That Anderson Cooper, the newly muscular and somewhat openly closeted CNN anchor and “60 Minutes” contributor, would get topped by an Olympic athlete isn’t much of a surprise. But that it was Michael Phelps and it unfolded on TV last night in a pool with both in bathing suits and shirtless, provided a nice perk [...]
Posts under ‘Media’
Mayne Street
ESPN’s been promoting the hell out of their new Web series, Mayne Street, featuring Kenny Mayne as he navigates the scary world of corporate ESPN. They’re three episodes in, and I did find myself laughing out loud at one of the episodes. The other two: Not so much. Share on Facebook
ESPN is gay-friendly and fearless
ESPN recently hosted Jeff Sheng’s ‘Fearless’ display, and several of the athletes in the photo series were invited to talk to ESPN employees. Ted Rybka from GLAAD helped bring the display there, and he wrote about the experience: ESPN’s headquarters is comprised of more than a dozen buildings, which they refer to as their “campus.” [...]
Gay sports mag gets new name
Sports Out Loud has been the only printed gay-sports magazine (as far as I know) for a couple years. We got wind that they would be changing their name a couple weeks ago. I had lunch with a friend last week and we talked about whether the mag’s new name had to somehow say “gay.” [...]
Why ESPN analysts like Mark Schlereth suck
Over the last two years, I have been drifting more and more away from ESPN. I find the conversations terribly insipid and usually focused more on style than substance. Plus, I just think many of their NFL analysts suck. Take Mark Schlereth for example. This was his analysis of the NFL’s fine on Justin Tuck [...]
Out 100 honors athletes
Several athletes are among those being honored by Out magazine in their 2008 Out 100. Out editor Aaron Hicklin had asked us a couple months ago if we knew any athletes who would be worthy of the honor, and we pointed them to two: Ivy League runners Jamal Brown and Corey Benton. Friends and competitors [...]
Kobe, A-Rod rock Guitar Hero ad
I’ve never been a Kobe Bryant fan, but he’s won me over with this great TV commercial for Guitar Hero IV. He is the perfect lead singer in the ad for a four-man band with Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps and Tony Hawk. The earnestness and enthusiasm Bryant pretends to bring to the performance is just [...]
A racist column about Plax?
Al Sharpton has made his way back into headlines with an attack on a New York Post column about Giants WR Plaxico Burress, calling the column racist. In his Monday column, Post writer Steve Serby started his rant about Burress with: Good for Tom Coughlin. Good for Coughlin for tightening the noose around Plaxico Burress. [...]
Whoops, forget it: Christine is Mike again
We’ve seen some strange story twists here at Outsports over the years. The whole Mike Danton saga comes to mind. But this one might take the cake. We reported 18 months ago that LA Times sportswriter Mike Penner had become Christine Daniels. Daniels wrote an LA Times column about it, was given a personal blog [...]
Phils, Rays spoil the media’s Manny party
Do you ever wonder how much thought goes into the predictions made by members of the media? This year, when it came to baseball’s League Championship Series, it certainly made me wonder. The Philadelphia Phillies won the NL East with a 92-70 record, while the Los Angeles Dodgers finished with 84 wins in taking the [...]
Some Philly tidbits
I’m pressed for time (headed to a softball tournament in Washington, DC this weekend) so here is a quick summary of some things I was planning to write about… Drought update: The Phillies’ 3-2 win over the LA Dodgers gives them a 1-0 lead in the National League Championship Series. This is the 18th time [...]
Joe’s MLB on TV Report: The Post-Game Show
So I’m watching the Phillies games this week on our Comcast Sportsnet station here, and something is bothering me. They’re spending an inordinate amount of time showing various features of Citizens Bank Park — the Rooftop Bleacher section, eateries such as Harry The K’s and Bull’s BBQ — and it’s really disconcerting. It’s not like [...]
Joe’s MLB on TV Report – Angels
Number thirty-two in a series. Broadcast: Los Angeles Angels on FSN West, Angels at Oakland, 9/17/08; Announcers: Steve Physioc (play-by-play), Rex Hudler (analyst) First to clinch a playoff spot, last to be reviewed here. No offense, Los Angeles/California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It was just the luck of the draw. And I know this is [...]
VLOG: Cooley, gaydar at NFL games
Today we launch our new Jock Talk Vlog, a video blog that we’re bringing to you with Afterelton.com. Each week, either Jim or I will talk about some of the week’s happenings in gay sports. Sometimes we’ll have guests, sometimes we’ll be ‘on location.’ One thing we won’t do: Ask Michael Phelps to host. Kidding! [...]
Joe’s MLB on TV Report – Pirates
Number thirty-one in a series. Broadcast: Pittsburgh Pirates on FSN Pittsburgh, Chicago Cubs at Pirates, 8/26/08; Announcers: Lanny Frattare (play-by-play), Steve Blass (analyst) A confession: I actually watched a Pirates-Mets game about ten days earlier, with Lanny Frattare and Bob Walk. Days later, when I looked at my notes, I found that I had written [...]
Note to Michael Phelps: Stay off TV
Please, Michael Phelps, for the love of God and all things decent, please, oh please, never ever accept another role on television. For the future of television, please, just say, “No thank you.” Michael Phelps last night became one of the goofiest hosts of Saturday Night Live ever. And most uncomfortable. And unfunniest. I didn’t [...]
Best SNL athlete skit ever
Michael Phelps hosts Saturday Night Live tonight. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Athletes rarely do well with SNL because, well, they’re not actors. Have you seen the Phelps Rosetta Stone commercial? Be very VERY afraid. Athletes have been the stars of a few select GREAT skits, though. The Stuart Smalley-Michael Jordan bit is fantastic. But [...]
Joe’s MLB on TV Report – Twins
Number thirty in a series. Broadcast: Minnesota Twins on FSN North, Twins at LA Angels, 8/21/08; Announcers: Dick Bremer (play-by-play), Bert Blyleven (analyst), Telly Hughes (reporter) If you’re a fan of Bert Blyleven using the telestrator to circle fans with “Circle me Bert” signs, you’ll be happy to know that he managed it on four [...]
Gay athletes videos on Logo
It’s good to see Logo taking their stated interest in gay sports seriously. Along with the gay-basketball show Shirts & Skins, they’ve launched a section of their Web site that has various gay-sports videos, movies, docs, etc…. There isn’t much on there now, but they’re promising more. Share on Facebook
The Michael Irvin Show
My old pal Kevin Kiley, a sports radio host who’s had me as a guest on his shows on Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio, is now the co-host of the Michael Irvin Show on ESPN Radio in Dallas. He’s been trying to get me to come on the show for a couple months, and [...]