Awful Announcing Podcast

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Michael Holley on Boston Celtics, "Around the Horn," Max Kellerman, and more Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Around the Horn" panelist and current co-host of "Brother From Another" Michael Holley. Brandon and Michael discuss a wide range of topics including the Boston media's feelings about Joe Mazzulla, Kyrie Irving's tenure in Boston, being on "Around the Horn," working with Max Kellerman, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:40: Pressure on the Celtics in NBA Finals

-2:47: Confidence from fanbase/media

-5:37: Stephen A. Smith’s report on Jaylen Brown’s attitude

-7:54: Power struggle between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

-9:44: Joe Mazzulla and the Boston media

-13:36: Biggest criticism of Mazzulla

-15:26: Mike Felger and JJ Redick

-17:28: Northeast sports talk radio

-18:27: Kyrie Irving in Boston

-22:28: Irving with media in Boston

-24:25: Barstool influencing Boston sports media

-27:33: When was Michael aware of Barstool

-28:32: Who is more popular among Boston sports fans? Dave Portnoy or Bill Simmons?

-30:37: Teaching journalism classes

-32:09: Doing daily sports talk radio in Boston

-35:07: What happened to WEEI?

-39:57: Why did Michael leave WEEI?

-45:27: Bill Belichick’s relationship with Robert Kraft

-49:17: Logan Ryan’s comments that politics played a role in Patriots dynasty demise

-50:54: Tom Brady at Fox

-52:12: Could Brady play football again?

-52:59: Michael Smith

-54:34: Freedom of “Brother From Another”

-57:53: “Around the Horn”

-1:02:11: Panelist Michael didn’t like debating or working with?

-1:03:15: Being on “I, Max” with Max Kellerman

-1:08:53: Working with and having a relationship with Kellerman

-1:10:24: Relief to stop “I, Max”

-1:13:06: Talking with Max recently?

-1:15:41: Going back to “Around the Horn?”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Wright on FS1, Kansas City, Caitlin Clark, and more Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews "First Things First" co-host Nick Wright. Brandon and Nick discuss a wide range of topics including going to FS1 instead of ESPN, Chennedy Carter's foul on Caitlin Clark and the overall WNBA discussion, doing sports talk radio in Kansas City, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:45: Who is the “face” of FS1?

-2:07: Striving to be a valuable personality

-5:07: Talking about the WNBA

-13:36: Who benefits more? WNBA or sports media?

-15:32: Racial aspect of Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark?

-19:56: Making it about race

-22:23: Being genuine in takes

-24:10: Ability to be definitive

-27:31: Would staying in KC be satisfying enough?

-32:23: Houston

-32:46: FS1

-35:59: ESPN offer

-40:18: Original Fox deal

-42:40: Cris Carter

-44:47: Kevin Wildes

-51:16: Chris Broussard

-52:45: Any talks on replacing Shannon Sharpe on “Undisputed?”

-59:41: Jason Whitlock

-1:00:25: Doing “First Things First” and Mad Dog Radio

-1:04:23: Changing shifts

-1:05:32: Sports/politics discussion

-1:10:30: KC parade post-Super Bowl

-1:12:15: Gambling

-1:16:43: Shaving head

-1:19:47: Career goals right now

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bill Walton Tribute Show: With Jason Benetti, Roxy Bernstein, and Dave Pasch May 31, 2024

Show notes

Bill Walton died on May 27, 2024 at the age of 71. Bill meant a lot to us at Awful Announcing, so we wanted to do something special. We invited a few of Bill's many friends and broadcast partners to tell stories and memories of the Basketball Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster. Sit back with host Brandon Contes and guests Jason Benetti, Roxy Bernstein, and Dave Pasch as we celebrate the life of Bill Walton.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:20: Welcome Jason Benetti to the Awful Announcing Podcast

-:50: Bill making the most out of his life

-2:57: Emotions this week

-5:50: Creative freedom of working with Bill

-7:37: Knowing Jason would like working with Bill at first

-11:10: First broadcast with Bill

-14:02: First conversation with Bill

-14:15: Building chemistry with Bill

-17:55: Shift in Bill’s broadcasting style from NBA to college

-19:07: Pressure to need to entertain?

-21:27: Was Bill seeking to be more entertaining or more insightful on broadcast?

-22:43: Inserting non-sports topics in sports

-25:23: Will we see another analyst like Bill?

-27:31: Best piece of advice from Bill

-29:39: Welcome Roxy Bernstein to the Awful Announcing Podcast

-29:55: Reaction to the reaction to Bill’s passing

-30:52: First broadcast with Bill

-33:18: Comfort level working without pregame prep with the analyst

-35:02: Challenge of letting Bill go on tangents

-36:44: Notable tangents with Bill

-37:46: Working relationship becoming a friendship

-39:41: Being genuine/playing dumb

-41:22: Favorite off-air moment with Bill

-43:39: Going to a Grateful Dead concert with Bill

-45:31: Closing Pac-12 Network and mentioning Bill

-48:05: Welcome Dave Pasch to the Awful Announcing Podcast

-48:25: Emotions this week

-49:48: Catharsis of everyone sharing stories and showing love for Bill

-51:06: Bill’s basketball career being secondary when describing his life

-52:41: Bill resonating with so many people

-54:29: Bill off-camera

-55:59: Bill on college campus

-58:41: Was there a pressure to be “on?”

-59:39: First broadcast with Bill

-1:00:51: Surprised by the amount of tangents

-1:01:41: Was it a challenge to work alongside Bill?

-1:03:20: Getting caught up in the banter

-1:04:25: Will we see another analyst like Bill?

-1:05:43: Favorite tangent/memorable on-air moment

-1:08:00: Posting texts from Bill online

-1:09:57: T-shirt for final broadcast

-1:12:16: Favorite off-air moment with Bill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Page on Indy 500, Sid Collins, Bobby Unser, and more May 24, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Indianapolis 500 broadcaster Paul Page. Brandon and Paul discuss a wide range of topics including working the Indy 500 on radio and TV, being mentored by Sid Collins, working with Bobby Unser, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:43: Working this year’s Indianapolis 500

-1:29: Best place to watch the Indy 500

-2:27: Getting into broadcasting

-4:15: Growing up a racing fan

-5:58: Broadcasting while in the Army

-6:25: Surviving a helicopter crash

-8:10: Memories of the crash

-8:55: First ride back in a helicopter

-9:18: Reporting from helicopter during crash

-10:22: Friendship and mentorship with Sid Collins

-12:13: Collins’ death and succeeding Collins to be “Voice of the 500” in 1977

-14:25: Emotions of the 1977 broadcast as chief announcer

-15:57: Difficulties of the 1977 broadcast

-16:44: Feeling after the 1977 race

-18:45: Differences in broadcasting compared to Collins

-20:38: Preference in doing radio or TV?

-22:08: Doing radio at Indy

-23:22: TV producers

-26:01: Ideas to ABC to improve broadcasts

-26:59: Delta Force intros

-29:14: Working with Bobby Unser and Sam Posey

-30:42: Was Posey and Unser competitive with each other?

-31:22: Playing peacemaker

-32:18: Three person booth

-34:27: Longest being on the air for a race

-36:06: Most memorable finish for Paul

-38:01: Favorite Indy 500 memory in general

-39:28: Broadcasting Indy 500 during COVID

-42:06: Calling Alex Zanardi crash in Germany days after 9/11

-48:53: Favorite sport to call

-49:25: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

-51:45: Preparation for offbeat sports

-52:18: Calling different forms of motorsports

-53:22: 30th anniversary of the first Brickyard 400

-54:56: What makes the Indy 500 special?

-58:24: Al Michaels

-1:00:45: Favorite part of Indy 500 weekend

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Brenkus on "SportScience," Marcellus Wiley, Brinx. TV, and more May 17, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews executive producer and host of "SportScience," John Brenkus. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including creating and hosting "SportScience," how the science community reacted to the show, creating and running Brinx. TV, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:43: Legacy of “SportScience”

-2:36: TV aspirations?

-4:00: Start of “SportScience”

-4:58: Building set and producing “SportScience”

-6:50: Desire to find this info out

-8:38: Did “SportScience” influence how teams measure players?

-10:21: Reaction from Science community

-11:45: Episode that stands out?

-13:03: Experiments that went wrong?

-14:13: Why pro athletes weren’t paid to participate?

-15:40: Coming up with ideas

-16:25: Format of the show

-18:07: Not hosting “SportScience” segments

-18:50: Brinx. TV

-21:46: Content with Brinx Bux

-24:08: Measuring viewership

-26:00: Marcellus Wiley

-26:38: “GOAT Code”

-27:35: “The Perfection Point”

-28:28: Most room for performance growth among the “big four” American sports

-29:42: How much of a great athlete comes down to genetics and hard work/effort/training?

-30:57: Any unfulfilled passion projects?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Levy on Stanley Cup Playoffs, ESPN, bulging discs, and more May 10, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews ESPN's Steve Levy. Brandon and Steve discuss a wide range of topics including being a Rangers fan and working with Mark Messier, working "Monday Night Football," his infamous "bulging disc" blooper, why Pat McAfee is a "genius," and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-1:00: Watching NHL games from the studio

-2:01: Becoming a Rangers fan

-3:00: ESPN’s near-“Heidi Bowl” moment Tuesday night

-4:08: NHL on ESPN

-5:30: Atmosphere at ESPN when the NHL left network in 2004?

-7:39: Calling an NHL game in 2021 compared to 2003

-8:49: Barry Melrose

-10:31: Working with Mark Messier and P.K. Subban

-13:06: Doing NHL in studio, “MNF,” and NHL games

-14:29: Being versatile

-17:37: Being the voice of “Monday Night Football”

-19:19: Three person booths

-20:43: “MNF” job being temporary?

-24:49: Being replaced by Chris Fowler on the second “MNF” crew

-27:20: Working with Pat McAfee

-29:52: NHL talk on ESPN shows

-31:08: NHL marketing its stars

-33:39: Another NHL who can transcend the sport like Wayne Gretzky?

-34:45: Working at MSG

-36:54: Doing updates at WFAN

-38:33: "SportsCenter"

-39:41: The “bulging disc” blooper

-43:41: Added pressure filling in for Dan or Keith on “The Big Show?”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon "Stugotz" Weiner on Dan Le Batard, WFAN, Pat McAfee, and more May 03, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," Jon "Stugotz" Weiner. Brandon and Stugotz discuss a wide range of topics including being interested in being program director at WFAN, working with Dan Le Batard for nearly 20 years, the importance of being on ESPN and being jealous of Pat McAfee, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:36: How close was Stugotz to being program director at WFAN?

-2:50: Process of program director discussion

-4:08: Being a full-time host while being program director?

-6:14: Sal Licata

-8:19: Ryan Hurley

-10:06: Mark Chernoff/Spike Eskin handling WFAN program director role

-12:48: Talking to Spike Eskin about the program director job

-14:24: Talking to Chris Oliviero about before the program director job opened up?

-16:04: Wanting a full-time WFAN show before retirement?

-17:31: Letting Dan Le Batard know about talks with WFAN

-18:39: Le Batard understanding what WFAN means to Stugotz

-19:59: Any talks about doing WFAN and Le Batard?

-25:55: Mike Francesa or Chris “Mad Dog” Russo?

-29:34: Mad Dog on “First Take”

-33:24: Does it feel like it’s been 20 years with Le Batard?

-35:31: Francesa doing a podcast

-37:34: Le Batard being a perfectionist

-39:00: Size of the cast on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz”

-41:17: Convincing Le Batard to be a sports radio host

-44:12: Chemistry between Stugotz and Le Batard at first

-46:15: Importance of being at ESPN

-48:09: Podcast audience growth

-51:05: Decision to leave ESPN

-52:15: Comfortable with leaving ESPN

-53:38: Did Stugotz consider leaving the show due to leaving ESPN?

-54:59: Being jealous of Pat McAfee

-55:45: Did ESPN give “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” the freedom they wanted?

-57:32: Pat McAfee level of freedom?

-1:00:36: Stugotz’s book

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eli Gold on departing Alabama, NASCAR, Nick Saban, and more Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Eli Gold. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including being the voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama not retaining him for 2024, telling a white lie to start broadcasting in NASCAR, Nick Saban retiring from coaching, and more.

NOTE: We apologize for some audio and visual issues during the episode.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:40: Eli’s health

-1:11: Returning to broadcast booth post-cancer

-1:57: Were there retirement thoughts when Eli sat out?

-2:54: Being out of work for two hours

-4:02: Calling home games only at Alabama

-4:56: Was the cutback a warning sign that Alabama wasn’t going to retain Eli?

-6:00: Alabama’s reason for not retaining Eli

-7:47: Response from Alabama fans

-8:46: Being the voice of the Nick Saban era [NOTE] Eli’s audio cuts out from 9:10 to 9:15. For full context, Eli is talking about not being at Alabama’s 2024 Spring Game which honored Nick Saban and the 2023 team.

-11:00: Not being welcomed by Alabama fans when Eli joined in 1988

-12:24: Considering leaving Alabama during that time?

-14:49: Getting to Alabama

-16:12: Goal as aspiring sportscaster in NYC

-18:01: Broadcasters Eli looked up to growing up

-19:25: Crafting your own style

-21:45: Verne Lundquist’s last Masters

-22:43: Jacksonville State University

-23:32: Nashville Kats

-26:30: Preparing for opposing team

-27:25: Commute to Nashville

-28:01: Were there other job opportunities while Eli was at Alabama?

-28:59: Reaction to Nick Saban retiring

-30:20: Any solace in that Eli’s Alabama tenure ended when Saban’s did?

-31:15: Can Alabama succeed without Saban?

-32:21: How will Saban do at ESPN?

-33:49: Most memorable and favorite moments/games at Alabama

-35:46: Favorite sport to broadcast

-37:24: Getting involved in NASCAR

-40:51: Working the 1979 Daytona 500 on MRN and importance of that race to NASCAR

-42:00: Being too close to Dale Earnhardt’s 1982 Pocono crash

-44:45: Being on the call for Earnhardt’s fatal crash in the 2001 Daytona 500

-46:24: Which sport changed the most throughout Eli’s career? NASCAR or college football?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob Costas on Donald Trump, Olympics, Tom Brady, and more Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews broadcasting legend Bob Costas. Brandon and Bob discuss a wide range of topics including his feelings on Donald Trump before and after becoming president, Bob's infamous gun culture essay, how Tom Brady would be as a broadcaster, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-1:07: Being selective with doing podcasts

-5:19: Thoughts about Joe Biden and Donald Trump

-13:19: Relationship with Trump pre-president

-17:55: Covering the Olympics

-19:50: Hearing back from China after being critical of them

-21:50: Responsibility of not “sticking to sports”

-24:14: Jim Nantz and the Masters

-26:27: Misconceptions surrounding gun culture essay

-33:47: Biggest detriment to the essay

-35:37: Can it be “not worth it” discussing serious topics when people can make their own headlines and twist around those words?

-36:34: NBC coming to Bob with issues they wanted him to talk about

-36:58: How did NFL owners and Roger Goodell react to some of Bob’s essays?

-38:04: Watching the NFL

-38:26: How will Tom Brady do as a broadcaster? Could Brady do this for a long time?

-40:23: Social media/aggregate media causing change in media

-48:41: Doing “Later” on NBC

-49:59: Can long-form interview format work on TV today?

-50:27: Why Bob feels he couldn’t do a show like “Later” anymore

-52:19: No studio audience on “Later”

-54:27: One thing in sports Bob would like to see happen before retirement

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Parkins on Caleb Williams, Nick Wright, Danny's book, and more Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews "Parkins & Spiegel Show" co-host and co-author of the book "Pipeline to the Pros," Danny Parkins. Brandon and Danny discuss a wide range of topics including Caleb Williams (very likely) going to the Bears, being the best man at Nick Wright's vow renewal, breaking the news of the Jovan Belcher tragedy, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:42: Writing a book

-3:46: Difficulties of writing a book

-5:57: Moments Danny felt like giving up on book?

-8:06: People who declined to be interviewed

-10:02: Jeff Van Gundy stories

-13:29: Duncan Robinson

-15:41: Will book change how DIII schools are valued?

-17:40: Sports media not playing sports stigma

-19:40: BrainUp

-21:56: Dealing with real things and sharing that with the audience

-24:10: Becoming comfortable with discussing difficult personal things

-26:31: Landing first full-time on-air radio job

-28:17: Kansas City and Nick Wright

-29:39: Jovan Belcher murder-suicide story

-32:06: Difficulty reporting a story like that

-34:21: Lines between sports journalists and radio hosts being blurred?

-35:49: Do aggregators make life difficult in terms of separating media journalism and media entertainment?

-37:51: Not sticking to sports

-40:20: Jason McIntyre’s comments about Chicago

-41:13: Colin Cowherd calling Danny the “most talented sports talk radio host”

-43:13: Feelings of ESPN embracing digital for shows compared to his situation

-46:41: Landing dream job at a young age

-48:12: Working with Dan McNeil

-49:28: Having a say in a co-host after Dan was fired?

-51:07: Caleb Williams

-52:37: Divide over trading the pick or drafting Williams?

-53:42: Fans concerned about Williams’ eccentricities?

-54:36: Being friends with Nick Wright

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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