I Know I've Lost My Lonely Fight against "Fight Night"

I've written on several occasions about my dislike of Fight Night. 

I don't like the concept of amateurs with no skills at defense receiving a beating. 

I don't like the broadcast with the same stale gags and the four-man team of announcers all going "OHHHHhhhhhh" whenever a blow is struck, and you can't tell what has happened and they all talk over each other anyway.

And I don't like the thought that the first time someone gets seriously hurt in the ring -- I know, it hasn't happened in all these years -- it could go very hard for The Ticket.

Of course, I don't really expect to have any influence on things like this to begin with, so the survival of Fight Night isn't all that disappointing.  I conceded defeat in last year's column on the subject.

So this year, I'll content myself with pointing out something of which the Ticket hosts seem unaware:

Laurence Cole is not a good boxing referee.  He is very poorly regarded in the profession.  His father "Dickie" Cole held a number of high posts with Texas and boxing organizations, and promoted Laurence's refereeing career with plum assignments, or so it has been reported.  His performances in the ring have been roundly (NPI) criticized, and he has even been suspended from officiating bouts in Texas.  His poor ring command is regarded as dangerous for boxers.  Check it out:

Laurence Cole Called Out by Boxing Writers

But The Ticket seems to think it has a legitimizing presence with Cole in the ring.  It doesn't.

Hope everyone gets home safely and with brains intact tonight.

Let's Continue the Discussion of Gbag v. Hline

Fascinating news for Dallas terrestrial sports-guy-talk radio junkies.  G-Bag going to 2-7.  A bold and smart move by the Fan.  In the past I've given GBag a try and didn't care for it, but that was a long time ago.  I'll try to check it out and see what I think. 

This news is of particular interest in light of the analysis of the last set of ratings.  Confessor DA posted an article analyzing them.  The big news in that article was that, while in general, The Ticket was still #1 overall, listening to sports radio was way down from the same interval the year before.

However, buried in that article was this statement:  "One positive for The Fan, they defeated The Ticket in weekday prime (M-F 6a-7p) with Men 18-34."

That datum should send a shiver down the spine of Dan Bennett and Jeff Catlin.

This sets the stage for a program that attracts a younger demo to go against a Hardline largely believed to have grown stale and complacent (although not so much by me).

I caution that we have seen other programs that were thought at the time to pose a serious threat to The Hardline.  That includes Ben & Skin, and remember the hoohah surrounding the entry of the Richie Whitt/Greg Williams into the fray?

But Gbag seems to be a more serious contender, an overall better and more professional presentation than past contenders.

Will Mike R arise from his torpor and reassert control over The Hardline?  Will Corby prepare segments in advance of the commercial break preceding said segments?  

I would be interested in knowing how streaming factors into the economics of terrestrial radio competition.  The Ticket is one of the most-often streamed radio stations in the world -- am I correct in recalling that it comes in at #2 behind the BBC?  If Gbag is to be considered a success, will it have to make a dent in that segment of listeners?  Beyond my radio expertise, I'm afraid.

Anyway, let's continue the commentary on this.  I'll conclude by excerpting a fun comment from the last thread from Anonymous 656:

"Very very interesting stuff, fellow Confessors. Game on, indeed. THL had best step up their game, like, NOW. People, I believe we might be about to experience one of the coolest things a listener can witness, something that hasn't occurred around these here parts since the mid-80s (and really doesn't happen anymore, anywhere): Ladies and Germs, I think we might have a station war on our horizon. If so, buckle up buttercups, because it's gonna be one b-i-t-c-h of a ride. G-BaG has been and continues to be on the rise. Their fanbase keeps growing and growing more and more rabid. VERY reminiscent of the nascent Ticket years--especially with THL. THL, on the other hand, lost its fastball long ago. It's coasted on having damn near zero competition in its time slot. Can they step it up and be the true juggernaut that inspired the masses to walk out on a Rangers game or will they in a few books fade into a perennial second? How will B&S fare v. The Invasion and BaD? Will the CTO offer a counter move? If so, what? And will those (and there are many) who listen to G-BaG and switch to The Ticket once B&S are up now flip flop, leaving THL with less listeners but perhaps giving BaD more (though the final hour of BaD will go against G-BaG)? Whatever happens, best pop ya popcorn, pimps, ladies, and playas, because it's gonna be thrill ride. Bring. It. ON!

"And you were pondering on whether to close up shop or not, Pman..... THIS is what MTC is all about."

 

Before George Begins His College Gambling Experiment, He May Wish to Look into the Difference between "Logarithms" and "Algorithms"

My Zack Greinke Story

A couple of days ago The Hardline was telling Zack Greinke stories.  I believe it may have been on Mike's Mind. 

Mike was actually able to get in a few fun Grienke facts without interruption.

I have a Zack Greinke story.  It's not much of a story.

Greinke first played major league ball for the Royals, from 2004 to 2009.  I believe this story took place during a time when he was fairly celebrated, which would have been early on, and then again starting in 2008.  Timing isn't important.

He lived in a nice condominium building in Kansas City.

My sainted Aunt Norma lived in the same condominium building.

She had two Royal fan sons and two Royal fan grandsons.

It was well known even at the time that Greinke had a social anxiety disorder, and condo residents had been instructed to leave him alone.  Which they did.

But Aunt Norma thought perhaps she had a harmless way around it.  She baked a big batch of cookies and left four baseballs at his door with a note respectfully requesting autographs.

Greinke obliged.  I don't know if he left the baseballs back at her door, or left them outside his door which she then picked up when checking on her scheme.  But he signed 'em.  Mike R remarked that, for all his shyness, he is much better with young fans.

That's my Zack Greinke story.  Aunt Norma, RIP.