YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! :yell:

Stephen A. Smith gets own show on ESPN2

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff

Inquirer sports columnist Stephen A. Smith will get his own "opinion/personality" television show, Quite Frankly, on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. weekdays, ESPN executive vice president Mark Shapiro announced yesterday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles.

The show will start in June and originate in New York. Shapiro said Smith would appear before a live audience in a combination Bill O'Reilly-Phil Donahue format featuring hot-seat guests and one-issue sports commentary.

"We are very pleased that ESPN audiences will now get a chance to know what Philadelphia Inquirer readers have known for many years, just how special Stephen A. Smith is as a sports commentator," Inquirer managing editor Anne Gordon said.

"Stephen will continue in his role at The Inquirer, sharing his strong and often controversial opinions on a wide variety of sporting events."

Smith, 37, started at ESPN in October 2003 and is the network's featured NBA analyst/insider for its NBA Shootaround show. At times, he has hosted Pardon The Interruption.

"Initially, I believed the most humbling accomplishment of my career was obtaining a general sports column," said Smith, who joined The Inquirer in October 1994 and started writing his general column in February 2003. "This equals that sentiment. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision hosting my own show. I'm honored, extremely humbled, and very fortunate and blessed to be in this position.

"However, despite all that has transpired, the newspaper business still serves as my foundation. Its principles and the integrity associated with it serve as the backbone for all that I'm about and hope to be professionally. I have no intention of giving up my position as a general columnist, and I hope to remain in this business, as well, for years to come."

Spokesman Rob Tobias said the network wanted to launch a personality-driven show for ESPN2.

"Stephen A. Smith is the perfect candidate to fill that role," Tobias said. "It's a program with a daily dose of sports news, opinions, issues and headlines, much like the Bill O'Reilly show."

Just call him the Weatherman, cause every fucking thing he says ends up dead wrong.

I've never seen someone who knows so little act like he knows so much.

Aint that the truth. Back when McNabb went down with a broken leg two seasons ago Stephen said, "they don't have a chance in hell of making it to the playoffs. They're done." Welp, we only went on a 9-0 streak after that, and of course made it to the NFC Championship game that year. Good call Stephen. :)

Here's a show to not watch.

You know what, I'm just glad it's not Woody Paige. Even the Cold Pizza commercials are painful to watch.

As for Smith, sooner or later, someone's going to make the "Chrissy" Everett-Jim Rome incident look like a damn bridal shower. Ka-pow!!!!

Yea Woody is hard to watch for sure, and his counter part on that show isn't any better. I sometimes wonder why these guys are considered experts when I can read better analysis here.

I sometimes wonder why these guys are considered experts when I can read better analysis here.

Well, that pretty much hit's the nail on the head, as I recall we did a favorite/least favorite sports announcers thread some time ago, and we all barely came up with ANYONE currently employed.

Let's face it, these shows are cheap "set-fillers",if you will.

Everyone wants lightning in a bottle, and a license to sell it...for instance, when a show like "Pardon The Interruption" is copied, the producers fail to realise that Wilbon and Kornheiser are two GENUINELY engaging personalities.

Steven A. Smith's mouth is like a car alarm at times...blaring the obvious, as the car's owner is a clueless cheapskate, everyone knows the car isn't being stolen and ultimately everyone just gets annoyed and wishes it would shut the fuck up, already.

At least it will be on ESPN2. :rolleyes:

And by the way, isn't everybody just about over these "Poker" shows?
Now we get a tv series from ESPN called "Tilt" about...you guessed it. :brickwall

...craig :thumb:

I love how ESPN did a report on how too many young kids are playin poker in school, and how that can lead to a dangerous habit. And what do they turnaround and do? Fuckin glorify the shit with a series. That network irratates the hell out of me.

As far as analysts go...yes the may be privy to game film, which is something that most of us here don't get, and really don't have the time to break down. BUT, I see it like this. I know MY team better than anyone IMO. So I'm not going to listen to some guy tell me about MY team, when I'm the guy that goes to the mini-camps, games, watches all the games and all the post game interviews, etc. Nobody knows a team like a FAN, and fans are the best analysts IMO. So that's why I'd rather come here and listen to any one of you guys tell me about your squad, then what some jerk on ESPN has to say about them. I should actually rephrase that a bit and say, LOGICAL FANS know their teams better than anybody. You've got some fans out there that just aren't from the same planet as the rest of us.

Dude if he can get a show, anyone can. He's a fucking bum and can't make a correct statement to save his own ass. I hope his show goes down quicker than a Twinkie in Oprah's hands.

If that aint sig worthy, I don't know what is! :thumb:

I'm with you 100%, Sucka...we've been back and forth about our experiences at mini-camp (which I currently moved even closer to :rolleyes: )...and you are correct, seperating what the mouthbreathers come up with compared to actual critical analysis is like seperating weed from chaff.

Being close to players one runs into at the pub or K-Mart, where they actually know you and provide some "off the cuff" insight is always superior to what some scribe or "commentator" has been forced to come up with to fill space or time, and furthermore one never knows if a particular "slant or angle" is being provided by the author of same said piece.

As you also stated, a true fan knows his/her team...are "analysts" actually a redundant factor? In many ways they indeed are.

True they provide a certain foment or "food for thought", yet ultimately, I believe that rather than preaching to the choir (the true fans), they tend to attend the eyes or ears of the casual fan, which in a way I do not truly have that much difficulty with.

One does not become hardcore without some form of indoctrination, so as a public service and neccessary evil, I will tolerate these "informers".

The days of dignity in sportswriting are a foregone conclusion, I sadly reflect.
I hope that is not ultimately the case governing any and all new to the job, yet there is an inherant legacy and duty that one should take into regard when picking up a pen, typing on a keyboard or grabbing a microphone, in my humble opinion.

...craig :thumb:

Chad Pennington said it best when he addressed the media a few weeks ago. Being a sportswriter, or a person in the sports media is a privilige not a right. I think alot of media ppl have forgotten that, and ethics is just about gone all together.

Steven A. Smith is simply too damn A.nnoying especially when he gets all boisterous.....I feel like punching him in his cocksucker!

ugh

good grief charlie brown! :yell:

he irritates the shit outta me

pompous and militant

In the immortal words of Beavis: "Oh dear God, no!" Why would they give this windbag his own show? What's next the Tom Tolbert show? Tolbert irks me the most, followed closely by Bill Walton, and then Smith. I'd rather see more PTI than seeing Stephen Ass Smith babbling on and on about whatever is on his so called mind.

[QUOTE=csm5150]In the immortal words of Beavis: "Oh dear God, no!" [QUOTE]


I thought Butt-head said that...seems like too many words for Beavis to actually string together, IMHO. :D

...craig :drunk: :thumb:

[QUOTE=csm5150]In the immortal words of Beavis: "Oh dear God, no!" [QUOTE]


I thought Butt-head said that...seems like too many words for Beavis to actually string together, IMHO. :D

...craig :drunk: :thumb:

I'm not sure if he through in the "dear" part, but I know I saw it on the other day and they were playing some crap and Beavis said, "Oh God no!" or used the whole phrase. I can't remember b/c I was still laughing even after hearing it several times before. :D

That's it, I am going back to UHF!

I'll say this about SAS, he shouldn't have any problem coming up with a half an hour of opinions everyday.

If he can get Stuart Scott to co-host with him, it will make for the most unintelligible talk show on ESPN!! They'll have to use that annoying screen-crawl for subtitles for those 2.

Shit I'm black, and even I don't know what the hell Stuart is talkin bout half the time! It'll be like that scene in the movie Airplane when the two black dudes are talkin, and they have the subtitles at the bottom to translate all the "jive" talk. :D

I like Stuart Scott when he's being serious about his work. I remember when he was just a general assignment reporter at the CBS affiliate in Raleigh, around '90. He was good then and he's good now, but he likes to play a little too much. On Monday countdown, when he interviews Madden, it's just awful.

Scott's a Tarheel, though, so he gets some leeway. :thumb:

http://www.tonyroc.com/cm/stu2.jpg
Shinizzle Babizzle...BOOYA!!

I am not a racist by any means.....although......I have noticed Steven Smith and Stuart Scott are less than mediocre at their jobs. It made me sick to see Smith as a judge for talent on the "Dream Job" show (along with Woody Paige)....trying to be a Simon Cowell, bashing contestants. If I had a dime for every time he says "...and at the end of the day" I'll be a rich bitch!
Did anyone catch ESPN last night when Stuart Scott HAD to mention
there are 2 black quarterbacks going against each other in the NFC championship game....and said "what a great thing to acknowledge on Martin Luther King Day" GREAT, but what did MLK have to do with the NFL???? His jive talking makes me ill....I don't care to listen to "hip" anchors, just give me the news bitches!!!

Did anyone catch ESPN last night when Stuart Scott HAD to mention
there are 2 black quarterbacks going against each other in the NFC championship game....and said "what a great thing to acknowledge on Martin Luther King Day" GREAT, but what did MLK have to do with the NFL????

Careful, you're going into Rush Limbaugh territory......

Race shouldn't be an issue at this point.

Careful, you're going into Rush Limbaugh territory......

Race shouldn't be an issue at this point.

This crap kills me...

How and why does this race horseshit apply to ANYTHING?

One can accept (N word) running about a playing field, scoring and inspiring folk everywhere, yet if some of that very well earned bravado makes it way to the announcer's booth, it is considered wrong?

Think carefully as to the way I used the word (N word).

I am not a member of the KKK...I am simply appalled by the simple-minded nature of casual "sports fans".

Be reminded of what (love him or hate him) Randy Moss had to hear while walking onto the field, let alone the sidelines this past weekend.

I like Stuart Scott... he provides an enthusiasm to his reporting job.
At least he makes an effort.

On the other hand, Stephen A. Smith can lick my balls, as he is surely NOT getting any of my dinner left-overs.

...craig

Stephen A. Smith is a JACKASS!! All he does is to look for a reason to instigate, whether it is warranted or not. He was just looking to start shit with his worthless interview with Terrell Owens last week. Thank God the Eagles players are above his petty schemes. My how the once mighty ESPN has fallen...

Chef.....friend........I've thought about it carefully for a couple of minutes, and if I were you I'd edit the hell out of that post. Edit or explain..... :eek:

Chef.....friend........I've thought about it carefully for a couple of minutes, and if I were you I'd edit the hell out of that post. Edit or explain..... :eek:


Honestly Red, I'm sick and tired of something that I percieve: a racist, back-handed view of sportsmanship, by way of the fans.

The point I allude to is the Moss deal...this fellow walks onto a playing field, is is called a "coon, ******************************...ect." by supposedly "passionate" football fans.

THAT behavior by "supposed" fans sucks my life out of me, and I state it here.

On top of that, I read comments about "commentators".

It simply, in my frame of referance, is not correct.

...craig

Wow...I did not intend for this thread to turn in this direction. You're my friend Craig, and I see the point you were trying to make, but you should have phrased it better. I'm going to edit your post and take that word out, because as an afro-american, it bothers me. Period. I will however leave this thread open because I want to promote conversation in here. If it can't go on without the racial overtones, I'm closing it, and a few of you will recieve some PMs from me.

Craig, I certainly hope you didn't see any racism in my post, which was a response to the previous poster.

Maybe I should explain what I meant.....Limbaugh got fired and blasted from all over because he gave his opinion that McNabb was overrated (at the time) and was overexposed in the media simply because he's a black quarterback, and that the media wants to see a black quarterback succeed.

Now, almost two seasons down the road, Scott is pointing out the fact that there's two black quarterbacks in the NFC Championship game. Does that validate in some way what Rush said? Rush is a white man, and no one wants to hear a white man say something like that, because it sounds like racism...which I don't think it was. Scott is a black man, and he can say whatever he wants with little or no repercussions. I understand the pride part of it, but my point is, why does it even have to be an issue? I mean, Doug Williams was starting in this league 20 years ago....

That's all I meant. My Limbaugh comment was directed to the poster's comments. What does it say about society when a white guy can't talk about these things in terms of race, but a black man can, and you get two different reactions? Is that some sort of reverse racism?

The bottom line is, by Scott feeling he has to point that out, makes me think we've still got a long way to go in this country when it comes to race. Maybe I'm extremely naive in that way, but I hadn't even thought about the fact that there are two black quarterbacks in this game.

Please don't think for a minute that I'm racist. Perish the thought......

This is a very touchy subject, that's probably what I wanted to point out most of all.

I just think that Stuart was trying to point out how far we've come as a race since Dr. King's time, and lookin at it that way, I don't have a problem with him pointing that out.

I just think that Stuart was trying to point out how far we've come as a race since Dr. King's time, and lookin at it that way, I don't have a problem with him pointing that out.

Neither do I, guys. Look back at my reply to the person that brought it up, I was basically trying to say "watch it".

Like I said, I have no problem with black pride, or Stuart Scott's comments. Nothing wrong with pointing out how far black Americans have come since MLK.

But damn, this also points out how far WE (all of us) need to go....

I can also agree with that. And dude, I hope you don't think I'm offended by your comments man.I saw that you reply was directed to shutupandplayyerguitar, and not Craig. It's cool. I know you're not a racist. Just a misguided football fan that actually thought the Panthers had a shot this year. It's ok man. :)

I can also agree with that. And dude, I hope you don't think I'm offended by your comments man.I saw that you reply was directed to shutupandplayyerguitar, and not Craig. It's cool. I know you're not a racist. Just a misguided football fan that actually thought the Panthers had a shot this year. It's ok man. :)

Ouch.....yeah, I thought the Colts had a shot, too.

I'm just shocked by chef's reaction. Hell, I thought the guy before me was going to get it.

The ultimate irony, or obstacle, is that we need to talk about these things, but we can't, really.

And I'm pissed at the Panthers right now, but that's a whole 'nother offseason matter unrelated to their 7-9 season.

Sincerly folks...I'm taking full responsibility for what I wrote.

If I offended some, then good: The point has been fully realised, there is no margin acceptable for a black/white pedigree in sportsmanship when it comes to fandome or sportswriting.

To be clear: Fuck this racsist bullshit, and do not belittle those you rally behind.

...craig

It's all good guys. I do think that this thread has gone far enough now, so I'll close it. Bottom line, Stephen knows alot about nothing, and I personally think I could take him in a sports debate. One day I'll get my shot. :)

Closing this...