Deadspin
We really don't want to get into this too much more today, because yesterday was exhausting enough (and we weren't even working!). But we will say this: We were, bizarrely, on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" yesterday, and not only was the level of discourse pitched higher than on "Costas Now," but, in fact, we walked away wondering if John Calipari weren't a better journalist than Buzz Bissinger. (Clip after the jump.)
That's not true, of course; Bissinger has a lifetime of work to stand behind, and Calipari is a smooth car salesman college basketball coach. But Calipari surely had similar concerns to what Bissinger had about blogs, but he asked questions, waited for a response, listened and asked followup questions. It's pretty simple.
If there's anything we can take out of yesterday — other than the outpouring of positive emails we received; we were very touched, though a few began to take the tone of condolences, as if something bad had happened to us, like a relative was ill or something — it's that two things that would have benefited both sides in this debate were destroyed on Tuesday night. (We made this point to Mr. Sandomir for his story today, but it didn't make the cut, probably because it, you know, was relevant.)
We think that Bissinger could benefit from a legitimate look at sports blogs: The bad, the good, the hilarious, the grotesque, all of it. Clearly, this was not something that had happened before the program Tuesday. And we also think many sports blogs could benefit from reading Bissinger's books, which, on the whole, are well-researched, well-considered and thoughtfully (if, sometimes, a bit purple-y) written. This could be good for everyone. Unfortunately, after Tuesday's show, neither of those will ever, ever happen.
And now, we're probably ready to let all this go. We knew it had grown out of hand yesterday when we saw a blog yesterday that didn't care about sports, or journalism, or anything else, just simply post the video with the headline: "Old Man Going Crazy." We do hope that's not the takeaway from all this ... but we have our fears.
Comments
This settles it. I'm getting Will a tie for his birthday.
The Will Leitch Talk Show Rider
1. Four (4) bottles of distilled water
2. Two (2) packages of Reese's Pieces
3. One (1) NFL Pro-Bowl football player on stage
So the Dalai Lama said to Bissinger," There won't be any redemption, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive.....giant horse dicks in your rear." So you got that goin' for you, which is nice.
And now, we're probably ready to let all this go.
Well, thank god, because I've heard there are some decent sports a'playing right now.
Seriously, I can't take much more antagonism from either side. Sports and springtime, baby.
Seriously, how did John Calipari become the voice of reason?
So....where's the clip?
We think that Bissinger could benefit from a legitimate look at sports blogs
Manilla folders can only hold so much.
Yea, who know 'Best Damn Sports Show' would have a better appeal to your mid-western sensibilities than 'Costas Now"?
Ah, sports blog scandals...
Also? Bissinger has a rather enormous forehead. Though something has to hold in that ego I suppose.
@twoeightnine: There's a reason he's able to recruit big time studs to places like UMass and Memphis. (not just the boosters)
@twoeightnine: The NCAA is looking into it.
My favorite part was when John Calipari admitted to not knowing how to turn on a computer. It must be somehow endearing to high school players that the coach recruiting them is far dumber than their dumbest friend.
Will was on TV?
All in all, say what you want about Bissinger. He is a fantastic writer. He had the balls (pun) to show what HIGH SCHOOL football was like and how the kids are treated like celebrities and pieces of meat. He made a lot of enemies because of that book.
Probably made more from Deadspin commenters though.
Wil, they blurred the cover of your book , yet the same was not done for Chris Rose's hair?
"...we were very touched, ..."
Too much personal info, Will.
What is this "internet" that Bissinger is speaking of? Ring Lardner is worried about it.
@twoeightnine: Seriously, how did John Calipari and Braylon Edwards become the voice of reason?
Honestly. wtf
Down is up, left is right, so on and so forth
Ok, who is gonna go dumpster-diving for Shaun Phillips? He's just asking for it...Anybody?
Wow.
Calipari >>>> Bissinger.
And dammit, John Salley/Rodney Peete/Kevin Willis, quit looking too much like each other!
NO MORE BUZZ BIISSINGHDIGHIOASGHE
NO MAS
NO MAAAAASSSSSSSSS
So, to summarize:
Costas Now - home of mouth-frothing, profane, invective
Best Damn Sports Show - home of the civilized round table discussion
The signs of the impending apocalypse just keep piling up.
@twoeightnine: The coach was just sucking up to Will because he heard that he has four years of eligibility left and can often make at least 6 out of 10 freethrows.
I can't wait to get that searing Billinger response delivered to my doorstep in three months by Pony Express.
What does Tom Arnold have to say about all this?
This whole thing is going to make next months's meeting of the Tony LaRussa Fellators reaaaally awkward.
That response is the same reason why Coach can recruit just about any player in the country . . .
Treat young men like men. Do what you think is best, but be prepared for the consequences of your actions. Stand up when you make a mistake.
@Camp Tiger Claw: yes please
@the earl of weaver: My thoughts exactly. That forehead could give Philip Seymore Hoffman's a run for it's money.
Proof of Leinart's status as a bona fide celebrity: Calipari is trying to dress like him.
That "Old Man Going Crazy" clip was actually about Frank Thomas almost getting the cycle 2 days ago.
I am pretty sure MSM was not pleased with Bissinger's performance Tuesday. He came off as a raving jackass, and was completely unprepared for that segment.
Watched it again last night, the biggest douche has to be Costas. Way to control the show.
/midget joke
This settles it. I'm getting Will a tie for his birthday.
I think you're full of shit.
maybe if you had kept the emo bangs, buzz would've have been a litte more sensitive towards you
Judging by the haircut, I gather that while in LA, Will did not pay a visit to Guiseppe Franco in Beverly Hills.
Will seems extremely scared by the amount of times John Sally is touching him.
@sassydeerrun: I work at a library, and I regularly have the book featured (face out) on our new books shelf.
It never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Will kinda looks like Martin Prince.
So that's what a reasoned discussion of blogs versus journalism looks like. I'm sure Costas will be thrilled that Serious Journalism Costas Now was the home of ranting idiocy while of all things "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" actually had the responsible, thoughtful discussion.
Next time Bob, you might want to talk to your guests beforehand so you know whether it's worth having them on there. There have to be Serious Journalists who wouldn't have been as big of a dick as Bissinger. Hell, even Skip Brainless probably would have been better, despite Bissinger being a vastly superior writer/journalist.
I don't give a crap if Bissinger is an alleged good writer, he's still a pompous egotistical douchebag asshole, and he should lose a ton of respect.
@suntastic: No Martin Lawrence joke?
What I thought was interesting about the whole Costas/Buzz segment was that it seemed set up purposefully to be this big smack down on the blogger by the "legitimate" journalists. Ironic, in that such an event itself is bad journalism.
(Subtext: blogger selling books. Imagine if you outsold Buzz.)
Now, Best Damn comes along with a more balanced approach than Costas.
Bob Costas just got out journoed by Foxsports.
@Yinka Double Dare: Just make sure you keep Braylon Edwards on the panel. That guy is a star.
@Lindsay Lohans Left Boob: I honestly could give a flying fuck what Buzz thinks of blogs. I read at least 2 papers every day...mainly for the standings and obits. I'm old enough that I've been programmed to read a paper with my AM coffee; but young enough that I follow big stories and get my current news online.
So Buzz is frightened of blogs? Costas is as well? Here's a hint. Buzz has never been relevant and Costas ceased to matter as soon as NBC lost baseball.
With all this TV time, does Will have groupies now?
@Sandburgh: Shirley Povich just grabbed his pitchfork.
Wow. That was almost like... and intelligent exchange of ideas.
Where was Rob Dibble? Cutting the sleeves off his button down oxford shirts?
@crazyjoedavola: That was my biggest gripe with the HBO show. Bissinger is an out of touch ass-hat, no doubt, but for Costas to just sit there and watch the blindsiding and in fact encourage it at points was the much bigger deal in my opinion.
@Sid Bream Was Out:
In a show of appreciation, Bill Conlin sent both Buzz and Bob a set of white wall tires.
@crazyjoedavola: @Yinka Double Dare:
Woah! Let's slow down, please. I think if we prematurely turn around and blame Costas here, we will only come up short.
@Juancho: Glad to see I'm not along in pimping Will's latest to an unsuspecting public at the bookbarn of your choice. Us "lieberry" types gotta stick together before the wiki-ebay puts up on the curb.
What I keep wondering about... Is Bissinger's 16 year-old son into sports? And if so, does he read?
You know, the worst part of all of this was that last night, at the gym, in the middle of a lift, I thought of the KSK horsefucking article.
Of course, I started to snicker and couldn't finish the rep, and totally looked like a pussy.
Thanks alot, Bissinger.
so does Charlie Rose hate you or not?
what was that at the end? sounded like he was mad that he had to promote the book "unfortunatly, i do have to tell everybody..."
WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH THE LEINART PHOTOS!!!?!??
now this is the kind of hard hitting journalism I come to DS for.
So did Salley care really? Seemed to be on Leitch's side...or just totally indifferent.
I do find it funny to see Chris Rose get defensive about the evil of blogs. Does he consider himself to be a real journalist or something?
@TheStarterWife: *what does he read.
Will, you were in L.A., where's your bluetooth?
@Juancho: the fact that he is NOT wearing the fabled black t-shirt shakes me to my very marrow
@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: you sure do like to touch Spider!
@