Toronto Sports Media Morning Drive Lineups

A couple of sports takes to offer,

1. I listened to PTS yesterday and heard Stephen Brunt talking about Bert Sugar. I found Sugar to be an entertaining guest over the years and Brunt was generally very complimentary when speaking of him. However, he also pointed out some things about him I didn’t find altogether impressive. He said Sugar had a tendency not to pay his bills and owed a lot of people money, never removed his hat during national anthems, and even though he was a big storyteller, suggested he may not have always been completely honest.

Brunt knows boxing and knew Sugar pretty well so if what he says is accurate, it portrays Sugar in a less flattering light than I previously thought.

Nonetheless, may he rest in peace.

2. I am a fan of Tim Tebow and have been watching him since he was a star during his college football days, but I am becoming a little bit irked by his persona. If everything about him is true, I can appreciate what a great guy he is, but the innocent, wide-eyed wholesomeness is getting to be a bit much. The press conference he held yesterday is a good example of that.

Despite all the positive things he had to say about the Jets and his great relationship with Mark Sanchez, he is in New York to become a starting quarterback and make a bigger name for himself. On the other hand, Sanchez seems more interested in being a celebrity than dedicating himself to being a great starting quarterback. If Sanchez does not step his game up in a big way he risks being overwhelmed by Tebow and Tebowmania. The 3-year contract extension Sanchez received is only guaranteed for the first year so he has plenty to play for.

Regardless of Tebow’s team first attitude, he has a fierce competitiveness and drive to succeed which is much stronger than his friendship with Sanchez. If Tebow can improve his passing game even a little, he has enough additional skills and intangibles to become a successful long-term starting quarterback in the NFL and could take over the Jets.

Good luck, Mark Sanchez.

Thanks.

I have developed a pretty strong idea for the type of radio format and style I prefer to hear and would like to offer my opinion. I would also like to know what many of you think as I find many of you have some pretty interesting things to say.

I am not the biggest Jim Rome fan but I do listen on a semi-regular basis, and of all the different radio shows I have listened to since I finished high school about 20 years ago, I believe his overall format has been the best. This is not as much about Rome as it is about his format. Below is a point form description to explain what I mean. This will be another long post, I’m afraid.

– When the show begins, he properly introduces himself and enthusiastically welcomes the audience. He then proceeds to explain in detail what the main topics of the day will be, what guests he will interview, and what time during the show you can expect to hear them. This sounds pretty basic and simple but I cannot believe how many times I hear a host just begin talking as if they are in the middle of a conversation. I like to know what to expect from a show every time I tune in otherwise I may tune out. It is also a professional courtesy to the audience and allows me to make time for specific segments if I cannot listen to the entire show.

– During the first segment, he gives strong, well-informed, well-prepared opinions (takes) on the main topics. I don’t always agree with his opinions but that’s beside the point. The fact is, I always feel he has worked hard and has done plenty of show prep to formulate his thoughts and properly set-up the show.
When the first segment has concluded, I have an excellent idea of what the show will be about on any given day and where he stands on the issues.

-As the show continues, he briefly reminds the audience of what the main topics are and what guests will follow but does not overdo it.

-At the top of each hour, he briefly updates what has been discussed and what is left to come.

-At the end of the show he properly thanks all the guests who appeared and advises the audience of what will follow the next day if he has the information. Once again, this sounds awfully basic but I often don’t hear the same from other hosts.

I believe this is an example of a host with excellent communication skills who is well-organized, well-prepared, and runs a tight, professional show.

A few thoughts on Rome’s personality for the record – He can sometimes be rather abrasive to the ears, speaks in slang terms that often sound a little silly to me, and can be painfully annoying when he repeats a sound bite over and over consecutively as if he is obsessive-compulsive. On the positive side, he is always very enthusiastic, has some very humourous moments, and brings a lot of energy to every show.

Far too often it seems to me that radio hosts just ad lib and coast their way through a show. I don’t know what happens behind the scenes in radio but how often do program directors meet with hosts and coach them or work on their weaknesses?

How many of you like the type organized radio format I explained above or prefer something more relaxed and laid back, or something else altogether? Look forward to all of your comments.

Thanks.

@Rick M. again good points and good reading.
Sorry I missed Brunt yesterday but,I now find myself leery of flipping on PTS in fear of hearing cox and or shannon.
That is sad considering I had been a listener to Bob M for years.

My memories of Jim Rome (from 7 years ago, mind you) are of a guy who shouted a lot, preached a bit, and read letters from people who tried to sound just like him (he called them “clones”). I wasn’t impressed at all, but he was the only option in Halifax at the time (on the short-lived TEAM format).

Sorry Rick, but I don’t find much of interest in discussing a proper format for a show. Frankly, although I like my students’ essays to have some kind of coherent format (so that I can understand something of what they are trying to say), I refuse to ever tell them how to say it. That is, I can’t stand formats. As for sports radio, since I am just looking for some mindless entertainment (and there is no such thing as intellectual sports radio), I find it a bit silly to want to impose a standard format on anything.

I dislike call-in shows, but, outside of that, I think anything is fair game. Just keep me entertained, I say.

Rick M, Sugar was boxing his personna mirrored boxing good and bad, rip Burt i was a fan. Rome lots to like, pro when it comes to show prep. that is important he cares about his fans, simple. Tebow great drama fun to watch, cashing in using his faith to promote his brand, smart. Rome signed with CBS sports a few months ago.

I prefer sports show that keep sports from being deathly serious and arent rigidly structured.

The two best sports radio shows for me were tony kornheiser’s old espn/wtem show and dan lebatard’s show in miami.

Cant stand rome. For me, phony and shock jocky and writing out your opinions (apart from an opening monologue) is very fake. I also dislike his use of the word “take” has become an industry fixture. He also spawned clones like the horribly noxious and unctuous colin cowherd.

Another Steve – I appreciate your response but must challenge a couple of your points.

I am not interested in imposing formats or standards on anyone. I merely explained the type of format I prefer and was interested in how others felt.

To suggest there is no intelligence in sports radio is simply false and seems a bit arrogant. Sports radio may not be the brightest beacon of intellectualism over the airwaves, but I have listened to many intelligent and well-informed individuals over the years and even today. I just don’t hear enough of it in Toronto. Perhaps my expectations are too high…

Finally, I completely understand why you and others do not like Jim Rome’s show or style of comedy. I personally find it humourous and don’t take it too seriously. The real point though of my original post was to highlight the format he uses rather than his personality.

Whew! I need to post shorter comments going forward.

Thanks.