ABC/ESPN slaps around IndyCar AGAIN

[ChicagocrewIRL]

New host for the '500'; Cheever's role expanded (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/04/4-24-New-host-for-the-500)

No offense to this young lady whom I have never heard of, but removing Brent Musburger from the hosting job is another downgrade in ABC/ESPN's continuing mistreatment of IndyCar. She might be talented but I would wager she is no Keith Jackson, Jim McKay, Brent Musburger, or Chris Schenckel, Paul Page or even Bob Jenkins

ABC/ESPN clearly does not listen to the fan base when it comes to the feedback regarding the present broadcast crew of Reid and Goodyear.

Thanks again ABC/ESPN for making IndyCar a non-story even when Sato won his first IndyCar race, absolutely no mention on ESPN Sportscenter.

With media giant COMCAST owning NBC, I am really hoping they buy out the remaining ABC/ESPN contract to cover the 500.

[bricarr2]

ChicagoCrewIRL:

I live in the Washington DC area Where Lindsey Czarniak was on the local NBC affiliate for a few years. I don't know her racing background (or if she even has one). However, she's very professional and will be prepared for hosting the 500, which by itself, constitutes an upgrade for ABC/ESPN.

As for the non-coverage on SportsCenter, ESPN's indifference to IndyCar (their partner) has been apparent for decades now. ABC/ESPN has network exclusivity yet they won't even run "Sato wins Long Beach" on the bottom line.

Something has to be done to improve this TV deal. While I don't know what that is, I can't see things getting better anytime soon.

Brian

[Jag_Warrior]

What's the over/under bet on the Indy 500 ratings this year? 4.0? By hiring Cheever as "talent" and having some semi-cutesy, unknown fluff reporter to host the show, I'm guessing that somebody from ABC has big money on the under. Onion gum, indeed...

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I'm sorry but when I watch a sporting event where the play by play is by a female I just get the impression that it isn't that important an event. This is what ABC is doing to the 500. Lowering the budget to no longer afford Musburger to host is a huge slap in the face of IndyCar and the 500.

Be honest.... Not trying to be sexist here but that's the impression I get when there is a female booth announcer at a non female of gender neutral sporting event. It's just not that important an event. Right ?

Having Musburger host anything gives the event a certain amount of gravitas .

[millencolin]

Glad I'm going this year, I won't have to hear the constant whine and be irritated by the ABC network commentary team. They should do what they did towards the end of last year and use the NBC guys.

[vhatever]

Removing Brent Moronburger could never possibly considered a downgrade for any sporting event.

[call_me_andrew]

I'm sorry but when I watch a sporting event where the play by play is by a female I just get the impression that it isn't that important an event. This is what ABC is doing to the 500. Lowering the budget to no longer afford Musburger to host is a huge slap in the face of IndyCar and the 500.

Be honest.... Not trying to be sexist here but that's the impression I get when there is a female booth announcer at a non female of gender neutral sporting event. It's just not that important an event. Right ?

Having Musburger host anything gives the event a certain amount of gravitas .

"Host" and "play-by-play" are differet jobs.

If memory serves, Robin Roberts was ABC's host in the 90's/early 00's.

[bricarr2]

Male/female isn't really the issue IMO.

All I ask is that ABC/ESPN professionalize their coverage one of these decades. Their continued arrogance and indifference to IndyCar's crown jewel event is insulting, and a disservice to those who love the event.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

"Host" and "play-by-play" are differet jobs.

If memory serves, Robin Roberts was ABC's host in the 90's/early 00's.

Host of what ? She drove the pace car once. That's it.

Keith Jackson and Jim McKay hosted the telecast in the 70's and late 80's ....

Paul Page hosted AND did play by play from 1988-1998, a remarkable run during open wheel's glory days. To me, growing up, Paul Page was THE voice of the 500.

Al Michaels took over from 1999-2001
Bob Jenkins 2002-03
Terry Gannon 2004
Brent Musburger 2005-12

Like I said, I wish her the best but when you go from guys that have done NCAA Championships, Super Bowls, Monday Night Football, Olympics etc. to some person who has only hosted a sports news/talk show on ESPN, it is a DOWNGRADE.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Something has to be done to improve this TV deal. While I don't know what that is, I can't see things getting better anytime soon.

Brian

Yes that something is for COMCAST/NBC to buy out the remaining contract for the 500 from ESPN/ABC and have NBC air it from now on.

[call_me_andrew]

I'm sorry. I forgot Brent Musberger is perfect and that everything he does is perfect.

rPdjX4Kya7o

And I know she did the in-race breaks from a studio. I did not dream this.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I'm sorry. I forgot Brent Musberger is perfect and that everything he does is perfect.

rPdjX4Kya7o

And I know she did the in-race breaks from a studio. I did not dream this.

And look at that game Musburger was announcing when that happened .... duh No1. Notre Dame v. No2.Alabama .

It wasn't St. Mary's School for Deaf and Blind v. Suzy Homemaker U in field hockey....

I would wager Ms. Czarniak's resume' comes no where close to Musburger's.

[garyshell]

I would wager Ms. Czarniak's resume' comes no where close to Musburger's.

So what, he has a good resume. All that means is he did a good job in the past, it says nothing about now. The video does.

Musburger does one freakin' race a year and all of the sudden he's indispensable? Sorry, but I never felt he brought much to the race except that resume. Meh.


Gary

[ChicagocrewIRL]

To Gary......

It's thread is NOT a defense of Brent Musburger. This thread is an attack on ESPN/ABC's trivialization of the 500. The 500 would be best to find an alternative to this mess that is ABC Sports. I e NBC Sports.

[SoCalPVguy]

To Gary......

It's thread is NOT a defense of Brent Musburger. This thread is an attack on ESPN/ABC's trivialization of the 500. The 500 would be best to find an alternative to this mess that is ABC Sports. I e NBC Sports.


As an alternate thought... Burnt Muskburger is an old man that most younger viewers have no loyalty to... is it possible that NBC sports is bringing in a younger good looking hostbabe to attract younger viewers \? Jeeze I hope so !

[garyshell]

To Gary......

It's thread is NOT a defense of Brent Musburger. This thread is an attack on ESPN/ABC's trivialization of the 500. The 500 would be best to find an alternative to this mess that is ABC Sports. I e NBC Sports.

I was not the person who brought Musburger into the conversation.

Gary

[Don Capps]

Given the usual level of inane, irritating chatter that passes for "commentary" or "play-by-play" on any program covering sports in general, not merely automobile racing, I no longer have the sound on whenever I watch any sporting event. It makes them fairly tolerable and one is spared being assaulted by the twaddle and banality of the supposed conversations taking place.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I was not the person who brought Musburger into the conversation.

Gary

Well he is not the main focus of the thread and if you think he is then you have missed the point completely. He was mentioned along with a more than a few other great names in sports broadcasting as an example of the caliber of talent they used to provide for the Indy 500 telecast. I am sorry you have misinterpreted this discussion as a defense of Musburger. Just look at the past talent that used to occupy the host's chair; Jackson, McKay, Lampley, Page, Jenkins etc.

I wish you would be fair and look at the other posts on here which for some reason start making this thread about Musburger and NOT about ABC's disrespect for the 500 and IndyCar in general. I didn't post videos about anyone's mistakes as a broadcaster. And broadcasters do make mistakes that do not lessen their qualities as an overall body of work.

I say again:

Like I said, I wish her the best but when you go from guys that have done NCAA Championships, Super Bowls, Monday Night Football, Olympics etc. to some person who has only hosted a sports news/talk show on ESPN, it is a DOWNGRADE.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

oh and I forgot Al Michaels who as a broadcaster is outstanding, not so good at decision making about getting behind the wheel after a few drinks ...

[slorydn1]

New host for the '500'; Cheever's role expanded (http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/04/4-24-New-host-for-the-500)

No offense to this young lady whom I have never heard of, but removing Brent Musburger from the hosting job is another downgrade in ABC/ESPN's continuing mistreatment of IndyCar. She might be talented but I would wager she is no Keith Jackson, Jim McKay, Brent Musburger, or Chris Schenckel, Paul Page or even Bob Jenkins

ABC/ESPN clearly does not listen to the fan base when it comes to the feedback regarding the present broadcast crew of Reid and Goodyear.

Thanks again ABC/ESPN for making IndyCar a non-story even when Sato won his first IndyCar race, absolutely no mention on ESPN Sportscenter.

With media giant COMCAST owning NBC, I am really hoping they buy out the remaining ABC/ESPN contract to cover the 500.


ChicagoCrewIRL:

I live in the Washington DC area Where Lindsey Czarniak was on the local NBC affiliate for a few years. I don't know her racing background (or if she even has one). However, she's very professional and will be prepared for hosting the 500, which by itself, constitutes an upgrade for ABC/ESPN.

As for the non-coverage on SportsCenter, ESPN's indifference to IndyCar (their partner) has been apparent for decades now. ABC/ESPN has network exclusivity yet they won't even run "Sato wins Long Beach" on the bottom line.

Something has to be done to improve this TV deal. While I don't know what that is, I can't see things getting better anytime soon.

Brian


Lindsey is a long time pit reporter for the TNT portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule, and bricarr2 was right: last year she did a pretty good job HOSTING the 6 TNT races, which can be a chore considering she has to do the pre-race show with Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds. So she does have experience with this sort of thing.

Not taking anything away from Brent Musberger, who is a broadcasting legend in his own right, but in my opinion the less "stick-and-ball" hosts and announcers we have to listen to during a race broadcast, the better off we are.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Lindsay Czarniak: not impressive

[NY2IA]

Did anyone else get tired of Cheever's negative broadcast, as well as repeating which "American" driver was leading? I hope this is his last broadcast for Indycar.

[garyshell]

Did anyone else get tired of Cheever's negative broadcast, as well as repeating which "American" driver was leading? I hope this is his last broadcast for Indycar.

How many years has Cheever been in the booth? I've been tired of it that many years. He's a pompous, self important, jerk.

Gary