1/26/10 - Brunt back, Why the Cormier hindsight??

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: CNBC sports business reporter, Darren Rovell, Nick Kypreos from Rogers Sportsnet; Georges Laraque, former Montreal Canadiens forward, Buck Martinez, play-by-play announcer for Toronto Blue Jays games on Rogers Sportsnet; curler Jennifer Jones; Dan Shulman from ESPN.

Finally...Brunt is BACK! Feels like ages that he's been on. He shared stories about going to New Orleans and how amazing the experience was being there during the Saints victory on Sunday. The accounts he provides demonstrates why he is an amazing writer. He called the atmosphere in New Orleans "unlike anything that I have ever seen."

I'm not sure what the point is of McCown and Brunt attacking Hockey Canada and the IIHF retroactively for Cormier hit on the Swedish player during the World Juniors. You know what they say about hindsight, and I'm not sure where the outrage was during the World Juniors regarding the incident. I don't even remember it being discussed at the time by PTS. Perhaps a more intriguing discussion is why there was no media outrage at the time of the incident during the World Juniors.

1/21/10 -Eugene Melnyk, Senators, Cullen, TFC

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Basketball writer for the Globe and Mail, Michael Grange; Elliotte Friedman from "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC, Eugene Melnyk, Ottawa Senators owner; Dan Shulman, ESPN broadcaster, Don Banks, writer for Sports Illustrated; David Branch, commissioner of the OHL; comedian Sean Cullen

It seems every time Melnyk comes on, McCown doesn't really talk about the Senators in any great detail, other than the cursory "how's the team doin'?" kinda questions. Melnyk always seems to be questioned about the PTS world more than anything. Since the tired notion of addressing the head shot issue was the topic of the week, that's what the conversation revolved around.

I thought Sean Cullen was the funniest thing on PTS in a long time! ...and Bobcat, just go to a TFC game the next time you get the opportunity. Or at least swear off of leaf games, will ya???

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: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Saul Korman, owner of Korry's Clothiers; Randy Robles from the Elias Sports Bureau; Globe and Mail writer, Jeff Blair, The media conference from the Toronto Blue Jays announcing the Roy Halladay trade; ESPN's Dan Shulman; Canadian golfer Lisa Meldrum, Daryl Jones and Keith McCollough of Ice Edge Holdings; Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos; Pat Gillick, senior advisor to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rogers has the cash to pony up and pay for the Jays to compete with the ALE. They are choosing not to. Another option is to ask for a move out of the ALE - that's not happening, nor should Rogers want it with all of those Sox and Yanks fans coming in. It a perpetual losing situation until something changes (and a rookie GM with vision armed with another 3 year plan is not change.)

The Jays could roll over, play dead for 15+ years, and there would be Jays die-hards that would continue to blindly support another 3-year plan. Good thing there aren't people like that on this email!!

It's like being in a relationship with a woman who you have a 30 year relationship, whom you had a fantastic 15 years with, but in the last 15 years, you hardly see, takes you for granted, tells you things will change and after 15 years nothing has changed.

Am I saying I won't support the team - dunno. But things will never be the same. My heart needs to be swayed, but for now I enjoy the memories of what was, and hope that this sustains me through the dark ages.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, December 10, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Elliotte Friedman, John Bitove, Darren Rovell, Buck Martinez, Dan Shulman, Chris Rudge, Allan Walsh.

Friedman returns!! Some great historical stories about McCown and negotiating his morning contract and his current contract with the FAN590. Love it - fascinating stuff. You can also sense the deep respect Friedman has for McCown. I think I've mentioned it before, but after listening to Friedman and McCown there seems to be a mutual bond between these two (probably similar to Strombolopolous). I just wonder how nerve racking it is for Friedman and other younger media personalities who grew up listening to Bobcat and are now in the position to work side-by-side with him. I'd be pissin' my pants, and not figuratively either!

Bobcat getting freebies from the Hockey House - c'mon Bobcat…put that pass on eBay! For more info on Hockey House, click here - looks impressive, but geez it looks expensive!!!

Here are two of the t-shirts from zazzle.com that Rovell hinted at:
I guess all Tigers can't climb trees
Tiger Did Me

Martinez was caught in a bit of a fib. He said that he spoke to Shulman about the radio opportunity before accepting it. As soon as Shulman came on, they asked him about it, and he said he had no knowledge about it before the announcement. Hmmmm…something weird about that, and Shannon and McCown knew it. Martinez also called John, Jeff…not a good start. Ah well, we'll always have that play from home plate with the broken leg, won't we??

At around 6:40 during the Chris Rudge interview, McCown exploded on Vanoc, etc for the "smoke and mirrors" these organizations utilize in asking for public funds and then exponentially raising the funds closer to game time. This is going to be coming to a head when McCown heads to Vancouver. I will be listening to see if McCown will end up "exploding" on his traditional view during the Olympics. It will be impossible for him not to, although if the freebies keep coming in, it's gonna be tough!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, December 3, 2009 (4:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Lead singer of Glass Tiger, Alan Frew, and Tom Anselmi, COO for MLSE, Vice chairman of Rogers Communications, Phil Lind, and GM of the Bills in Toronto series, Adrian Montgomery; president and CEO of MLSE, Richard Peddie; Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, Dan Shulman, play-by-play man for ESPN; legendary poker player Doyle Brunson; Brad Pascall, senior director of men's national teams for Hockey Canada.

Discussion in the first hour revolved around the leafs and whether or not they are "Canada's Team" as espoused by Alan Frew. The lyrics in MLSE's new "anthem" calls the leafs as such and it has caused a bit of a firestorm in Montreal, due to the 100th anniversary. (side note: when the hell does that 100th anniversary end???)

My take is anyone can call anyone, anything. If Alan Frew believes the Leafs are Canada's team, that's his opinion. If he decides to write a song about it, great for him. If a 'nation' of morons buys into it, more power to them. But remember one thing. The leafs may be Canada's most beloved team (and that's up for debate.) But make no mistake, they are Canada's most hated team. ...and stunts like this only embolden the resolve of us leaf haters.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, November 26, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Vladislav Tretiak, GM of the 2010 Russian men's Olympic hockey team; Alex Anthopoulos, GM of the Toronto Blue Jays, ESPN's Dan Shulman; Stephen Brunt, sports columnist for the Globe and Mail.

I was born in 74, but have a deep respect for the '72 series, and for some reason Tretiak too. Perhaps it's because he speaks the English language and has a fondness for Canadians (or maybe that's just my perception.) In the middle of the interview, Tretiak's cell phone went off, and he immediately said "uh oh...Moscow calling!" Fantastic sense of humor.

To the best of my recollection, Jim "Shakey" Hunt was a co-host with McCown for quite a long time. Another guy that I have great memories of, and primarily from Prime Time Sports.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Baseball play-by-play announcer on ESPN, Dan Shulman; Peter Berg, director of "King's Ransom"; Jeff Hunt, owner of the Ottawa 67's and prospective CFL owner; Lester Munson, ESPN legal analyst.

Had the opportunity to see King's Ransom and thought it was fantastic. Moreso for the behind the scenes interviews with McNall, Pocklington and Gretzky and video from that period in time. I suspect it could have been a lot longer and hope a DVD comes out about it with a lot more content from the primary players. If you remember *anything* from that period in time, see it.

The promos for a TSN special on Sportsnet was rather interesting…and I wonder how much debate was involved with brining Berg on the show.

Ottawa gets its stadium. Being in Ottawa, I cannot believe we had this much debate and am doing everything in my power to ensure my City Councilor who voted against the plan (Peggy Feltmate) is voted out of office next time around.

Shannon with the line of the day on Bobcats dressing style: "McCown, you're a cross between Letterman and Imus."

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: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Rogers Sportsnet hockey expert, Nick Kypreos; USA Today's Michael Hiestand; Paul Beeston, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays; ESPN baseball play-by-play announcer, Dan Shulman; Globe and Mail columnist, Jeff Blair.

...and Beeston is our man...FINALLY! But the question remains - Beeston hasn't done much since re-joining the Jays 18 months ago. How will this affect re-signing Doc? What will the budget be next year? If budget ain't an issue, how much will Beeston ask for? A 3 year deal does seem to be short. A comforting feeling was reached as Beeston said, "Winning the World Series HAS to be the priority for this organization." As a Jays fan, all I'm looking for now is comfort.

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: Thursday, October 15, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Peter Pocklington, former owner of the Edmonton Oilers; former player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tie Domi; ESPN's Dan Shulman; CBC hockey play-by-play broadcaster, Jim Hughson; basketball analyst Jack Armstrong.

Ahhh, Pearl Jam starting off the show...well, at least this is one huge advantage of PTS not being on Sportsnet!

So first "Gretzky's Tears", and now "I'd Trade Him Again"...the Gretzky retrospectives continue. Pocklington was very frank and for you die-hard Oiler fans out there, it is a painful interview to hear particularly when Pocklington admits that he didn't shop the Kings offer around. Epic fail.

Wouldn't it be weird if Battle of the Blades made it to the US and the ratings outdrew NHL hockey???

Agree with McCown - if the Raptors can show any semblance of competitiveness, the Toronto media and fans will love the team more than it ever has.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, October 8th, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Bruce Arthur
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman; Elliotte Friedman, reporter for "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC; Paul Beeston, interim CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays; Rich Lerner from the Golf Channel; Lyle Bauer, Winnipeg Blue Bombers CEO.

Friedman returns!!! Again, because there was no TV, he was allowed on. TSN apparently wanted Friedman at the same time HNIC/CBC wanted him too. Friedman has come a really long way since joining CBC in 2003 (has it
really been that long?)

Hey McCown - GET BACK ON TWITTER DAMMIT!!! There wasn't a revenue stream when you started coming on twitter and there hasn't been one since. It's a way as fans that we could communicate and since twitter has stalled, so has that connection. Speaing of Fadoo, it seems to have fallen quite a bit as well, in terms of McCown's presence.

Get the feeling that Beeston has known all along who the new President of the Jays is going to be? Seems he's just waiting for the post-season to be over to 'pluck' him from another organization.

At a quote today from McCown that is now amongst my favourite: "If you're happy with what you are doing, don't screw it up. If you're not happy, don't be afraid to make yourself happy." Such a happy thought going into the weekend!

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: Thursday, September 10, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman; Peter King, Sports Illustrated football writer; George Gillett, Montreal Canadiens outgoing owner; Doug MacLean, consultant to Jim Balsillie's company; Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal.

OK, you see yesterdays review? Skip it! If there are new and twisting revelations with regards to the Phoenix situation, like that of today with MacLean jumping ship, then giddyup, lets go! MacLean absolutely ripped into McCown during the spring regarding the Balsillie mess. I don't recall Prime Time Sports ever replaying a past interview before a guest came on, especially when the guest did a complete 180 of the way they felt. A great set-up for the interview that took place.

When I heard the news of MacLean joining the Balsillie camp, I immediately thought that if Balsillie loses, MacLeans career is DONE! No one will ever give him a shot after the "betrayal" of the NHL with this move.

HOLD CRAP what an explosive interview with MacLean!!! MacLean attacked McCown "...it's not unlike you when someone is not in the studio that you are at your best. For you to say it was it was suicidal for me to partner with Balsillie, it was suicidal for me with the NHL for me to become a friend of yours." Man, he was ticked. I do agree with MacLean that McCown was a bit out of line to throw the tape on air when he wasn't around.

It sounded like MacLean wants to be the bridge between Balsillie and the NHL.

I have said it time and time again that MacLean has an axe to grind with MacLean. McCown: "He always makes it a personal attack and that's what he did tonight. As long as I sit in this chair, that will be the last time you hear MacLean on this program. I may be criticized for that, but I don't care. He is who I thought he was." Stunning.

I would love to see the video behind this and McCown's reaction when MacLean was speaking. I can't ever remember Bobcat being spoken to like this on Prime Time Sports...ever...

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown - Thursday, September 3 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Phil Esposito, NHL Hall of Famer; USA Today's media columnist, Michael Hiestand; interim executive director of the NHLPA, Ian Penny; ESPN baseball play-by-play announcer, Dan Shulman; Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star

Bobcat simply put, you should have hung-up on Penny's ass. It was an absolutely hideous interview with me as a listener getting nothing except for frustration from his lack of answers...

As a fan of hockey, the NHLPA firing matters. When Kelly first came onto the scene (oh, those many days ago), his candor was something that I came to worry about. He was a top prosecutor and his comments worried me about future labour strife. Through the months, his willingness to discuss tough issues and common-sense approach was one I came to really respect (especially when interviews were done on Prime Time Sports.)

Kelly's departure leaves a lot of unanswered questions, and Prime Time Sports is normally where questions are answered. This week has been disappointing for me as a listener when ultimately we are talking about the 2nd most powerful man in hockey.

The future of the NHL has never looked as bad as does now (and that's saying a ton!)

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

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: John Shannon
Guests: Tuesday: Scott Simmons, RCGA executive director; president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke; ESPN's Dan Shulman; National Post writer, Bruce Arthur; Brendan Taman, Saskatchewan Roughriders football administration director.

The relationship between Brian Burke and Bob McCown is going to be an interesting one to follow over the course of this season and through the duration of Burke's contract. There are two men with large history in the sports landscape, two experts on how the media is used and most importantly 2 owners of massive egos. Burke came on the show today and called McCown "Mac". I don't recall anyone calling McCown this before. It's common knowledge that McCown and Burke met to discuss hockey earlier this summer and McCown even posted an article on fadoo.ca. Burke spoke about how the media and sports franchises use each other, and was very open in discussing this point.
I wonder how this interesting relationship will play itself out. Can these two really get along, or are they inevitably headed for a massive collision of ideals? What about when Bobcat brings up Bettman with Burke (a long time Bettman supporter)?

Blair - spit out your comments will ya'? You're thinking on the fly way too much and as a listener it's hard to listen to...

Just a great article by Bruce Arthur on the Erin Andrews scandal. I have to admit I have seen the video and it's not titillating as much as making me feel like a stalker. If this was your daughter or a family member, how would you feel?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown - Tuesday, July 14 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Bruce Arthur
Guests: Rick Dudley, Atlanta Thrashers associate GM; Stacey Allaster, chair and CEO of the WTA; legal analyst and lawyer, Rob Becker; ESPN's Dan Shulman; Stephen Brunt, Globe and Mail writer.

I doubt the majority of listeners would have even heard of Stacey Allaster if it weren't for Prime Time Sports. What a privilege for Canada and the WTA to have someone of Allaster's intelligence and candour.

Am I the only one who gets a bit nervous when someone McCown interviews is on a bad cell connection?

It's gonna be a real sad day when Doc is traded from the Jays.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, Peter King; Paul Godfrey, former president of the Toronto Blue Jays; NHLPA executive director, Paul Kelly; ESPN's Dan Shulman; Pat Gillick, advisor to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Memories of Skydome, eh? It's amazing to me being bred in Toronto and now living in Ottawa that I can head back to Skydome with my 2 year old son and be immediately taken back to the time where I frequented the park with family and friends. Even though, I must admit, sitting in
great seats in the 200 level doesn't feel the same as making the trek all the way to the top row in the 300 level!!

Reminiscing is never a bad thing!

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Thursday, May 14, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: ESPN's Dan Shulman, Al Morganti, hockey analyst for Comcast SportsNet, and Michael Boone from the Montreal Gazette; Tom Pedulla, writer for USA Today; GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ray Shero; spokesman for Jim Balsillie, Bill Walker; Toronto Sun baseball columnist, Bob Elliott

Shameless sponsor mention nets both McCown and Shulman Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (and one can only guess, a LOT of them!) Whatever became of Rocky the squirrel? Loved the storytelling by Bobcat on this one!

The same amount of people watched the Jays-Yankees game as watched a Toronto FC game...does this mean anything (especially in May?) Where are you Jays fans?

According to McCown, Balsillie will be on Prime Time Sports next week.