Recently, the four-letter sports network came up with yet another ‘Greatest of All-Time’ list in an attempt to fill air time…. err, entertain its viewers. The flavor of the month this time around is ‘The Greatest Highlight’ of all-time, hosted by Chris Berman. Months ago, the website listed 100 of the most famous moments in sports history and allowed contributors to vote on what they thought were the most memorable. They narrowed it down to sixteen and are currently having an elimination bracket to determine the greatest highlight of all time.
Now, I don’t necessarily have a problem with that, and it’s hard to argue against any of the highlights they’ve included, i.e., Willie Mays’ catch, Doug Flutie’s pass, ‘the band is on the field,’ Bill Buckner’s error, Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception, Kirk Gibson’s, Babe Ruth’s, Carlton Fisk’s and Hank Aaron’s landmark home runs. I think as sports fans, we all could view, and review, these moments over and over again.
What I DO have a problem with is Chris Berman RE-ANNOUNCING THOSE HIGHLIGHTS!!! Listen, very often, much of what makes a highlight memorable is Marv Albert shouting “A spectacular move by Michael Jordan!!” or Al Michaels screaming “Do you believe in miracles?!?” or Vin Scully’s “I don't believe what I just saw!!!” Instead, the four-letter opted to have Chris Berman, who by judging from the blogosphere, most of us are well tired of, announce the highlights as we're viewing them. Do we really need to hear Chris Berman shout “He… could… go… all… the… way!” when Franco Harris catches the deflection and runs it into the end zone? Harris caught that ball in 1972 before there even WAS an ESPN!!! Can’t they just pipe in the regular audio and let the fan relive the moment without imposing their influence? Had Havlicek’s steal made the top 16, would we be forced to listen to Berman’s blathering over Johnny Most’s historical recount?
When ESPN replayed Hank Aaron's 755th home run, I was forced to hear Berman shout a totally contrived “GONE!!!” at the top of his lungs. Isn’t that defacing and defaming history? While you’re at it why don’t you just take a can of spray paint and initial the side of the Lincoln monument? Or better yet, have Berman re-announce the “I Have a Dream” speech. “Here comes Dr. King… stepping up to the podium… back back back back back.” Didn’t ESPN think this through? Didn’t some exec suggest this might be a bad idea?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for celebrating the finer moments in sports history. It helps take our minds away from what’s wrong with sports today. But let’s do it properly and with taste, shall we?
Rev - I too have a problem with this. Many of the events are pre-ESPN, and was Ruth's "called shot" even on video? Totally contrived, and another example of how the four letter has saturated the marketplace.
Reverend Rhythm
Berman has become insufferable and I for one can't stand to seem him on ESPN. His time has come and passed. But yet ESPN seems to think that he's still a vital cog when it comes to their on air programming. Ad nauseum he's become verbose and self absorbed as to his importance to the network overall.
I don't mind him on NFL Live, only because it's 25% of the year I have to see him. And I do respect his tenure. But Bob Ley's been there just as long and you don't see him blathering about.
I'm with you on this, Rev. It cheapens the moment when you distort or replace the original broadcasted call, whether on radio or TV. Berman is a sports desk host and should only set-up or illustrate the moment for viewers.
Rev.
I was hoping someone would touch on this. I am soooooo sick of Berman and his repetative #### it isn't even funny. I mean geez he's only been with that other network sense it's inception you would think he would have something fresh and new to add instead we get the same old #### from him almost daily. Someone needs to do a blog on the all-time worst sports jounalist and sportscasters. I bet more than half would come from that network.
Moseby, exactly. I'm really surprised ESPN did this. When is Fox going to start up a 24-hour broadcast and give us all a job? For one thing, I know Lisa'd look good on air.
Gamby, at least Berman has put a partial stop to that stupid middle name B.S. he was doing forever, although he still slips up and drops one on us every now and then. And we know he's a classic rock fan. Must he quote the Eagles or Bruce Springsteen everytime he leads into a broadcast. To quote Jeff Bridges in "The Big Lebowski," I just hate the ####in' Eagles, man!
gambitxxx, that's a great idea; I'll try to think of a list later today or tomorrow. Berman sorta reminds me of the old family dog; you used to love him, but deep down you know the best option is to put him to sleep. ESPN keeps him on because of courtesy, much like they do Kenny Mayne (there's two contenders!). And Rev is right; give me the classic calls, not contrived ones.
Berman is a product of the ESPN machine, nothing more. He was second rate when he started there and the network took off. He has had some under publicized mishaps that speak to his real flavor (see SportsByBrooks). He would never have made it as big as he has if his career had not encountered The ESPN.
Made it to the Not So Sweet Sixteen and I can't wait for the Elite 8. KSP, Rivjo, Verbal, Lisa, and LSU Fan were unbeliveable in that round.
Hey, maybe you can get Berman to do some hosting when you get around to producing a tribute to "The Greatest Blog of All Time". #### that, get Charles Barkley to do it.
I know, dude. KP let it rip. As did rivjo and Verbal. I love when Marty asks rivjo how he got his name. Riv replies that his name is John Rivera and they use the letters of his first and last name to determine his log-in code name for work. By that logic, Marty's name would be Wal-Mart.
Good stuff Rev... when I first saw those come up, I was surprised that they didn't provide the original call...
Still, I don't think it is as bad as "Who's Now". At least, I like seeing the greatest highlights.
Rev - in conjunction to this post and in reference to a comment on my latest post...you don't think he is going to start doing voice over work on Leave it to Beaver re-runs, do you? I'll never figure out where I'm supposed to be.
Rev.
Yeah thank god for that. I often wonderd why he quoted the classic rock songs myself. I never find that they have any relevency to the highlite itself. As for fox doing a 24 hour news program...ah one can wish. If that was a reality I would like to be a host of show all about SEC sports. Ofcourse I would ask for you to be my co-host Rev.
Downs,
I'll be looking forward to reading that. Please for me make sure Stephan A. Smith is included in that list.
Everyone please see my latest post in the NBA section about New Orleans and it's huge problem with the Hornets organization.
wow, your rite on the money, if i had to here his version of "down goes frazier" id puke. some of the calls are so intwined with the event, you more than notice when their not there. great call rev.
This was one of my personal favorites...even though it was one of The_Dan's shots at yours truly:
"...I am Def Leppard when they had arms, you are O-Town with no stones"
That was great. Many, many more. I am through the elite eight and I am ready to take a look at the epoch battle between myself and KP.
Berman wouldn't stand a chance v. any of the elite eight.
Couldn't agree more. What makes those highlights are the voices of history. Maybe I'm getting old but Berman isn't nearly as entertaining as he used to be. Maybe slshusker is right and he has jumped the shark.
WOW rev...you had to bring up the Immaculate Reception. Damn. I'm still in mourning here. But AMEN on this post.
First of all, Berman is a pompous @#$. And you are so correct-part of the excitement of watching the '8o Miracle on Ice was listening to Al Michaels call the last 20 seconds...it was riveting. It gives you goosebumps every time you hear it.
I haven't watched the four letter word in awhile, mostly because they have lost contracts to Fox Sports covering Nascar etc... Do you think they are trying to find reasons to justify Berman's contract?
I think so...they are paying him millions, so keep him busy. In the meantime, if he does a voice over of " and Hondo steals the ball"...I will boycott ESPN forever. (Ok..just not on Saturday mornings during pigksin season)
Nice post, nice takes, and I am totally on your side here.
PS...all of a sudden, I miss Howard Cosell.
PSS...I'm getting ornery...must be time for Rev's March Madness Brackets. I'm ripe.
Last edited by Lisa H on February 20th at 10:41 PM.
I can not agree with you more. I couldn't stand listening to his recreation of the call from the cal-stanford "the play" game. I swear 'WHOOP' gets on my nerves more than anything. I've seriously lost the vast majority of my respect for berman over the past few days.
Awesome post. Hats off to rhythm. hats the f off.
Last edited by timmoore2 on February 21st at 1:26 AM.
They like to think that Berman is an "icon," the beloved elder statesmen of ESPN. The problem is that he has become almost a buffoon.
When he is serious, he is OK. He is knowledgeable about most sports, but his serious moments have become few and far between.
It would have been fine for him to introduce the highlights, set the stage, and then bow out and let the original "voice" do the call. But for him to actually make the calls is ludicrous.
But ESPN has a history of sticking their foot in their mouth. Like the series of "playoffs" with former great college football teams they ran before the USC-Texas championship game, touting USC as the greatest team of all time, only to have them lose.
And their buildup of the Patriots before the SB as the greatest of all time, only to have them lose.
I have totally changed it every time they get to this segment. Here's the thing, we all have seen these moments and images, we know the stories, and we love them, BUT the thing that makes them watchable over and over again, and gives us goosebumps are the calls. Otherwise we're just hearing the same 'ol story. Berman is teaching us nothing, my little brother can narrate "the Play" cmon.
I think everytime ESPN comes out with a list or head to head competition between different eras it blows up in their face.
All I can remember is USC and the Patriots being put against every past championship team only not to win and be crowned the greatest ever. Can we please leave the greatest ever in any sport alone?
By the way, I agree that I can't stand listening to Berman unless he's explaining to me how to get "duh duh duhs" over the Canadian border. Whop!
Reverend
It's just showing how tired the network and its programming has become. If nothing else it's unoriginal and does nothing but dampen your interest in seeing those highlights. How many times can they carp on about this 'spectacular play' or was that even humanly possible. It's benign and tedious and if anything nauseating.
Amen, Rev. I watch the four-letter as little as possible now. When will someone tell Stuart Scott that he's not funny!!! I like Romey in the afternoons, the Baseball Tonight crew (for the most part) and College Gameday for football, but that's it. They've really fallen in love with themselves in Bristol....
Interseting comments Rev and I do agree sometimes ESPN goes a little over the top and gets silly with these lists of long ago highlights but on the other hand ESPN is the so called worldwide leader of sports and all of us bloggers would probably trade our position in a minute to have the kind of job and career that Chris Berman and others have there in the sports industry so from that point of view I have a lot of respect and admiration for those in the sports industry even if I don't always agree with them. Nice post friend and best wishes. fenfan
Last edited by fenwayfanatic67 on February 26th at 8:51 AM.
The Greatest Highlight finalists show why 12-year olds can blow up a vote.
Boise State vs. OU
AGAINST
Miracle on Ice!
One was a great game while the other gave a nation something to stand up and cheer for during a dark period.
The best result is Boise State vs. OU, so the world can blog about how lame these 4-Letter Network lists are. By rule, the greatest anything must have occurred in the past five years.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
