The Tony Kornheiser Show “Wilbon’s Note”
Feb 25, 2026
Matt Barry, ESPN play-by-play voice for TGL and major golf events. Todd Harris, NBC sportscaster known for Olympic and action-sport coverage. They chat about calling snowboarding and other winter sports, translating technical action for viewers, the thrills and risks athletes face, and what it is like broadcasting indoor team golf and building the TGL TV product.
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Episode notes
Broadcaster Simplified Halfpipe Speak For Tony
- Todd Harris translated complex halfpipe jargon into a single clear line for Tony Kornheiser during the Olympics, making the sport accessible to casual viewers.
- He paraphrased a trick as “a five and a half rotation spin off axis with the cork,” then said he was translating it for Tony to enjoy the moment.
Announcer Admits He's Not Trying The Dangerous Tricks
- Todd Harris described his own cautious approach to action sports: he will drop into a halfpipe but never ride the walls or attempt the big airs.
- He joked he took out a large life insurance policy before dropping in and won't get above the wall where falls can be catastrophic.
Winter Olympics Are The ‘Crazy Uncle’ Of Sports
- Todd framed Winter Olympic sports as uniquely dangerous and visceral compared with Summer events, calling the Winter Games the "crazy uncle" because multiple events threaten life or limb.
- He pointed to dramatic falls like Nick Gepper's tumble in freeski halfpipe to illustrate how athletes routinely face high-risk situations yet recover and keep competing.
