ESPN:PTI http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=2406595
First, a disclaimer. I must confess that the televised version of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption (PTI) is one of my favorite shows. I’ve been enjoying it for years. I value the hosts’ opinions and, for me, it is Must Watch TV whenever there are big doings in the world of sports. So when I gave the podcast a try, I was already leaning towards a positive result. I can now report that I was not disappointed
The podcast
for PTI is basically the audio track ripped right from that day’s half hour episode. The show is generally broadcast each weekday and its premise is two people talking about what’s making headlines in the world of sports. The regular hosts are Tony Kornheiser (The Washington Post, Monday Night Football) and Michael Wilbon (also The Washington Post, NBA on ABC). They are two very knowledgeable people who argue their points in good fun. They bicker with tongue in cheek and their routine fits like an old sweater.
The gimmick which propels the show is a clock ticking off the time limit on each topic. There is also a sidebar listing what ground is going to be covered during that episode. Obviously with no video neither of these translates over into the podcast, except for the occasional bell ring announcing that time is up. But, since it is a talk show, the listener is not missing much.
There are, however, some subtle differences between the televised and the podcast versions. On TV, the show concludes with a rapid fire two minutes or so which usually includes a birthday salute, a few brief items and then Tony and Mike divulge what they are going to watch on TV that evening (Tony is an American Idol fan. Mike usually lists some of the games that will be underway later that night.). Then they say goodnight and the show ends. But it doesn’t really end. About fifteen minutes later they come back on during Sportscenter. This time they expand a little on one of the topics they discussed during the day’s show. Then they go to the “Big Finish” which is a rapid fire one minute potpourri of topics. Now the show is really over.
The podcast differs in that the last two minutes of the show are chopped out and the Sportscenter section is included instead. I think that’s a shame because I like the birthdays and the TV talk. Maybe they will start including those in the future. You should also be aware that there are some opening and closing commercials. They have been very brief and you can always fast forward through them.
So, in a nutshell, the podcast version of PTI is a useful way of catching up on a show I don’t get to see unless I get home early or set the DVR. Now I can enjoy the banter while I am at the gym or commuting. And it is always a good listen, even on a slow sports day.
First, a disclaimer. I must confess that the televised version of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption (PTI) is one of my favorite shows. I’ve been enjoying it for years. I value the hosts’ opinions and, for me, it is Must Watch TV whenever there are big doings in the world of sports. So when I gave the podcast a try, I was already leaning towards a positive result. I can now report that I was not disappointed
The podcast
for PTI is basically the audio track ripped right from that day’s half hour episode. The show is generally broadcast each weekday and its premise is two people talking about what’s making headlines in the world of sports. The regular hosts are Tony Kornheiser (The Washington Post, Monday Night Football) and Michael Wilbon (also The Washington Post, NBA on ABC). They are two very knowledgeable people who argue their points in good fun. They bicker with tongue in cheek and their routine fits like an old sweater.The gimmick which propels the show is a clock ticking off the time limit on each topic. There is also a sidebar listing what ground is going to be covered during that episode. Obviously with no video neither of these translates over into the podcast, except for the occasional bell ring announcing that time is up. But, since it is a talk show, the listener is not missing much.
There are, however, some subtle differences between the televised and the podcast versions. On TV, the show concludes with a rapid fire two minutes or so which usually includes a birthday salute, a few brief items and then Tony and Mike divulge what they are going to watch on TV that evening (Tony is an American Idol fan. Mike usually lists some of the games that will be underway later that night.). Then they say goodnight and the show ends. But it doesn’t really end. About fifteen minutes later they come back on during Sportscenter. This time they expand a little on one of the topics they discussed during the day’s show. Then they go to the “Big Finish” which is a rapid fire one minute potpourri of topics. Now the show is really over.
The podcast differs in that the last two minutes of the show are chopped out and the Sportscenter section is included instead. I think that’s a shame because I like the birthdays and the TV talk. Maybe they will start including those in the future. You should also be aware that there are some opening and closing commercials. They have been very brief and you can always fast forward through them.
So, in a nutshell, the podcast version of PTI is a useful way of catching up on a show I don’t get to see unless I get home early or set the DVR. Now I can enjoy the banter while I am at the gym or commuting. And it is always a good listen, even on a slow sports day.
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