Pardon the Interruption

For years I've watched Sportscenter and X-Games as my reason to watch ESPN. That, and some of their original scripted programming that didn't last long. That is, until PTI came along. This show, famous for its split-screen format with the guys bantering about sports and a rundown graphic of what's coming up, delivers on all goods. Even though it's not in HD on ESPN HD (it will come fall of 2010), it's full of humor, banter, bias, buzz, and plain fun. There have been shows that tried to duplicate the success of PTI and its sister show, Around the Horn (a game-show like interview show), but none can match the reign of ESPN's talk shows. PTI remains a hallmark of sports journalism at its wittiest.

I hope PTI will seriously comment on the NFL's overtime format.

Chiefs vs Bills on 1/23 is a flamingly agregious example of this issue. Every other sport I can think of provides a format that allows both teams equal opportunity to score. High School and College football have had a great format for over 15 years!!!

Why not the NFL???

To try to explain 'Pardon the Interruption' would never quite do it justice. If you haven't seen it, the concept seems far to simple to work: two middle aged sportswriters gab about the headlines of the day for a half hour. But what separates PTI from duds such as 'The Best Damn Sports Show Ever' and round table snoozers like 'The Sports Reporters' is the chemistry between Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. Their banter, arguing styles, quick wits, and senses of humor make for a fun, irreverent, and interesting look at today's sports news. The only times the show doesn't hit the mark are when Tony or Wilbon are on vacation, which happens at least a couple weeks a year. The regular guest hosts (David Aldridge, Norman Chad, Bob Ryan) are always well informed, but don't match the humor that Wilbon and Tony bring to the program.

This is definitely one of the best sports shows I've seen in awhile. Washington D.C. sports writers Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon have heated debates on the goings-on in sports and a bit of pop culture to boot. They always come up with some great bits in these tete a tetes and have great chemistry. Tony's New York City brogue meshes great with Wilbon's Midwestern sensibilities. The quick and dirty debates, the interview with a prominent sports figure that's in the current news, the always entertaining third segment (which rotates around different themes); it's all good. It's best asset is that it makes "Off The Record", the show that follows it on The Sports Network in Canada, even better because you're hungry for more sports debates. The only bad part: TSN only shows it Monday-Wednesday because TSN has a contract with the PGA to show the first two rounds of their golf tourneys. Still, three days a week are better than none. This is a definite must-see if you're a sports fan.

PTI is one of the greatest shows on television right now, it is a staple in the dorm rooms of college aged males across America. My roommates and I manage our schedules to make sure that we are in our room before 5:30 so that we don't miss a single second. Wilbon and Kornheiser are hilarious together, and they're stupid catch phrases and fantastic arguments combine to create a sports show with both insightful and articulate commentary. Its refreshing to watch a sports show where not only do the hosts not agree with each other, but they don't cater to the opinions of the general public. They wear their personal biases right out on their sleeves and let the viewer take em or leave em.It might not always be pretty, but its definitely enjoyable, not to mention a way to get a quick fix on all your favorite sports topics within a half hour.