The interview was ostensibly a commercial for James Toback's "Tyson" documentary, but there were some interesting moments—like when he told the story of his first fight, against a bully who killed one of his pet pigeons. (For real.) He choked up when talking about Cus D'Amato. He talked about not really regretting chewing Holyfield's ear off, and how his incredible rage made him such a great fighter....and a pretty lousy person.

In this clip, Tyson talks about the infamous Barbara Walters interview where Givens flat out called him an abusive husband while he sat there quietly saying nothing. You can imagine how that went over later that night. Mike claims she was just as abusive to him as he was to her—which is probably true—but her fists aren't lethal weapons.

Hard to believe those two kids couldn't work it out.

Oprah Talks to Former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson [Oprah]

There was nothing too revelatory or emotional in the two brief segments—except when it turned out that the Andrews parents were in the audience. Nothing says good television like Oprah asking a dad about what happened when his daughter called to tell him she had been personally violated. (Geez. Did you really have to bring out the dad?)

She didn't talk about the investigation, but she believes it was probably a stalker. She's nervous about being alone in hotel rooms (of course), but going back to work was the best thing she could do. Oprah reminded everyone that it could happen to them and that was that. Erin wasn't even as hard on the media (and the blogs) as she probably could have been—although she's obviously not thrilled with any of us right now. But that's why we invented Oprah, isn't it?

Erin Andrews' Online Video [Oprah.com]

Andrews said the whole experience was a "nightmare" and she "opened up the computer (and) could feel my heart pounding." She also said that the peephole coverage escalated on, you know, dastardly websites devoid of human emotion, she" just felt like I was continuing to be victimized. I did nothing wrong,"

Heavens to Betsy. But she's back on the sidelines this Thursday night for NC State South Carolina and will be closely monitored by ESPN bodyguards. So don't you hillbillies try any funny reach-around grip poses with her or you might get tazed.

And look — ESPN has finally addressed "her story".

Erin Andrews To Oprah — Nude Video Was A Nightmare [AP]

OPRAH'S CHICAGO KICK-OFF PARTY AND EXCLUSIVE SUMMER NEWSMAKERS START TWO-DAY SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE ALL-NEW SEASON OF "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW"

—A special performance by three time Grammy Award-winning group
The Black Eyed Peas to be taped in streets of Chicago—

—Correspondent Lisa Ling returns for the "Oprah" show for the first time
since her reunion with her sister Laura-

—Exclusive Interviews with ESPN's Erin Andrews
and "Father Oprah" Alberto Cutie—

CHICAGO, IL – "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is giving viewers a sneak peak at its all-new season, including the Sept. 14 season premiere exclusive interview with Whitney Houston, in a two-day television event.

First, on Thursday, Sept. 10, Oprah hosts a Season 24 kickoff party in the streets of Chicago, as a crowd of thousands joins her for a fun-filled, star-studded celebration, including a special appearance by three time Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. More information is available at www.oprah.com/party.

Then, on Friday, Sept. 11, the "Oprah" show features exclusive interviews with the newsmakers who had people talking all summer long. Correspondent Lisa Ling returns to the "Oprah" show stage for the first time since she and her sister Laura were reunited, after Laura was set free following a 140-day detention in North Korea. ESPN's Erin Andrews speaks out for what she calls "the first and last time" about the peephole video filmed without her knowledge and circulated on the Internet. Finally, Father Alberto Cutie, often called "Father Oprah," opens up to Oprah about falling in love, falling out of favor with the Catholic Church, and his new life with his wife and stepson.

Nick Denton has yet to put a bid in, but I don't think $10k will cover it this time around. Besides, he still sometimes refers to her as Erin Anderson.

With so many other interesting things brewing at the World Wide Leader In Twitter Policing recently, we've all forgotten that in just a few short weeks, on September 3, Erin Andrews will trot onto the sidelines at Carter-Finley stadium for NC State versus South Carolina. It's impossible to think ESPN (or Erin Andrews' lawyer, Marshall Grossman) will unleash her to a stadium full of lathered up college kids without a proper, formal interview gravely addressing the incident, one not containing the phrase "I'm being treated like fucking Britney Spears and it sucks."

But there's also palpable EA resentment brewing at Bristol, we hear, and that plenty of individuals, although sympathetic to her peephole plight, have also began to question her motivations — before and after a tiny camera sent America's Sideline Princes Google-trending down the rabbit hole. Catty questions being asked: What was with the ESPY wardrobe choices? Why is her publicist tipping TMZ that she'll be at LAX at a specific time? And why in sweet Jesus did Grossman push that press release out to the world when it could have been effectively tamped down by ESPN internally?

Of course, there's also the GQ photo-shoot predicament. The issue with the Erin Andrews fashion shoot is scheduled to hit stands in the next few weeks. No one knows how these photos — taken well before peephole mania ensued — will portray her and GQ has still not revealed if they'll actually run or if the photos will be accompanied with text addressing the current state-of-the-state of EA. We'll all find out soon enough.

Both ESPN and Mr. Grossman have yet to respond to queries about the high-profile interview requests so, for now, this is Sid Hudgens...off the record, on the QT, and very...hush-hush.

UPDATE: Marshall Grossman's response: "Erin Andrews has not committed to any on-air interviews. She has received and declined all invitations to do so. She is not in negotiations with any media to do so. mg" (He's so scary!)

It's somewhat comforting to know your NCAA tournament hopes have been extinguished before the conference slate has even begun. Saves a lot of time and energy.

It's New Years Eve, so we're going somewhat self-indulgent here, but anyone who has watched this Illini team knows they're not very good. Everyone knows this, apparently, but the players, who were apparently snickering while watching the Tennessee State game tape.

It's just very disappointing that maturity level and understanding that anybody can beat anybody," [coach Bruce] Weber said. "We talked about it last night at our meeting and you have snickers. Just from our clip tape on (Gerald) Robinson and Price, they had to realize how good those guys were, and then we let Houston get involved."

Yeah, they deserved to lose; screw 'em. Save us, Zook, save us!

Illini Find Intensity Eludes Them Again [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Tomorrow on Oprah: A straight man goes gay for 30 days! Stay tuned for that; we expect a Todd Zeile appearance.

Oh, we're not sure exactly which moment of the show the above photo was taken; we're hoping it's not right after Coles unveiled his "secret."

Coles: So, yeah, you'd see a look in his eyes, and you'd know he was coming into the room that night.
Oprah: Wee!

Oprah.com [Official Site]
Coles To Tell Oprah-Worthy Tale On Oprah [Deadspin]

We have chronicled before the strange obsession Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has with Oprah, and how he's said he'd do "anything" to get on her show. We suggest Chad rethink that idea.

Pro Football Player's Secret Shame [Oprah.com]
Stepping Stone To A Gay Athlete? [Deadspin]
Johnson Keeps Swooning Over Oprah [Deadspin]

Well, Johnson's back at it, lamenting missing a chance last week to meet with Oprah and poet Maya Angelou while they were in Dayton, thanks to that dreaded thing called practice. (Right now, Allen Iverson is nodding his head in commiseration.) You never know what kind of crazy shit Johnson could do on Oprah's couch.

Chatty Chad Challenges Vikes' Smoot [Dayton Daily News]
Oprah Winfrey: The New Lombardi [Deadspin]

"I've been watching her all my life. My mom watches her. My grandma watches her. What she's accomplished, there aren't even words for it. ... Oprah, call me."

Here's the best quote from Johnson: "It might sound unusual for a man looking up to a woman, but she's just someone I would need to sit down with and talk to on how to better myself, all around, as a person." With comments like that, heck, he's gonna be on the show in now time.

Chad's Tough, But Oprah's His Idol [Dayton Daily News]
Oprah.com [Official Site]