Awful Announcing Podcast

Coming out of the Sochi Winter Olympics we welcome back NHL on NBC lead analyst Eddie Olczyk to the program to talk all things hockey. Eddie will be a part of the first network television broadcast of an NHL game since 1974 when the Penguins play the Blackhawks in Soldier Field on Saturday night. With such a momentous occasion upon us, what better time to get caught up with Edzo. On today's podcast we discuss...-His recent comments about aspiring for a return to coaching, his desire to teach, and what kind of opportunity it would take to leave NBC.-Where the USA-Russia game and T.J. Oshie shootout heroics rank in his most memorable moments in the booth.-How the NHL can use the Olympics as a springboard the rest of the season.-Whether or not the NHL would be crazy to abandon the Winter Olympics and what other opportunities might exist for international hockey.-The significance of the Stadium Series for hockey and Saturday's matchup.-The Blackhawks serving as a blueprint for the rest of the league to build a perennial contender.-And we try to get Eddie to give us some way-too-early prognostications for this year's Kentucky Derby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's edition of the Awful Announcing Podcast, we're trying something new. For the first time, we have multiple guests and they are all from our awesome staff. Ken Fang, Steve Lepore, and Joe Lucia all hop aboard a roundtable broadcast breaking down NBC's coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics from Sochi and the highlights and lowlights of these games for the network. We also share some of our favorite moments from the Olympics so far and why everything can be explained by a classic Simpsons reference. Topics include...-Best & Worst Moments from NBC's coverage thus far.-Bob Costas' pink eye and how the network handled an unexpected "crisis"-The live versus tape delay debate and why NBC's effort towards sports fans is better in 2014, but still a long ways from perfect.-Record ratings for NBCSN and whether or not the Olympics actually pulls them ahead of Fox Sports 1 in the race for #2 behind ESPN.-Why did the Bode Miller interview receive such an immense backlash?-Tara Lipinski & Johnny Weir being the stars of Sochi and how NBC can use them going forward.-Favorite moments from the Olympic competition - hockey and curling feature prominently here.-An overall grade for NBC's coverage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've saved the biggest guest for the AA Podcast thus far for our 78th episode as broadcasting legend Marv Albert joins us before TNT's All-Star Game coverage this weekend. Regarded as "the voice of basketball," Albert has been on hand to witness many of the greatest moment in NBA history. In addition, he's called Super Bowls, Stanley Cup Finals, NCAA Tournaments and much more as one of the top announcers of the last 50 years. Today we talk with Marv about the All-Star Game, the season so far, and his career in broadcasting. Topics include...-What makes the All-Star broadcast unique from any other.-Top storylines, surprises, and disappointments of the season so far.-The Indiana Pacers trying to knock off the Miami Heat and whether they'd be playoff favorites if they get the East's top seed.-The change at the top of the league with Adam Silver replacing David Stern.-The evolution of pro basketball and how the game is played differently now versus the 70s, 80s, and 90s.-How Marv's signature "YES!" call originated, which is a fantastic story.-Expanding his announcing portfolio calling the NFL and NCAA Tournament for CBS Sports. Also, why Jim Nantz should remain in place as the Final Four's lead announcer.-His broadcast influences growing up and advice to younger announcers on being yourself.-Why Willis Reed's heroics in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals is still his most memorable call from his illustrious career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today's podcast we welcome one of the most accomplished NBA players of this generation - 7-time All-Star Grant Hill. Grant has made the full-time transition to broadcasting with Turner Sports as the co-host of Inside Stuff on NBA TV. Today, Grant chats with AA about that broadcast career and the NBA season so far. Topics include...-HIs roles at NBA All-Star weekend including being A GM for the Rising Stars Challenge.-Whether the NBA should make any changes to All-Star weekend to revive interest.-His transition to broadcasting and why he chose a career in television.-How his co-workers at Turner like Charles Barkley and Chris Webber have helped him during his rookie season.-Relaunching Inside Stuff and his conversation with the original hosts and his desire to give being a game analyst a try.-Why Kevin Durant is having a better season than LeBron James and is the MVP frontrunner.-The East-West discrepancy being more extreme than ever.-The rise of the Portland Trail Blazers as the best story of the season behind Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge... but why they're not true title contenders. Really interesting insights from Grant on the playoff grind and what's in store for Portland.-Which player today reminds him most of himself.A really great conversation with one of the NBA greats and someone just beginning what should be a stellar broadcast career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To take a look at Fox's Super Bowl broadcast, we invite back an old friend of the program - Ed Sherman of the Sherman Report and the Chicago Tribune. We take an in-depth look at how Fox did the best job they could with the Super Bowl blowout and discuss Ed's new book about Babe Ruth's called shot. Topics include...-His glorious feud with Deadspin and how it all started.-How being called every four letter word by Tommy Craggs has helped his internet profile.-Fox's grade for the Super Bowl broadcast and why it's an incomplete.-Best & Worst elements of Fox's Super Bowl pregame coverage.-Are we getting saturated with too much pregame?-The firestorm surrounding Erin Andrews and all the unfair criticisms flung her way.-No noticeable Super Bowl bump for Fox Sports 1.-Ed's new book on Babe Ruth's Called Shot. Is it fact or fiction? -Why Babe Ruth himself made the most convincing argument that his called shot was a myth.-A quick look ahead to NBC's Winter Olympics coverage.You can pre-order Ed's book at Amazon as it comes out February 18th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's podcast we're joined by the voice of curling and lead announcer for NBC's Olympic curling coverage, Andrew Catalon. While Andrew works the Olympics for NBC, his full-time job is with CBS Sports and the CBS Sports Network. Andrew was named one of our Rising Stars for 2013 in the broadcast industry for his work on a multitude of sports. Today he joins us to talk about topics that include...-Just recently getting a full-time job with CBS Sports Network and giving up his local sportscasting job in Albany.-Advice he would give to younger broadcasters hoping to move up in the broadcasting world.-Calling college basketball for CBS and working with Clark Kellogg this winter.-The phone call that led to his start in curling.-How he learned the rules for the sport and what it's like to call Olympic sports like curling and handball.-The cult following of curling and the ride he's been on with the sport since Vancouver 2010.-Medal hopes for Team USA and the redemption narrative of John Shuster.-How he approaches the cultural issues in Russia and the threat of possible violence at the Olympics.-What's left on his announcing bucket list and hopes for a National Curling League in America some day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To break down the NFL Playoffs and take a look at the NFL announcing scene we're joined by Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated. Chris has taken over the mantle of ranking all the NFL announcers at SI in addition to covering the league and the NFL Draft as well. We cover a multitude of football related topics including...-Is this the best Final 4 in NFL history?-Would a victory in the AFC Championship Game mean more to Brady or Manning's legacy?-Why Manning's record breaking season has got such little publicity.-Russell Wilson's need to step up for the NFC Championship Game.-Fox's decision to award Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch a playoff game.-The public perception changing for Joe Buck and who's the best of the #1 announcers.-Chris's Big Board and whether or not he's received any threats from Mel Kiper or Todd McShay to stay off their turf.-The draft prospects of JaDeveon Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater, and Bradley Roby.-The coaching carousel and just who wants the Browns job. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ESPN presented a revolutionary night of television earlier this week with the BCS Megacast. The network presented several alternate feeds for the BCS title game that gave fans more options than ever before. By far the most acclaimed viewing option was the BCS Film Room on ESPNEWS which featured analysts and coaches breaking down game film in real time. The host/analyst of Film Room was ESPN senior recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. He joined us on the podcast to talk about that production as well as a busy month ahead leading to National Signing Day in early February. Topics include..-How the Film Room telecast came to be and the challenges in breaking down game film on live television versus a normal broadcast.-Balancing the real-time breakdown of the game with creating an entertaining television product for fans at home so they could still enjoy the game.-Getting coaches on board and how Film Room can be an effective recruiting tool for current coaching staffs.-Reaction to the overwhelmingly positive feedback for BCS Film Room and when we might see it again.-As senior recruiting analyst for ESPN, what it's like to analyze and rank thousands of high schoolers around the country. What is it that differentiates a four star player from a five star player?-Surprises that might be in store for National Signing Day and which schools may have a make or break day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back for Part II of our Year In Review Podcast Extravaganza Extraordinaire and once again we welcome the Vito Corleone of the sports media industry, Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. The Year in Review podcast has become a tradition unlike any other at AA as we look back at the biggest stories, newsmakers, and industry trends in 2013. Topics include...-Media feuds of the year, including RD's many, many... many social media scraps.-Jay Bilas as his person of the year in sports media-Did the EPL on NBC have the best debut season ever for a network property?-Deadspin breaking the Lennay Kekua saga and what it says about the evolution of the industry.-Sideline reporting coming into focus in 2013.-The state of journalism at ESPN, OTL, and Embrace Debate taking a step back in 2013.-Bristol freezing over in the hiring of Keith Olbermann and ESPN's response to FS1.-Fox Sports Live's launch and where the show may go in order to gain viewership in 2014.-Best and Worst of Fox, NBC, and CBS Sports.-The biggest acquisition and talent move by any network this year.-And we wrap it up with, of course, a conversation about The Iron Sheik.And make sure to check out Part I in our Year In Review Podcast Extravaganza Extraordinaire last week with John Ourand of SBJ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a look back at the business side of sports media in 2013 in a Year in Review podcast and who better than sports media savant John Ourand of SBJ to do just that. It was a massive year in sports media with the launch of Fox Sports 1, rights fees continuing to rise, and there being no more interesting time to cover the industry. We chatted with John about some of those stories including...-Why Fox Sports execs were SBJ's most influential people of 2013-Has FS1 met expectations and how are they set up for the long run?-Why ESPN's position at the top of the sports world may actually be more impenetrable than ever before, counter to popular belief.-A look at major negotiations on the horizon including MLS, the NBA, and the Big Ten.-The myth of the sports rights bubble.-Major stories of 2013 and predictions for 2014. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.