Billy Packer is on his way out after years of work as a top college basketball analyst at CBS. The ever-critical Packer was a divisive figure. On one hand, he was loved for his insightful analysis. On the other, he was a joyless badger who hated Cinderella and suffered from a Don Imus-like case of foot-in-mouth disease, famously labeling Georgetown's Allen Iverson a "Tough little monkey."
In short, you either loved him or you hated him and that's why the reaction from sports pundits has been so polarized. The Washington Post's Mike Wilbon praised Packer's career, while Sporting News columnist and blogger Dan Shanoff (and just about everyone I know) practically did the Balki Bartokomous Dance of Joy when information leaked that he was leaving.
In this week's FCNP column, I go searching for a middle ground and attempt to put my finger on what it is we want from our sports commentators (who take about as much criticism as Captain Nucular at 1600 Penn. Ave.). Feel free to chime in below on what it is you want, though try to go beyond Erin Andrews and the reference numbers of items in the Victoria Secret catalog.
7.18.2008
Press Pass with 311
This week's Press Pass takes a look at the genre-blending band 311 and their legion of faithful followers. Their regular tours have been a mainstay of the summer concert scene, which led drummer Chad Sexton to compare themselves to the Grateful Dead. Accurate description or overly ambitious? One thing's for sure, 311 hasn't released an album in nearly four years and they still pack them in.
That next album will drop in early 2009, but fans eager to sneak a listen of the new songs won't be hearing them on this tour, according to my interview with bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills. You can find out why, by reading on here.
That next album will drop in early 2009, but fans eager to sneak a listen of the new songs won't be hearing them on this tour, according to my interview with bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills. You can find out why, by reading on here.
Break Out the Tweezers
Welcome one and all to the Picking Splinters blog. Here you will find news and commentary on sports, music, film, TV and anything else that happens to tickle my interest.
The premise of the blog is simple. Starting Monday, July 21, I plan on posting news stories I find interesting, along with my spin on why it's important and what it might mean in the days to come. My goal is to deliver these bytes with a little bit of humor, but also a little bit of insight.
Most of the posts will deal with sports, but there will be plenty more that deal with the other aspects of entertainment I mentioned before, particularly music.
In addition to linking to "Press Pass," my series of music articles with the Falls Church News-Press, I'm going to try to turn the spotlight onto some up-and-coming bands I think the world will appreciate.
There will likely be some changes over the coming months as I settle in with this software. I've already changed the template. The first one seemed like it was designed by a version of Che Guevara who had given up his revolutionary ways for a career in interior decorating. I think this one fits much better.
I hope to deliver all of this in a succinct fashion, unlike this rambling introduction. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the site.
Mike Hume
The premise of the blog is simple. Starting Monday, July 21, I plan on posting news stories I find interesting, along with my spin on why it's important and what it might mean in the days to come. My goal is to deliver these bytes with a little bit of humor, but also a little bit of insight.
Most of the posts will deal with sports, but there will be plenty more that deal with the other aspects of entertainment I mentioned before, particularly music.
In addition to linking to "Press Pass," my series of music articles with the Falls Church News-Press, I'm going to try to turn the spotlight onto some up-and-coming bands I think the world will appreciate.
There will likely be some changes over the coming months as I settle in with this software. I've already changed the template. The first one seemed like it was designed by a version of Che Guevara who had given up his revolutionary ways for a career in interior decorating. I think this one fits much better.
I hope to deliver all of this in a succinct fashion, unlike this rambling introduction. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the site.
Mike Hume
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