Awful Announcing Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ryan Ruocco on Jeff Van Gundy, Pat McAfee, Stephen A. Smith, and more May 19, 2023

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews Ryan Ruocco, play-by-play commentator for the NBA and WNBA for ESPN as well as the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets for YES, in addition to co-hosting the "R2C2 Podcast" with CC Sabathia. Brandon and Ryan discuss a wide range of topics including being the "Voice of the WNBA," working an NBA game for ESPN the night COVID shut everything down, Pat McAfee moving to ESPN, working with Stephen A. Smith, and more.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:50: Growing up wanting to do multiple sports or a single sport

-2:26: Being the "Voice of the WNBA"
-5:13: WNBA perceptions
-7:39: Has NBA comparison narrative started to change?
-8:27: Ryan’s voice exercises
-8:57: Ryan on Jeff Van Gundy’s reaction to his voice exercises
-12:02: NBA coaches could benefit from similar voice exercises to preserve voice
-13:52: Having voice issues
-17:17: Michael Kay’s influence on Ryan’s career
-20:13: Preference in doing baseball on TV or radio
-21:55: Being bumped from Aaron Judge’s 61st home run game
-24:25: Does Ryan envision being the voice of a specific team?
-26:43: Calling the NBA on ESPN when the league suspended the season due to COVID
-29:15: Sudden shift from normal to everything stopping while on broadcast
-30:56: Is there an analyst Ryan has worked with (Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, JJ Redick, Richard Jefferson, etc.) who’s more hungry to get into coaching?
-36:03: Broadcasting when at a similar age as many of the players
-39:10: R2C2 Podcast with CC Sabathia
-42:27: Interactions with Bill Simmons
-45:02: Thoughts on Pat McAfee moving to ESPN
-46:46: Working with Stephen A. Smith
-51:20: Were there difficulties working with Stephen A. at first?
-52:25: Stephen A’s lack of complacency
-53:19: Future career aspirations

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

Lakers radio voice John Ireland on LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and more May 12, 2023

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews John Ireland, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers and co-host of "Mason and Ireland" on ESPN Radio in LA. Brandon and John discuss a wide range of topics including a potential "Last Dance" docuseries with Kobe or LeBron, Kobe and Shaq's divorce and reconciliation, and covering an NBA Finals during a pandemic.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:44: Living out a dream job as radio voice of the Lakers

-1:37: Working with Chick Hearn, receiving advice from Chick

-2:21: Working with Mychal Thompson, dealing with Lakers-Warriors series with son Klay playing for the opposition

-3:12: John on the Lakers’ dramatic turnaround this season

-4:24: LeBron James chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record

-5:37: John explaining his call when LeBron set the record

-7:10: Was John nervous making a monumental call like that?

-8:14: Difference in radio and TV broadcasting during historic moments

-11:26: Covering LeBron in Los Angeles. How do the locals view LeBron?

-12:38: How do Lakers fans view the “bubble championship?”

-14:03: Lakers receiving local attention vs national attention

-15:43: Differences in covering LeBron James and Kobe Bryant

-17:15: Local news stations covering Kobe and LeBron

-18:30: Kobe, LeBron, Shaq personalties

-22:36: Kobe and Shaq divorce

-25:07: Were there any incidents between Kobe and Shaq during this time?

-27:42: Did John have a stronger relationship with Kobe or Shaq?

-29:25: Kobe or LeBron “Last Dance” docuseries???

-31:00: Covering Kobe’s death

-37:08: Calling the NBA Finals from a studio during a pandemic

-39:20: Doing TV play-by-play

-40:04: John on Charles Barkley saying broadcasting sporting events on radio is “the stupidest thing in the world”

-43:21: Difference between ESPN’s and TNT’s NBA studio shows

-45:12: Dynamic of hosting an ESPN Radio show in LA and working for the Lakers

-46:35: Has LeBron ever complained over something John said either on commentary or on the radio?

-47:54: John’s proudest call

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Maggie Gray on Mike Francesa, Kyrie Irving, Aaron Rodgers, and more May 05, 2023

Show notes

Host Brandon Contes interviews Maggie Gray from "Maggie and Perloff." Brandon and Maggie touch on a wide range of topics including replacing Mike Francesa, her hot take about kids being at postgame press conferences, covering Kyrie Irving in high school, and Aaron Rodgers dealing with the NYC media.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
-:36: Andrew Perloff eating a jar of peanut butter

-2:22: Eating challenges in radio

-4:40: Radio providing organic moments

-6:31: Maggie on the state of national radio

-9:15: Catering to a variety of audiences

-11:00: How does Maggie feel about not being on terrestrial radio in NYC?

-11:49: Similarities and differences in national and local radio

-13:28: Building chemistry with one co-host compared to two co-hosts

-15:37: Transitioning from WFAN to CBS Sports Radio

-18:56: Maggie on the pressure of replacing Mike Francesa

-20:08: Did Maggie feel she had Francesa's support when taking over?

-21:46: Did Maggie feel she had WFAN’s support when Francesa came back?

-24:04: Discussing James Dolan’s interview on Carton and Roberts

-27:14: Was Maggie concerned for her WFAN job after calling Dolan a “vile piece of trash?”

-28:25: Maggie talks about her “kids shouldn’t be at postgame press conferences” hot take

-30:28: The misconception that Maggie is against kids in general

-31:08: Maggie reveals the “genesis” behind her take

-32:32: Covering Kyrie Irving while Irving was in high school

-34:53: When Maggie stopped defending Irving

-36:31: Would Maggie have Jim Breuer back?

-37:26: Was Maggie surprised with the direction Breuer took his comedy in?

-38:59: Maggie’s appreciation of Artie Lange

-39:56: Maggie’s reaction to Aaron Rodgers taking issue with Romeo Dobbs interview

-42:57: How will Rodgers fare with the NYC media?

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

Bomani Jones on ESPN layoffs, Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith, and more Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

We're back!
After a few years, the Awful Announcing Podcast returns with host Brandon Contes as he interviews Bomani Jones.
For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.
*Apologies for some audio issues in the final couple minutes.
-1:02: Bomani’s path to ESPN and sports media
-2:36: Embracing streaming/podcasting before the industry did
-5:26: Does Bomani miss doing local radio?
-8:03: Bomani on ESPN layoffs
-9:42: Bomani on ESPN Radio’s future
-12:01: Did Bomani feel ESPN was “all in” on his radio show?
-14:56: Transitioning from radio to podcasting
-17:33: Content freedom/adjusting to writing team for “Game Theory”
-19:56: “High Noon” content freedom/why it ended
-24:04: Not hosting “Highly Questionable” full-time after “High Noon” ended
-26:57: Does Bomani feel he’s underutilized on ESPN TV?
-27:42: Why Bomani isn’t on “First Take?”
-28:56: Bomani on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on “First Take”
-30:40: Debating Skip Bayless
-32:33: Praising Skip Bayless
-36:13: Bomani on why people “pile on” Skip Bayless?
-37:00: Would Bomani be interested in debating Skip Bayless again?
-37:29: Bomani on Stephen A. Smith getting political
-38:47: Does Bomani think Stephen A. Smith would run for political office?
-39:23: Bomani on Stephen A. Smith interviewing Clay Travis
-40:13: Bomani on Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon firings
-41:51: Does Bomani want a bigger role in cable news?
-42:35 Bomani on aggregate media

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

Awful Announcing Podcast Episode 55 - Adam Amin May 19, 2020

Show notes

5:30 - In Watching "The Last Dance," when did the early memories of being a kid in Chicago watching the Bulls kick in?
7:35 - Did he ever try to emulate any 1990s Bulls when he was hooping it up?
8:42 - How and when did his father, as a Pakistani immigrant, become a huge Chicago sports fans?
10:36 - Their shared love of sports despite never going to a game in-person together
12:53 - The story of a really beautiful connected moment between his dad, him, and Steve Kerr
19:22 - How he views the series through the lens of his family/memories of watching the Bulls as a kid
22:18 - Did the documentary change his perspective at all of the 1990s Bulls?
24:50 - Does he envision more accessibility from teams and players in the future?
29:10 - Did he felt like there was anything left out from "The Last Dance" worth telling?
32:00 - On his competitiveness level and the feeling of having to outwork everyone in his path
37:33 - Is there a way to stay fresh as a broadcaster amidst COVID-19?
40:29 - Any surprise that both the NFL and CFB have operated with a "business as usual" mindset
44:00 - On how he ended up at FOX from ESPN / the relationships he's made at ESPN
48:10 - Nerding out on sports theme music, and now having Roundball Rock (NBA on NBC theme) as a broadcaster on FOX
50:40 - A petition to get the original MLB on FOX music back for FOX baseball

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

Awful Announcing Podcast Episode 54 - Joe Buck Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

5:48 - How he admired his dad's ability to remember and connect with everyone he met
7:22 - Have things slowed down for him after starting his career so fast and quickly?
8:41 - Parenting in his late 20s/early 30s vs now at 50 with two young twin boys
10:30 - On his dad being his best friend and how he handled getting the Cardinals gig at age 21
13:21 - Did he feel like he got unfairly singled out early on because of his name?
15:24 - His relationship with him mom/sister and how his mom gave him far more feedback on his broadcasting than his dad
19:10 - Is he still able to get actual legitimate feedback for his broadcasts at FOX
24:15 - Who he envisions as the next Romo & great NFL broadcast analyst
25:56 - When did he feel like he needed to start opening up and feeling like he could be his authentic self
29:04 - On being able to break out of his shell after nearly 20-something years of feeling like he couldn't
30:50 - His newfound relationship with social media and the importance of being your real self on social media
32:52 - His favorite mundane home achievement that he got to broadcast
32:30 - On "Daddy Issues," and the early success of the show
36:00 - On connecting to their podcast audience through their parenting stories and being a dad
38:25 - The star power they've had on the show and gotten them (A-Rod specifically) to be a complete open book
41:15 - What's next for the show
42:30 - On booking on guest just to get another one (great story)
44:45 - If he's had a pot brownie since the infamous night in Cabo
49:00 - Old time crazy broadcaster stories

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

Awful Announcing Podcast Episode 53 - Ernie Johnson Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

5:38 - How he and his family are handling/keeping busy during the pandemic
7:30 - On finding a routine / starting EJ's Journalism School
11:35 - Which of the "J-School" lessons has stood out most?
14:35 - His path in broadcasting... was there apprehension about working Braves games with his dad
16:50 - When did he feel like he found his voice in broadcasting?
20:36 - The moment he knew that there was something different and special about "Inside the NBA"
23:45 - On the origin of the "Inside the NBA" games like "Who He Play For?" "How You Say That?" (etc...)
29:25 - Memories/stories of travels and experiences with his NBA on TNT crew
32:21 - His NBA Together show

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

Awful Announcing Podcast Episode 52 - Joe Davis (Fox Sports) Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

0:21: Podcast Introduction
5:30: Introduction with Joe Davis
6:35: How he's stayed busy throughout quarantine/stay-at-home in CA
8:47: Favorite spots around the country to find the best smoked meat in America
10:04: First interest in broadcasting and how he started calling his first games
11:05: The first broadcasters he emulated early on
15:13: Getting letters/DMs asking for broadcast advice after he did it when he was a kid
17:00: His college football days - was he good with the media as an athlete?
18:25: His time in Montgomery, taking every broadcast and gig that he possibly could during that time
22:20: What was his first "Welcome to the Big Leagues, kid" type of moment?
23:30: Reflecting on taking over for Vin Scully after getting the Dodgers job
24:41: The unbelievable advice Vin Scully passed along, and who he got that same advice from
26:23: Does he miss play-by-play on radio?
27:24: How he envisions the baseball season going post Corona Virus
30:00: How will the Astros scandal discussion likely unfold once the season begins?
32:57: How he'd like to see baseball improve/connect with younger fans
34:30: If he's had conversations on potentially adapting to betting information/more advanced stats into the broadcast
36:15: RAPID-FIRE!
--

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

AA Episode 51-Dianna Russini Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

2:45 - Intro
3:50 - Her start at ESPN, struggles on SportsCenter and how it changed her career
7:00 - How management was committed to helping coach her up and improve
8:55 - Her parents and how their tough love was instrumental early on
12:20 - On being an open book and living her life on-air
15:40 - If her producers have been receptive to her looking for more fun in the shows she's a part of
17:19 - On her famous impression of her mother and how she owes Stugotz the credit for it
20:00 - Her transition from DC to ESPN + why ESPN has found so much on-air talent in DC
24:03 - Where her "newshound" instinct came from
26:05 - If there's a lack of representation for women in sports media
29:50 - On the networking side of the business, and develop sources
33:15 - Has she found any insiders or newsbreakers that have found a work/life balance + how she met Woj
35:40 - Does she have a preference between being a host or being the analyst/insider
37:50 - On a type of show she'd love to pitch/be on - The NFL version of "The Jump"
40:25 - What is she most excited about for viewers to learn about the XFL
42:55 - Her recent interview with Olive

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

Awful Announcing Podcast Episode 50 - Chris Fowler Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

3:00 - Why he loves creating a bunch of new content on Instagram/Why it's more positive than Twitter
4:30 - Finding a good balance between talking sports vs life on social media
6:05 - Was leaving Gameday emotional for you?
8:41 - Does he still watch the show?
10:02 - His first interest in college football living in State College
12:08 - Early influences in the broadcast world
14:29 - His father being a Theater Professor and if there's any influence in getting him started in sportscasting/speaking
17:00 - On finding ways to stand out when newer generations are growing up comfortable in front of a camera
18:58 - Starting at ESPN just a few years out of college
22:02 - Does he ever think of the "what if?" Including a decision for him at ESPN that would've taken him away from the Gameday opportunity
25:30 - On the decision to move from Gameday to more play-by-play coverage, specifically the Saturday night game of the week
27:05 - What stands out the most in the 25+ years of being a part of the show
32:53 - On his time broadcasting tennis and how long it took him to get comfortable doing play-by-play for it
36:58 - Previewing the National Championship / Megacast talk

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

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