Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Executive producer of studio production at Rogers Sportsnet, Nelson Millman, Ed Olczyk, NBC and Versus hockey analyst; owner of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Bob Young, Darren Rovell, sports business reporter for CNBC; president of Ryerson University, Sheldon Levy.

Wow - Nelson Millman gone. This will be really interesting, specifically how Millman's departure affects Prime Time Sports. His effect on the FAN 590 and building the radio station through the many changes will be felt for years to come. What was the first all sports radio station format has morphed into the hub of Sports, arguably in North America. How's the new guy gonna handle the ego that is McCown?? "The enemy you know vs. the enemy you don't - you can't possibly prepare him for what he's getting into", quipped McCown!

MORE STORIES OF THE HISTORY OF PRIME TIME!!! With Millman on, there was so much stuff that I really love, and I'd imagine most long time listeners do too! As time goes by, Prime Time is as much an intriguing part of sports and sports history and definitely fascinating to hear the inner stories of those who have to deal with McCown on a regular basis, and how McCown became the personality he is.

Round Table coming up at the end of the week. Bobcat, bring back my girl Mary Ormsby!!!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Kevin Martin, Canadian curler; TSN's Rod Black, Former NBA player, Spud Webb; president and CEO of Tennis Canada, Michael Downey; Mark Fainaru-Wada from ESPN, Rogers Sportsnet hockey commentator, Nick Kypreos; Bob Elliott, baseball columnist for the Toronto Sun,

There are days where it's painful to write about Prime Time Sports, as the content or issues surrounding PTS is dull as hell! Today is not one of those days...

The new format of Prime Time will now eliminate the call-in portion which was held from 4pm-5pm. What this does is bring in more and more guests, but hopefully not dilute the quality. What's really interesting is (and I'm sure it's not a coincidence), guests from TSN are coming on Sportsnet. Rod Black comes on Sportsnet airwaves, and not for any topic in particular. What's the forum for Sportsnet talent to get on TSN airwaves? Off the Record? Please. CBC and Sportsnet seem to have a mutual agreement with Cherry and McLean coming on a couple of times a year. However, young talent such as Freeman seem to have pretty strict constraints on when he can appear on Prime Time.

How long before Pierre McGuire or Bob McKenzies comes on Prime Time airwaves?

The un-holy alliance is just getting started.

I have few loves in my life. Prime Time Sports, Letterman and Pearl Jam. ...and hearing Pearl Jam starting a segment just about was as close to heaven in my ears as I'll get! Keep it up!!!

I get the sense that the relationship between Brunt-McCown is the same relationship between Wilson-House...am I off on this? Maybe not from the visual end, but from the ying-yang, tension, but ultimate love for each other. (OK, maybe I'm off!!!)

Hearing Brunt talk about the ending of the Grey Cup and what that meant to him as a Sports Writer was simply poetry. He was bang on regarding what we thing a Sports Writer's life is and probably equally right about how the game ending completely threw everyone in the press box for a loop.

McCown/Sportsnet Battle Update

The whole sorted mess can be read here: LINK.

Coles notes version of the events:
- Sportsnet and McCown in battle as McCown has been without a contract since September.
- McCown threatens to pull PTS off the Sportsnet airwaves
- Sportsnet pulls PTS off the air on its own
- McCown and Rogers "connect" on a new contract without Sportsnet's knowledge
- PTS will be back on the air on Tuesday as follows:
* PTS LIVE on Sportsnet East
* HockeyCentral replay (from noon) @ 5pm on Sportsnet Ontario
* Connected @ 6:30pm on Sportsnet Ontario
As Zelkovich pointed out, "The East channel will get McCown, but those elsewhere in the country who want to see it will have to pay for that channel."

I can't believe that Rogers intervened (whether it was McCown pushing it or not), to 'save' PTS. McCown has been way more critical of Rogers with relation to the Blue Jays current issues, than Sportsnet. I still can't believe Rogers was the one who found the value in McCown and didn't want to let him go.

So, some key questions for me:
1) What did Rogers pay McCown? For how much?
2) Did Rogers know that Sportsnet would dramatically scale back the amount of PTS coverage on the airwaves?
3) How long is the contract for?

Will this affect any of you out there?

...like sands through the hourglass...

McCown out of Sportsnet?? (part deux)

Small blurb about McCown being out of Sportsnet from Globe Sports: LINK. Again, thanks to Mike S. for the link.

The issue I have with this potential decision is the fact that Sportsnet continues to treat the Prime Time Sports audience like leftovers. Prime Time Sports is cheap programming. One day it's on and the other off. For those 'viewers' watching at home who set their pvrs to watch the show (like myself!), it's frustrating to come home, flip on the recorded show, only to find alternative programming that has been recorded.

The one thing that isn't being discussed is that this "decision" is coming after an in depth discussion about Rogers last Friday where McCown challenged Rogers to put up or shut up with the Jays payroll for next year. Specifically he stated that their could be a fan revolt against Rogers if the Jays aren't competitive next year and the fanbase feels Rogers is to blame. You mean to tell me it's a coincidence that Sportsnet is choosing NOW to evaluate McCown, a mere 4-6 weeks after extending the Prime Time Sports brand to 2 hours? Us viewers ain't that stupid!

Sportsnet: why don't you fish or cut bait with Prime Time Sports and be honest with your viewers?

McCown, as always, you know you have an open invitation to speak here.

McCown out of Sportsnet??

According to the blog "Toronto Sports Media", McCown may be gonzo from Sportsnet as he's being "greedy" (thanks Mike S for pointing it out in the comments). LINK

What’s the source of the blog? Word on the street? Hmmm…..not sure if I’m buying.

If it's true, nothing wrong at all with Bobcat asking for more. Sportsnet is basically miling PTS for all that it’s worth. Why not ask for more?? I'm pretty sure TSN would love to have Bobcat too.

But again, anyone can go on the internet and post whatever they wish saying it was hearsay.

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: Thursday April 23, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: David Samson, president of the Florida Marlins; FAN 590 show co-host and Rogers Sportsnet hockey analyst, Doug MacLean

Man, I honestly don't remember thinking about the Jays as much as I am this year. An amazing story and it's fun to talk baseball again in Toronto. I wonder what TSN/Sportsnet numbers are on the Jays as compared to last year (not only broadcast, but hits on their website.)

What does Gainey have to gain (pardon the pun) by kissing and telling about his wanting to get Lecavalier from Laughton? Lecavalier or not, the Habs season was brutal and would have ended up the same. Gainey sounds like a cranky old man crying over spilt milk (and, I like many others am a huge Gainey supporter.)

MacLean shows up late and says he's actually early! Man, the battle between MacLean and McCown is awesome! McCown quipped to MacLean, "I may know more than you, but what is for certain is I'll SAY more than you." Even Brunt quipped "This show would be in shambles without me." Classic. I actually laughed so hard at that one that my co-workers looked at me!

Roundtable tomorrow - c'mon McCown, get Mary Ormsby on...you haven't had her on nearly as often as in the past! Maybe she's getting tired of ya'?!?!

Prime Time Sports Review separated at birth:
- Episode 1: Mary Ormsby and Joanna Kerns
- Episode 2: Kate Smith and Susan Boyle