Horn Me!

It's a familiar phrase that viewers have heard for years on ESPN's Around The Horn, the lead-in program to get home/sit down/crack a beer staple Pardon The Interruption. For over six years, ATH has provided four sportswriters from across the country the chance to debate topics, moderated by a single (ahem) voice of reason. The concept is that the regional location of the writers helps provide a balance to the topics of the day and not simply a singular point of view (the much-talked about "East Coast bias" for example).

However, ATH still manages to fall under the same criticisms as most of ESPN's programming because of its success. Perhaps it's the writers who now have become mainstream media stars or the variety of rehashed topics, but the talent on ATH has fallen into a trap of becoming predictable and stale. It's something that can be fixed quite simply, which is what will be discussed here.

This ATH Ombudsman report will break down the two main factors that can make or break each show's success (host/commentators), ways to improve and what's working that should stick. Let's do it!

The First Word

-The show debuted on November 4, 2002, replacing the interview show Unscripted with Chris Connelly.

-Tony Reali is the show's second-ever host, replacing Max Kellerman in February 2004 after Kellerman left for Fox Sports after a contract dispute.

-Last July, ATH celebrated its 1000th episode.

-There have only been three fill-in hosts in the show's history: Dream Job runner-up Zack Selwyn, Duke Casitglione and Rob Stone. None of them hosted more than a week.

Buy Or Sell?

The role of host Tony Reali is a simple, yet important one. He must transition from subject to subject, award points to the various panelists for their arguments and come up with material to make the show entertaining during his banter. While pundits may say he does none of the above that well, just watch when Reali isn't on the show. When guest host Stone stepped in while Reali was celebrating his wedding/honeymoon at the end of June, there was a marked difference in the quality of banter and the 'sitting at a bar talking sports' emotion ESPN aims for on these shows. Like him or not, Reali is very good at this role while still maintaining his 'Stat Boy' duties on Pardon The Interruption. For Reali, it's interesting that the WWL hasn't attempted to cross him over to other entities, save for a few NFL segments he led on SportsCenter last year. Is this done on purpose?

However, the paradox is that sometimes Reali's age (30) shows in certain reference he uses..and uses...and uses. While entertaining, there are times when he gets too cute with pop culture references instead of just delivering the question or statement, likely a side-effect of the SportsCenter catchphrase culture. While I like the balance that Reali provides with his youth and the hip/cool factor that ESPN struggles with at times, the key word is 'balance'. Not every story has to be accompanied by a cute tag or modern-day reference.

While some allegiances to Kellerman remain out there (remember I, Max?), the opinion on Reali is most positive with any negatives coming off as forced. Deadspin's recent Media Approval rating was 74.5% approve by users with most of the negatives resulting in their dislike for the columnists on the show. SWB readers were not so kind:

• "Outside of of my general dislike of the program, I am amazed at Reali's rise from stat boy to host." - Anon
  
  
• "I want to kill and bury Tony Reali (aka"Holy-Crap-did-I-stumble-into-a-perfect-situation" guy...)" - Pat in Maine

Despite being in a very public position, Reali is very quiet outside of his 5-6pm duties on ATH/PTI, apparently by design. I thought this SBD interview with Reali was a good read. Is it possible for ESPN to have normal people without agendas anymore?

Out of Bounds

The lightning rod for the majority of ill will falls upon the shoulders of the various columnists that call ATH home. With a firm rotation of 4-6 writers from the major regions of the country, the writers make up the substance of the show upon which Reali has to fill in around. Since the show's inception back in 2002, the media landscape has changed rapidly from one with very distinct lines to one that necessitates crossover in all mediums. As a result, the panelists have transformed from being simply known as writers to being heralded media stars where the ability to crank out a 1,500 piece on deadline is secondary to arguing with others on satellite.

The Regulars

-Jay Mariotti (Chicago/93.8% disapproval rating on Deadspin): Arguably the most universally-disliked panelist on ATH, Mariotti is treated as a scourge upon American sports reporting by those in the blogosphere and even those that work alongside him. Why? There are a variety of reasons, but Mariotti relishes playing that other side of the coin, embracing the skeptic in all of us to almost-Baylessian degrees. On the show, there are times when Mariotti reminds me of the kid that is trying too hard to be cool and liked, a sad statement on the panel's most recognizable figure. However, as annoying as he can be, he provides ATH a good service: the guy you always want to see lose, no matter what point he makes.

• "...does Mariotti have nothing to do in his life but appear on ATH (besides ripping on all things Chicago)?" - Anon
  

-Woody Paige (Denver/72.0% disapproval rating on Deadspin): My feeling is that people don't understand how Paige is a nationally-recognized columnist. He comes off as a buffoon, mostly on purpose as that's his on-air character but it becomes hard to see the substance through the smog with Paige. He's a personality, but his role on the show is mostly of court jester and as a foil for the other columnists and Reali. While I understand his entertainment value, there needs to be a certain respect level from viewers for those being asked to tune in. At this point, it's his chalkboard and props schtick that keeps him in the rotation, not his journalism.

-Tim Cowlishaw (Dallas/no rating): I find Cowlishaw to be the most-affable person in the group as he's confident in his statements, but also willing to laugh at himself - a recent example being his recent mustache-growing contest with fellow panelist Kevin Blackistone. He doesn't yell or act like a buffoon and passes the ultimate test: when you disagree, are you disagreeing with the person or the argument? I think Mariotti, Page and our next subject fall under the former. A show with four Cowlishaws might be a bit bland, but I feel he's the ideal ATH panelist that the public is looking for...with or without the mustache.

-Bill Plaschke (Los Angeles/83% disapproval rating on Deadspin): Ugh. Plaschke came onto the SWB radar in the past few months, first for claiming Paul Pierce faked a knee injury in the NBA Finals and then, for video-begging Elton Brand to come back to the Clippers. Almost in the same line as Paige, Plaschke tries to be the funny and beloved columnist but the square peg can't find the round hole. He struggles and stammers in getting arguments out and seems to relish in taking ridiculous points of view. I would think that ESPN could find someone else to represent the West that's a bit more polished, but again, it's likely because of the 'character' he plays on-screen that he remains in rotation. It was refreshing to hear fellow panelists take Plaschke to task for his Pierce comments on the show...only he wasn't on that day to respond or defend them.

-Kevin Blackistone (Washington/no rating): I really like Blackistone, but have a rough time embracing him fully because he hasn't been a full-time columnist since 2006, unlike the rest of the group. I think part of the idea of having these guys on is that they're out there writing and reporting and actively within the sports media community. Blackistone doesn't seem to want to be an ESPN 'personality' which provides for a good balance to Paige and Mariotti and perhaps there's something to be said for being off the sports media grid for a while. K.B. is someone that I definitely respect, there are times on the panel when I'd like to see more bite...and some regular columns.

The Semi-Regulars

-Israel Gutierrez (Miami): You can sense a real kinship between Reali and 'Izzy' as he's affectionately called by the host, probably because of their proximity in age. Gutierrez is still learning his way through the TV game, but with every show, he gets better and better. More in the Blackistone/Cowlishaw vein than Paige/Mariotti, the Miami Herald scribe provides a nice swab of the pallet from being yelled at all day by analysts and talking heads.

-Jackie MacMullen (Boston): 'Jackie Mac' is another recently deposed columnist, having been bought out recently from the Boston Globe. The lone female voice on ATH, MacMullen is a bit old-school at times but still seems to understand the evolution of sports and not be stuck in the past. She passes the 'disagree with the host or argument' test as well and is someone we'd like to see more of on the program. On a side note, why is she the only female panelist in the rotation?

-J.A. Adande (Los Angeles): Another young voice on the program, the ESPN.com columnist seems lost on the show at times but to be honest, he doesn't do much for me overall. He is much better in a one-on-one debating format, is very definitive in his statements though and doesn't flip back and forth when the debating waters get tough. Perhaps a more regular spot (no Plachske anymore?) would serve him well. He's a young voice, has some cache and probably would be served well from being just an "NBA guy." I think he'd make a great host if Reali ever left.

Face Time

When the call went out for reader comments, almost all were not flattering of ATH and some had great questions that I don't have answers to. Here's a few:

• Can you do some investigating as to how much the "journalists" get paid to appear on the program? - Anon
  
  
• I'd be interested in finding out the number of columns each of the columnists produced before and after they became regulars on ATH. How has the show affected their writing production? - Anon
  
  
• Along those lines, I'd like to know the "selection" process in detail - who were these guys originally, i.e. respected in their town, region, nationally, etc.; did they do local TV or radio; how the HELL is Bill Plaschke not only on the show, but also a "prize winning" journalist; what makes "sports journalism" "journalism" if these ATHeads are "journalists;" and so on... - Conrad
  
  
• Worst. Show. Ever. ATH is a half hour display of most of what is wrong with ESPN. It has turned into show after show of people screaming at each other. I am not an ESPN hater, just a hater of crappy television, but I don't know one person that genuinely enjoys the show. - Anon

Paper Toss

• Overall, ATH serves as a great lead-in for Pardon The Interruption, a great marriage of unique programming that is fast-paced, energetic and 100% watchable. Even on its worst day, it's better than a SportsCenter Special in my opinion. Keep in mind that 'watchable' doesn't necessarily translate over to 'good'.
  
  
• Part of this process is Reali, who despite garnering some negative comments from readers, is the right person to help navigate viewers through the murky waters the columnists can put them through. He'd be best served to have a few less one-liners though and remember to keep it simple if he's forcing a quip or reference.
  
  
• ESPN has done a good job keeping the core group within the parameters of the show and not pushing them on other platforms. Reali is the one that could eventually be asked to do more, which is a situation that will bear watching. Does he want to do more?
  
  
• We could do without the scripted jokes or prop bits with Paige and others. On a show like this, it should be more straight delivery and not a comedy act.
  
  
• While the panelists are what makes up the meat in the ATH sandwich, the powers-that-be should always stress they're asked to provide arguments and opinions, not try to be crossover stars within their genre. It's possible to be entertaining without being annoying and to have a differing opinion without needing to scream at people to do so.
  
  
• I'd recommend a little more rotation in the columnists and applaud inclusion of smaller markets for opinions. There's a lot of great talent out there that is being overlooked that would help keep the show fresh and allow Reali to not get too comfortable with stalwarts like Mariotti and Paige.

Josh Nason has run Small White Ball since 2007 and is the main contributor of content for the site including parts 1 and 2 of the Mike and Mike Ombudsman review. A long-time writer, his work can also be read at sites like Ropes, Ring and Cage and others. He also appears weekly on radio shows and will gladly do more. He also loves free lunches.