D.C. Sports Bog, By Dan Steinberg D.C. Sports Bog, By Dan Steinberg
Today's Top 5

We read other blogs so you don't have to.

1
Flyers-Caps carnage
» Japers Rink
2
Flyers fan cheap shot
» Slap Shot
3
Caps in 30 Seconds
» On Frozen Blog
4
Brash discusses Caps fans
» The 700 Level
5
The pus video
» Chris Cooley 47

Tony Kornheiser Rips Washington Post Live

Or, WashingtonPost.com writer presents Washington Post Radio transcript of Washington Post columnist trashing Washington Post Television. Ask yourself, is it really possible to have too much Washington Post in your lives? Never.


Look! Someone who doesn't work for The Washington Post! (On the right.) (Jim Mone - AP)

As you may or may not know, The Washington Post has a television show on regional cable station Comcast SportsyNet, featuring host Russ Thaler, many Washington Post sports hacks, and also various other newspaper hacks (from papers like the Washington Times and Baltimore Sun and The Examiner and the Safeway Circular), and sports talk radio persons and various other blatherers. I have some level of involvement in this show, via taped segments that may or may not be embarrassing to myself, but which my father likes to watch on the YouTubes. The show also runs against some other cable show featuring Washington Post sports persons talking about sports.

I got a phone call this morning alerting me to the fact that one of those latter persons, the inimitable Tony Kornheiser, he of the SportsJournalists.com message board thread, was discussing Washington Post Live on Washington Post Radio. The transcript:

Tony: "The Washington Post Live" is a television show on Comcast. It's awful. I don't really have much more to say about that. It's just awful. [Note: Actual name is "Washington Post Live," but now that I think about it, it probably should be "The Washington Post Live," or maybe "The WaPo Live."]

Jeanne McManus: It does go up against "PTI. In fairness, you should say that.

Tony: It's just unwatchable. I watch the replay sometimes. Here's my advice, my advice to people at The Washington Post, not that they care, but I work for them, you know, and I love working for them, and I've loved them for many, many years, and I love doing this radio show, which is on nominally Washington Post Radio, until they cancel that three days after I leave.

But if you're going to say it's "Washington Post Live," have Washington Post people on it. Have your people on it. You know, pick a host who's one of your people, train him, and let him do the show. Have your own people on, and don't bring on people from other venues. Don't bother doing it. Because then it's not "The Washington Post Live." If you're gonna put your name on it--am I wrong on this?--if you're gonna put your name on it, and you're gonna basically put your brand on it, put your own people on it. You're looking at me....

Jeanne McManus: Well, you don't have Washington Post people on this show, exclusively. You have people from other, rival newspapers.

Tony: Yes, I do.

Jeanne McManus: And it makes an interesting show. Perhaps the same thinking that you're using here went into play on the TV show.

Tony: Have you watched the TV show?

Jeanne McManus: Once. [Me too!]

Tony: Yeah. Tracee, am I wrong on this? You can say I'm wrong. You've said I've been wrong for years.

Washington Post Deputy Sports Editor Tracee Hamilton, who's always been very nice to me, and who really should be a professional columnist: Yeah, well, sure, I have, but the problem is, The Washington Post people are actually putting out The Washington Post.

Tony: And I understand that.

Tracee Hamilton: So finding two or three of these people every day to spend an hour and a half in Upper Northwest is really difficult. [Actually, lovely downtown Bethesda, with easy access to Chipotle.]

Tony: So say "The Washington Post Presents Something or Other," you know, or The Washington Post in conjunction with [??, joke over my head] Presents Today's Local Sports." And then that's all you have to do.

By Dan Steinberg |  June 13, 2007; 11:06 AM ET  | Category:  Media
Previous: Caron Butler Wears a Bike Helmet | Next: The Mystics Invoke the Envy of Your Yang


Add the Bog to Your Site
Keep up with the latest D.C. Sports news with an easy-to-use widget. It's simple to add to your Web site, and it will update every time there's a new installment of D.C. Sports Bog.
Get This Widget >>


Comments

Please email us to report offensive comments.



What does Paul Farhi have to say about all this? And shouldn't we be using some sort of pot and kettle analogy?

Posted by: Kim | June 13, 2007 11:31 AM

This transcript? It's awful. I don't really have much more to say about that. It's just awful.

It's just unreadable. I will not read it again.

Dan, I love Blog Show and am not afraid to admit it. I find it very watchable. It is the opposite of awful. It is awless.

Posted by: Skin Patrol | June 13, 2007 11:37 AM

Kornheiser never says anything intelligent so I don't assume that what was exchanged here by him was meant to be considered intelligent discourse. Over-rated, over-paid and pathetic excuse for a journalist or entertainer. The best I can say for Kornheiser is he belongs on a rag like the NY Post or Daily News.

Posted by: Dancer13 | June 13, 2007 11:46 AM

Kornheiser is so tired at this point. Who really cares what he thinks.

Posted by: indy | June 13, 2007 11:56 AM

over-rated, over-paid, and over-inflated-head. kornheiser symbolizes everything that is wrong and soul-less in this world. i heart blog show.

Posted by: matt | June 13, 2007 12:01 PM

I love WaPo Live
These remarks embitter me
Suck it, Tony K.

Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | June 13, 2007 12:06 PM

My opinion is that Kornheiser is right. The Post Live show does suck - my opinion. I also hate the Sports Bog - what do I do? I hate the writing style and I hate the commentary. I don't read it. I'm sure there are also people out there who love both, and more power to them.

Why can't people just agree to disagree and move on?

Posted by: Mike in Kensington | June 13, 2007 12:08 PM

Don't mind me I'm just a blathering idiot, just like Bill O'Reilly.

Posted by: Tony Kornheiser | June 13, 2007 12:12 PM

If there is a Chipotle nearby, I would gladly do the show. Tony needs to talk about something really important, like "Listen Up", that sitcom...

It must be tough having a local show competing with PTI. You know, with the large national audience and all.

Posted by: Jason Campbell is my hero | June 13, 2007 12:17 PM

I have no idea how Kornheiser has risen to the heights he has, he adds nothing to any of the shows he is on. I even watch Monday Night Football with the TV sound muted. He is a childish, vindictive buffoon.

Posted by: tony kornhole | June 13, 2007 12:17 PM

I wonder what Jason Alexander thinks of all this?

Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | June 13, 2007 12:21 PM

Both the Washington Post Live, and Tony Kornheiser (in all of his shows)stink. And I am being kind to both.

Posted by: bkfan | June 13, 2007 12:26 PM

Tony is just mad that you're sabotaging his career.

Posted by: James | June 13, 2007 12:26 PM


Did Sterne chime in? He's been on WPL a bunch of times.

WPL jumped the shark when Steinz stopped sitting in the third chair with his portable keyboard.

Posted by: alex | June 13, 2007 12:28 PM


They should bring back that WaPo "sports reporters" knock-off from years ago (It was on HTS) that was hosted by George Solomon.

I remember young cute rachel alexander being on that show when she covered the hockey team that the post no longer reports on.

Posted by: live and local | June 13, 2007 12:32 PM

Hockey team? What hockey team? The one that draws 11,000 per game and gets zero tv ratings? Yeah, they deserve coverage.


Posted by: Today Today | June 13, 2007 12:37 PM

rack tk. he is soooooooooooooo epick

Posted by: J-Man from L-Town | June 13, 2007 12:51 PM

there is a chipotle nearby ...

Posted by: littles | June 13, 2007 12:57 PM

doesn't tk wear sperrys? that could be why he whines so much.

Posted by: cotton | June 13, 2007 12:58 PM

Maybe if the Caps got more coverage, more people would go. But then again, does TWP really care about what's going on in the area??? I'm getting tired of seeing scores and highlights of games and events outside of this area, when there is plenty to cover in our area. Where's the coverage of the Washington Glory? I could care less about the rest of the WNBA who gets more coverage than the NHL.

In regards to Kornheiser, I stopped watching PTI the second he opened his mouth and the fact that Wilbon is on there guarantees that there will only be one half hour waste of TV time instead of giving both of those guys their own show. MNF lost my ratings the second they hired Kornheiser. I'd rather have Dennis Miller back.

Posted by: Fredericksburg | June 13, 2007 12:59 PM

Maybe if the Caps got more coverage, more people would go. But then again, does TWP really care about what's going on in the area??? I'm getting tired of seeing scores and highlights of games and events outside of this area, when there is plenty to cover in our area. Where's the coverage of the Washington Glory? I could care less about the rest of the WNBA who gets more coverage than the NHL.

In regards to Kornheiser, I stopped watching PTI the second he opened his mouth and the fact that Wilbon is on there guarantees that there will only be one half hour waste of TV time instead of giving both of those guys their own show. MNF lost my ratings the second they hired Kornheiser. I'd rather have Dennis Miller back.

Posted by: Fredericksburg | June 13, 2007 12:59 PM

If you people are really tired of TK you need to start listening to Czabe. He's the sports host with the most. A sports genius if you will, If I miss his show I get the bends.

Posted by: Mook | June 13, 2007 01:04 PM

Maybe he really wanted to be the host and that's the problem? :)

Posted by: M | June 13, 2007 01:11 PM

"If you people are really tired of TK you need to start listening to Czabe. He's the sports host with the most. A sports genius if you will, If I miss his show I get the bends."

**************************************

Oddly enough, if I accidentally hear it, I get the runs.

Different strokes, I guess.

Posted by: DevilGrad | June 13, 2007 01:11 PM

If I never have to listen to bald windbag tony I'll be happy.

Less tony, more LAX coverage.

Posted by: lax rules | June 13, 2007 01:17 PM

The show is awful and Bog TV and The Blog Show are the two worst things about it.

Posted by: Joe | June 13, 2007 01:46 PM

So sometimes Tony talks about stuff other than American Idol on his show? Interesting.

Posted by: tadcranky | June 13, 2007 01:58 PM

sorry 2 hear about your minivan AgentBOG !

anytime u want to borrow the DUCKWAGON(TM), our charity edutainment cruiser, its yours!

http://wizznutzz.com/images/van.jpg

I'll have cristopher hitchens drop off a spare set of keys WHEN HE GETS BACK FROM his book tour and scattering ReRun's ashes at the Atheist Dance-a-Thon in Memphis!!!!

Posted by: Darvin | June 13, 2007 02:07 PM

I love Tony's radio show.
I love the Bog.
I'm indifferent about the TV show.
I don't watch enough PTI, but I'm told it's awesome.

Posted by: Markus V. | June 13, 2007 02:44 PM

Washington Post Live DOES SUCK
Comcast Sports Net SUCKS
and Tony K is right again!

In defense of the sports writers
on WPL, it is tough to get excited
about any sports teams in this town.

Posted by: caphcky | June 13, 2007 02:59 PM

WPL is just like watching MNF with Tony. Unlistenable. Mute and the radio feed is the only way I can do MNF. Or I skip it.

Come down from the clouds, Tony. Stick the the paper where noone can see or hear you.

Posted by: scott | June 13, 2007 03:19 PM

Korhiser is a jacknut!

Posted by: | June 13, 2007 03:59 PM

I bet WaPo Live would be a lot better if they just let St. Barry run it.

Posted by: | June 13, 2007 04:38 PM

Tony rules. The Bog is cool. (Why can't you kids make up? sniff) Washington Post Live is often unwatchable, especially when Wise is on. Occasionally it's good, though. You need a better set -- lose those dopey chairs that the guests sit in, and have people the guests face each other. A format and perhaps a host shakeup could produce something better. John Feinstein always produces, maybe have him be a regular.

Posted by: Joe | June 13, 2007 05:09 PM

If people hate the Sports Bog, why do they comment on it?

I don't like Kornheiser's show, radio show, or columns, so I don't watch/listen to/read them. This isn't rocket science.

Posted by: Chest Rockwell | June 13, 2007 05:12 PM

Kornheiser's still alive?

Posted by: jj | June 13, 2007 05:33 PM

I always thought that WPL was a hell of a good idea, and the exact kind of things local sports networks need to do. More things like that and less of the canned crap from Fox Sports. Some tweaks here and there probably wouldn't hurt, but at the same time, at least those guys come in prepped for a show, rather than talking about what they watched on TV the night before for two hours a day.

Posted by: Scores Clerks Corner | June 13, 2007 06:19 PM

Geez, no one in the middle on this. I do have to agree with Mr. Tony about this one. WaPo Live is unwatchable. Although in due fairness, this incarnation of Tony's radio show is certainly not as good as the WTEM show of 04-06 or even the ESPN show, but heck, I'll still listen to it.

Posted by: TK is the man | June 13, 2007 06:30 PM

Is Tony really that much of a jerk? Or is it just a "jerk" persona? I used to think he sounded like a decent guy. I don't think that anymore.

Posted by: Kid TJ | June 13, 2007 07:17 PM

it seems to me that kornheiser thinks anything that doesn't STAR him isn't worth a damn - and his fake "this show stinks" act is just a cover. if he loved the post so much, maybe he'd show it and its partnerships some public support instead of ridicule.

Posted by: tk is a yutz | June 13, 2007 08:05 PM

Wow, well, umm.. I've watched every episode of "tWPL" since its inception, but maybe because I'm an egomaniac who likes to see her cameos ;-) Seriously, I've really enjoyed the show and the sports I don't care about, I just fast-forward through (since I always watch it DVRd). Which brings me to my only problem which is the timeslot - it doesn't jive with my work schedule (or baesball schedule), so I usually catch up en masse over the weekend on the epis I missed during the week. When are you guys going to have a female on regularly (or do The tech geeks not count as options heh heh?)

And I'm sorry for laughing about your minivan being stolen. I'm sure it was actually traumatic, particularly the t-shirts part.

I love that the show not only reports the current sporting news, but that they get great interviews with the sports people (and some really good names like John Smoltz, Stan Kasten, etc.). But at the same time, they bring it to the fan level by highlighting fan buzz from the blogs, the Blog Show, and Bog TV... Dude Abides live blogging the behind-the-scenes stuff. TK has just forgotten what it's like to be a "little people" and actually enjoy this stuff.

Posted by: misschatter | June 13, 2007 08:49 PM

joe-

take your Wise hate elsewheres...

thanks...

Posted by: WGDC- | June 13, 2007 11:17 PM

"The show is awful and Bog TV and The Blog Show are the two worst things about it."

Speak the truth sir...

Posted by: D | June 15, 2007 08:26 AM

I must say, poking shots at old man TK has done you good, "cheese boy." TK is old and bitter, but he's been that way for quite some time now. His honesty is refreshing and fun just the same as that sweet old grandma in Wedding Crashers.

That said, TK has never bitten his tongue about how he feels about things in-house or out (remembering his suspension from ESPN back in the day... just before they kept him on to remain a cash cow) so why should he start now?

Don't hate, appreciate. He represents the DC area (despite his Long Island upbringing) proudly but doesn't go all-homer, all-the-time.

Keep up with what you do, the DC Sports Bog is one of the best blogs in all of sports. You are all over the place covering DC sports news so I say... keep on keep-keeping on... *cue Journey song "Don't Stop Believing"*

Posted by: Tim | June 15, 2007 09:43 AM

Tony is a genious, I just watched today's Washington Post Live, was amateurs...

Posted by: ASP | July 5, 2007 09:15 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

 
 

© 2007 The Washington Post Company