LAWRENCE, Kan. – For as long as I’ve been writing about the world of live television, I don’t think I’ve ever actually put forth a list of who I think is the best for on-air and production.

Here are a couple of rules: 1) individuals must still be active in their respective roles (network changes are okay); 2) there is no limit on how many people working for a particular network can be chosen (if the network happens to be that good, it wouldn’t make sense for me to suggest otherwise); 3) for sports, when I feel it is warranted, I may select multiple people holding the same position but for different sports.

Filed under:
Music/Variety, Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV by Scott A. Winer

LAWRENCE, Kan. – In a rare moment, reporter Mary Joe Fernandez landed a live interview from James Blake’s box in Arthur Ashe Stadium with older brother Thomas, who spoke candidly during the fifth set. As the younger Blake mounted a comeback, he failed to capitalize on three match points, and Tommy Haas answered by forcing a tiebreak.

Meanwhile, the trio of Dick Enberg, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo, who spent much of the afternoon in jocular exchange, flipped on the serious switch when the occasion called for it and provided excellent, meaningful commentary that viewers have come to expect; and coordinating producer Bob Mansbach, working his 27th U.S. Open, expertly selected relevant replays that director Bob Fishman interwove with dramatic live shots of the players, their families, coaches and fans in what Enberg declared the highlight of the two-week tournament.

Filed under:
Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV by Scott A. Winer

ROSWELL, Ga. – I wrapped up the last weekend of my winter break in exciting fashion, on the road in Chicago for last weekend’s NFC Divisional Playoff between the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Splitting time at the new Soldier Field between national television and radio coverage on Fox and Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports, respectively, I now feel confident that I have seen two of the three best NFL TV crews in action, both of which were working last Sunday.

With additional equipment and personnel on hand, producer Richie Zyontz and director Artie Kempner told the compelling story of the Bears’ comeback in the midst of an uncharacteristically poor defensive effort on its home field. While Carolina dominated early and often, Fox’s top production duo never counted the Bears out, following the game’s story to its unfortunate end. The game was surprisingly high scoring, with the Chicago defense giving up around three touchdowns more than its per game average at home, but the Bears were within striking distance until just before the two-minute warning when Chicago’s Rex Grossman threw a game-ending interception. It was a very exciting finish to say the least. Fox, however, had a hard act to follow.

Filed under:
Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV, Television by Scott A. Winer

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Late Show with David Letterman: Led by the premiere host in late-night television, the Late Show did a superb job last Wednesday when actor Russell Crowe appeared on the show after his arrest last week for throwing a telephone at a New York hotel worker. If Johnny Carson is the eternal King of Late Night, then David Letterman is its Crowned Prince. Letterman is by far the best interviewer of all late-night talk show hosts, and his star shone bright when he appropriately conducted a compassionate, serious interview, infused with a perfect amount of humor. Regardless of ratings, Late Show with David Letterman is qualitatively far superior to any of its competition. Even technical-director-turned-director Jerry Foley, who is often lacking in his ability to direct a music performance, rose to the occasion with a commendable job on Paul Anka’s jazzed up rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

Filed under:
Late Night TV, Music/Variety, Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV, Television by Scott A. Winer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – With the new NFL television contract extensions finalized for CBS and Fox, I suppose that most of the executives and production personnel at the two networks could rest easier as Week 10 blindsided football fans with a plethora of unexpected victories and losses around the league. Everything from the surprising demise of the Holmes-less Kansas City Chiefs to the Vick-torious Atlanta Falcons, who are somehow flying under the radar despite a 7-4 record, provided viewers with a little drama, suspense, and – thanks to the Steelers and Browns – intrigue. Indeed, I was watching the Pittsburgh-Cleveland bout, which at the very least made infinitely more sense than Evander Holyfield’s mismatch the night before. I was, however, watching the game in the midst of a few dozen college students. While I try to temper my criticism of sports telecasts, at least in public, the twenty-somethings around me were not so careful with their words. “I don’t like Dierdorf,” one of them said. “He probably wouldn’t like you either,” I thought – silently, of course. These kids mocked the slightest inflection in an announcer’s voice, his word choice, his criticisms of their favorite team, and proceeded to knock CBS’ pregame show, The NFL Today, for everything from the animated segment featuring the fictitious Thurston Long to why they think Shannon Sharpe doesn’t belong on the show.

Filed under:
Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV, Television by Scott A. Winer