Why Greg Papa's 49ers' Touchdown Call Really, Truly, Sucks

Greg Papa (left) with Tim Ryan

YOU WANT BLATANT INSINCERITY? Try Greg Papa's touchdown call on 49ers' broadcasts. It's a wholly inappropriate, out-of-moment call that lacks realness and identity. Papa is lucky the 49ers are great this year (not withstanding Sunday's blip on the radar) because truly his call is, well, ridiculous at best.

I've always liked Papa on the substance meter and thought he was always terrific on the mechanics. He knows his pro football and his knowledge of players and teams is not questioned here. There's no argument on his fundamentally sound broadcasts but there's a lot to chew on his style and that's where he's a ZERO. Let me explain why.

LISTEN TO HIS CALL.

Papa doesn't know the meeting of the moment. That was week one in Tampa --his first 49ers' broadcast. Repeat: first. You come from twenty years of broadcasting Raiders' games so you have NO credit built up with the 49ers' Faithfull. You're a rookie in a new uniform. Therefore, what the hell with the truly out-of-place, "SAN-FRAN-CISCO!" It sounds phony. It has no rhyme or reason. It's also clear Papa doesn't know anything about his past identity which makes his call all the more disingenuous. I speak for those out of the booster club and fat white guys who wear Ronnie Lott's jersey.

Papa's call doesn't register any emotion other than severe ridicule. He hasn't built up any good will with 49ers' fans, the listening audience on KNBR, or those few objective fans who actually listen to the broadcast and that's not Papa's fault; he's in essence, a guest invited to the VIP party trying to establish himself in the Scarlet and Gold fraternity. Therefore he has to establish good will. After twenty years of Raiders broadcasts that takes time. So really, his touchdown call reeks baseless. It's like I said, out of place. If I were a 49ers fan, I'd be repulsed. Papa's lucky the team is winning because that saves more ridicule.

I want to repeat: I have no issues with Papa's technique. It's always crisp and clear. I'm sure, I know in fact, he prepares and studies his games like no one else. There's no debate about any of that but his call needs a massive amount of identity and structure --oh, and time too.

The Latest on KGO Morning Diva Natasha Zouves; Recovering from Hair Mousse Fall and Contemplating Legal Action Against KGO/Disney; Castro MIA Probably $-Related; Deanno Talks at KPIX Still On-Going; He Wants More Dough; Darya Folsom Still Embarrassing KRON; Papa Will Make Adjustment to New Niners Gig; Rothmann/Owens Spiral Down at KGO Radio; Hot Rumor: 'Toonces, The Driving Cat' New PD? Friday Feast

Natasha Zouves

I WAS THE FIRST to tell you what went down with Natasha Zouves at KGO-TV. She's been home recovering from her hair goo slippage and planning a return to her Southern California roots. She's still on the mend and playing footsy about her status.

I e-mailed her and asked what was happening (giving her a chance to formally respond) and she said virtually nothing. I expected that. Remember, she might not be ready for primetime. Furthermore, she's no favorite in the newsroom either.

Here's another whammy: while she's essentially gone from KGO she has pondered a worker's comp suit against Circle7 and ABC; that would complicate her next gig in LA but don't rule out anything.

CASTRO MIA BUT...

Meanwhile, Jessica Castro, who's been filling in for Zouves has not been on the air since January 10 and no one at KGO seems to know why.

Jessica Castro

I have a source who speculates that Castro is pissed off at her paltry salary compensation (low six figures) and placement in the KGO morning presence. Castro can pout all she wants; she doesn't have any leverage and she knew full well that Disney (which owns ABC) doesn't pay their 4th-tier anchors any decent money. So too Zouves which might explain why she's considering suing the company.

DEANNO TALKS CONTINUE

My report about KPIX wanting to try weather guy, Paul Deanno in a hybrid news/weather gig is still in talks stage but if that venture would to emerge, Deanno wants to be paid more money. It figures that CBS would take care of Deanno if he performed both as a news anchor and weather talent. Especially if that were to include his presence in the evening.

Brian Hackney does the same job but on the weekend and doesn't get any added money. Then again, Hackney is way down the totem pole at PIX working on the cheap and has been downgraded for years. He might be viewed as bright and engaging but he's a virtual retread at 855 Battery.

Paul Deanno

Deanno is seen as an emerging presence on news; if that's the case (and I agree) then why not just 86 him from weather and make him a full-time anchor on news alone. Which seems to be what Deanno might be inferring --here's a rumor: Deanno replaces the forever bitter-beer-face-looking, Alan Martin.

*IT HAS BEEN SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, but bears repeating every so often: Darya Folsom continues to EMBARRASS KRON. Sure, KRON has a lot to be embarrassed about but Folsom's continuing circus show in the morning is a sad ass spectacle; she has no shame; she doesn't give a damn about what almost everyone else thinks and she KILLS whatever credibility KRON has by her BS presence on its morning news.

Darya Folsom performing journalism on KRON morning

If KRON brass thinks she helps the ratings, they're sadly mistaken. She's in actuality a detriment to the operation and nobody looks at her anymore nor takes her seriously. She's a nothing; a nobody and her boobs have been a non-story for years. The only BOOB that thinks she still got it is her boyfriend/slave master/schophant, Aaron Pero, the News Director that keeps  job because he possesses state secrets and has compromising pictures in a local bank safe. I'm joking on the latter but who knows.

THIS AND THAT

*New 49ers PBP broadcaster, Greg Papa, is great on radio and I like his 95.7FM 'The Game' takes, but it's questionable he'll stay on that show once football season starts; I can't imagine The Game allowing a rival (KNBR) talent on their air but it's just a guess.

Greg Papa

An analysis on Papa doing 49ers: the professional and talented Papa will make the adjustment to broadcasting Niners' football and easy one. Over the years, I've been critical of Papa but I've never questioned his broadcast ability and football acumen. He's damn good. His pivot to the 49ers from twenty years with the Raiders will be unusual and jarring at first but eventually people will get used to his play-by-play. Probably more an adjustment for Niners' fans then Raiders' rooters.

*Speaking of the Raiders while the world awaits their home (before Vegas) next year, where will they be on radio? Hardly a word. They will NOT be on KCBS that's for sure.

*Internal issues galore and a plethora of turmoil inside their respective newsrooms: KTVU and KGO-TV.

*If and when KGO Radio has a new/latest 2019 iteration, both John Rothmann and hanger-on, Ronn Owens will not have any role. Owens has been drifting away on the horrifically awful, "Ronn Owens Report" and Rothmann, whose stock has continued a steady spiral downward has been told he'll have no position there, only as a perpetual fill-in, if at all.

Meanwhile, a HOT RUMOR!! New KGO Radio PD? Hard to believe but word on the street is the PD will be Toonces, The Driving Cat! Wow, now that's some extraordinary depth by the fearless kitty!

Toonces the Driving Cat

415 Media Exclusive: How the Papa/49ers Deal Went Down; Inside Story; When Papa Became Available, 49ers' Sargent Began Pursuit; Tells 415 Media 'Historic Move'; Decision Needed York and Guido OK

Ted Robinson (l) and Greg Papa -NBCSBA photo

49ERS MOVED ON 'FREE AGENT PAPA'; NO REPUDIATION OF ROBINSON; ACCELURATED MOVE ON EX-RAIDERS PBP --415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE INSIDE STORY ON 'SHOCKING MOVE'

*ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO when Raiders veteran PBP broadcaster Greg Papa was summarily dumped by the Silver and Black (namely, Mark Davis) 49ers broadcasting boss, Bob Sargent, who knew Papa well and regarded him as a play-by-play, sporting icon, immediately went into high gear and on a mission: to seize the opportunity to pounce on Papa and bring him into the 49ers' broadcast booth with Tim Ryan.

Mission accomplished.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Papa would replace Robinson and become the new 49ers' radio broadcaster. Or, as one sports radio observer commented to me, "a shocking move, bold and audacious too."

Sargent, in a lengthy phone conversation with me, insisted that the move to replace Robinson was by no means a repudiation of 'Teddy Ballgame' as he is known charmingly around Bay Area broadcast circles.

"When 'Greg {Papa} became available I immediately began discussions with him because I regard him as one of the best {if not thee best] in the business. NFL people place him in the top three category} Nothing against Ted more really I just wanted to bring Greg to the 49ers," said Sargent.

How bold a move? Enough to require a boatload of hurdles to overcome in addition to the move of acquiring Papa to be OKed by not just the Niners' broadcast hierarchy but all the way up the food channel including team president, Al Guido and owner, Jed York, who has always been a loyal Robinson advocate.

Industry people I talked to concurred. They repeatedly told me that it wasn't so much a blow to Ted Robinson (although it probably is) more a determined effort on Sargent's part to get Papa and Ryan together to form one of the best NFL Radio play-by-play tandems in the business.

I'll say this about the move: while I have my issues with Papa on a personal level, I've never doubted his professional credentials as a seasoned pro-football broadcaster. His Raiders' work by and large was as close to the real deal, late Bill King demonstrated in his multi-decade work with the Raiders.

The new questions on the table: Will Papa have to leave his 95.7 FM 'The Game' radio talk show? Probably. I don't envision KNBR (which is the 49ers' flagship station) allowing Papa to stay on its rival Bay Area station, but that's just a guess. Sargent told me he doesn't care one way or the other because as far as he's concerned, he got his prized pupil and long-term broadcast duo for the future.

And that's the genesis of this story laid out to me. Sargent regards Papa as the gold standard. His (Sargent) close relationship with Robinson on both a personal and professional level is a lengthy bond and might be compromised. Sargent told me in spite of that, "I wanted to make this move."

And so he did.

Can We all say the Ken Wayne KRON Experiment is a Royal Dud? I will; KTVU's Mark Ibanez Slobbers on Gary Radnich; Roberta Gonzales Fallout All Her Own Doing Not Myself; No Big Deal Too; Greg Papa Arrogance Filters to TV and Radio; Monday Mash

Ken Wayne --no spark at KRON

KRON is undergoing severe change; it's not something that will historically change the present situation which is the case and has been the case for several years now. KRON still looks, acts, and is and will always be awful. Until someone or some decent broadcast company swoops in and saves it. I won't hold my breath.

The other thing is the personnel. It still stinks. There are a few talented people still on board but the
bulk of its personnel looks like third-rate amateur posers and even with the addition of some newcomers the product is still infinitely infected with KRON germs.

Let's be the first one to say the addition of Ken Wayne hasn't accomplished anything. Wayne is boring and vanilla. He has no personality. It could work at KTVU where his understated delivery was the essence of old-school KTVU and consistent with their pre-Fox design.

It doesn't work at KRON. It never would. You can't save a rotting corpse.

KRON needed a JOLT. A shot in the arm and some human credibility. Wayne was thought to provide some of that and he's been lukewarm oatmeal with melba toast on the side. He could walk down the Embarcadero and no one would recognize him. As a KRON staffer jokingly told me recently, "Wayne is Steve Aveson with a slightly better personality."

So, KRON has a lifetime to go and that's just plain impossible with or without Ken Wayne.

Dud.

*A FEW YEARS ago at a sports banquet, Gary Radnich made a joke: "Hey, look out in the audience: 'there's Mark Ibanez with a nice suit; hey Mark!", yelled Raddy. "Is that another trade-out?"

Gary Radnich

Ibanez didn't think the joke was funny. In fact, he was royally pissed off and angry. Ibanez has a sense of humor but was outraged that Radnich would go a little too deep and personal. He was stung to the max.

Circle back in time to present day last Friday when Radnich was on his KNBR show and saying that night would be his last on the KRON and guess who called in? Ibanez himself, who proceeded to slobber for a good ten minutes and laugh and giggle at Radnich who sounded downright giddy. It was poignant, fun, a little too much gushing and a whole lot of sweet nothing from both but more so from Ibanez who frankly sounded nauseating --especially given his feelings for Radnich who on more then one occasion, Ibanez told this blogger he thought Raddy stunk. And not just that memorable banquet night.

Maybe Mark has a bad memory.

I don't.

Mark Ibanez

*Roberta Gonzales posted a sort of interesting picture on Twitter and it was sent to me and so I posted it here.

Several people ripped me for being a juvenile and offering poor taste because I used it.

Wait a minute!

Roberta is the one who posted it online so obviously she had no issues with it so why all the big fuss directed at me?

Because most of you have a sense of humor and don't automatically assume the picture was nefarious and laced with sexual overtones.

In my headline, I said "Roberta was being creative." And she was and that was it.

Those of you that want to rip me maybe you should contact Roberta instead.

Roberta Gonzales

*Dave Feldman was absent over the weekend on his NBC Sports Bay Area Giants' gig; gees, I wonder why and he was not on vacation.

*Greg Papa has built up a GIANT wall at both his radio station and at the cable outlet over his massive ego play and arrogance that has become quite problematic.

Greg Papa

Papa thinks he's God and while his moxie has been able to provide him a 49ers' gig (which he needs to finance the impending divorce from hell to a former Raiderette) its not very comfortable to be around Papa now if you're in his footsteps.

Papa is an accomplished professional and very good at his broadcast duties but his boorishness can be an issue and when he's en fuego he can be a real big jerk.

Arrogance is one thing. Self-absorbed assholeness is another.

Papa's self-importance and personal diatribes have future negative consequences and it'll be interesting to watch all this down the road.

Greg Papa's New 49ers' Gig at NBC Sports Bay Area Spells Probable Doom for Dave Feldman; 'Feels Blindsided' by Pop Power Play

Greg Papa

CALL IT A COLD AND CALCULATED POWER PLAY 

News that Greg Papa will be the pre and post-game host for 49ers broadcasts on NBC Sports Bay Area will have a ripple effect on the sports cable outlet.

It more than likely spells doom for now, ex Niners' host, Dave Feldman, who my spies tell me is fuming over the Papa announcement.

These two big shots have a history and it's not very warm and fuzzy.

In fact, I've learned Feldman feels blindsided by the move and that he was undermined by Papa's behind-the-scenes negotiations to land the 49ers' gig.

Feldman, who is doing some Giants' pre and post game work is more than likely going to pursue other interests, maybe back east where he has worked for several outlets.

Dave Feldman

A couple of things to note: Papa is coming off 20-plus years as Raiders radio play-by-play broadcaster. His new gig as a 49ers cable host should be seamless but how will the Faithfull receive a multi-decade Silver and Black announcer? NBC obviously thinks the transition will be just fine.

Don't forget Papa's daily radio show on 'The Game' (95.7 FM) --which happens to air Raiders' games and is primed for Raiders talk. Again, which potentially creates a most awkward situation given Papa's new Niners' affiliation.

Maybe Feldman might have to call his buddy, Jim Harbaugh, for some guidance.

We'll wait and see.

How Mark Davis Screwed Over Greg Papa with $500K Raiders' Broadcast Gig; Papa 'Lifer' Position with Al Davis Ultimately 86ed; Musburger Hire Ultimate Middle Finger to Eastbay Fans; 415 Media Broadcast Inside Analysis

Mark Davis

NOW EX-RAIDERS BROADCASTER, Greg Papa --replaced by the young and ebullient  79 year-old Brent Musburger-- was aced out of his gig by Mark Davis, the imbecile managing partner who's been battling Papa for over a decade.

As I reported here, Papa was beloved by the late Al Davis; Mark's father had a quasi "Raider lifer" arrangement with Papa that was essentially broken by the petulant younger son.

Papa was so close to Al that at one point senior Davis had considered giving him a non-broadcast, football-oriented job to Papa because he thought highly of Pop's football intellect. It never materialized because Papa was clearly not qualified.

The broadcast booth was another story. Papa thought all along that once the team was headed to Vegas he would have the green light to join them even though he'd been battling several personal issues of late including a divorce, a case of severe vertigo and his ongoing argument with Mark Davis. Papa didn't really want Vegas; sure, like Bill King, the late, great Eastbay broadcaster, took the LA gig because, like Vegas, it's only an hour plane ride from the Bay Area, and he could still handle his A's duties and be near the Raiders. Of course Al Davis was alive back then and like Papa, loved Bill King and wanted him to remain with the organization.

Greg Papa

Mark Davis and Greg Papa were another story. Mark had no love for Papa; hated him. Papa didn't have any respect and detested the younger Davis. In fact, Papa used to tell Raiders' officials behind the scenes that Mark was an unintelligent fool. I'm paraphrasing but it was, and is, the truth.

And now with the hiring of Musburger Davis has effectively won the power play over Papa. And now Papa is out; how big a gig? Papa was paid nearly $500,000 a year to broadcast Raiders' games. For a guy like Papa with a lot of overhead that's a lot of money to suddenly kiss goodbye.

Brent Musburger

So now Davis has once again given a middle finger to Oakland fans with the hiring of the antiseptic and old Musburger and the heave-ho of one of the team's most legendary broadcasters. The Black Hole and Eastbay broadcast scene is mourning and Greg Papa is no longer a "Raider lifer." Mark Davis ultimately sacked the last remnant of authentic, Oakland Raider radio.

Rating the 49ers and Raiders Radio Broadcasting Team; It's Time for Football; Ted Robinson and Eric Davis; Greg Papa and Tom Flores

    SF 49ers Radio: KNBR, KGO, The Bone
    Ted Robinson: Play-by-Play
    Eric Davis: commentary

    This is a very good team. Robinson's pin-point play-by-play is excellent and well-coordinated. Ted gets some heat from critics who say his style is stale and understated. That's his best asset. He is crisp and concise. He excites when he has to and doesn't go crazy and homer up if the situation isn't warranted. I appreciate Robinson's willingness to criticize the 49ers if they play crummy. The Bay Area has never warmed to homers.

Davis has become a lot more of an accomplished broadcaster. His ex-jock status gives listeners an inside look at particular plays, always welcome. On the other hand, ex-players tend to resist hardened criticism. Not so with Davis who has elevated his off-field game in the booth. Plus, as evident on 49ers broadcasts, he's developed a chemistry with Robinson that makes the two as good and fluid as ever.

RATING: A




Oakland Raiders Radio: 95.7 FM--The Game
Greg Papa: Play-by-Play
Tom Flores: Commentary

Greg Papa is the consummate professional. His broadcast style is neatly-paced and loaded with a lot of information, particularly when it comes to the players and plays themselves. I like Papa a lot. He has a tendency to get overly excited even if the Raiders are hopelessly behind, (that might be especially evident this year) and his signature "Touchdownnnnnnnnnn Raiders!" call is his staple. But when the home team is down, 23-0 in the 4th quarter, there's something wrong. On the other hand, Papa knows his game, has a steady, comfortable delivery and gives a quality broadcast.

Tom Flores, the former coach, is a puzzle. He obviously knows what he's talking about, but his constant "we" references are irritating and lend credence to his homer critics. In addition, Flores has a nasty habit of openly cheering on various plays. It's great for the booster club people but on a broadcast, it's deadly. I hope Flores tones that down and sticks to the basics. He can be happy and excited as long as it's measured and expected.

GRADE: B-

*Follow me on Twitter

CSNBA's Papa and Reiss; Northern Cal Emmys; KTVU; KPIX; Kawakami/Purdy Wolff Lovefest; Monday Media Blotter

MONDAY MEDIA BLOTTER ....

If you notice a bit of tension between Comcast SportsNet's Greg Papa and Scott Reiss, you're quite shrewd. It's not that noticeable but both are not exactly chummy these days and it's not merely money matters, although the financial chasm is quite extraordinary, (guess who makes about $150G more), and the fact that Papa is the primary pre and post-game host for the Giants is also quite annoying to Reiss, who Papa replaced.

There's a bit of irony here: Reiss is doing the A's pre and post shows, (along with the vastly-improved, if still occasionally bland, Bip Roberts); while the Giants are numero uno, ratings wise the king of the hill, the A's are in first place and actually playing better than the Larry Baer machine.

**They had the Northern California Emmys the other night at the Hilton. I had an invitation to go but I was already tied up in my previous engagement to see a cryonics documentary on the local access channel.

**That new morning guy on KTVU seems to have a lot of face time over the suddenly enhanced-vacation status of one Dave Clark.

**Tim Kawakami, the SJ Merc blogger/writer and fellow scribbler, Mark Purdy: unabashed Lew Wolff aide and abettors for Wolff's kissy-kisses with San Jose. Two things, well three: 1. At least Purdy has the guile to debate the topic and go at it; Kawakami, on the other hand, is a coward and hides. 3. This is not media-related but the A's and their plumbing problem will be in Oakland for at least 5-6 more years no matter what happens; San Jose is a pipe-dream at best and that's thanks to the Giants and Mr. Baer who still have a house to pay for and is not about ready to relinquish their territorial rights to the A's...Want a basic clue? If San Jose and the A's were even close to  deal they'd have had it now. There is NO deal and that's why MLB, Bud Selig, and Wolff are stuck in neutral. It's Oakland or bust.

**My KPIX item generated a lot of discussion about the safety of the bridge, (which if you re-read the post), had the least to do with the item...as for Caltrans and PIX' cushy promotional tour, I'll leave for you all to decide.

**Quite a scene over at Cumulus' key station where some intern/producer  ran up quite a lunch tab for a quick bite at Grumpy's. I'm not kidding. Anything over $30 gets looked at. Here's hoping some manager bring in extra tuna sandwiches for the assorted crumbs running around the 11th floor.

**KTVU would like to thank the corner of 6th and Market for trusting them.


**Christina Loren: You're  good but your not that good.

**Wayne Freedman: There comes a time when you get sort of stuffy. Maybe the 7800 Emmys need to be fumigated.

**Farce: Tom Sinkovitz can't get a gig in local TV because some of the consultants thinks he's old. Another reason to kick the shit out of all consultants.

**I'm repeating myself, again, but KCBS' shameful repeat after repeat after repeat after repeat story during the weekends, (most notably), and less often, (but still way too much), during weekdays has begun to taint the brand. And I've been, (and continue to be), pretty much supportive of the KCBS operation so don't beat me up, Doug Harvill.


**The local, popular female anchor reporter who likes to mix and match with the boys at Kokkari might be inclined to know that her recent tip on a $150 tab wasn't entirely appreciated by the bartenders. Maybe next time at least 10% would be doable.

**Follow me on Twitter

Kawakami, Sportswriter of the Year; Papa gets Sportscaster of Year; DeadSpin Genuine on Armstrong Mea-Culpa; KGO-TV's Ama Daetz on KOMY; Saturday Notes



Ama Daetz

Props to Tim Kawakami of the SJ Merc for being named California Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. We here at 415 Media always appreciate the passionate offerings of Kawakami, who tells it like it is, good, bad or indifferent...Greg Papa received the Sportscaster of the Year Award...Between Kawakami and Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, we have some of the best sports scribes here in the Bay Area. And don't forget Mark Purdy too....Speaking of sports, sort of, leave it to the reliable Deadspin to give the most genuine take on Lance Armstrong's impending mea-culpa to Oprah...Still weird to see Newsweek in digitial-only form. No printed edition and that's damn sad...The amazing and versatile weekend anchor Ama Daetz from KGO-TV, (ABC7), will guest on my KOMY radio Monday at 3 PM PT and I will do my best to grill lightly...Charlie the pit bull story easily the most over-covered "story" of the last week and a half. Why? Don't ask, don't tell. I know. If Time could put a cat on its cover, animals get special treatment...Don't bet the house on it dept, but what the hell: 49ers: 34 Packers: 32. Really a coinflip game but I'm taking the home team and what a genius I am.

Tim Kawakami

 

 

Greg Papa and everyone else; Bay Area's best broadcaster

It dawned on me doing Comcast Sportsnet's "Chronicle Live" that Greg Papa is clearly in a league of his own as one the Bay Area's premier broadcaster.Papa, who hosts the daily weekday talk show and is the play-by-play man for the Raiders, would be an ideal figure to do a show, similar to ESPN's outstanding "Outside the Lines", hosted by the excellent Bob Ley, one of the most underrated sports broadcast journalists in the country.

Ley reminds me of a sports version of Ted Koppel; a terrific interviewer with the innate ability to keep the viewer interested in even the most mundane and ordinary subjects. Too bad ESPN has relagated him to the relatively off-peak period of early Sunday morning.

Papa is himself very adept at the interview technique; not afraid to ask a controversial question, and commanding the respect of his interview subjects. His grilling of Giants managing partner, Bill Neukom, for example, was both informative and entertaining on a segment dealing with the A's interest in moving to San Jose. Neukom has been somewhat vague in stating that the Giants will not give up the territorial rights in the southbay, but it was Papa's interview that brought out a more blunt statement by the top Giants suit.

The "Chronicle Live" format works well as a daily forum of various Bay Area sports writers and a featured interview subject, but it would be great to see Papa do a more detailed, pithy subject matter, similar to "OTL." Clearly, that technique is more to Papa's strength and would make for provocative, interesting, "move-the-meter" material Comcast GM, Ted Griggs is seeking with this particular show.

On the program I recently appeared on, the Chronicle's Scott Ostler and city writer, C.W.,(Chuck) Nevius did a one-on-one segment on the 49ers proposed move to Santa Clara. The ten-minute segment was one of the best features on the show, as both Ostler and Nevius conducted a sort of sports "point-counter-point", with Papa in the middle as the perfect moderator. It was semi-riveting local TV and frankly, much better than "Pardon the Interuption", which to me comes off as gimmicky and disingenuous.

Lord knows the sporting world has a plethora of subject matters worthy of a weekly "Nightline"-like forum. Performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, (wouldn't it be great to see Papa grill Bug Selig on that alone?) the inevitable lockout/strike facing both the NFL and NBA, Barry Bonds and his upcoming perjury trial all would make for gritty, interesting one-on-ones perfectly suited for Papa's nightly gig.

Sidenote: I thought he was kidding, but Papa believes Bonds would be the ideal power bat the Giants are seeking as they make a run at the post-season. Great potential story, but I'm betting even the Giants are way beyond the Barry card.

On the other hand, if the reports are accurate that Bonds agent is shopping Barry as an off-the-bench power hitter, what better way to showcase your client than an intervew with the 45 year-old slugger? Papa would be the ideal candidate to conduct the encounter, only that other subject matter would come up.

Better sticking with Selig and that inane All-Star game rule determining who gets home field advantage in the World Series.

Follow me daily on Twitter and listen to my radio commentary on XTRA Sports 860