by Rob G
Here’s your drive home lineups:
On Sportsnet 590 The FAN from 4-7pm, Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown:
400 – Ian Leggatt, Sportsnet golf analyst
420 – Chris Johnson, Sportsnet hockey analyst
500 – Roundtable with McCown, John Shannon, Tim Micallef, & Michael Grange
On TSN Radio 1050 from 4-7pm, TSN Drive with Dave Naylor. Kate Bierness co-hosts:
Katie Strang, ESPN
Dave Feschuk, Toronto Star
Bob McKenzie, TSN hockey insider
Scott MacArthur, TSN Jays beat reporter
Mike Gillis, GM, Vancouver Canucks
Ken Holland, Exec. VP & GM, Detroit Red Wings
Darren Dreger, TSN hockey insider
On TSN (5pm) & TSN2 (6:30pm), Off the Record with Michael Landsberg:
Bobby Dollas and Sean Pronger, Retired NHL Players
Sam Mitchell, Former Toronto Raptors Coach
Today on Sportsline:
If Ron Wilson was still the Maple Leafs Head Coach would Nazem Kadri be the Leafs leading scorer? Does Rory McIlroy have more than a sore ‘wisdom tooth’ to be concerned about? Is Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes losing his focus in his ‘war of words’ with Marlins owner Jeffery Loria? Join Hebsy & Bubbs at 5, on CHCH
What great TV/Radio the start of PTS was today, just riveting. Bob is being as usual a complete asshole to everyone on. Also find it funny how he was basically begging for more Twitter followers when talking about something he tweeted today (I have no idea what it was as he blocked me months ago) after how many times running down Twitter and anyone who uses the network, I believe he likes to refer to people who use Twitter as Losers who live in their parents basement! Onto Naylor.
Kate Bierness is again excellent so far on Naylor’s show today. Hard to believe she’s only 24, wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up at ESPN. Her questions to Canucks’ GM were much better than Naylor’s uncharacteristically idiotic ones. Still, a refreshing alternative to PTS.
And Kate Bierness brings thoughts of Mike Toth. I would rather listen to Toth than Gareth Wheeler on 1050 late night, although I like Wheeler’s Saturday soccer show. Toth was the PTS guest host when he was working with Hogan at 590, and wouldn’t have been if Bob didn’t think he had talent. I remember Toth talking about going to Bob’s house to talk over how to do the show. For me he’s like Simmons in that you want to hear his take on something even without liking him. He knows his stuff, is not subservient to power and can rile up an audience. Would make an excellent addition to 1050, maybe he can also do the Leafs post game show next season. We have 3 Leaf post game shows and their all awful.
Scott MacArthur is much better as a Jays reporter than he was as a host. Have been enjoying his reports from Florida. He had an interesting segment today about catching injuries and the Mets not allowing Travis D’arnaud to block the plate.
@darren Glad I listened to Tim and Sid podcast instead. It was funny as hell……
“sauseech!”.
I agree with Nan. Mike Toth would be a good addition as a late night host to 1050 TSN Toronto. Scott MacArthur is a good option to Mike Wilner. PTS was crap today. Same old boring routine from Bob McCown and his FOB (Friends of Bob) President John Shannon. Tim Micallef was the only good thing about the round table. They need to get Jeff Marek or even Ken Reid from Sportsnet on the PTS round able. Need younger blood.
TSN Drive with Dave Naylor and Kate Beirness was strong. I like the co hosts they have paired Naylor up with. Nice option.
Anyone know if Bob Mackowycz is still with TSN Radio? They announced almost 2 weeks ago that he and Matt Cauz would be co anchoring/hosting 9-12. He hasn’t been heard from since James Cybulski quit TSN. Wonder what the deal is?
was driving around the city today and tuned in to the PTS roundtable for the first time in forever. Mother of God … Shannon is even worse than i remember. He does not know how to have a conversation. All he knows how to do is interrupt and stammer. Unlistenable.
.
Here’s your throwback friday Bikini OTD:
http://torontosportsmedia.com/sports-and-toronto/bikini-otd-sports-radio-tonight-308/8708
Given that Bob appears to be regarded here as the Bargnani of Toronto sports radio, does anybody still want me to do the PTS reviews?
For golf fans, Mark Zecchino’s Golf Talk Canada on 1050 Saturday mornings is great, but does Jim Tatti have to be on every TSN show? Anyway nice to hear Zecchino also getting a job down south with the PGA itself. A terrific listen, especially when contrasted to the show opposite on 590, that only Morrissey likes.
Bruce Arthur and Matt Cauz getting philosophical:
https://twitter.com/mcauz56/status/307679926746746880
More Jim Tatti & less of everyone else is a good thing.
Yes, Ami – I really enjoy your PTS reviews. It would be great if you could find the time/energy to keep doing them.
Bwahahaha:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/news-leaves-francesa-frost-bite-article-1.1261284?print
No more PTS reviews needed, Ami. Two (of many) reasons:
https://twitter.com/KateBeirness/status/307597212983128064/photo/1
Ami – I love your reviews and have been deleting podcasts rather than listening to them “blind” since you have been on hiatus. That said, PTS can still be a very good show when Bob is motivated to put in the effort, so it’s too soon to call it quits.
You should review when you feel like it … it’s always appreciated.
Yes, I always eat when I have a searing pain in my mouth, why do you ask?
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/gola-believing-rory-story-pulling-teeth-article-1.1277650?print
I enjoy your reviews Ami..
People bitch about PTS, but I would wager it’s the most listened to show by commenters on here by a wide, wide margin.
Only because PTS has been on the FAN for the past 20 years, Daniel – an established, built-in audience. If Dave Hodge, for example, had been hosting during that time, I would bet that the ratings would be as good if not better than what Bob enjoys. Probably better, as Hodge is a much better host in general.
Ami, I did enjoy your reviews, but honestly, I don’t pay attention to PTS anymore unless Brunt is on – and he isn’t on much.
Well said Curt
I’m pretty sure Kate Beirness is not 24 years old…………….Wikipedia says that she turns 29 next week……………that sounds more about right………….she did a pretty good job as Naylor’s co-host on Friday
I was never a fan of Scott MacArthur and I am not a fan of baseball so having him as the Jays reporter is fine with me……………however I don’t like Matt Cauz much either……………he is very knowledgable about sports but I just don’t like his schtick……………..I would love to see 1050 bring back Dan Patrick but I don’t think that is going to happen anytime soon
@Curt Sure. If Dave Hodge had been hosting a show the last 20 years it might more popular than McCown. He hasn’t though.
1050 now running the Mike Lupica Show. Not sure if this replaces Inside the Lines until the NFL starts or just today.
I think you missed my point.
Rarely does.
@ Curt I think your point is – you think you can dismiss PTS’s popularity because it has been popular for a long time, so people listen out of habit.
I’m sure habit affects things to a degree, but if people preferred what was on TSN or 1010 etc, I’m sure they would just flip away. Anyway, regardless of why they listen, my point was that I would bet more here listen to that than any other show. Despite the fact that there are so many potshots taken at the show in the comments.
Well, it would seem that a lot of people here are moving to TSN Drive, or at least checking it out. I don’t know if that is indicative of a real shift, but we’ll know soon enough, I suppose. Part of my point, also, is that the FAN has a much stronger signal strength, which translates to a wider audience in the GTA and beyond. Combine that with the history of PTS and with listeners who know how good it USED to be, and it becomes hard to beat. But, as Bob’s lack of interest and continuing contempt for his audience seems to grow, I wouldn’t be surprised if PTS starts to slip.
It most definitely is time for Bob to pack up his ear phones and dive head first into whatever this wine business is he is talking about. Between that and his Production Company he will remain plenty busy but still leave room for the ever so important round of Golf!! This is the start of a new week for me, if the kids allow it I will be listening/watching Mr. Naylor, plus isn’t Monday the day the Great Bruce Arthur blesses us with his presence as co-host?
I guess I’m a bit skeptical, because since this blog began years ago, there’s been a steady stream of ‘PTS is the worst, I’m not listening anymore, it’ll get beaten by Watters/Cybulski/Whomever’, and the show has actually improved in ratings in that time. Adding to the fact that TSN Radio has been incredibly under the radar to this point, so I would imagine McCown will still be the king of the hill for a while.
I sometimes think that all the complaints indicate that people are listening/care rather than a show that nobody really talks that much about (positive or negative).
That being said, it’s definitely good to have a decent alternative and I hope Naylor does well.
Daniel believe me, I’ve been in that group you speak of for the past couple of years at least, saying to myself ok enough is enough, I am NOT watching/listening to this FOB crap anymore but always found myself tuning in at 4 or finding the podcast. What I hope changes this time is that The Drive seems to have quite a bit of potential. The Bob act has just really gotten old especially the past 12-18 months, I think everyone can at least agree on that. I know it can’t happen overnight but man I would love to see Bob’s reaction if Naylor (or anyone) could actually put a real dent in his ratings.
Bob plays a character has since the 70’s. It’s hilarious how much he fools everyone and has them fuming mad at him, yet still listen intently cause it’s the best radio in Canada.
See the cause and effect now? He can be stubborn both on purpose or because of his views but apart from a few of the people he has on the round table his miles ahead in terms of analysis and thought.
That’s why Brunt, Shannon, Kirk, Kelly (RIP) and others at the top of their respective industries, are his best guests.
Reid tries too hard, McCalef (SP whatever) tries too hard, Sid is pretty good, Blair is too far left, Watters used to be WAY too fart right corporate Shill etc.
Hodge is not adversarial, they have tried lots of top broadcasters and journalists on shows. TSN doesn’t learn their lesson about this.
A show with Hodge and Bobcat would break records, but Hodge needs an adversarial partner which is why he was with Cherry on TV for so long and same with Ron Maclean.
Bob took his show concept from the guys on WFAN 660 New York who have been doing this for almost 5 decades. He spouts off either truthful or facetious, you get mad and thus you care to call in and tell him off or keep listening. Nothing worse than a guy you agree with all the time or lets people answer questions with customary canned answers.
Bob makes guests give real answers and is why he HATES having players on, they give canned answers. People who don’t get why Bob is the best, gets the best ratings and others have tried and failed, don’t understand radio and television or are being fooled by it.
Jim Rome is the same formula with his fans as well as others on ESPN radio.
Mike Toth is a hack jackass like Landsberg and the rest of the quirky clowns who act like Robin Williams and Will Ferrell on air.
People want edge and intelligence not gimmicks and wackyness. Bob proves it.
The day Bob Mackenzie and Dave Hodge get better offers or retire TSN sinks like a stone.