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John Molori
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THIS WEEK:
- Celtic revival
- Rising Stars, Falling Stars: Who’s hot and not in sports media?
Gorman trumpets arrival of latest Celtics’ renaissance
In his nearly three decades as Boston Celtics television play-by-play man, Mike Gorman has seen more rebuilding projects than the folks from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” This season, the Green is off to one of the best starts in team history, and once again, Gorman is front and center.
“I have never seen excitement like this so early,” says Gorman, a Dorchester, MA native who calls Celtics action regionally on Comcast SportsNet. “Did you see Gilbert Arenas’s blog after the opening game of the season? He said it was as incredible a building as he has ever been in, and that he was not ready for that type of atmosphere.”
A veteran of the New England media scene since his early days at WPRO in Providence, Gorman believes that the current Celtics are taking a cue from their successful local brethren. He states, “They have picked up the ball from the Pats and Sox and they are running with it. They are capitalizing on the success of those two teams and the organization is very conscious of that.
“This is as good an ownership as I’ve been around. They have shown a willingness to spend money and when Danny (Ainge) has come to them saying he needed something, they have never said no. They also never gave any indication that Danny’s or Doc’s (Rivers) job was in jeopardy.”
Indeed, C’s owner Wyc Grousbeck and company have been patient almost to a fault with Ainge and Rivers. The fruits of this heretofore-questionable support now taste pretty sweet. “The ownership has given Danny a chance to do his thing,” says Gorman, whose “Gorman Points” blog and mailbag can be seen at www.comcastsportsnet.com.
“He told me three or four years ago that he was going to collect some chips. Either those young players would develop, or he would trade them for established talent.
“If they had gotten the first or second draft pick, I think they would have taken Kevin Durant or Greg Oden and blended them in with Al Jefferson and the other young players. When that did not happen, Danny did a good job of putting another plan into effect. He had players that were desirable to other teams. He was never backed into a corner. Danny would have preferred to get Oden or Durant, but this option turned out even better.”
Playing the lead in this Celtic revival is Kevin Garnett. Gorman is as impressed with KG’s presence as he is with his performance. “After getting Ray Allen on draft night, Danny went back to Garnett and asked, ‘How do we look now?’
“Garnett is an old soul. I didn’t know what to expect personality-wise. A lot of people have said that it would have been better to get Garnett when he was younger. I think we got him at the perfect time. He is motivated to win a title and Danny knew that.”
The versatility and leadership of Garnett conjures up visions of past Celtic stars. Says Gorman, “I was fascinated talking to Garnett. He is inclusive. It is we, not I. He is extremely sensitive as well. He told me that in his entire career, he has never felt so appreciated. He wants to give back.
“We have a 7’1” guy who is our best rebounder, best passer, best defender and a great scorer. Only Larry Bird and Dave Cowens come to mind in that way. In college basketball, the coach’s personality dominates the team. In the NBA, your best player’s personality dominates the team.”
The Celtics’ fast start has fans licking their chops in anticipation of a playoff bonanza, but Gorman says that the journey might be as fun as the ultimate destination. “These guys are into the process of getting to where they want to be. There are in no hurry to get to May and June. They want to enjoy every practice and game. This is probably the best team that Ray Allen, Garnett and Paul Pierce have been on and they are going to make the Garden a tough place to play again.”
Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen are powerful offensive forces, but Gorman focuses more on their defense and team philosophy. “The goal of really good players is to make the other guys around them better. With KG and Ray, guys like (Brian) Scalabrine and (Kendrick) Perkins can focus on their strengths.
“This team is so much better defensively. (Assistant coach) Tom Thibodeau has a reputation for coaching defense. I asked Tommy (Heinsohn) about the defense and he said that it is so much easier when the best player (Garnett) buys in.
“The top 8 players on this team can all play defense and they have all bought into this. I spoke to (WEEI midday host) Dale Arnold and he said, ‘Let’s see how things are 30 games into the season.’ I told him that he has not been around Kevin Garnett too much.”
One guy who is benefiting from being around Kevin Garnett is Paul Pierce. In the past, Gorman has stated that Pierce is not built to be a vocal leader. With Garnett’s arrival, the Celtics captain can focus on playing, not public speaking.
“Sometimes, you love your job, but there is one part of it that you don’t like,” Gorman relates. “That’s how I see Pierce. With Garnett, Paul does not have to do that anymore. Paul tried to be the vocal leader, but it is not in his nature to stand up and speak in the locker room. Ray Allen is a great leader, but he is not very demonstrative. Garnett would give me a glare if he heard me say this, but ultimately, he will be the defining guy on this team.”
With success, comes pressure. Gorman recognizes that the great start has raised the bar for this team as the season progresses. “Doc welcomes the expectations. It’s great to develop players, but you look up and you’re 100 games under .500. Doc would rather hear people say that the Celtics should reach the Conference Finals as opposed to saying they might be an 8th seed and get knocked out in the first round.”
“If this team loses a few games, they are not going to question themselves and turn it into a long losing streak. That’s what happened with the young players last year. People have asked how many games I think this team will win this season. I tell them that the number for me is 72. If Garnett, Pierce, Ray Allen and Rondo can play 72 games, they will be great.”
History shows that past Celtics teams put a strong emphasis on the point guard, whether it was Bob Cousy feeding Bill Russell inside, Jo Jo White whipping down the court to start the fastbreak or the late Dennis Johnson firing a laser to Larry Bird for an easy layup. This year’s quarterback is Rajon Rondo, a veritable babe among the seasoned vets.
“Rondo is going to be fine,” says Gorman. “He is scoring, but that’s not even an issue. He is a strong defender and very smart with the ball. People ask if he can make shots. This team has three Hall of Famers. With KG and Ray, the Celtics are pushing the ball up the floor. If they get an early shot, they take it, but if not, these great players can get their touches and make teams defend.
“Doc wants to play 8 guys, 9 at the most in key games. One of the Big 3 (Pierce, Allen, Garnett) will always be on the floor, maybe even two of them. Rondo can tape his fingers together and the team will be fine.”
Fine would be an understatement in describing the talent, class and consistency of Gorman’s work. The man whose career began at WNBH in New Bedford, MA has won five Emmy Awards and was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gorman perfectly balances his role as narrator, pace setter and straight man for the explosive personality of Heinsohn, his longtime partner. Gorman and Heinsohn are recognized as the longest running broadcast team in television sports history.
“I try be non-intrusive, hopefully adding to the viewing experience without interrupting it,” says Gorman, who has also called Connecticut Sun WNBA hoops. “A little humor every now and then helps, and knowing when to be quiet is all important. Play-by-play announcers who think they are the show are all too common these days.
“There are too many guys who are just trying to get on “SportsCenter.” Play-by-play is supposed to be spontaneous, not planned. With the possible exception of Keith Jackson on college football, I can't think of ever tuning into a game just to hear the play-by-play guy.”
In addition to his legendary status as Celtics announcer, Gorman has also worked the Olympics for NBC. The 1992 Summer Games hold special meaning. “I got to spend a month in Barcelona with my wife Teri and our daughter Kristen (age 7 at the time). That was the year of the original basketball Dream Team with whom we spent a lot of time. As a family we still retell stories and adventures we had that month.”
With those memories safely tucked away, Gorman, in his 27th season of Celtics play-by-play, is now experiencing a new dream. “I was spoiled to walk right in with the 1980s Celtics. Those teams were very rare and now to have it happen again, I am ecstatic. People say that Allen and Garnett are old, but come on, we are not talking about Roger Clemens here. These guys have all come together at the perfect time.”
Rising Stars
Troy Aikman, Fox: Kudos to Aikman for giving credit to Bill Parcells for his role in revitalizing the Dallas Cowboys. Most of the mainstream media ignores the Tuna factor in Dallas because Parcells never bowed down to the press. Aikman’s assertion that Parcells’ keen eye for talent stacked this roster was long overdue.
Frank Deford, HBO: If you haven’t seen Deford’s latest “Real Sports” story about an organ recipient and the family of a young donor who committed suicide, you might have missed the most heart wrenching feature story of the year. It is worth seeing, and seeing again.
Andrea Kremer, NBC: Kremer continues to set the pace in sideline reporting on “Sunday Night Football.” She made the impossible a reality, actually getting detailed information on injuries to Patriots players during the game vs. the Eagles. Al Michaels should have brought back his old “Do you believe in miracles?” call.
Falling Stars
Cris Carter, HBO: Carter is one of the most entertaining studio analysts on “Inside the NFL,” but he did a mild flip-flop recently. Earlier in the season, Carter said that the Patriots could go undefeated. Recently, he stated that the Steelers would be the AFC’s representative in the Super Bowl. So, which one is it, Cris?
USA Today: Tuesday’s sports headline at USAToday.com read, “After close call vs. Eagles, Patriots are imperfect 11-0.” Huh? I had no idea that a three-point win relegated a team to imperfection. I guess we better revisit the 1972 Dolphins supposed perfect season. On October 22, 1972, they beat the lowly Bills (4-8-1 season record) by only one point in Miami. Cancel that champagne order, boys.
Roger Goodell: The NFL commissioner has proven himself to be a heavy-handed despot when it comes to players toting guns or coaches taping opponents’ signals, but his inaction in getting the NFL Network on basic cable packages is embarrassing. Goodell wields enough power to get the greedy cable companies (Hello, Comcast and your $7.95 a month fee) to surrender a few bucks and allow fans to see his product without sacrificing college for their children.
John Molori’s columns have appeared in the Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, Eagle-Tribune, Boston Metro, Boston Sports Review, Boston Baseball Magazine, Patriots Football Weekly, New England Hockey Journal, BostonSportsMedia.com, PatsFans.com, BostonSportz.com, Staatalent.com, Methuen Life and several newspapers and websites throughout New England. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
Media BlitZ
John Molori
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Media Blitz Thanksgiving Special Edition:
A conversation with Bryant Gumbel
He has been panned for defending African American sports personalities and criticizing African American sports personalities. He has been chastised for being too outspoken and too reticent. Television maestro Bryant Gumbel spent 15 years (1982-97) as the cohost of NBC’s “Today” show, but his today centers around sports.
Since 1995, he has been the host of HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” The Emmy-winning machine
continues to set the pace in intelligent and enlightening sports talk and features.Part of the fascination with “Real Sports” is Gumbel himself, who is as inscrutable as he is talented. Since bursting onto the national scene in 1975 as host of NBC’s NFL, MLB and NCAA basketball coverage, Gumbel has been a lightning rod for everyone from David Letterman to Dave Chappelle. Through all the public furor, Gumbel remains an intensely private man, eschewing personal interviews and the showbiz spotlight.
On Thanksgiving night, Gumbel begins his second season as play-by-play man for the NFL Network. Last week, Gumbel, who rarely agrees to one-on-one interviews, spoke candidly to Media Blitz about his life, career and sports in general.
“People who know me know that I rarely talk about what I do,” says the 59 year-old Gumbel. “I was raised that way. My dad (the late Richard Gumbel) was a judge. He was smarter that I am and a better person than I am. I’m just a guy on TV. I prefer to be a quiet person. I have friends who enjoy the limelight. I’d rather play golf everyday.”
Gumbel’s resistance to delve into his personal life is in stark contrast to his open discussion of his latest television chef-d’oeuvre. “I have never enjoyed or been more proud of a show ever.” The show he speaks of is “Real Sports,” Gumbel’s media Nirvana if you will. The HBO program combines the sobering reality of news with the gleeful escape of sports. Gumbel appears to be every bit the proud parent when his correspondents join him in studio after another groundbreaking feature.
“Sports are games, but they have a serious side, says Gumbel. “I laugh because for the reporters, the most intense thing we do is the interview after the story. They have no idea what I am going to ask them. I am just as curious as the viewer. We never rehearse the interview. On the rare occasion that we have to do a second take, I’ll change my questions. “Real Sports” is more of a dream job than “Today” ever was. I interviewed a zillion authors and ingénues. After a while it becomes the same.”
So, after a career that began at KNBC in Los Angeles in 1972, what attracts Gumbel to a potential subject? “There is a common thread in stories that interest me,” he states. “There is no massive principle, but what it comes down to is whether that story makes someone say, ‘Hmm, I didn’t know that.’ Television at its finest shows viewers something that they have not seen, tells them something they did not know, and takes them somewhere they have not been.”
Unlike most of today’s derivative media personalities and programs, for Gumbel, it comes down to originality. “You have to think about how much the viewer can learn from a story. Does it have a good central character? Some stories are better in video than in print. Others are great stories, but just not good for TV.”
“Real Sports” has made good TV a habit. The program has garnered 15 Sports Emmy Awards and the 2006 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for broadcast journalism, the first such award for a sports program. Like the sports it covers, “Real Sports” comes down to teamwork.
Says Gumbel, “We have excellent production assistants on the show. They scour the small type in various periodicals looking for stories. There is also a great camaraderie among the correspondents and producers. It is not uncommon for one of our producers to show a story to his or her peers to get feedback. This is quite rare, but a regular part of our program. We want to look good in the eyes of our peers.”
“Real Sports” features such gifted correspondents as Frank Deford, Bernard Goldberg, James Brown, Andrea Kremer, Jon Frankel and Mary Carillo, all of whom seem perfect for their various assignments. Does the program develop stories to fit the reporter?
“It’s a great question,” says Gumbel, who also hits the field to cover various stories. “When a story comes up, we see who is available. Maybe Frank (Deford) or Bernie (Goldberg) is around, but maybe not. It would be nice to have the luxury of tailoring a story to a correspondent, but we don’t have that.”
One of the most remarkable dichotomies of Gumbel is his stance on television. This is a man who has lived in the medium since his early 20s, yet remains somewhat distanced from it. He explains, “I’ve never seen “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” “CSI,” or “American Idol.” I don’t watch TV. I watch sports because it has the things I like, drama and human interaction.”
Much of the criticism that Gumbel has engendered is due to his utter fearlessness and honesty. Today’s media is far too concerned with being liked by rich and powerful athletes. As silent as Gumbel may be in life, he shows no such reserve in his work.
In 1989, a memo criticizing some of his “Today” show colleagues was leaked to the public. While hosting the CBS “Early Show,” Gumbel’s disgust with a guest mistakenly went out over the airwaves. Gumbel again courted controversy in February of 2006 when, in his “Real Sports” commentary, he said of the Winter Olympics, “Count me among those who don't care about them and won't watch them … So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world's greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the winter games look like a GOP convention.”
In August of 2006, Gumbel, directing his comments to new NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, offered these stinging words about NFL Players Union president and former Raiders’ lineman Gene Upshaw.
“Before he cleans out his office, have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch.”
At the time, then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated, “What Gumbel said about Gene Upshaw and our owners is about as irresponsible as anything I've heard in a long time.”
The fact is that Gumbel was correct in his assessment of Upshaw. More than a year later, he stands by his words. “I know Gene to only say hello,” says Gumbel. “It was not a personal stab and I was not out to get him. There was no sabotage here. I just think he is a bad choice for the job he is doing.
“He gets a pass, but he is doing a bad job for his constituents. I have no personal vendetta against Gene. You would have been shocked at the number of calls of support I got from players. They thanked me. The problems of the NFL Players’ Association were hidden. Now, they are on the front burner. I hope that one day, the Players Association realizes that they can easily do better without Gene Upshaw.”
Despite an openness to take on sports’ giants, Gumbel does not tread casually into such dangerous territory. “I agonized over saying what I said about Gene, and whether I was saying more than I should. I don’t want to say something that can hurt someone personally. That is not proper.”
On a recent edition of “Real Sports,” correspondent James Brown interviewed Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb. In the interview, McNabb stated that he feels that African-American quarterbacks are judged differently than their white counterparts. The statement incurred the wrath of media types everywhere.
Fox’s Terry Bradshaw dismissed McNabb’s feelings saying that McNabb needed some love. Barry Switzer, also a Fox analyst, implied that McNabb was degrading black quarterbacks who struggled before him. Gumbel’s response to the criticism is pointed.
“That bothers the hell out of me,” he states. “Look, we are all free to criticize the play of Donovan McNabb or how he deals with the media. We are not qualified to say what he feels about prejudice. I don’t care for George Bush and I am free to say that I don’t like his politics. I am not free to say what George Bush feels. You cannot go there. People like to sit there and judge.
“After McNabb’s comments, people said that a guy like Rex Grossman has gotten more criticism. ‘McNabb played the race card,’ they said. Well, there are many people who feel victimized by race a thousand times and say nothing. It is silly to think that you are in a position to critique someone’s feelings. It would be like me criticizing a woman who was raped. Do I in any way know what she felt?”
Gumbel has been the subject of parody by African American comedians, mostly for his professorial look and fastidious nature, but the outward conservatism belies the racial activist within. Gumbel has been honored by the United Negro College Fund, the Congress of Racial Equality, the NAACP and the African-American Institute. He has been a champion for racial equality and has never hidden behind his cushy and lucrative broadcast gigs. He recognizes that race is a factor in sports and embraces discourse on it.
“Race comes up a lot and money exacerbates things,” says Gumbel, who was born in New Orleans, raised in Chicago and graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME. “People see a black athlete making a lot of money and say, ‘I’m making $25.00 an hour at the plant. I don’t want to hear you bitch.’ The divide has grown.
“Many people are jealous, and many rich athletes are completely out of touch. I got a lot of flack for saying that I don’t watch the Winter Olympics because there are few black athletes. McNabb addressed the controversy. Most people are afraid to say the word race.”
While many media pundits make judgments based on race, others judge athletes based on their media friendliness. “That is 1000% right,” says Gumbel. “We define people as good or bad based on how they treat us. If an athlete is mean, we assume he goes home and beats his wife. Unless we stay with these guys in a number of different environments, we really don’t know. If an athlete is approachable, he’s great. If an athlete does not speak to the media, he’s an a---ole.”
A good example of one current athlete who has been judged and misjudged by the media is Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss. Gumbel profiled Moss in his rookie season with Minnesota and again when he joined the Raiders two years ago. Between mooning fans in Green Bay and publicly stating that he used marijuana, Moss became an easy target for critics.
In a recent “Real Sports” commentary, Gumbel said of Moss, “He’s happy. He’s productive. He’s professional and despite reports of his premature burial, he’s suddenly seen as a good guy.
“The Randy turnaround says a lot about the man. But the public’s view of him says even more about the perspective of fans and media people alike. In a world where every and anybody wants to have a say, and pretend they’re an image-maker, it’s a reminder of a plain and simple football truth that applies to both players and coaches. That if you lose, fans and media types can’t help you…and if you win, they can’t hurt you.”
Gumbel further expounds on the fickle nature of critics. “We complain about guys giving cookie cutter answers to questions, and then there is outrage when someone speaks his mind. Vijay Singh took a lot of heat when (in 2003) he said that Annika Sorenstam should have to qualify to play in men’s competitions. A guy like Derek Jeter says nothing, so we’ll never know how he feels.”
While Gumbel recognizes that PGA superstar Tiger Woods makes himself available to the media, he wishes that the substance of this availability would be a bit more substantial. “I do find it sad that in an era where athletes are our most recognizable and admired role models, we come upon a presidential election and we have no idea whom they support.
“Kurt Warner spoke publicly about a religious issue (stem cell research) in Missouri. I may not agree with him, but at least he is involved. It’s hard to find a single athlete who’ll say one word about who should be president. I admire people who show that they are part of the world in which they live as opposed to those who don’t realize and don’t care about the influence they wield.”
Speaking of issues, Gumbel’s views on the celebrated Spygate scandal and the Patriots supposed running up the score are pointed. He states, “I compare Spygate to Watergate. With Watergate, a lot of people said, ‘Oh well, every president probably did it. Nixon was the one who got caught.’ Belichick got caught and this will stay with him forever.
“Belichick is not friendly to the media. If he were more approachable, he might be given a pass. I’m surprised that Roger Goodell stopped investigating. It is not consistent with what he has been doing with other rules violations. As for running up the score, I am not sure if there is any truth to that or if it even matters. I do have concern that in retaliation, someone might beat the crap out of Tom Brady on the field.”
A recent “Real Sports” featured a gruesomely graphic story on the abuse and violence inherent in dog fighting rings similar to the one that has put Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick in prison. While Gumbel believes that Vick should be punished, he also believes that there is some overkill.
“I was going to do a commentary about this,” he states. “I think people are now piling on Michael Vick. He lost millions of dollars, his reputation and his livelihood. He has to piss in a cup with regularity and was in home confinement. He is paying the price for what he did. No one loves dogs more than I do. My dogs Archie and Cujo hate Michael Vick and would like to see him punished, but there is a limit.”
Gumbel continues to blaze an important and unique trail in his work. Those who persist in criticizing his personal and professional life are missing the larger picture. In a media lot littered with wannabes and boot lickers, Gumbel stands, all to often alone, as an example of defiant, yet refined, passion. He angers a lot of people and is conversely riled by the unaware.
“I guess ignorance in action gets me angry,” says Gumbel. “People who say stupid things on the air and then wonder why they catch flack for it. Talk radio is the worst thing to happen to sports. I get aggravated at people who use horrible grammar and terrible English. They seem proud of not knowing what a word means. Why be proud of something you don’t know?
“There is an inherent ignorance in their approach and response. It’s all about being louder than the next guy. I was raised by a conservative dad. He always said that the loudest guy is the weakest guy.”
John Molori has written for the Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, Eagle-Tribune, Boston Metro, Boston Sports Review, Boston Baseball Magazine, Patriots Football Weekly, New England Hockey Journal, BostonSportsMedia.com, PatsFans.com, BostonSportz.com, Staatalent.com, Methuen Life and several newspapers and websites throughout New England. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
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Writers’ strike cuts episodes of Caliendo’s “Frank TV”
“Frank TV,” the new TBS late night program featuring the immense talents of comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo has been cut from eight episodes to five due to the ongoing television writers’ strike.
“I was supposed to Letterman and Conan in the next couple of weeks, but I’m not sure what's going to happen with all of that because of the strike,” says Caliendo, who will continue his always terrific picks segments on Fox’s “NFL Sunday” pregame show.
“The strike did cut our episodes down to five instead of the eight that (TBS) ordered, so we have been greatly affected.” Last Monday, about 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike largely over issues related to new media fees.
Despite the strike, “Frank TV” promises to be a huge success, mainly because of the incredible talents of its star. Says Caliendo, “The show is a sketch show based on my standup.
“I’ll be setting up sketches with some background for the audience and sometimes making an observation about an actor, and then showing how that observation can be applied in a situation. For example, Al Pacino always yells in movies, so it would be great to see what he would do if he had to play a librarian.”
“Frank TV” premieres Tuesday, November 20, at 11:00 p.m. on TBS. On Friday, November 16 at 10:00 p.m., TBS will air a one-hour stand-up special “Frank Caliendo: All Over The Place” from Las Vegas.
A veteran standup comic, Caliendo joined the cast of Fox’s “MADtv” in 2001 and has appeared on Comedy Central, “The View” and a host of late night talk shows. Still, it is his work on Fox’s NFL pregame fare that has catapulted the 33 year-old comedian to comedic fame. His John Madden impression, among others, has become a classic. Caliendo will continue his Fox work through the 2008 season.
“Fox has brought me to another level in the entertainment industry,” explains Caliendo. “Just being associated with guys like Terry (Bradshaw), Howie (Long) and Jimmy (Johnson) has made my name grow.”
Whether it’s a pro like Caliendo or your buddy at the local tavern, the ability to do impressions continues to amuse and amaze audiences. So, is it a natural gift, the result of a good ear, or a product of endless practice?
Caliendo responds, “Some of it is natural and there's a lot of practice that goes into it as well. There's no set process. For me, it’s lots of observation and just reacting and mimicking. When I look at someone, it’s almost like I'm looking in a mirror and doing the same thing the other person is doing. I hear things and see things that the average person might miss. My brain just breaks people down.”
The process of breaking down a voice may or may not lead to success. “It’s always different,” says Caliendo, who was born in Chicago and raised in Milwaukee. “The keys are the pitch of the voice, cadence and the person's dialect. If you get one of those, people probably might start to recognize it. If you get two, lots of people will probably get it, and if you hit all three, that's when you have a dead on impression.”
Caliendo learned from an impressive host of comedic influences. “I loved Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman,” he relates. “I'm a huge Jim Carrey fan, but I loved Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters the most as a kid. I love the tangents they went on. That was my style of humor, and I just used the impressions the same way they did kooky characters.”
Caliendo’s most “dead on” impression is John Madden, the famed NBC “Sunday Night Football” broadcaster. It is right up there in the pantheon of great impressions with Billy Crystal’s Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dana Carvey’s George Bush, Sr.
A friend of mine, Phil Tag, told me that I should do it years and years ago. I stupidly said, ‘Where will that get me?’ I did work on it and got it. I try to do it less on TV nowadays, but people in TV, like David Letterman, ask me to do it more and more. It’s still fun for me and people recognize me because of it, so I think that's pretty cool.”
The best part of Caliendo’s Madden impression is his relentless references to a certain Packers’ quarterback with whom the real Madden is enamored. “Brett Favre is the most fun to say. I don't know what it is. Maybe it’s because he says it so much in real life, but it’s just the perfect sounding name for Madden to say.”
TBS promoted the heck out of “Frank TV” during its MLB postseason with quick promos and a tour de force of impressions. It is clear that John Madden is not the lone horse in Caliendo’s sports stable. He states, “I do Bill Walton, Marv Albert, Charles Barkley and Jim Rome. Sports has always been a big part of my life.
“My dad was a minor league infielder with the White Sox in the 1960s and I loved playing sports as a kid. We won the AAU National 14 and under Baseball Championships in 1988. I just never had the arm to go on to the next level. I was going to play in college (at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), but decided that it would be better for me to study instead.”
Late night shows like “MADtv” allow Caliendo to push the comedic envelope. His work on Fox is a bit more limited. “It’s fairly strict,” says Caliendo, who grew up a Brewers, Packers and Bears fan.
“We're on Sunday mornings, so we have to be careful. We can make fun of the studio guys pretty much any way we want. We just don't like to mess with their families, other than Terry's ex-wives. It’s silly humor, not meant in a mean way at all.”
Like it or not, we live in a society of racial tension. One of Caliendo’s latest impressions is of ex-NBA star and TNT analyst Charles Barkley. Given these seemingly sensitive times in which we live, is Caliendo afraid of backlash from doing an impression of someone from a different ethnic or racial background?
“I’m scared to death,” he replies. “But I don't do it to be negative. I did Barkley on the show, and I did JB (ex-Fox and current CBS NFL studio host James Brown). Some people get mad, but JB liked it and even gave me the permission to do it.
“I think of people as being equal, even though I understand there's history that limits what I would ever do. I’m very careful. It’s not a race thing when I do a character who isn't white. It’s about that specific person. They do Jesse Jackson with Darrell Hammond over at SNL (NBC’s “Saturday Night Live”) and nobody says anything. It’s really about being respectful.”
When “Frank TV” premieres on November 20 at 11:00 p.m. on TBS, viewers can look forward to hilarious impressions and comedic takes on some of Caliendo’s favorite characters including Pacino, Robin Williams, President Bush and Barkley. TBS will continue to pump up the program using show segments. Check out clips at frankcaliendo.com and TBS.com.
Says Caliendo, “They'll probably use some stuff from the show because there is no new stuff being shot for promos. They're going to do some sneak peaks pretty soon, which should be cool. I'll be all over the radio in the next couple weeks.”
John Molori’s columns are published in Boston Sports Review, Boston Baseball Magazine, New England Hockey Journal, BostonSportsMedia.com, PatsFans.com, BostonSportz.com, Staatalent.com, Methuen Life and several newspapers and websites throughout New England. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
Media BlitZ
John Molori
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THIS THIS WEEK:
Pats and Colts live up to the pregame hype and hot air
Sunday’s Patriots-Colts game on CBS received as much hype as any regular season game in history. It did not disappoint on any front. The two teams slugged it out, while CBS did justice to the game with outstanding coverage.
Jim Nantz was adept at setting up partner Phil Simms, while also asserting his own views. Simms was right on, and expressed appropriate disagreement with several bad calls from the officials. Those were the voices of the game, but what of the pregame?
In the days leading up to the battle of the undefeateds, there were quotes aplenty. In the aftermath of New England’s 24-20 win, let’s use a little hindsight to analyze a few of them.
“We got a good break with the two teams being undefeated going in and I can’t remember anyone at CBS Sports being more pumped up for a regular season football game.” - Sean McManus, CBS Sports and News President.
Amen Sean! The Patriots and Colts gave the 94% of the nation that could watch the game a real treat. It wasn’t ballet. The game was, at times, ugly with the Patriots logging enough penalties to make Terry O’Reilly and Dave Semenko blush, but it was a classic heavyweight bout.
“History has showed us that (the Patriots and Colts) are both willing to do something different. So I can’t wait to find out and can’t wait to watch on Sunday.” - Phil Simms, CBS game analyst
Once again, Simms was on the mark. Pats QB Tom Brady admitted in his postgame press conference that the Colts did things that the Patriots were not expecting. One example: Joseph Addai was the main guy running and receiving, while Dallas Clark, a notorious Patriots killer, was somewhat invisible.
“I think these two teams are a little bit different from the standpoint of how the teams were built. Indianapolis built their team through the draft, and New England, a lot of their skill positions were filled through free agency.” - Bill Cowher, CBS “NFL Today” studio analyst
You have to give the erstwhile Pittsburgh Chin Boy credit. For Indianapolis, draftees Peyton Manning and Addai were huge. As for New England, how incredibly large was the play of free agent signees Wes Welker, Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth?
“Dungy and Manning have the mental edge. They’ve been the underdog to these guys last three times they played them and they beat them. I don’t care if they have their whole contingent or not. I really believe somewhere along the way, it is going to come down to good versus evil.” – Mike Ditka, ESPN “NFL Countdown” studio analyst
It is clear that Ditka is sitting way too close to those big screen TV’s he’s been hawking. Good versus evil? When Ditka traded his entire draft for Ricky Williams a few years ago, he must have thrown in his cerebellum as an extra in the deal.
“It is hard to believe that the Colts have an advantage when they walk in as almost a touchdown underdog in their own building. But I think that might be the edge. They are used to being in this position when they play this football team. A lot of talk about respect and admiration, if the Patriots could beat you 60-0 today, that would happen.” – Tom Jackson, ESPN “NFL Countdown” studio analyst
So much for Tom Jackson, pigskin psychologist. A few years back, Jackson stated that the Patriots players hated Bill Belichick. Let me make a more accurate statement. Jackson hates Bill Belichick. His disdain for the New England coach is so apparent.
Jackson puts Colts’ coach Tony Dungy on some exalted pedestal, while Belichick is Simon Bar-Sinister. His gushing over Dungy is embarrassing. It’s almost to the point where Jackson should excuse himself from any discussion of the Patriots.
“I don’t care if you run the ball or pass the ball, if you don’t have an offensive line you can’t do either. It starts right there with the offensive line.”- Cowher
Both lines were keys to the game. When Brady and Manning were hurried or pressured, they looked amazingly average and, at times, downright bad. You can throw Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas or John Elway back there. Without the big honchos up front, they will awkwardly morph into Steve Bono, Gary Hogeboom and Norris Weese.
“(The Patriots) look forward to the battle and they’re willing to battle from start to finish. You’ve got to prove as the opposition that you are willing to fight that long. All of this really feeds into what they love. They like the turmoil. They like the action.” - Simms
Maybe Simms is pulling a Belichick and has been videotaping the Patriots. He has his finger firmly on the pulse of this team. Talk about a game that required 60 minutes of play. The Patriots never stopped from, as Simms stated, “start to finish.”
“All of us in the media took that opportunity to attach what happened in the “Spygate” episode and say that this stained their three championships. Maybe it is not verbalized in the sacred setting of the locker room, but I think they have all internalized it. I think they are inflicting that punishment on a weekly basis with that right at their very core.” - Jim Nantz, CBS game announcer
This is why Nantz is in the upper echelon of broadcasters. No play-by-play man mixes calls and commentary more seamlessly. I don’t believe that Bill Belichick harps on “spygate” at practice, but when Tom Jackson implies that sign stealing makes it tough for him to teach his child about right and wrong, that stings.
When HBO’s Cris Collinsworth questions a dynasty and pleas for stronger penalties against Belichick, that stings. We all saw how Belichick’s players rallied around him amid the controversy. There is some lingering anger and it shows on the field.
“Because you have two of the most potent offenses in the National Football League, their defenses are going to have to match that and slow each team’s offense down to some extent.” - Simms
There is no question that defense was the story in this game. The New England defense was not stellar early, but they did keep the Colts out of the end zone. If not, the game could have been over in the first quarter. The Colts defense, meanwhile, kept Brady on edge all game long. He did not have time to survey the field and had to get rid of the ball more quickly than he would have liked.
“Peyton Manning is going to have to play keep-away from Tom Brady. Usually teams play keep away from Peyton Manning, but they’re going to have to run the football, be good on third downs and keep that offense off the field.” - Dan Marino, CBS “NFL Today” and HBO “Inside the NFL” studio analyst
The Colts did just that for most of the game. In the first half, CBS caught more shots of Brady sighing on the sidelines that playing in the game. The Colts looked like the pre-Moss Patriots, running the ball and employing a short passing game to move the chains and keep the big play Pats off the field. Addai looked like a morph of Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig, catching the ball as well as running it.
“They (New England) are unstoppable. This is the best offense the NFL has ever seen.” - Boomer Esiason, CBS “NFL Today” studio analyst
New England earned this hyperbole with their offensive firepower in the first eight games of the season, but Esiason needs to reel it in a bit. The Colts showed what an angry and aggressive defense can do to the so-called “best offense the NFL has ever seen.” The Pats may yet earn that moniker, but no one gets that title in half a season.
“When they get the running game going with (Laurence) Maroney, they are going to be impossible to beat.” - Deion Sanders, NFL Network “Gameday” studio analyst
“Prime Time” was right on with that one. The Patriots had basically no ground game against the Colts, although they did try to get it going, almost to a fault. When Indy went up 20-10, New England had to go to the air to play catch up. Like Sanders said, if the Laurence Maroney show is still to come, it could get downright frightening.
“Moss is one of the best receivers in traffic because he focuses on the football.” - Sanders
Let’s just say it now. Most people were dead wrong about Randy Moss. If not for him, the Patriots would most definitely have lost against the Colts on Sunday. Moss went over the middle on numerous occasions. He took hits, held onto the ball and picked up the tough yards when the ground game proved futile.
He also turned a host of not so great Brady passes into receptions. Who knows what the future holds? Moss may still prove his critics right, but right now, he is the NFL’s leading receiver and, moreover, a receiver who leads.
“I think the only person that can stop New England's offense is the guy whose game plan stopped the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ in Super Bowl XXXVI and also the guy whose game plan sits in Canton, Ohio for stopping the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.
“That would be Bill Belichick. If this team goes on and wins another championship, I think you have to mention Belichick and Tom Brady in the conversation for best ever at what they do.” - Howie Long, Fox “NFL Sunday” studio analyst
Long is not one to dole out such superlatives, so it warrants attention. Having played on some unique Raider teams, Long can perhaps identify with what the Patriots are experiencing more than any other NFL studio analyst.
His Silver and Black clubs were despised by other teams and fans, had a maverick owner, a violently protective fan base, a stingy and punishing defense, a bevy of wily veterans, a vertical passing game and great offensive and defensive balance. Sound familiar?
“The reason they are the best is because Bill Belichick is an outstanding coach. He coaches new players, young players, rookies, free agents and then on top of that, he coaches his coaches. He lost Charlie Weis, he lost Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini. What does he do? He grooms young coaches to take their place.” - Jimmy Johnson, Fox “NFL Sunday” studio analyst
Enter Josh McDaniels et al. Johnson has tipped back more than a few offseason pina coladas with Belichick, so heed his words. Belichick’s supposed “running it up” is more accurately translated as playing a full 60 minutes of football regardless of the score. That, in the end, might be the greatest quality he has as a coach, and it showed in the Colts game.
“They’ve won with one star on the offense who was not as good as he is now in Tom Brady. Add Randy Moss to a team that has had one of the top three defenses as far as points allowed in football. The sky is the limit for this team. This is a team that I can sit here and say, ‘This is a team that can go undefeated’.” - Cris Carter, HBO “Inside the NFL” studio analyst
Carter’s effusive praise is a “time will tell” proposition, but Sunday’s tough win against Indianapolis might be even more ominous that the Patriots’ prior blowout wins.
Hanging fifty on an opponent is impressive, but to go into Indianapolis and take the Colts’ best shots for a full game and still have the strength to score two fourth quarter touchdowns and win is scary.
Factor in that that New England played its sloppiest game of the season and still took down a 7-0 club, and things get even more frightening. Let a whole set of new quotes begin.
John Molori’s columns are published in Boston Sports Review, Boston Baseball Magazine, New England Hockey Journal, BostonSportsMedia.com, PatsFans.com, BostonSportz.com, Staatalent.com, Methuen Life and several newspapers and websites throughout New England. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
Media BlitZ
John Molori
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Red Sox title punches Schilling’s ticket to Hall
A few days of thought often adds perspective to a major event. When the Red Sox clinched their second World Championship in four years last Sunday, many emotions surfaced. Trying to impose one theme on a team of so many heroes is difficult.
The media tries to simplify things. Sign Lowell. Put Papelbon on every magazine cover and TV show this side of Popular Mechanics and “The View.” Ortiz did Conan. Ramirez did Leno. So, what is the crux? What is the root of this giant Red Sox redwood? Two words: Curt Schilling.
Schilling is the ultimate dichotomy. Off the field, he can be downright annoying, like that neighbor who insists on trying out the new chainsaw on Sunday at 6am. Schilling’s chainsaw is his mouth.
He is the epitome of checkbook journalism with his paid guest appearances on Boston’s Sportsradio WEEI. Granted, the money goes to Schilling’s many charitable endeavors, but those endeavors are seldom the topic of conversation. Schilling consistently shoots his mouth off on WEEI, making it his own personal pulpit.
Earlier this year, Curt Schilling’s comments on Barry Bonds only served to confirm that he can be one the biggest horse’s ass in sports. His remarks so angered Bonds that the ex-Giants slugger implied that he might even pursue a lawsuit against Schilling.
Questioning the validity of Bonds’ home run record given the cloud of steroid use was vintage Schilling. If a network would televise it, Schilling would hold a press conference questioning the validity of Tuesday coming after Monday.
Schilling was similarly arrogant in the aftermath of a Red Sox-Devil Rays brawl in 2005. Following the brawl, Schilling trashed then-Tampa Bay manger Lou Piniella, implying that the game had passed him by.
Schilling’s former teammate and current ESPN analyst John Kruk told Media Blitz, “That’s Curt. He’s going to say whatever he feels like saying because he thinks he’s always right. He doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.
“The thing here is that Curt is not right. Piniella has never left the game. How can he be out of touch? Curt needs to stop talking so much and concentrate on what he needs to do to come back and pitch.” At the time of Schilling’s anti-Piniella rant, he was in the midst of an injury-plagued season that saw him win just 8 games.
Kruk said that he and Schilling were “not really close” as teammates with the Phillies. “I played with guys in Philly who liked to fight, but we never looked for a fight. Curt is just adding fuel to the fire. I don’t know why he would want to continue this. I mean, it seems like Curt has ample opportunities to hear himself on radio, TV and in the newspaper.”
Schilling was equally vociferous when he played in Philadelphia, but Kruk said that veteran leadership ruled. “I know Boston has Jason Varitek, but we had (catcher) Darren Daulton, the best leader I ever saw. When Curt would talk too much, Darren would take him aside and tell him that we were not about that. When you’re young, you listen.”
Kruk said that Schilling’s affinity for the spotlight has rubbed some former teammates the wrong way. He stated, “When people become successful, they don’t necessarily become smarter.
“I’m not around the Red Sox, but I’ve talked to people who played with Curt and they do resent that he talks so much. Curt says a lot of things he shouldn’t say. In fact, a former Phillies teammate still wants a piece of him.”
This year, Schilling showed up to Red Sox Spring Training visibly heavier. Maybe that indeed wasn’t blood on his sock in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS. Given the girth that Schilling displayed in Fort Myers, it might have been ketchup.
In addition, he publicly campaigned for a new one year, $13 million contract from the team. Schilling used his media forum to issue the Red Sox a not so subtle ultimatum.
So, where’s that dichotomy, you ask? It’s simple. Despite the aforementioned faults, Curtis Montague Schilling is quite simply the best big game pitcher of our generation. Forget Roger Clemens. Forget the one-inning heroics of Mariano Rivera or Dennis Eckersley. Forget Andy Pettitte, Josh Beckett, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux or John Smoltz.
There was one more quote from Kruk in that 2005 interview. He stated, “Of all the pitchers of the last 10 or 15 years, Curt would be the guy I’d want to pitch a big game.” Amen
With an 11-2 postseason record, Schilling has punched his ticket to Cooperstown. His penchant for whining is surpassed only by his penchant for winning. Any Hall of Fame that does not eventually include Schilling should be the victim of the nearest wrecking ball.
Give me your Whitey Fords, Jim Palmers, Catfish Hunters, Steve Carltons, Nolan Ryans, Bob Gibsons, Juan Marichals, Fergie Jenkins and Don Suttons. I’ll toss them back and take Schilling in October. The ego that fuels his maddening desire to be heard is the same ego that fuels his unquenchable thirst for the ball when elimination is a near certainty.
In the panaplea of the contemporary Boston sports scene, the media has continually searched for the next Larry Bird, the next Ted Williams, the next Bill Russell, the next Bobby Orr. Schilling might just be that guy. He combines the intensity of Bird, the attitude of Williams, the pride of Russell and the fearlessness of Orr.
In the end, the Hall of Fame is about numbers. Schilling has 216 wins, more than enough to enter the doorways of Cooperstown, doorways that, in the past few years, have allowed the great, but hardly legendary likes of Tony Perez, Gary Carter and Bruce Sutter to pass.
He has pitched at a high level for 20 seasons and has a .597 winning percentage (216-146). His lifetime ERA is a dandy 3.46 and he has 3,116 strikeouts.
In the postseason, Schilling goes from impressive to immortal. His 11-2 overall mark is highlighted by a 3-1 record and a 0.93 ERA in the Division Series, a 4-0 mark in the League Championship Series and a 3-1 record with an ERA of 2.06 in four World Series.
He was the MVP of the 1993 NLCS with the Phillies and has a career postseason ERA of 2.23 with 25 walks and 120 strikeouts in 133.1 innings.
Schilling has won two titles with the Red Sox (2004 and 2007) and one with the Diamondbacks (2001). He would have won another with Philly in 1993 if closer Mitch Williams hadn’t given up more runs than cheap panty hose.
Beyond the numbers, in sports, it’s all about winning. A couple of years ago, CBS NFL analyst insultingly compared Peyton Manning to Dan Marino. The gist was that for all his stats, Manning, like Marino before him, had yet to win a Super Bowl. It was a crass comment, given that Marino was seated on the same panel as Esiason.
Some writers and reporters still hold the lack of a title against Marino, even though the astute likes of HBO’s Bryant Gumbel correctly assert that Marino was the best passer who ever lived.
The championship issue has to work both ways. Schilling most likely won’t get to that magical 300-win plateau. He won’t have 4000 strikeouts or an ERA under 3.00, but he is the ultimate winner. He also won’t desecrate the game by playing half a season or eschewing road games like certain Hall of Famer Roger Clemens.
Clemens’ disregard for the spirit of the sport is worse than any statistical shortcomings that Schilling may have. With a postseason record that is nothing short of sparkling and solid regular season numbers to back it up, Curt Schilling is a true Hall of Famer.
A week of thought does indeed put things into perspective. I’ve bashed the vociferous Schilling many times in the past, but I am turning in my Louisville Slugger. Schilling has shut me up.
The truth is clear. The Boston Red Sox B.C. (Before Curt): No World Titles in 86 years. The Boston Red Sox A.D. (After Dinner with Theo Epstein and Schilling on Thanksgiving 2003): Two World Titles in 4 years.
Schilling has taken the ball, the responsibility, and yes, the microphone. He has led a franchise with more snakebites than the late Steve Irwin to the brink of a dynasty. He is loud, proud and should be allowed into Cooperstown to join his fellow legends.
John Molori’s columns are published in Boston Sports Review, Boston Baseball Magazine, New England Hockey Journal, BostonSportsMedia.com, PatsFans.com, BostonSportz.com, Staatalent.com, Methuen Life and several newspapers and websites throughout New England. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.