Could @ESPN_Sideline Replace Erin Andrews?

Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you have probably heard about the plight of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews. For those who don't know, Andrews was the victim of an invasion of privacy as a peeper took a video of her in her hotel room as she prepared for work several months ago. Now Andrews is being stalked and her career is in pieces. In light of these and other embarrassing sidelines misadventures, I am sure ESPN and other sports networks are evaluating the relevance of sideline reporters.

Some of course will say that they are unnecessary, that they are nothing more than sideline eye candy - cheerleaders for the broadcast booth. I disagree. I think sideline reporters, whether they be down on the field or up in the stands, play a valuable role in the television experience.

If I was in charge of ESPN or any other sports broadcasting organization, I would look to push my sideline reporters off camera and on to another platform. I would look for a platform that can broadcast to the masses while at the same time protect the identities of my employees. I would embrace a platform that could enhance the viewing experience and provide key insight to the stories within the game, while not taking away from the main on-air talent.

I would use Twitter.

According to a recent Mashable.com post, people who are smarter than me about programming are striving to make the TV viewing experience much more interactive.

"Verizon FiOS TV is adding Facebook and Twitter integration, as well as several other social media options, to its service. Similar to the integrations we’ve seen on the Web, this allows you to update your status on either network when watching a given show or event and also see what your friends or the larger social media community is saying about it."

If we are soon to arrive at the day when you can "sign in" to your TV and have your Twitter feed loaded on the right or left side of your screen, why not have sideline reporters report via twitter? There would be no need to cut them out. They would always be there, conducting interviews, digging up information, and getting the behind the scenes stuff the people in the booth can't get. The only difference of course, would be that they would be broadcasting online in a constant stream, adding updates and nuggets of knowledge as they found it.

@ESPN_Sideline: "Talked to Coach Bowden @ halftime. Defense needs to step up."

@ESPN_Sideline: "At Lakers v Celtics. KG says he is going to give 100%."

@ESPN_Sideline: "Huge Yankees fan is wearing a lamp shade on his head. Ha ha."

The possibilities don't stop there. With Twitter comes the ability to interact. Viewers or anyone on Twitter could tweet their own information to @ESPN_Sideline, possibly providing leads or modifying the reporter's tasks to fit the inquiries of the viewers. The viewers could also give tips or ideas to @ESPN_Sideline or supplement their broadcast with additional facts. The viewing experience becomes a community effort led by the unseen @ESPN_Sideline.

As an additional bonus, by not being on camera, the person behind @ESPN_Sideline does not have to worry about how they look on TV, what outfit may or may not be splashed across the front page of blogs, or if they are attracting hordes of seedy, nefarious, undersexed, pubescent losers.

In addition to @ESPN_Sideline or other online reporters, perhaps professional sports leagues will acquiesce to the idea of players tweeting during games. Maybe if asked by @ESPN_Sideline, players would be allowed to answer online.

@ESPN_Sideline: "@The_Real_Shaq: What do u need to do to play better in the 2nd half"

@The_Real_Shaq: "@ESPN_Sideline: I need to play w/in myself. Better D. Fly like Superman. LOL"

All this again can happen while the broadcast is ongoing. Tweeting sideline reporters would in no way impede the in-game announcers (no more "kicking it back to the booth"), nor will they interfere with pre-game, halftime, or post-game shows. They aren't even constrained by commercials.

Maybe the 35 year run of sideline reporters isn't over. Maybe their demise in the wake of the Erin Andrews privacy snafu is presumptuous. Maybe they will be the impetus in a revolution in sports broadcasting. Maybe Andrews sacrificed herself for the greater good.

Introducing @ESPN_Sideline.

UPDATE: As Sun Sports / Fox Sports Florida reporter Whit Watson points out in his blog, his network has been actively employing Twitter during their broadcasts for quite some time. Both Watson himself and the Sun Sports Fox Sports Florida network have Twitter accounts, and are encouraged to use them at will, creating an increased interaction with fans and viewers. You should definitely go read his blog as it makes an exceptional complimentary piece to this post.

MTV Exploiting the Economy ... As Usual. But Can They Control the Outcome?

Contrary to popular belief, MTV and MTV2 do play music videos. Sandwiched between 56 different types of teen-targeted reality shows is AMTV, a varying block of music videos airing anytime between 2AM and 8AM EST. AMTV is MTV the way MTV used to be and the way it should be, straight up "music television". None of that "16 and Pregnant" crap.

Lately, AMTV has been part of my TV rotation during breakfast. Depending on my mood, I'll flip from SportsCenter to AMTV to the morning local news and then, of course, back to SportsCenter. Since I've become a semi-frequent viewer of AMTV, I've seen some of the worst videos and songs I've ever seen. I'm not a fan of much new rock (especially the wannabe punk-influenced or emo-influenced unimaginative garbage); definitely not a fan of the pseudo R&B, auto-tune dance ballad stuff; and the art of lyricism has all but disappeared from mainstream hip-hop. I'm not sure if this makes me old and out of touch, but it is what it is.

The other day, however, a funny thing happened. I saw the following videos in a row:

Street Sweeper Social Club - 100 Little Curses

Jadakiss - Who's Real

K'Naan - T.I.A.

What surprises me is that all three of these videos and songs have social messages. Street Sweeper Social Club is frequently openly critical of America and especially the capitalist philosophy. Although the weakest of the group, Jadakiss is definitely sending a social message when the decries against "fake" people. And K'Naan is a Somalia rapper with a globalist view who has expressed sympathy towards the plight of Somali pirates.

According to their songs, all three of these of groups are fed up with the current social-economic situation (in order of frustration: SSSC, K'Naan, and Jadakiss). The same situation and economic conditions that helped MTV (Viacom) grow to the mega-billion dollar machine it is now. Of course, I really doubt MTV agrees with the opinions and views expressed in all its videos, but it is going to be difficult for them to shut down an opposition they are now feeding. When videos were all about flash and bling and big cars, it was easy for MTV to attach programming on cribs, pimping rides, and the good life. But what about when times change?

Of course I expect MTV to exploit the down economy. Socially conscious videos have been around since Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five came out with "The Message". But as more people grow aware of what is going on around them, more artists are going to make music expressing these thoughts. Slowly the music will be more educated and the viewers will want to see videos that make sense and represent their reality, not the corporate-driven image of fake success. It is the old mantra that art represents life. To quote veteran socially conscious rapper Paris "labels never made the culture - you got it twisted".

Cultural programming is easy when the culture is fat, dumb, and sedated. But what happens when they wake up?

(Images found on www.turnoffyourtv.com.)

Thunder Matt Exclusive: Watching the Sun Set on a Famous Moundsman

(This post also seen on Thunder Matt's Saloon.)

One of my favorite movies is HBO's 1996 original Soul of the Game - the story of Negro League stars Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige and their struggle to brake baseball's color barrier and be the first African-American to play in the Majors. It is the story of the young Robinson and his relationship with the older Paige and Gibson and their reactions as the former gets the call the latter two feel they deserve.

In the movie, as well as in reality, time unfortunately was not on the side of Satchel Paige, who although he eventually received a big league opportunity, was far beyond the peak of his career. But Paige would not let his age or his diminished ability deter him from his goals of making it to the bigs, milking and cajoling his arm in the desperate hope that it still had a few good innings left.

I saw a lot of the Satchel Paige character as I watched Pedro Martinez pitch for the Class-A Clearwater Threshers on Sunday. Martinez, signed by the Phillies a few weeks ago, was clearly not the Pedro of old and I could tell he knew it. The 97 mph fastball was long gone, the aura and mystic was fading, and he was fighting to prove his ability to merely contribute. The former Cy Young ace was now a conjurer, a Merlin of the mound, hoping his knowledge, guile, and a little bit of smoke and mirrors was enough to make it back to the Show.

Sadly, I don't think it was. In his first start against live batters since the World Baseball Classic, Pedro threw 1 and 1/3 innings in a rain-shortened game against the St. Lucie Mets. As it was the major league Mets who put him out to pasture after last season, the minor league Mets put the final nail in his legendary career. Although I didn't expect Pedro to dominate, it was clear he was struggling. Most of his pitches were up in the zone, the Mets were getting good wood on the ball, and he only produced one swinging miss, albeit on a classic Pedro change-up. The box score will say Pedro didn't do that badly, giving up one hit, hitting a batter, and striking one. But great change-up aside, I'd say his tank is empty.

There is another scene in Soul of the Game when after an exhibition against major league all-stars is rained out, the Josh Gibson character stands in the downpour and yells up to God, knowing full well the rain closed the door on his last chance. I saw a lot of the Josh Gibson character in Pedro as the umpires motioned for the players to clear the field. While the younger players scampered past him to shelter, Pedro Martinez slowly walked off the mound, tipping his cap to the many fans who came only to see him.

I have been a Pedro Martinez fan for a long time, and I don't hope this is true, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sunday was the last day of Pedro Martinez's brilliant baseball career.

University of South Florida catching 'fro fever

First it was the Cowbell Kid, then the Afro-Squad moved to Tampa, now fans of the University of South Tampa have embraced the 'fro as a symbol of power and good times.



Although I wish this kid was a Seminole and not a Bull, the fact that he's sporting a 'fro makes me smile. Until September 26th, then it's on like Donkey Kong.

I roll with the Underground, when I get around

In case you aren't following me on twitter, on facebook, on myspace, via google reader, via google profiles, on my youtube channel, or via an RSS feed, you might not know I wrote on a few other sites this week.

Over at Thunder Matt's Saloon, I had two posts:

First, I discussed what I watched on TV Sunday night instead of the ESPYs. CNBC was where it was it at, with shows on weed and porn.

Counter programming on the Night of the ESPYs

Then a few days later, I wrote about aliens and the Cubs and cartoons.

Shoulda Been Dead on a Thursday Morning, Banging My Head

Over at ScalpEm.com, I wrote about former FSU great Ron Simmons and his recent induction in the College Football Hall of Fame. Of course, I had to drop a few references to Simmons's career as a pro wrestler, including his 1999 match in Tallahassee in front of the home crowd.

Ron Simmons is a Hall of Famer

By the way, did you know you can get these posts and more when you sign up to follow me at any one of the following locations:

My twitter account

My facebook fanpage

My google reader page

My YouTube Account

My err... Agent J's Myspace page

My google profile page

Sign up today! Free!

Jim Breuer's friend is my long distance love

Over the last two years I have told you all about my love life, how my long distance, long-time love has fallen apart time and time again and how I have slowly drifted towards my fun, exciting, local interest. Well, today I found out comedian Jim Breuer is also friends with my long distance love. And, not coincidentally, he is also confused by her erratic behavior.

Here is what Jim said during a recent radio interview:

"It’s like being in love with an alcoholic. It’s like, you constantly defend her, and people are like, ‘Dude, your alcoholic friend is a mess,’ and you’re like, ‘Nah, you don’t know her like I do.’"

Yup, I'd say Jim Breuer and I know the same person.


(H/T Metsblog.com)

The Private Premiere of Who Shot Mamba?

As they do for many major motion pictures, the who's who of the entertainment industry were in Orlando last night to see the grand premiere of the Internet-famous movie Who Shot Mamba?. It was a red carpet affair featuring famous actors, funnymen, former reporters, current bloggers, and more beautiful women than you could shake a stick at. Even the paparazzi were in full force, with media outlets from around the world doing media things and sending media messages. The Central Florida premiere of Who Shot Mamba? was not just an occasion, it was an event.

Ok, maybe not quite ...

To tell you the truth, the famous actor? Me (for my role as a time-traveler in the latest Afro-Squad movie). The funnyman? Me (if you think the Afro-Squad is funny or you like heckling pro wrestlers). The former reporter? Me. The current blogger? Me, again. The beautiful women? The famous alexiskn and her friends (definitely not a lie there).

Ok, so maybe the world-premiere private screening of Who Shot Mamba? was more private and exclusive than planned. Maybe the entire viewing audience could have fit in the booth at the local McDonalds. But regardless of the turn-out, and no matter the size of the gate, the showing, which took place in an independent film house, was definitely a success. The venue was clean, the movie looked and sounded great, and those in attendance were definitely engrossed.

As for the movie itself, it did live up to expectations (What do you expect? I am mentioned in the credits.). Despite waiting nearly three years to find out the mystery behind who killed everyone's favorite charismatic snake, I was impressed. Who Shot Mamba? has a good story, good performances, and enough subtle inside references to the NBA blogosphere to make a sports blogger remember the good times, before the dark specter of tabloid sensationalism and voyeurism seized the sports blogosphere by its collective thoat.

So to those who hosted, thank you. I had a great time. To those who missed out, don't miss out again. And to those who are curious as to when they can see Who Shot Mamba?, don't worry, from what I hear the answer is soon, very soon.

(By the way, the rumor that I punched a member of the paparazzi, destroyed his camera, and spit in his face is unequivocally false. I did not destroy his camera.)

The Lonely Life of Leviathan

A while ago I wrote this poem and wanted to share it with all of you. I am particularly proud of this one, as I think it accurately captures the feelings of being leagues under the sea with no one but yourself to keep you company.

Yup, that's me in a nutshell

Those who know me know I am all over the Internet. I blog, I tweet, I'm on facebook, myspace, youtube, google profiles, and any other site I can stick my afro on. Ruling the Interwebs has become a part-time job, without a doubt.

Oddly enough, some of fellow bartenders over at Thunder Matt's Saloon had no clue how extensive my reach is. After I told them about my efforts, comrade-in-words Lingering Bursitis dropped probably the funniest reply I have ever read.

From: Lingering Bursitis:

12 Twitters tweeting
11 Tumblrs reblogging
10 Fanpages humming
9 status updates
8 blogger profiles
7 crazy aliases
6 Myspace templates
5 niche blogs!
4 email accounts
3 Friendsters friending
2.0 obsession
and a guy who spreads himself way too thinnnnnn

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Doing Eau Gallie High School proud

Your 2009 MLB home run derby champion ...



And Tim Wakefield pitches tomorrow night for the American League.

A review of my latest musical acquisitions

I've been on a music tear lately, picking up an album or two a week. Here are my latest:

Jenni Muldaur - "Dearest Darlin'"

Although my soul and R&B collection isn't the most extensive, there is just something about the voice of old school or neo-soul female R&B singers that just fits. I think it is genre where the ladies lead the way. Jenni Muldaur is one of those women who hit the mark with me. She has an awesome old school voice, as showcases it perfectly throughout "Dearest Darlin'".

"Dearest Darlin'" is a collection of soul and R&B covers mostly from the 50s and 60s. Muldaur covers some of the biggest names in the genre, from Bo Diddley to James Brown, as well as some rare antiques such as a 1934 field holler recorded by Alan Lomax. With the extensive range of content, Muldaur raises the bar quite high, but still nails it. I was really impressed.

Spinal Tap - "Back From The Dead"

The greatest band in the history of music history has returned. "Back From The Dead" is not only a collection of songs from the Spinal Tap movie, but also a few new songs, as well as a few "re-mixes", including a funky rendition of the classic "Sex Farm".

Another great reason to actually buy Spinal Tap instead of downloading their greatness is the included DVD. The DVD is absolutely awesome. Over an hour of the band talking about each song on the DVD. Hilarious.

Street Sweeper Social Club - self-titled

I like far-out riffs of ex-Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello. I like the political rhymes of Boots Riley of The Coup. So naturally I like this album. Although this definitely a solid buy, I do have a few comments:

1) It would have been amazing to have a few Zach De La Rocha cameos.

2) Boots Riley's voice sounds more fitting to funk or rap backbeats.

3) This album is another 1+1 does not equal 2 venture (see Blackout! 2). Close, but not quite. Morello fits perfectly and there are some great anthems, but I think Boots holds back a bit and doesn't get as descriptive as he does on The Coup albums.

Leela James - "Let's Do It Again"

(Ok, Leela James's new album came out in March, but I just bought it, so it's new to me.)

Back in 2005, I used to play Leela James's first album, "Change is Gonna Come", all the time. It was funky, soulful, and one of the best albums of that year. Then Leela James disappeared. I heard absolutely nothing about her.

Four years later, Ms. James finally released her second album, "Let's Do It Again". Like Jenni Muldaur, Leela James does an album full of soul and R&B covers. I don't want to say I am not impressed, because this is a very good album, but I expected more. Where are the new songs? Where is the new material that would spring Ms. James into the mainstream?

Wu-Tang Clan - "Wu-Tang Chamber Music"

This album should have probably been called "The RZA Presents ...". Although listed as a Wu-Tang album, it's really not. First of all, it doesn't have Method Man, the GZA, or Masta Killa on it (three of my favorite MCs, by the way). Second, it is more of an EP than a full-length album. There are few too many short philosophical narratives interspersed between the songs. Although interesting, these short RZA bytes take a bit away from the flow of the album.

Despite its shortfalls, "Chamber Music" is great. In making the album RZA recorded live music to blend with the beats and give the album a very "live" sound. This new Wu sound works best with Wu veterans Inspectah Deck and Ghostface, as they tear up their verses on each of the songs they are on. Guest stars Sean Price, Sadat X, Masta Ace, Havoc, and others also work well. Overall, there is not a bad song on the album, it is just too short. Hopefully Chamber Music is an appetizer, a precursor for a new full-length Wu-Tang album.

Live in the past, we make it last

In the latest Afro-Squad video I star as a time traveler from the future:



If you know where the title of this post came from, consider yourself cool.

Twitter and the Blogosphere

Back in April I joined Twitter. Honestly, at the time I had no idea why. I planned on throwing a few links out there and not much else. But then a funny thing happened ... I figured out the power of Twitter.

I figured it out so well, I've even been talking about it on other sites.

For example, today I commented on Daniel Drezner's blog over at Foreign Affairs.com. Drezner's post is about a post by fellow long-time blogger Laura McKenna in which she discusses the state of the blogosphere.

McKenna lists nine reasons the blogosphere is no longer in blossoming community mode. She claims it has become professionalized and niche-based. (By the way, this definitely applies to the sports blogosphere as well, especially since Deadspin changed it's format.)

Although he doesn't come out and agree with all of her points, Drezner does state that "professionalization, partisanship and speciaization have hit the blogosphere pretty hard." He also states most niche bloggers are now professionals who add their valued insight to the discussion.

Because Drezner doesn't address the use of social media, I added to the discussion of linking and blogrolls by talking about the effect of Twitter on the blogosphere:

"As a blogger, I've found it easier to post interesting links on twitter immediately than to wrap up a bunch of links in a post. Since my twitter followers consist of my blog fans as well as many others, I have more reach there than if I just posted a link dump or included sites in a blogroll.

What this means however is that I push specific data instead of a whole web site reading experience. I am pushing other blogger's information instead of their communities. It is somewhat selfish, honestly. But communities have moved from web sites to social networking platforms.

The love isn't gone, it's just moved."

I think my opinion on Twitter either makes me a genius or a fool. I'm not sure which.

By the way, follow me on Twitter at JordiScrubbings.

Keep politics out of baseball stadiums

July 4th would have been a great day to kick back, go to Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, FL, watch the Brevard County Manatees play the Daytona Cubs, buy a beer and a hot dog, and enjoy some firework festivities.

Unfortunately, Space Coast Stadium was hijacked by "tea party" protesters. According to Florida Today.com,

About 3,000 opponents collectively criticized the current administration as a free-spending government that is leading the nation with a socialist agenda. They banded together Saturday at Space Coast Stadium for a Fourth of July "tea party."

Long before the 4 p.m. start of the event, crowds gathered to purchase $5 tickets that included a voucher for admission to the Brevard County Manatees-Daytona Cubs baseball game and fireworks show to follow.

Pictures on FloridaToday.com and in the print version of the Florida Today also show "tea party" members inside Space Coast Stadium rallying for their cause.

Hijacking public events cannot become a growing trend. Stadiums across the country have to put the kibosh on this real quick and tell these people that they can not protest inside our sporting events. Of course, we all know the first stadium to take away fans' political signs as they enter the stadium will be accused of violating the fans' 1st amendment rights. What these fans must understand is freedom of expression inside a venue is guided by the rules and regulations of the venue.

Whether or not I agree with these protesters is irrelevant. I just want to make that perfectly clear. But I do think that by allowing a political rally to be held inside the stadium, the powers that be at Space Coast Stadium opened a pandora's box that should not have been opened. By allowing the "tea party" protest to continue in a public area, Space Coast Stadium now has to provide space in the same venue for any and all other gatherings, to include extremists such as the Ku Klux Klan. To not do so would be to exhibit favoritism of expression and to associate Space Coast Stadium with a specific political view.

I seriously doubt Space Coast Stadium will want to be known as a "protester friendly stadium". What the stadium personnel did on July 4th was a mistake. Nothing good can come from it, especially from an economic perspective. Allowing the "tea party" protest to continue through the gates put the stadium on a slippery slope that will do nothing but discourage non-partisan baseball fans from enjoying a day at the ballpark.

If I were a Brevard County Manatee season ticket holder or other frequent visitor to Space Coast Stadium, I would demand an apology from the organization and not attend another game until I had a guarantee that political rallies will no longer be allowed to infringe on the baseball watching experience.

Jimi Hendrix and a family tradition

When I was young and had no sense, I used to wake up on the 4th with contempt. For the first umpteen years of my life, my dad would begin Independence Day by playing the sounds of Jimi Hendrix wailing his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. It was like Dad's revenge for waking him up early on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately, when I was younger, for whatever unpatriotic, uncounterculture reason, I didn't really like the song. I think I said once it sounded like "a guitar and a bulldozer". But I don't think it bothered the Old Man, he kept on playing it anyway.

Somewhere along the way, my musical tastes started evolving. I went from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg to George Clinton to James Brown to the blues and wouldn't you know, back to Jimi. By the time I was in my early 20s, I understood the significance of taking a national standard like the Star Spangled Banner and turning it inside-out in the name of counterculture. I could relate to Jimi's frustration at the establishment yet his belief that America was still the best country in the world.

So given that I don't have kids of my own to wake up, I decided to post Jimi Hendrix's "guitar and bulldozer" song, his amazing rendition of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner". Hopefully you'll watch, appreciate, and crank it up for the neighbors to hear.

Happy Independence Day.

Another Great Fourth of July reference

Two years ago, I quoted the amazing Fourth of July dialog from the movie "The Sandlot". Today, in honor of America's 133rd birthday, here is another great Fouth of July reference, the lyrics to Soundgarden's aptly named "Fourth of July". Enjoy.

Shower in the dark day
Clean sparks driving down
Cool in the waterway
Where the baptized drown
Naked in the cold sun
Breathing life like fire
Thought I was the only one
But that was just a lie

Cause I heard it in the wind
And I saw it in the sky
And I thought it was the end
And I thought it was the 4th of July

Pale in the flare light
The scared light cracks & disappears
And leads the scorched ones here
And everywhere no one cares
The fire is spreading
And no one wants to speak about it
Down in the hole
Jesus tries to crack a smile
Beneath another shovel load

And I heard it in the wind
And I saw it in the sky
And I thought it was the end
And I thought it was the 4th of July

Now I'm in control
Now I'm in the fall out
Once asleep but now I stand
And I still remember
Your sweet everything
Light a Roman candle
And hold it in your hand

Cause I heard it in the wind
And I saw it in the sky
And I thought it was the end
And I thought it was the 4th of July

Happy 4th of July