A reader — somewhat seriously — accused me recently of being on HBO’s payroll.
His reasoning: I spend too much time writing about HBO’s “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.”
“HBO is not mainstream enough for most viewers,” the e-mail read. “And it’s expensive for many families. Since it’s a pay cable operation, you should stick to sports programming found on the other networks that we can all see.”
I’m not getting into a battle of family entertainment expenses, although HBO is less expensive than it was 10 years ago, thanks to big-time competition among cable and satellite services.
Still, anyone covering the broadcasting sports scene should pay attention to “Real Sports” because of its entertaining, informative and often newsworthy topics.
An example: Tuesday’s program (8 p.m.), which offers four fascinating topics.
First up is a then-and-now look at the 1985 Chicago Bears, a team some fans (mostly Bears fanatics) contend was the best in NFL history. The “then” segment shows this rollicking group of memorable, talented and fun-filled characters who became rock stars off the field.
“Now” is a much different story. Several players, including a brain- and bodily-injured former quarterback Jim McMahon, reflect on their continuing, serious health problems due to on-field play and locker room medication.
Also, the son of former safety Dave Duerson, who committed suicide at age 50, reflects on the reasons for that tragedy.
Segment No. 2 concentrates on Cris Collinsworth, the NFL’s premier analyst. Collinsworth, along with his family, is given a lively profile. The profile includes a look at how Collinsworth prepares for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” both in his huge home basement and on location before a telecast. And he talks frankly with correspondent Mary Carillo about his feelings — and fears — regarding football since one of his sons, Austin, is a captain of the Notre Dame team.
Dedicated NBA fans will recall Stephon Marbury, who left the New York Knicks in 2009 after a deep depression over a variety of events, including the death of his father.
Marbury migrated to the Chinese Basketball Association, playing initially for the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons. He then moved to the Beijing Ducks, where he has become a major star, leading the team to league championships in 2012 and 2014.
The final segment will complete the profile of Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, taped after his team won the national championship last week. It’s a follow-up to a story aired last September.
A friendly reminder: Every “Real Sports” show is repeated several times on HBO and HB02.
Network news. CBS and the NFL Network will combine for a second season of “Thursday Night Football” games beginning in September.
Sunday, executives with both organizations announced a production schedule identical to the 2014 season — eight games simulcast by CBS and the NFL Network, followed by six Thursday night games and two Saturday night games airing on the NFL outlet. CBS production crews and broadcasting talents will again be responsible for all telecasts. NFL Network talents will be involved in pregame, halftime and postgame coverage. CBS coverage of the NFL will segue into Super Bowl 50, which is Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Longtime Denver journalist Dusty Saunders writes about sports media each Monday in The Denver Post. Contact him at tvtime @comcast. net.
