1/13/10 - Lou Lamoriello, Pat Burns, Eric Tillman, Mark Cohon

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Jack Armstrong, basketball analyst and co-host of "The Game Plan" on THE FAN 590, Lou Lamoriello, New Jersey Devils president and GM; NHL commentator for NBC and Versus, Ed Olczyk, Commissioner of the CFL, Mark Cohon; Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix Suns chair and CEO; Canadian lawn bowling team captain Steve McKerihen.

Lamoriello - CLASSIC! Good to hear Pat Burns is doing well. I wonder why McCown doesn't take the opportunity to challenge Lou a bit more when given the opportunity to speak to him. Most of the interview comprised of 'same-old' content regarding the recent power outage that caused a game to be continued at a later date. Why not question how the Devils, as good as they have historically have been, continue to draw such miserable numbers at the gate? At the time of this post, the Devils are 22nd in home attendance.

Cohon spoke about backing Tillman, and primarily backing the Judge on the case and using the Judge's ruling for the rest of league. This was not an easy decision, nor topic to speak of, particularly due to Tillman's likeability prior to the incident. If it were me, I'd have followed Bobcat's suggestion of suspending him for a year and come back after the 'reflection' Tillman needs to do has had a chance to even begin.

If you are looking here for a lawn bowling review, forget it. C'mon Bobcat? In Prime Time?? (Didn't even both listening!) I hope it's another 20 years before lawn bowling comes up again!

1/11/10 - Eric Tillman's Future

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: USA Today columnist Jarrett Bell; Doug Smith, basketball writer for the Toronto Star, Jeff Blair from the Globe and Mail; president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Jim Hopson; Ken King, Calgary Flames president and CEO.

So last week came and went without a word from Tillman as advertised. I personally think this is a good thing. Tillman needs to stay out of the limelight. If I were him, I would take a year off and recover from this doing whatever he needs to with his family and get his head on straight. What has happened has to have had a serious impact on his psyche and he needs time to deal with it. Tillman's employment (now allegedly in Toronto) can only serve as a distraction to moving forward.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: President of Hockey Canada, Bob Nicholson; basketball columnist for the Toronto Star, Doug Smith, Rogers Sportsnet hockey analyst, Nick Kypreos; Aaron Fox, lawyer representing Eric Tillman, Co-author of "The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies", Glen Macnow; USA Today's Michael Hiestand; Justin Bracci from Tatics Armoured Hockey Socks.

No real compelling guests nor topics, with the exception of Eric Tillman's lawyer (with apologies to 3D TV and sports movies!)

What really interests me is McCown's revelation that long time Prime Time Sports guest Eric Tillman will be on PTS later in the week. I'm quite curious to see how McCown will juggle the on-air discussion with Tillman. Of course what Tillman did (accident or otherwise) is reprehensible. Will McCown get into the sordid details of the event? Does McCown discuss legal strategy and why Tillman was so adamant of his innocence only to plead guilty? What about how he navigated the Roughriders to a CFL final behind the scenes last season. You can be sure there will be discussion about his future in the CFL, and if Tillman is fired from the Roughriders before he comes on PTS, the job in Toronto. To what extent Tillman will be willing to discuss any of these matters is another matter all together.

I don't remember McCown ever having a guest like this come on PTS who has a history with the show in this set of extraordinary circumstances.

An explosive beginning to the year for sure. I am really interested in hearing how McCown handles this one.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, January 4th, 2010 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Boxing expert, Bert Sugar; Darrell Davis, columnist for the Regina Leader-Post, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks; Rob Becker, attorney and legal analyst; Dan Dunleavy, radio play-by-play man for the World Junior Hockey Championship.

…and we're back in 2010! Better than EVER! Hope everyone out there had a great holidays and looking forward to a fantastic year here at the PTSR!

In the opening segment, McCown asked Brunt "It would be hard to send Eric Tillman to the Boys and Girls Club, wouldn't it?" ...and in that question epitomized the point of no return for Tillman. Tillman's only option as I see it is the Roughriders taking him back as no other organization would bring him on in any capacity. Being in Ottawa and remembering what impact Tillman had on this city, there is a tinge of sympathy for the predicament he's in for someone with vision shouldn't have. At the same time, at the time the allegations were made, he insisted that he would be given a complete discharge. Having said that, I don't think anyone thought the complete discharge would come under these admissions. Tillman is guilty. Ultimately the court of public opinion will judge his fate.

Bobcat also feels arenas should be located where people live and not downtown. As a result, I expect to hear absolutely NO negative feedback for the Senators building their arena in Kanata!!!