Sukanya Roy Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S
Sukanya Roy, 14, took home the trophy and the more than $40,000 in cash and prizes at the 84th Scripps National Spelling Bee after 21 consecutive spellings without a miss. Roy of South Abington Township, Pennsylvania had previously tied for 12th in 2009 and 20th in 2010 won on the word “cymotrichous,” which relates to wavy hair.
She is the fourth consecutive Indian-American to win the bee and the ninth in the last 13 years, a run that began when Nupur Lala captured the crown in 1999 and was later featured in the documentary Spellbound.
Laura Newcombe of Toronto was the runner-up. The 12-year-old was trying to become the first Canadian to win the bee, but she went out on the word “sorties.”
This was the events sixth consecutive year to be broadcast in prime time.
ESPN Radio Host Reveals He’s Gay On Air
Breaking Down Barries
ESPN 1050 radio host Jared Max in New York went on air yesterday at 5am to talk sports but before going off air he revealed to his listeners that he’s been living as a gay sports journalist. His pronouncement has come in a week in which the sports world has seen Phoenix Suns president Rick Welts, former Villanova basketball player Will Sheridan and in the entertainment world CNN anchor Don Lemon all came out.
“Are we ready to have our sports information delivered by someone who’s gay? Well, you know what, we are going to find out. Because for the past 16 years, I’ve been living a free life between my close friends and family, and I’ve hidden behind what is a gargantuan-sized secret here in the sports world. I am gay. Yeah. Jared Max, the sports guy who is one of the most familiar voices in New York sports, isn’t quite like the majority. … I’m taking this courageous jump into the unknown having no idea how I will be perceived.”
He also said that if he hadn’t revealed that he was gay that day then he “might not have done it for a really, really long time.”
WTF: Rapture Draft
Via Tauntr.com
Supposedly the world is going to end this Saturday and not December 21, 2012 like the Incas predict cause of the 5,125 Mesoamerican Long Count calendar ending. Unfortunately if the world is to end this Saturday the people at Tauntr put together a Rapture draft, a day when the architects of Christianity save the sacred from the damned and lift the divine from the hell scape of earth.
CBS Passes On Colin Cowherd Sitcom
Get This Man A Job
Back on March 18, we posted the report that actor Damon Wayans landing the lead role in Colin Cowherd’s inspired CBS sitcom and was waiting for the thumbs up to get picked up past the pilot stage. We unfortunately now report that the ESPN radio host sitcom has now been passed over according to Colin via Twitter, which means we won’t see Wayans or Elisha Dushku channeling Michelle Beadle in some form.
“Network passed on my sitcom. On to plan B. In talks with Charlie Sheen for new show “Almost Winning.” Taste that CBS”
He later went on to tweet the Internet would never see it for it won’t see the light of day.
Ex ESPN Employee Jay Mariotti Faces Three New Felony Charges
Say Something Now
The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday night that former ESPN personality and Chicago Sun-Times writer Jay Mariotti has been charged with three felonies after he confronted his ex-girlfriend the same day a court ordered him to stay away from her. Mariotti was in court Wednesday and he pleaded not guilty to the charges: stalking, corporal injury on a spouse or domestic partner, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
Prosecutors said he argued with his former girlfriend again outside of a Venice restaurant on April 15 where he allegedly pulled a chunk of her hair out and grabbed her cellphone, while shouting at her.
If he’s convicted he faces up to five years in state prison.
Gus Johnson Set To Join FOX After Leaving CBS
- I Get Buckets
Gus Johnson has called his last NCAA March Madness college basketball game at CBS Sports as the network confirmed late Monday night the popular play-by-play announcer was leaving after a lengthy round of contract negotiations.
“We were not able to reach an agreement with Gus. We wish him continued success,” said CBS spokeswoman Jennifer Sabatelle.
Johnson is set to jump to FOX Sports, with an announcement possible as early as today. If he does join Johnson would likely call NFL and college football games.
Gus Johnson Leaving CBS Sports
I Get Buckets
Gus Johnson perhaps one of the best announcers in the game is partying ways with CBS. Johnson, a play-by-play mainstay on its college basketball coverage for the last 16 years is leaving after the two sides could not agree on a new deal. Johnson has also worked as a play-by-play voice for the network’s NFL coverage since 1998.
Johnson will still call Showtime’s pay-per-view Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight Saturday.
Joe Budden Claims Ex Had Affair With NFL Player While She Was Pregnant
TALENT
Rapper Joe Budden recently went into detail about his relationship gone wrong with model Esther Baxter when he released the song “Ordinary Love Shit Pt. 3” today. On it, he discusses his relationship with the former video vixen in depth and recounts the events surrounding their breakup. Budden called out Esther for cheating on him while she was pregnant with their child with Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward.
The two have been going back in forth on Twitter all day shooting down each others claims, one of which coming from Budden is that she had an abortion without his knowledge. While Baxter claims she lost the child due to a miscarriage suffered by the physical abuse at the hands of Budden.
Here’s the track Budden released this morning. NSFW obviously
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lot53HRnZUA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
HBO Is Bringing Show For Horse Racing Fans & Degenerate Gamblers
HBO is the best in the business when it comes to putting out quality television and it looks as if they are continueing their streak with this show by Deadwood writer and producer David Milch centered around the world of horse racing and the gamblers that make it go. The show is titled Luck and is still in production but you can expect Hollywood stars such as Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte as regulars.
ESPN’s Erin Andrews Must Give Up Reebok Deal
TALENT
Under ESPN’s new company’s endorsement guidelines sideline reporter Erin Andrews must give up her endorsement deal with Reebok’s ZigTech brand next year. The new guidelines announced yesterday state what ESPN’s 1,000-plus announcers, reporters, analysts and columnists can and can’t do with corporate sponsors. Andrews will be able to fulfill her endorsement commitment this year to Reebok’s ZigTech footwear and apparel brand that was first announced in January but will have to give up her deal as of Jan. 1, 2012.
Andrews spokesman Lewis Kay said: “She respects ESPN’s policy and has no other comment.”
Broadway Lombardi Takes Financial Hit
Peter Burns Loves The Wonder Years
Back on April 17 2010, we posted the report that Vince Lombardi was going Broadway, which opened to large success but now has come back to reality in a play that no one wants to see. Lombardi was playing to a 72 percent capacity at it’s Circle in the Square Theater venue just a month ago. However it’s gotten much worse according to BroadwayWorld.com as they have shown it has only been playing to 56 percent capacity the last couple of weeks.
While the NFL is charging $450 for you to attend their upcoming 2011 Draft, the people at Lombardi are slashing ticket rices by 40 percent. You can even go to BroadwayOffers.com and enter in the code NFL923 or call 212.947.8844 and use code the same code and sit in the $115 orchestra seating for only $69.
No word on when Dan Lauria will bail.
WTF: Greg Gumbel
During March Madness, a lot of broadcasters do double dipping but this is not the case for Greg Gumbel, who has worked for CBS and covered professional football and college basketball since 1988. That didn’t stop him from having a brain fart on Sunday and calling his employer of 20-plus years ESPN.
Sports Reporter Jailed For Running Prostitution Business
Express News Should Take Lessons
Kevin Provencher a veteran New Hampshire sports reporter pleaded guilty Friday to running a prostitution business in Massachusetts featuring women who had auditioned for him and to intimidating a witness in an effort to prevent her from testifying against him.
Provencher was sentenced to state prison on two counts of deriving support from a prostitute, two counts of procuring a person into prostitution, two counts of solicitation for prostitution and one count of witness intimidation, prosecutors said. Each charge carries a penalty ranging from one to 2 1/2 years in prison. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
Provencher advertised prostitution services on Craigslist and other websites as he would rent out hotel rooms and provide the women with contact information of clients. The scheme unraveled about a year later after managers at a Marriott Hotel became suspicious and alerted police.
Provencher has won four New Hampshire Sportswriter of the Year awards from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Damon Wayans Lands Lead Role In Colin Cowherd Inspired CBS Show
Homey Don't Play That
In November word got out that CBS was planning to do a pilot on a sitcom based on the life of ESPN’s Colin Cowherd questions centered around if it would ever see the light of day and who would land the lead role. The show isn’t trying to sell Cowherds life story but one that is inspired by him and the lead actor to play the part has been announced that it will be none other than comedian Damon Wayans.
Wayans, besides being one of the famous Wayans brothers comedy team, is best known for such films as Mo’ Money, Major Payne, and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and for his appearances in In Living Color and his television comedy series My Wife and Kids.
ESPN To Blog About ESPN
Feelin Yourself
Showing that when it comes to covering sports the most important thing is actually covering themselves, ESPN announced on Monday plans to start a new blog that will only focus on ESPN itself. The worldwide leader intends to update the blog about 3 times a day, with all the updates done by the ESPN PR team.
Supposedly the intent of the site is to cover any issues that arise from any of ESPN’s coverage or its reporters or, minus any issue that day, behind-the-scenes video. Of course, I was under the impression that the ESPN ombudsman was the person who would be commenting on any controversies but then again since the current one is absolutely abysmal I guess they needed another venue.
Or maybe ESPN just really really likes talking about itself. Should be real objective
Oscar Talk With Mike Tyson & Leonard Maltin
In his second Funny Or Die appearance to date, Mike Tyson offers his Oscar picks with noted film critic Leonard Maltin. Tyson gets creative with his choices for best picture and actress in this hilarious interview. Love the part about Don King and agree with Tyson that I can’t believe he isn’t nominated for his performance in Pigeon Whisper.
Prince Kicks Kim Kardashian Off Stage At Madison Square Garden
During his concert at Madison Square Garden last night, Prince invited Kim Kardashian up on stage but then kicked her off when she wouldn’t shake her world famous booty.
Ron Franklin Sues ESPN For Wrongful Termination
Hows The Kitchen Look
Former ESPN announcer Ron Franklin, who was recently fired for making sexist comments to sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards before the Chick Fil-A Bowl, is suing ESPN for wrongful termination. ESPN pulled Franklin from the Fiesta Bowl broadcast after he said to Edwards, “Listen to me sweet baby, let me tell you something.” After Edwards told him not to talk to her like that, Franklin responded, “OK, then listen to me a-hole.”
Franklin apologized in a statement, saying he deserved to be pulled from the Fiesta Bowl. The longtime college football and basketball announcer worked for ESPN for 25 years and has asked the public before the lawsuit if he and his wife could get back to their normal life.
Homeless Ted Willliams First Gig Is A Mac & Cheese Commercial
Ted Williams aka Obama’s cousin is right now getting pulled in every which way since his 15 minutes began but we have good news as he already has landed and finished his first gig. Williams lent his voice to this Mac & Cheese commercial, however there still is no word where his status hangs on the the Cleveland Cavaliers job.
Cleveland Cavaliers Have Hired Homeless Web Star
The homeless man that became an Internet sensation this pass week, with over 4 million views on YouTube, has been hired for by the Cleveland Cavaliers and a house. The 71-year-old Ted Williams who has the golden radio voice was filmed on the side of a highway ramp telling his story and showing off the voice. The video went viral and was invited onto WNCI, a Columbus, Ohio radio station, to tell his story even further when job offers started to pour in.
It’s reported that MTV and ESPN had expressed interest but the Cavaliers offered him a full time job and a house is what a stunned Williams told the local radio station. Before the Cavaliers made their bid though, the station said a group of credit unions offered Williams a contract worth up to $10,000.
ESPN Fires Ron Franklin For Comments Made To Sideline Reporter
Hows The Kitchen Look
In story we posted about on Monday about ESPN’s Ron Franklin making comments to Jeannine Edwards, a female sideline reporter, has now been fired just shortly after 24 hours. He was pulled from doing the Fiesta Bowl broadcast for making sexist comments that included “sweet baby“ and “asshole” to Edwards.
Before the Chick Fil-A Bowl, Franklin said to Edwards, “Listen to me sweet baby, let me tell you something.” After Edwards told him not to address her like that Franklin responded by saying “OK, then listen to me asshole.”
Franklin apologized for his remarks on Monday and said he deserved to be pulled from the Fiesta Bowl but was still fired 24 hours later.
ESPN’s Ron Franklin Calls Sideline Reporter “Sweetcakes” & “A-Hole”
Hows The Kitchen Look
Longtime ESPN announcer Ron Franklin was pulled from his play-by-play duties before Saturday’s broadcast of the Fiesta Bowl by network execs after a reported dispute with Jeannine Edwards, a female sideline reporter, he called her “sweetcakes” and then “asshole”. Scheduled to work on the ESPN broadcast of the Chick-fil-A Bowl Friday, Franklin and Edwards were part of a production meeting before the game that was also attended by ESPN announcers Ed Cunningham and Rod Gilmore. During the meeting, the subject of Gilmore’s wife Marie being elected Alameda (CA) mayor came up.
As Gilmore, Cunningham and Franklin discussed the subject, Edwards tried to join the conversation. When she did, Franklin said to her, “Why don’t you leave this to the boys, sweetcakes.”
Edwards responded to Franklin by saying, “don’t call me sweetcakes, I don’t like being talked to like that.”
Franklin then said, “okay then, asshole.”
Edwards then reported Franklin’s comments to ESPN management. After confirming the incident with Cunningham, the network tried to pull Franklin off Friday’s broadcast but were unable to find a replacement due to the late notice.
WTF: Sports Illustrated
Great Flick
This week’s Sports Illustrated is the annual “Year In Sports Media” issue but the cover was held out for not an athlete or a coach instead Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. I actually saw the movie The Fighter which tells the story of boxer Mickey Ward and loved it but is SI cover really the spot for Hollywood since it already has about 420 publications that cover that lane?
Mark Wahlberg For Best Actor
On Friday I went and saw Mark Wahlberg’s flick The Fighter in his portrayal of boxer Mickey Ward, which I strongly suggest you get yourself to a theater and see it. You won’t be disappointed in Christian Bale as Dicky Eklund who stole the show. Whether it’s Wahlberg or Bale someone needs to walk away with an Oscar. Here’s a clip
