Women's hoops gets the shaft and TV sitcom memories

So the word everywhere you look since late Thursday afternoon is that we’ll get word sometime today of the postponement of the opening of NBA training camps and the cancellation of a week or so of exhibition games.

Big whoop.

Not entirely unexpected at all, is it? We always knew the pressure point to get a deal done was mid- to late-September and we’re at it now.

In one story I read – think it was at My Man Sheridan’s site – Billy Hunter called the move to postpone camps and cancel games “playing semantics” by the league and he’s probably right.

Missing a week of camp is entirely ho-hum, even whacking a few pre-season games isn’t going to hurt too many people, although I do feel badly for the concession workers and arena staffs who’ll miss a night’s work, and therefore pay.

(As an aside, it might deny me a trip the garden spot that is Grand Rapids, Mich., but I guess we all have to sacrifice).

But the larger issue is, of course, the start of the regular season and we’re not near the postponement of that, won’t be for at least a couple of weeks, maybe three.

I do think it’s entirely predictable that a late Friday announcement will come from the league. If there’s one thing they teach you at “breaking bad news school” it’s that an announcement near the end of the work week, or better yet on a Saturday – is the way to go.

Trouble is, if it gets leak a day or so early, it gives all kinds of people time to react and makes it even worse when the official proclamation comes.

I wonder why people in positions of power don’t wait until, say, Monday. It may make some people squirm knowing the thing they said was going to happen won’t for a couple of days.

-

I think a walk-off homer in the final home game of a major league season is a particularly nice way to end things for TOD, no?

And I can’t remember a year when even friends who are casual seamheads were more optimistic going into the winter.

Now it’s up to Alex Anthopoulos to work some off-season magic because a lot of people who normally wouldn’t be are watching closely.

-

It’s all well and good that TSN2 has some kind of interest in the women’s Olympic qualifier that starts Saturday – although I’m sure it’s just a piggyback on the contract they have to do the men’s games – but what they’re doing is a bit shameful.

None of the first round games – Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday – are being shown live, which is tough in the first place.

But then you go to the interwebs to find out what hockey extravaganza might be causing them to ignore a live broadcast (maybe a monkey picking games, highlights of the 1972 Summit Series, a fantasy draft) and …

Well, Saturday it’s two hours of the Canadian Karting Championships and since the first hour is Day 1 and the second hour is Day 2, I’m guessing it’s not live.

Sunday? F1 Singapore Grand Prix at 5:45 p.m. and unless they’re racing early Monday morning over there, it’s taped.

Monday? Game’s at 3:30 p.m., they have taped rugby between Wales and Namibia until 4 p.m. and them something called Numbers Never Lie.

Wednesday: An ages-old ESPN 30 at 30 documentary.

There you go, your cable money, which TSN gets a bit of, goes to waste.

Shameful.

-

Speaking of the TOD, let’s get to one from the mail.

And if you good folks want a couple of days of weekend mail, you better get those fingers working because we’re way down on the question count.

Do it here, please.

Q: Doug, what's the talk around the ballyard over whether Mike McCoy has earned next year's 25th spot or whether Johnny Mac still holds the position for next year? I'm a big Johnny Mac fan, but McCoy's opening my eyes with his ability to hold down SS in the short term.

Gary M, Brampton

A: There’s been noting said about next year, although John Farrell was quite complimentary – unsolicited, too – about McCoy’s play one day when I was there this week.

As you know, there seemed to have been a wink-and-nod thing with McDonald the day of his trade and I will say this without doubt, Alex Anthopoulos is a man of his word and if there was any solid indication that something was up next year with McDonald, he will stick by it.

On the other hand, if there hasn’t been, the fact that McCoy can play either side of the middle infield as well as centre field in a pinch makes him quite valuable as a utility guy.

It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out but, right now, my gut says McDonald is back.

-

Finish with a list?

Sure, why not.

Remember the other day when we did the missed old TV shows and concentrated on dramas or cop shows or whatever?

Well, how about …

Five Sitcoms I Wish Never Went Off The Air.

And I’m leaving Seinfeld off the list because you know how I feel about that; at least you can still see it about 16 hours a day, these ones can’t be found.

Sports Night

Anyone remember it?

Fictional TV sports news show, Felicity Huffman (never a bad thing) and Benson (get that?)

Barney Miller

Classic, no? Abe Vigoda as the old crotchety guy I hope I become, Jack Soo being, um, detached and disinterested and Steve Landesberg, who I always found hilarious.

Murphy Brown

Not sure what you can say about this one. Got Dan Quayle in hot water and that’s never a bad thing and, well, the list of guest appearances is legendary.

Remember when Kramer went to California and showed up as Murphy’s secretary in one of the great cross-over bits of all time?

And how can you top this?

Hogan’s Heroes

Oh, that zany Klink and Schultz.

WKRP in Cincinnati

Greatest.

Sitcom.

Line.

Ever.

WKRP Turkey Drop from Mitch Cohen on Vimeo.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[sam]

It seems the NBA labour negotiations aren't very much fun - I'm certain this can be solved in short order - with some level headed thinking and a little compromise - We are lead to believe that the owners aren't on the same page - and the players remain united - Who knows? I just hope they can get this solved - - - - -

Sitcoms you wished never ended_Can't argue with your choices, but would like to add Dick Van Dyke Show - Bob Newhart Show - and Taxi.

Blogger's note: Three other good ones; the list could be endless

[Boko]

Bravo for today's list. I fondly remember each and every one of them. There are, however, obvious classics that are not on it (I Love Lucy, Mary Tyler Moore, Mash, the one I'm most surprised that you didn't include ... Cheers!)

[billy]

I guess Doug Smith got stuck covering things nobody cares about.
I mean he's worried about the fact women's basketball isn't being shown anywhere in Canada?
And he's shocked TSN would rather concentrate on hockey then women's basketball?
What next?
The Raptors should be on Saturday nights on CBC instead of that dreadful hockey.
I'm sure Doug would agree with that.
Then again only he and his niche sport loving freinds would be watching.
Women's basketball?
About as exciting as reading about the NBA strike.

Blogger's note: And yet you apparently do, and take the time out of getting a snack and heading back to Mom's basement to write about it. I'm flattered. And you're done

[LeeZ]

Sports Night was the greatest sticom ever that nobody watched. Actually, I'm not sure it was a sitcom strictly speaking; perhaps a dramedy, with an emphasis on the "edy". What's fascinating about that show is that it coincided with West Wing, and Sorkin -- fuelled by his coke habit at the time -- wrote EVERY SINGLE WORD of every script for both shows concurrently. To this day I don't know how he did it, and two such great shows at that. My favourite moment: a guy is interviewing for a writer job on the show and says basketball is one of his weak points, but Huffman insists that he tell her how the Knicks can get back to their glory days. He eventually spits out two ideas, followed by: AND TELL SPIKE LEE TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE HELL UP!" Gold Jerry, gold! I would also add to your list Freeks and Geeks, one of the greatest shows of all time.

[LeeZ]

Ooooh, SMACK, Doug! LOVE your response to Billy. So long, Billy. Feels like we hardly knew ya. And don't let the door hit you on the way out. Doug, with your indulgence, I'd like to reprint @Doug's missive from yesterday. I suspect most readers missed it, because I think you only published it this morning. Very moving. @Doug, you should write your memoirs. Sounds like you've lived a fascinating life.
@Lorie...that song has had the biggest impact on my life then any other song I have heard, I remember the year after I lost my wife, my kids and my dad....I was so angry, lost, frustrated and looking for something to ease the pain (and I was never big on drugs or booze to do it) and my family ,friends were just letting me be...I was driving out west, had been to the various states, I particularly remember New Mexico etc, where I spent time with a native american indian family that made pottery, went to Vegas (learned about sports gambling, which to me was easy money) and was driving thru Montana, where I was going I never had a clue,,, I was trying to run from the pain I was learning was just following me....that song came on the radio, I pulled over to the side of the road, cried like a baby, composed myself went to a liquor store, bought some beer, zambuca (it's a great drink to get smashed on), checked into a cheap motel room , proceeded to get drunk, smashed a few things.....next day called my mom said I was coming home, went back to doing what was me, youth care, playing baseball, golf and b-ball and just plain dealing with life....that song was my cathartic moment, I have a hard time listening to it today but to R.E.M. I say thanks...and always will...those words apply to everyone, at some point...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7g5YKEEPoI

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Well, I feel like a dope. I was so pleased to see the games being on at all, I'd gone so far as to send a congratulatory tweet to Allison McNeill about TSN2 showing them. I hope she knows I wasn't being ironic - I was genuinely happy to just be able to watch the games at all. Sorry situation, isn't it: being accustomed to accepting any leftover crumbs of coverage, pre-empted by tape delay of Go-Karting, a car race in Japan, rugby - where not one of the countries is Canada. Thanks for getting ALL the facts in this story, Doug.
Good list of TV shows; and some would say that you've already attained the Fish Level Of Crotchety-ness; not me, of course, but some. :) Cheers!

[Neil]

I hope you weren't being sarcastic about GR, MI. I went to post secondary there and it truly is a beautiful city with an awesome downtown, nice amenities and not so many people that you feel claustrophobic.

[Nick M]

Doug,
-
Just read yesterdays entry and must agree with your comparison of Lawrie and HWSNBN 'Not sure there’s been an athlete to take Toronto fans by storm like he did since that Carter fellow a decade ago.'
-
But surely, you cannot follow that up with 'Hobbs plays hard, he plays well, he’s tough and treats the game the same every day.' I got a good chuckle comparing that statement to HWSNBN's time as a Rap.

[Kyle]

Hi Doug,

What's your take on having a full NBA season this year? My take is 50/50 at this moment but should there be a season, what will Denver do as half of the team has signed elsewhere already?

On the other hand, just read about Yao teaming up with Richard Branson to fight against eating shark fin. A very great move for Yao and my respect to him and Mr Branson!

Blogger's note: Nuggets will figure it out; and 50-50 on a full season is about right

[doug]

I always liked Frasier well written and just a little different..@LeeZ it's interesting you say that as i have been told numerous times to write about my adventures, but no one wants to read anything from a average Joe, now if I was on Jersey Shore there would be a book deal:))....but thanks...and good for the TOD for playing hard down the stretch and influencing the pennant races looks good on all involved...

[Lorie]

@LeeZ:
Freaks and Geeks was one - if not THE - most underrated sitcoms - nay, television programs - of all time. It is a travesty of good taste and sound judgement that it did not get its due run. An unmitigated blight to the Judd Apatow cultural ouevre and supporters of societal oddities everywhere. Its absence is a still-festering wound on the entertainment landscape...woops...think I mixed metaphors there. Just trying to be supportive. And get you to QUIT GOING ON AND ON about that particular show. Now, if you want to talk REAL tragedy, can we discuss the HEINOUS cancellation of Arrested Development? How could you not love a show with writing like this: (PLUS a Seinfeld reference)
Michael: We've got a picture of you with Saddam Hussein.
George Sr.: I thought that was the guy who played the Soup Nazi. I told him how much I liked his work.

[Deaner]

Well,

With the revelation that the Owners expect the players to drop the BRI expectation to somewhere in the mid 40% range, I think its getting closer to being able say...........No NBA season this year. Thats an 11% gap, which is just absurd.

Truly dark days for Toronto sports fans. Argos are awful, Jays are done, Leafs, well come on maybe the 8th seed in the playoffs. Going to be a boring end to 2011 in the Toronto sports scene for sure.

Sad that the NBAPA and the NBA cannot even be civil to eachother, and at least TRY to get a reasonable deal done. With the economy tanking again, you would think that they would see the urgency in getting a deal done and retaining those fans who can afford to support their product. But alas, greed rules for both sides. Sad really.

[Mike]

WKRP.

Best.

Sitcom.

Ever.

I have to agree with you about the optimism for the upcoming season. Was a fan since '77 but after the '94 strike for various reasons I stopped following the Jays and baseball in general, and I was a real stat-head (for years I would buy The Sporting News Baseball Guide and Register and pore over the numbers and memorize batting averages). Gord Ash and JP didn't do much to get me back on board (even getting Clemens didn't help). Escobar, Lawrie, Bautista, Romero and even Rasmus and Rajai have piqued my interest. Nice job AA, just continue to manage fans' expectations and we'll hopefully see a renaissance for the franchise.

[LeeZ]

@Lorie: My good woman, as long as I have a breath in me, I shall go on and on about Freaks and Geeks and prosthelytize to the unconverted until THEY TOO take up arms in support of the show until we form a massive ARMY of Freeks and Geeks supporters and take this country, nay, this PLANET by STORM! First we take Poland, and then...whoops, getting a bit carried away. As Basil says, whatever you do, don't mention the war...
As for Arrested Development, try though I did (and believe me, I did) I could never quite get into that show, although I know many who swore by it.

[LeeZ]

Alright, how about a list of the best shows of any genre that were too smart and/or black-humoured and/or subtle and/or politically incorrect and/or whatever for television, never gained a mass audience while on the air and were therefore cancelled in either their first or second season. We've already mentioned a few (Freeks and Geeks, Sports Night. I think Arrested Development lasted longer than two seasons, so it doesn't merit inclusion. Maybe My So Called Life (Clare Danes), the Ben Stiller Show, Family Guy (cancelled, only to be brought back from the dead years later), Greg the Bunny, ...the list goes on...). Discuss amongst yourselves. And Doug, I promise to never again mention Freeks and Geeks if you promise to sit down with Super Son and Super Wife and watch the first two episodes. You will be hooked for life, I promise you!

[Cluck Kent]

Beverly Hillbillies was one of my favorites when I was a mite.

[LeeZ]

Oh, almost forgot: in my list of shows that were cancelled way too early, I would have to include The Larry Sanders Show. Heeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyy nowwwwwwww!!! (gotta love Jeffry Tambor)

[Peter]

Mash

[J]

@Lorie:

A travesty indeed.

On one hand, you have:
Freaks and Geeks, ~24,000 votes, 9.4 IMDB rating = 1 season
Arrested Development, ~61,000 votes, 9.6 IMDB rating = 3 seasons

And on the other:
Two and a Half Men, ~23,000 votes, 7.5 IMDB rating = 9 seasons and counting
Smallville, ~36,000 votes, 7.6 IMDB rating = 10 seasons

I really don't get it, but it certainly does not bode well for my new favorite, Game of Thrones. =/