The verdict is in on E:60

So I’m sitting here watching ESPN’s news magazine show, E:60, and I’m about ready to vomit. When the show was announced, I was excited at the prospect of deep sports journalism on TV. When the first couple shows felt contrived, I gave them a pass. It was still in its infancy afterall.

Now, I just can’t believe how bad it is. The main problem is how overproduced each piece is. It feels polished, manicured and fake. On that note, I’ll go as far as to say they push some ethical boundaries of journalism.  Apparent dramatizations aren’t clearly marked. Thanks to ESPN’s size, conflicts of interest are unavoidable, but the show doesn’t do enough to avoid them. For example, as ESPN begins to broadcast NASCAR races, and as NASCAR deals with a lawsuit from a female minority employee, another minority woman involved in the sports is profiled as “the most powerful woman in NASCAR” by E:60. Fishy? I’d say so.

Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre

How are you doing on this Favre situation? Have you got your recommended daily does of Favre coverage yet? Does it bother you that I’m feeding the beast by making a Favre post? How many times can you read/hear/say the name Favre before your head explodes?

Me, I’ve already turned off the TV twice because of this “developing story.” Breaking news is overrated. Tell me what has happened once anything has actually happened and I’ll be fine.

For now, I’m going to give the Golf Channel another try. At least it’s less boring.

ESPN’s blogging network represents a medium’s coming of age

As a resident of the blogosphere, I know it’s against the rules to ever compliment The Four Letters. I’m a rule-breaker though, so watch out.

I’m sure you’ve heard that ESPN launched a blog network to cover both the NFL and (relevant) college football. They’ve taken a bit of grief for it, because giving them grief is the cool and easy thing to do. Overall, the initial reaction could be deemed as skeptical.