1/20/10 - @totalpts, McCown's fears

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Writer for the Globe and Mail, Jeff Blair; Michael Hiestand, USA Today media columnist, Mike Dee, CEO of the Miami Dolphins; ESPN's Keith Law, Ed Olczyk; Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports; Dr. Peter Jensen, mental training coach for Canada's Olympic women's hockey team

When I hear Pearl Jam or Oasis in the first hour on PTS, I know my bud Neil (@totalpts) who works at PTS is doing it for me (well, at least I think he is!) Only problem is sometimes it's a while before I listen to it via the podcast. But thanks in advance @totalpts. For those interested, check out his blog. I hope to have an interview with him in the future!

Another 'who knew' moment from the Bobcat. He has a fear of public speaking. PTS is his 'element', so he doesn't think twice about speaking there, but other than that, he does truly have a fear of speaking in public.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, November 12, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Brian Burke, Keith Law, Buzz Hargrove, Bert Sugar, Dan Shulman

When I heard Buzz Hargrove would be back on Prime Time Sports, I felt betrayed as a listener. After all, this was the same Hargrove (along with others), who came on the show at the time of the Paul Kelly firing, not divulging any details of what happened. Hargrove was one of the interviews who hid behind "the confidentiality of the process."

Todays interview was entirely different. Instead of me trying to summarize the entire interview, I will tell you to dig this one up. Hargrove surprisingly provided very candid details about the firing, details surrounding it, and why he left the NHLPA. My take from it? Firstly, the NHLPA is screwed up beyond even our superficial observations. Secondly, Hargrove had no problems sharing who he slept with once he left the bed. I guess he didn't have a confidentiality agreement with the NHLPA, or if he did is choosing not to observe it.

Hargrove seemed to have an axe to grind in defending his name, claiming "the media" sensationalized what happened. This very well have been the case. However, only Hargrove and the entire NHLPA are to blame for this as the silence outweighed the details. Until today. One can only hope that the others break their silence to either validate Hargrove's claims or dispute them.

...and in other news, Burke was on. McCown in the past had claimed he has a friendship with Burke, and this very well may be the case. Perhaps given the Leafs current predicament and standing within the league, Burke had his back up against the wall much more in this interview, even claiming that he only does interviews when his PR guy tells him to. McCown responded that he hopes Burkes returns based on want, and not obligation. The relationship between McCown and Burke will continue to be fascinating to watch. These are two bulls in a china shop, and so far nothing's broken, but you can definitely feel the tension starting to build.

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

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Bruce Arthur
Guests: Globe and Mail sports writer, David Naylor; Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports; Ed Olczyk, NBC and Versus hockey analyst; legal expert Rob Becker; Keith Law from ESPN.

Nice to hear some real music on the podcast breaks...instead of the studio music. Cheap Sportsnet bastards won't pay for licensed music on the TV airwaves.

Would love to know more details about the books that McCown/Naylor have going on. It still sounds like it's at least a year away though for anything to be produced. Hope the History of Prime Time Sports makes it to fruition.

"Don (Cherry) is a bit of a dancer" - Scott Moore. Does anyone in Canada know this side of Cherry?

Looking at the Kelly-NHLPA situation, McCown has recently argued that Kelly's fundamental mistake was not getting rid of the 'old guard' and letting the Executive Board continue to run, without putting in "his own guys". The problem with this argument is that it is all in hindsight. No one saw this coming and unfortunately McCown's comments come after the fact. If McCown thought this, why not say it before instead of after Kelly was fired? ...and a bit sick of the "Sword of Damocles"
saying too! For those that need it, here's the link to what the reference is all about:
LINK

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

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Rob Becker, legal analyst; the Golf Channel's Iain Page; Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner; Keith Law from ESPN; defensive end for the Edmonton Eskimos, Kitwana Jones.

Bobcat - you are GIVING books away??? To whom?!? How'z 'bout you signing my book that was bought on the first day it was released (the FIRST edition!)

It must be hard for Bobcat to show restraint on Daly. After all, he has called the guy a liar before regarding the Coyotes mess (and truthfully, he is!) Having said that, today the two were cordial, and even 'playful' with each other. It amazes me that all the guys in the sports business, or most, have pretty thick skin.

Thanks Bob for not taking a run at the Sens when discussing the issue of the exercise bikes! It was a softball that you could have killed us on, and you laid off. Thanks for becoming an honorary Sens fan!!

So, what are the odds that Bobcat will be away on Monday....ohh, how I hate Mondays!!!

Prime Time Sport with Bob McCown: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Executive Director of the RCGA, Scott Simmons; Doug MacLean, co-host of "The Game Plan" on THE FAN 590; Keith Law of ESPN.

Topic of conversation with Doug MacLean started with the Habs sale. Gary Bettman would trumpet the price of the Habs as much as Bob McCown would trumpet the price of the Habs. Both have one thing in common - they'll use it to prove their argument and disprove the nay-sayers. I really like what MacLean brings to the Prime Time Sport and hope he's on more often. His vehement defence of "GB" doesn't happen often and over the past 3-4 months he has (at least) held his own in arguments with the Bobcat.