely stepped into Burke with some pretty big fists questioning his vision for the team.

McCown's line of the week saying if he were GM he'd tell the players, "If you don't play better, you'll be driving a truck next week!!"

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, October 22, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: Ryan Zander, general manager of baseball products for Sportvision; Buck Martinez, TBS baseball commentator; attorney and legal analyst, Rob Becker; Dr. Christiane Ayotte, director of the anti-doping lab at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

McCown, there's a reason you do the "Goalie Mask not in the NHL Rulebook" debate, only once a year. It's because it's meaningless!!!

This Sportsnet-PTS battle is really going to get worse before it gets better. McCown called out Sportsnet for the lack of coverage he has on the Sportsnet website. Pointing to the fact that HockeyCentral interviews that are readily available through sportsnet.ca, McCown ripped Sportsnet for not having any of PTS material online. As always, he's right. ..and so far, nothing from Sportsnet on my email request. Perhaps I should start a Letterman-Oprah type log of how I feel each day Sportsnet neglects me after I wrote them such a nice letter!

Was it the smartest thing for Dr. Ayotte to release the fact that cheating athletes can produce "better" results by drinking a Litre of water before the test?? I found this a bit odd.

Why is the off-PTS-show news so much more interesting that the on-PTS-show issues?? Kinda like Letterman, eh?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: Tony Viner, president and CEO of Rogers Media; NBC and Versus hockey analyst, Ed Olczyk; senior advisor for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pat Gillick; ESPN play-by-play announcer, Dan Shulman; James Christie, Globe and Mail columnist.

The OFFICIAL Jays post-mortem has begun.

Viner answered the simple question - Rogers is committed to the Jays and they are not for sale. Kelley really needs to think about his question line before he asks it. There was one question that literally took a minute and a half to ask it. Viner only stayed on for one segment, but as Viner put it about Prime Time Sports, "I'm planning on being a regular."

Gillick on coming to Toronto to assist the Jays, "Not at this time…" Bobcat, if it's impossible for Gillick to answer his interest in the Jays position due to his contract with the Phillies, why ask?

The Olympics are definitely corrupt…I still smart from Toronto not getting the bid in '96. Having said that, what exactly did Vancouver do to secure their bid?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, October 19, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley (what the??)
Mark Cohon, CFL commissioner; Toronto Sun baseball columnist, Bob Elliott; hockey analyst for Comcast SportsNet, Al Morganti, and Neil Smith, former NHL team general manager; Daniel Kaplan from SportsBusiness Journal; offensive linesmen for the Buffalo Bills, Andy Levitre and Eric Wood.

"If the audience thinks they are the only one confused…yeah, we're a little confused ourselves. I'm happy to get 1,800 emails a day asking "where are you", Sportsnet can answer the question of where we are."

…and Kelley returns?? So now 3 co-hosts? It's a good thing Rogers Sportsnet and PTS continue to keep us viewers in the freakin' loop eh?

Steroids matter. As McCown has espoused in the past, what do we tell our kids when they have the option of pursuing elite athletics? That's it is okay to cheat, especially if it's part of the norm of society? Now whether professional sports has the balls to

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Friday, October 9, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Roundtable with Bob McCown, John Shannon, James Deacon, and Sam Cosentino.
Why come forward now Fleury? Why speak now and not when Sheldon Kennedy pursued a case against James? Why speak now and not when he was younger to help ensure that James would be locked away never to harm children again? Why put Graham James in a position to Coach other boys (link)?

With all of these lingering questions, how can any of us put our minds in the head of Fleury, including what he has been through and the demons he has battled through the years? It is definitely tough on mainstream journalists who need to delicately ask these questions while at the same time having empathy for what Fleury has gone through.

Still no word on whether Jim Kelley is gonzo on Prime Time Sports.

I pretty much agree with the panel on the Jays. This is the turning point. A lot of fans will make their mind up on the future support of this team based on what management does this year in the off season. Will fans still show up? Sure. But as an average of less than 20,000 - that's pretty much a given. Unless the Jays management can show the fans that they are ready to pony up and financially support this team against the Sox and Yankees.

What do you think of the Jays 60 mill vs 120 mill debate?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelly
Guests: GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke; ESPN broadcaster Dan Shulman; Paul Waldie, writer for the Globe and Mail; Rob Becker, attorney and legal analyst.

After a painful week without McCown, he returned from the brutal cold he had to conduct a fascinating interview with Burke. A must listen for any hockey fan. As a Sens fan, it's my duty to hate the leafs with a passion (and I am proud to do so.) But you can't help but be amazed by the charisma Burkey speaks with. The leafs are in good hands.

You can really see the connection between Burke and McCown. All will go well between these two as long as the leafs are winning. If something goes off the rails, McCown will be ready to call Burke out, and Burke will surely stand his ground making for some interesting radio (like there hasn't been enough of that recently on PTS?)

...and after the months of crap with Balsillie, her falls on his sword trying to paint himself as a Canadian hero? My respect ends for Balsillie on what he's achieved for RIM and Blackberry, although it has greatly diminished by the way he has tried to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, May 25, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Jeff Blair
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: JP Ricciardi

Apologies if McCown's sick, but why Prime Time Sports never advises listeners in advance of being away, I'm not sure. Heck, they certainly advised JP Ricciardi, didn't they? Otherwise, he'd never have shown up as a guest!!!

BTW, there is still no worse feeling in the world than tuning in on Monday, seeing the Prime Time Sports logo, hearing the Prime Time Sports music, and seeing someone who isn't Bob McCown. Absolutely no disrespect meant to any of the co-hosts, but my bias is 100% clear. If ain't Bob McCown, it ain't Prime Time Sports.

(Bobcat, feel free to use this during negotiation time!)

Am I the only one that feels that way? Post your comments below!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Jerry Reisman, bankruptcy lawyer for Reisman Peirez & Reisman; James Toback, director of the film documentary "Tyson".

When I created this blog, I thought it would be good to have an outlet to share my thoughts about the program with other listeners. Today's show was one of the more memorable ones that I'm glad I have the outlet of Prime Time Sports Review for. McCown went on a micro level with Reisman, assessing the intricacies of Balsillie's assault on the NHL. Then instantly, it changed to a discussion with Toback, director of the "Tyson" film, and as intriguing, (past?) long time sports gambler. I hope all of you get a chance to listen.

If any of you have any interest in the bankruptcy proceedings and can stomach legality details, listen to the first 1/2 hour of today's show where McCown and Kelley talked to a bankruptcy lawyer. I don't even know where to start, or how to summarize what I just heard. All I'll say is, it seems Balsillie has leg to stand on. VERY interesting stuff indeed. (I think I need to listen to it again to re-hear what I heard, if that makes any sense!)

Too bad that Brunt couldn't be here the week they were interviewing Toback. Boxing being his passion, I'm sure he'd be really interested in the subject. Although Bobcat seemed to revel in the discussion with Toback/Vegas/Gambling discussion.

While Bobcat doesn't share the details, you get the sense through past discussions about the gambling subject that he himself had a past addiction to gambling. While he hasn't confirmed this (that I am aware of), the types of questions he asked in this interview can only be from someone that has this sort of history, or at least, intimate connection with the subject.

In previous posts, I have written how it seems as McCown is getting tired of the show, and the "same-old-same-old" discussion. Today's show was refreshing as a listener, and I'm sure for him as an interviewer. It's the kind of show that would probably convince Bobcat to stay as host for a couple of years (if he could guarantee a show like this on a regular basis!)

"Wow that was fun", McCown quipped at the end of the show. Bobcat, agree with you 100%. Great show.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: Legal analyst and New York-based lawyer, Rob Becker; VP and GM of the Detroit Red Wings, Ken Holland; Neil Smith, former NHL team general manager

Fantastic musical Mariachi piece at the onset. Not sure about the product placement guys with Salsa and Tacos all over the studio…but heck, I forward through all the commercials normally, and now am stuck watching Old El Paso right on my TV in the smelly Prime Time Sports studios!! Ah well, Bobcat's got mouths to feed!

Kelley was at Woodstock in '69? Who knew??? Although, I can definitely see him in a Grateful Dead T-shirt.

Man 'O man - either Holland was tired of the questions he was getting, or really thinks about each questions for a good 5 seconds before he answers. Either way Kenny, hurry up with the answers and quit the heavy breathing will ya?!?! McCown pulled a Donahue in his interview skills when he followed up the question of the Jiri hit during the playoffs. Listen for it.

Prime Time Sports broke the news of Balsillie bid to purchase the Coyotes. No one had this before McCown - it's too bad all the media outlets didn't source him (including parent company Sportsnet!)

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, May 4, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable: Roundtable with Jim Kelley, and James Deacon

May the fourth be with you.

McCown started the first segment with the following: "I'd fix the (national hockey) league in a week and the first thing I'd do is say 'the hell with America. I don't give a flyin' Fadoo about how the playoffs affect America." With the talk of Balsillie taking ownership of the Coyotes and moving them to southern Ontario heating up, the whole discussion of hockey in Canada vs hockey in the USA is JUST beginning. …I get the sense it won't be a long argument.

McCown argued that the 92 Jays batting line-up may be the best of all time. I love how Bob McCown throws stuff out there that is completely moronic and then begins to persuade you to his side of the argument.

I would love to see McGuire and McCown engage with each other for just one segment - heck, it doesn't even have to be about hockey. Both of them are really knowledgeable, passionate, stubborn and persuasive (all good things in my books.) Hopefully the unholy alliance of Bell-Rogers will facilitate this (right Brunt?)

"Sidney, get an apartment." God bless Bob McCown.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Friday May 1st, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable: Jim Kelley, Bruce Arthur, and Gord Kirke

McCown continues his verbal assault on Bettman. His handling of Phoenix, Atlanta and Tampa Bay were all reason for McCown's ire this time around.

A-Roid IS the most hated man in professional sport. Without question.

We all long for a time when watching our heroes in Baseball wasn't about sex, drugs and rock 'n roll, but more about skill, heart and desire. When I think about the '85 Jays, I must confess it evokes memories of overcoming massive odds and past disappointments. It brings up memories of the first sports playoffs I saw. Seeing George bell grab onto that ball in left field to clinch the AL East Title will be etched in my mind forever.

Baseball today haven't turned us into sceptics…they have turned us into sport-focused only, without regard to 'how' they got there. Being sceptical is too painful. It's just easier to bury our heads in the sand.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, April 30 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: President of the Indianapolis Colts, Bill Polian; Lou Lamoriello, New Jersey Devils president, CEO, and general manager; ESPN's Dan Shulman; Tom Pedulla, writer for USA Today; chief operating officer for the CFL, Michael Copeland

As a fan of the Sens who has seen the Devils eliminate us in a Game #7, I wasn't unhappy at the Devils go through the same fate.

I can go either way with the steroid issue in baseball. I can get worked up about it and interested in nailing every A-Roid and Bonds. At the same time, I can watch my beloved Jays and not even ask the question. Am I getting to be like most of the public and trying desperately to forget about the steroid era? Do I need blatant reminders like what will happen on Monday with A-Roid? I think the later is true.

The comparison between McCown and a certain Doctor on Fox is growing with the news today that Bobcat plays a mean guitar!!!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday April 29, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: Ken King, president and CEO of the Calgary Flames; Comcast SportsNet's Al Morganti, and former GM of the New York Rangers, Neil Smith; head golf club designer for Callaway Golf, Roger Cleveland.

It's great to hear Morganti and Smith again and hear the boys talk hockey which has been incredible over the past couple of weeks!

In argument #28 in Bob McCown's book "The 100 Greatest Hockey Arguments", McCown argued that "The Sens have earned the reputation of choking dogs." He goes into detail explaining that in the 11 years the Sens made the playoffs in a row, it translated to the following:

• One Cup Final
• One Eastern Conference Final
• Four series victories in nine years
• Five first round knockouts

On today's show, we heard from Ken King, Prez of the Flames after a disastrous knock out by the Flames the night before from the up and coming Chicago Blackhawks. King is a long time guest of Prime Time Sports and his candor is normally straight up, and if he can't answer a question, he'll say so.

I couldn't believe how easy both McCown and Kelley were on King. I realize Kelley doesn't have any previous connection with the Flames (that I know of) as opposed to the Sens who kicked out a good friend of his, John Muckler. Kelley has enjoyed taking shots at the Sens, including GM Murray and their playoff history.

Bobcat on the other hand seemed like he had no interest dissecting why things went awry nor leveling any criticism the way both he and Kelley did when Sens Management has been on in the past. Understood that I don't remember Murray being on the show, but other Management on the Sens have been.

...and the comparison McCown had of Iginla to Yzerman...wow...for Sens fans, that sounds all together familiar. Only problem is, Yzerman's story is so special that it can't be repeated. Players like Iginla and Alfredsson will never be able to carry their team and make those around them better (with one or two exceptions in their career) like Yzerman did.

Bottom line - 4 straight first round exits by the Flames may not earn them the title of "choking dogs", but they certainly have earned half of that title (I'll let you all choose).

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday April 28, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: David Branch, OHL commissioner and president of the CHL; Bert Sugar, boxing author and historian; Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Angela James

Man, I wish I had more to write about Bert Sugar, but listen to this interview and the poetry in the man's voice…he's a legend. You can tell that McCown has been heavily influenced by his slow speech, thoughtful responses and overall mannerisms. I love how the interview ended:

McCown: "(Bert), Have a safe flight will ya?"
Sugar: "Don't tell me, tell the Pilot!!!"

Classic.

Here's the background information of another legend, Angela James.
McCown, Kelley, James, Branch, Sugar

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday April 27, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Roundtable: Roundtable with Jim Kelley, and Brian Cooper

A very philosophical McCown in the first segment who basically stated that the more the fighting issue is spoken about, the more fights there are. Bobcat called it "a counter culture and the worse I've ever seen it." Fighting was up 50% from last year, and has spilled into the playoffs. Kelly started rambling about the issue and got a bit off McCown's topic - and I could hear McCown ignoring the discussion in the first segment as Kelly rambled on. McCown said, "It is time for this league to establish some criteria…a series of "if's…thens" with consequences. (McCown has a bit of Nostradamus in him as later in the day Thornton would fight Getzlaf.)

Is it possible that the NHL doesn't come close to suspensions because they are handcuffed by the NHL?

As for the Jays, McCown put it simply "Been a long time since we had this feel, isn't it? It brings you back, because you forget how great it was, because every day you had a vested interest (in the outcome of the game)."