Gary Radnich congratulated himself, (again) this morning for the brilliance of Willie Brown on the post game Sunday Comcast show following 49Er's games. If only Mr. Brown were as popular in the burbs as he is in Pacific Heights.
Comcast had a vision back in late summer that a Radnich-Brown highlight show would "move the meter" and capture the non-sports fan that was looking for more than highlights and X's and o's football minutiae.
Not a bad idea to try alternative programming, but the problem with the Brown/Radnich production is first and foremost, Willie Brown is NOT particularly liked in places beyond the SF corridor. He may be funny, worldly and chic inside the 415 beltway, but his slick/politician/lawyer image is viewer taboo in locales like Walnut Creek, Burlingame, Palo Alto and Modesto.
On his KNBR show, Radnich explained to listeners that the traditional after-game shows were tiring and boring; little did he expect many callers to extol that they turned the channel when Brown appeared. A few callers managed to voice support for the ex-SF mayor, but they were outnumbered by the critical observers.
It's hard enough to beat KTVU/FOX2's Mark Ibanez following the 49Er's game for a variety of reasons. For one, most fans viewing the game on FOX are naturally inclined to stay with the local station because they want to see highlights and post game analysis. Sure, the boredom/minutiae factor can set in and the same old formula shows do indeed seem repetitive, but nevertheless, Brown's polarizing presence, combined with Radnich' same old shtick is no day at the sports beach either.
KTVU's show is beating the Comcast experiment decidedly. Nobody can fault the idea of creativity, but again, what may sound great and work well in Downtown SF doesn't play well in the patios of suburbia.
**Speaking of KNBR and post game shows, nice that Radnich took his version of a shot, (actually a series) at Damon Bruce' after game show, which emanates from a local restaurant. Maybe the reality is setting in, (draw your own conclusion, #149)
**Funny line from Letterman comic, Larry "Bubbles" Brown on my KGO piece yesterday: "KGOLD?"
**Wonder why you haven't seen many written words on the ESPN/Steve Phillips deal? Easy. Most writers that APPEAR on ESPN don't want to rip the world wide leader otherwise they don't make in on the Sports reporters. Simple....by the way, see anything remotely critical of Comcast Sports Bay Area? I rest my case. (Hey look, you gotta feed the family--there's a recession going on)
**Yes, I allegedly appeared on "Chron Live" a few times, but have been sent to electronic purgatory following my rant about KNBR. Independence is a bitch, but it didn't prevent me from squaring gigs on KTVU and MsNBC.
**ESPN finally lowered the boom on Phillips. Like they had a chance, hello Harold Reynolds. Phillips had more chances to screw up a career than Steve Howe.
**About time KRON added another weather girl for the morning show.
**Is there anyone even remotely as dull as Fox's Chris Myers? Oy vey.
**Follow me on Twitter.
I don't know a single person in my age group (25-34) who likes Willie Brown. And I've been living in San Francisco for a decade. Is it still a secret that Wille Brown's tenure as mayor was full of vast corruption? Willie Brown is scum. And this is coming from a liberal.
ReplyDeletePirate: Most of my e-mail echoes your sentiment. I rest my case.
ReplyDeleteI found Willie Brown entertaining in the old show with Phil Matier on KRON (seems like centuries ago), but currently Willie is a bit overexposed, what with his Chronicle column (a Herb Caen ripoff) and the 49ers Post game show. A little Willie Brown goes a long way...
ReplyDeleteGood point Kevracer.
ReplyDeleteOther than perhaps a breakdown of fedoras worn by NFL players, Willie has nothing to offer on an NFL post-game show. Why does this guy keep getting gigs?
ReplyDelete