You have to give ESPN credit for creativity. For years, “SportsCenter” advertisements have been among the most clever on television – whether it was the Manning brothers goofing around on a guided tour or a crazed Charlie Steiner encouraging us to “Follow me to freedom!” shortly before Y2K.
The network’s newest spot, which promotes free fantasy baseball leagues on the ESPN Web site, debuted this week, and one of the stars of the ad believes his costume will bring him quite a bit of attention.
“It’s gonna be one of those things where people say, ‘What the hell is he doing?'” said baseball analyst John Kruk, who plays the leather-clad, tattoo-filled lead singer of the ESPN Fantasy Baseball Band “Iron Diamond.”
Other cast members include analyst Peter Gammons, rock legend Geddy Lee of “Rush,” Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield, Indians closer Joe Borowski, Astros outfielder Carlos Lee and ESPN personalities Matthew Berry, Buster Olney, Eric Karabell and Jennie Finch.
Kruk did promise that his mostly leather rock-star outfit, in which he bears a striking resemblance to the singer Meat Loaf, is not one viewers are likely to see again.
“Believe me, that’s not something I would ever wear,” he said. “Fat guys in leather isn’t a good thing.”
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Bob Papa has been named Fran Charles’ replacement on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” series, as Charles’ duties as a studio host on the NFL Network resulted in enough scheduling conflicts that HBO felt a change was necessary.
Beginning March 24, Papa will be joined by analysts Max Kellerman and Lennox Lewis as he provides blow-by-blow coverage of the matches.
Papa, known for his work as the Giants’ play-by-play man on WFAN, recently has worked in a similar capacity on Versus’ pro boxing series.
But before his new gig even begins, fans can get a sneak peak at Papa on Saturday night, when he will handle the blow-by-blow coverage of the Evander Holyfield-Vinny Madda-lone fight in Corpus Christi, Texas. Coverage begins at 10 p.m. on SNY.
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NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith won the ABC reality series “Dancing With the Stars” back in the fall, and this week was introduced as Michael Irvin’s replacement at ESPN as NFL studio analyst.
Could former NBA-er Clyde Drexler have a similar goal in mind?
Clyde the Glide is a competitor on this season’s “Stars,” which debuts Monday at 8 p.m. But first he will make an appearance on ABC/ESPN’s broadcast of the Mavericks-Pistons game on Sunday afternoon (3:30, ABC).
Drexler plans to talk NBA issues with Dan Patrick at halftime, though there are no plans to add the former shooting guard to the company’s basketball coverage. Yet.
Drexler currently works as a television analyst for most Rockets’ home telecasts.
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Want to hear what former UNC coach Matt Doherty thinks of the NCAA Tournament as it unfolds?
Just check your cell phone.
Doherty will join another former coach, Perry Clark, along with B.J. Armstrong, Stacey King and Steve Smith, to provide March Madness info and analysis on the “Sprint Tournament Center.”
Chris Rose of “The Best Damn Sports Show,” will host the programs, which are available to Sprint customers equipped with “Power View,” a made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video programming network.
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Peyton Manning will make his acting debut as host of “Saturday Night Live” on March 24. Carrie Underwood is scheduled to be the musical guest.