Tim Kawakami, who writes a blog and column for the San Jose Merc, will appear on Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area's "Chronicle Live" tonight, (5PM and repeated at 11 PM.)
* Who would’ve figured? I’m back on Comcast tonight and am pleased to say so. Could’ve gotten good odds on that combo of events ever happening again. Maybe it’s for one show, possibly for many more than that, we’ll play it as it goes.
He has not appeared for some time--some will say his outspoken and blunt criticism(s) of the Warriors prompted the powers-that-be at Comcast, (which has a partnership with the W's) didn't especially like Kawakami's takes and told him, (maybe) to tone it down.
I asked Kawakami about tonight's show:
I'm going back on one show, tonight, in a new format they're trying and sounds good to me. We'll see what happens from there.
Think I've been crystal clear about where I stand about being free to say what I believe, on any issue, and that certainly hasn't changed.
Anyone can interpret from there... and from whatever happens next.
About that new format? Should be interesting to watch.
I have ripped into the "Chron Live" format and its weak and insufferable subject matter. I did the show last December and have not been invited back, (and probably won't be invited back soon, if ever.)
Comcast doesn't like a lot of grey matter. They prefer vanilla ice cream over chocolate. Any degree of pithiness is met with scorn. In other words, they like to keep it safe. Real safe.
I'm not suggesting that they don't directly prohibit anyone remotely "controversial" or edgy from appearing on the cable show, (which has poor ratings), but too often the show is sterile and mostly just an hour-long conduit for Comcast and its sports partners: Giants, A's, Warriors, Raiders, Sharks, 49ers and local college teams.
There's nothing wrong with that philosophy. It's smart business, but it makes for BORING viewing. The Bay Area has a fairly sophisticated sports audience and one can reasonably assume that most educated fans have tuned out most of Comcast' non-formatted programming, most notably, "Chronicle Live."
Comcast has suddenly touted a "new, faster, more interactive" format, beginning tonight. (Gees, I wonder what/who prompted that?--Humn)
I will watch this evening.
I'm going to especially watch Greg Papa, who hosts the show. Papa, who I have applauded in this site, but who I have ripped because, among other things, Papa talks over many of his guests. (Including me)
He's remarkably soft and non-edgy on this show. He will occasionally ask hard and biting questions on the rare occurrence "CL" delves into something of more substance than the Giants' hitting woes.
So, TK, go get 'em. But please, don't back down. Of course if we don't see you anymore after tonight, we'll know the reason.
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I know. It's happened to me.
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A grand says the show will still be a SNOOZE FEST,because when a corporate GIANT & it's little sister(KNBR) still pull ALL the strings behind the scenes,the CORE will NOT change.Good luck with all that Timmy!
ReplyDeleteAnd dont rule out the real possibility that a ratings challenged show might woo back popular guests with a boost in paycheck.
ReplyDeleteI was a die hard watcher..but,it got ridiculous in the play it safe mode. I can never forget the "hot seat" segment in reality being vanilla staus quo, as Urban,Shea and Susan Slusser -almost like a comedy sketch parroted one another. One thing they all said-and laughed about- was the nerve of Edgar Rentaria turning down the Giants offer.
The joke was on them as Edgar-having a very good year as of now-was given triple what the Giants offered..you know-the Giants team that is searching in desperate need for a SS?.
It's that myopia of Comcast "insiders" that is laughable.
Shills it seems, are the last to notice they are shills. So the return of guests who-heavens forbid!- make things interesting and are critical too will bring me back too-to watch. Maybe.
S
maybe you were just an awful guest
ReplyDeleteNo,Rich wasnt awful,it was though embarassing on his first visit the hostility he got..Papa kept his back-and back of his head- turned to Rich the whole segment. Ann Killion and Damon Bruce talked over Rich very rudely..Damon Bruce did it with a grin.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious these media types have low self confidence when facing a critic..instead of embracing that what he does he does to everybody. And in person,Rich like everybody else from Kawakami to Dickey are never as critical as they are in print. So,It wasn't like Rich had offended them when he entered the building with "hey stooges" as a greeting.
Although if he had-that shoe would have fit 90% of the on air people.
"Edgar-having a very good year as of now"..... I like Edgar, but very good year? as of now he is hitting .250 with 0 HR, 10 RBI and a total of 2 extra base hits (both doubles)... sure the Giants are in need of a SS, but Rentaria is/was not the answer...
ReplyDeleteUp until the last week,all season Rentaria was hitting .280 and even over .300. A one week slump has bit him...the Giants WISH their S.S.'s just had a week's hitting slump..or team..
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kawakami was kidding when he said "One and done" he might have been,but it didnt look to me he liked the instant feedback from Killion. I liked it,it was different...but if you dont have a Kawakami..your not going to have much of a blitz. How many like him?
ReplyDeleteDamon Bruce was there..gee,like I had a crystal ball to mention him earlier and Killion. And why I rarely listen to Bruce..wow,the man is now Mr. Giants, as he defended Bruce Bochy with a passion..who he hated two years ago! I cant keep up-Radnich now loves Hockey and Damon loves all ownerships "Give them time" his mantra!
It was an attempt. But,if Tim isn't feel'en like fight'en,it wont fly.
Does anyone even watch this show???
ReplyDeleteDo they get paid a "fee" for appearing on the show?
ReplyDeleteI tried to watch the show last night, could only take about 10 minutes of it. The graphics are horrible.
ReplyDeletePapa was having a 3 way conversation with Killian and Kawakami while discussing Alex Smith. Each person was in a little square, PTI style but on each corner of the screen with tape of Alex Smith ran in a larger box in the center. Then, what seemed random, the squares would change positions, background and water-mark graphics ala Fox News added to the mess.
Reminded me of some of the really bad Powerpoint presentations where someone mixes up multiple fonts, sizes and has graphics moving all over the place.
The joke was on them as Edgar-having a very good year as of now - you said "as of now" on May 17th, and on May 17th he was hitting .250 and a weak one at that with only 2 extra base hits.
ReplyDeleteAs pathetic as the Giants SS have been, with averages barley above .200 they at least have bigger production numbers - Tejada 1 hr, 7 2B, 11 RBI, Fontenot 2 hr, 2 3B, 5 2B, 7 RBI -
New SS - YES, Edgar Renteria - NO!
Main reason I don't watch is Papa. He's way too smug, and always seems to have an "I know something you don't know" expression... and don't get me started on "edgy" Damon Bruce...
ReplyDelete