tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post2188628265871193023..comments2024-03-05T06:32:37.180-05:00Comments on The Daly Planet: Monday's "NASCAR Now" Is A Greater Southeastern Affair (Updated Even)Daly Planet Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-75395946947103081722007-08-15T14:15:00.000-04:002007-08-15T14:15:00.000-04:00Thanks for the clarification, John. I *really* di...Thanks for the clarification, John. I *really* didn't think you were trying to 'dis' CT, lol. <BR/><BR/>I hadn't realized SPEED was once in Stamford...it was not even a channel option here (upstate NY) until about 2001, believe it or not. I would definitely agree ESPN'd be better off with a Charlotte area studio. But then, they couldn't use their crew people & idiot anchors for other programming which would require actual money being spent--just guessing that's part of it. I've had the same thought about ESPN Deportes--maybe they can put racing on there with English subtitles...j/k. <BR/><BR/>But I think it all boils down to what you and others have said. ESPN has clearly not made a full committment to racing, which makes you wonder why they wanted it back in the first place. We were all hoping for SOOOOOOO much more, especially to get back Massaro, Kernan, Punch, etc. They had an opportunity to do something really special and they blew it. If they can't even figure out what to do with a pro like Bestwick, what hope is there?<BR/><BR/>Believe it or not, there are sports like figure skating that get even worse treatment from the ABC/ESPN folks. Funny aside here--they once sent Paul Page to cover a skating event. Fans were 'outraged' and had no idea who Paul was (quite frankly, I thought he did a professional job considering the probably last minute circumstances of his being there...) But it was sort of surreal hearing his voice on a skating show...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-51649836359877548002007-08-15T13:09:00.000-04:002007-08-15T13:09:00.000-04:00I agree with whoever posted the suggestion that NA...I agree with whoever posted the suggestion that NASCAR Now should move to ESPN Plus. It is on the other side of town from most of the drivers and teams, but it still beats a Connecticut location and constant satellite and phone interviews.<BR/><BR/>If the show has to be in HD, why can't ESPN pay to send the HD equipment down to Charlotte? Mobile HD crews are sent to ESPN's live sporting events all the time. Why should this be any different?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-11594190368912087432007-08-15T11:47:00.000-04:002007-08-15T11:47:00.000-04:00Thanks for your comment, my meaning was that none ...Thanks for your comment, my meaning was that none of the infrastructure of NASCAR comes from CT. If you have been to Mooresville for a tour, the "stuff" all around is amazing. <BR/><BR/>Just for the record, I am a NASCAR fan who used to live in CT. I love Stafford and Thompsonville Speedways, and even saw Jimmy Spencer at Riverside in Agawam, MA.<BR/><BR/>As you may understand from the comment, SPEED moved from Stamford, CT to Charlotte and used a rented studio just to be in the area of NASCAR. I helped SPEED sign-on back in Stamford, and was amazed they made the move to NC. <BR/><BR/>Now, ESPN has literally hundreds of hours of live NASCAR on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC Sports. Next season, they will begin to recycle this year's races on ESPN Classic. They also feature NASCAR reports on ESPN News. <BR/><BR/>As JPM continues to gain in popularity, no doubt ESPN Deportes (sports) will also begin to originate programming with a NASCAR theme. <BR/><BR/>Like it or not, ESPN needs an expanded presence in Mooresville. I will be interesting to see how long they can resist reality.Daly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-1882735846172107332007-08-15T10:52:00.000-04:002007-08-15T10:52:00.000-04:00Just to clarify--so "nothing to do with this sport...Just to clarify--so "nothing to do with this sport comes from Connecticut, ever."? Maybe you should be more specific. Fans come from Connecticut. If you mean the Bristol studios, you really should say that (and no, I don't live in CT, but I know they go to races too.) Overall, I hope you keep going at ESPN, although it doesn't seem to be doing much go so far...we still haven't gotten rid of the awful Erik. And I really don't care where the reporters are (though it would take little effort to explain), but I agree it makes things less cohesive, and also agree with the person who complained about the phone interviews. No excuse not to send someone there. I remember the old NBS 24/7; even though a particular person had left the team, SPEED sent a reporter to his house to get his response to something. I was impressed by that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-64800101768555407572007-08-15T10:38:00.000-04:002007-08-15T10:38:00.000-04:00It'd be nice if some of these Anonymous posters wo...It'd be nice if some of these Anonymous posters would take the time to create an ID on here, so we could respond to some of their comments directly. Come on guys, quit hiding behind the anonymous tag.Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530553847645526841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-332466038827825762007-08-14T18:04:00.000-04:002007-08-14T18:04:00.000-04:00The continued decline in ratings for NASCAR races ...The continued decline in ratings for NASCAR races would seem to indicate that ESPN's plan for coverage of NASCAR is not working. It would appear that upper management at ESPN presumed that real NASCAR fans are so blindly loyal that we would watch whatever they put on the air, without regard to its quality or lack thereof. I watch ESPN frequently and no recurring show for NFL, NBA, or Baseball is hosted or structured with such lack of knowledge or appreciation for the sport being covered. I assume ESPN management never counted on an inept, uninformed studio product angering NASCAR fans and driving viewership down. As a result of the poor quality of NASCAR NOW, I now pay much more attention to the quality of other ESPN shows and, accordingly, watch ESPN much less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-78722998829835129522007-08-14T17:04:00.000-04:002007-08-14T17:04:00.000-04:00ESPN has a long term investment in NASCAR. They ca...ESPN has a long term investment in NASCAR. <BR/><BR/>They can afford their roving mini studios so a studio in the Charlotte area should be a realistic idea. <BR/><BR/>A solid Charlotte host with NASCAR ties would cap it to make it successful. ie: Allen BestwickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-70772220609278007642007-08-14T16:22:00.000-04:002007-08-14T16:22:00.000-04:00I think I know why ESPN bought the rights to air N...I think I know why ESPN bought the rights to air NASCAR. A couple of years ago they were fighting with the cable companies to charge more for their channel. I believe they wanted to be on the upper tier channels and not be included on basic cable. I'm guessing that now there are more viewers due to racing, this may happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-3328705990797342212007-08-14T15:54:00.000-04:002007-08-14T15:54:00.000-04:00Not to burst the bubble of the Jerry Punch coverin...Not to burst the bubble of the Jerry Punch covering football comment..... but the doctor has covered many a college football game for ESPN in the past. Did a pretty good job as well I thought.<BR/><BR/>It does appear as though the boys in Bristol really don't care about a consistent, informative and watchable show dealing with NASCAR.<BR/><BR/>Can you imagine if Baseball Tonight went down the same confusing road as the never ending Jekyll and Hyde shows of NASCAR Now. It's mind-boggling how this continues at a network the caliber of ESPN.MemphisMojohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15734513381621458577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-34051141656816860682007-08-14T15:29:00.000-04:002007-08-14T15:29:00.000-04:00My friends,Let's get back on track. We have worked...My friends,<BR/><BR/>Let's get back on track. We have worked hard here all year not to take cheap shots and if we disagreed with something to say the reason why. <BR/><BR/>Certainly, there are two sides to every story and we all have opinions. Just like Brad Daugherty, we have never seen a role exist like Tim Cowlishaw has on NASCAR Now. Its not defined, and in a thirty minute show, it takes a lot of time for him to offer opinion. I think thats a valid point. If you like him, and his style, that valid as well. I enjoy him on Around The Horn and other shows.<BR/><BR/>Tonight we will see how the network uses its resources to cover the AT&T story and how it impacts a sport in trouble with sponsors right now. <BR/><BR/>I enjoy keeping the comments as <BR/>Anonymous to encourage ESPN folks and other crew people to post, and they certainly do. If anyone has a problem with that, or any other issue, just drop me an email and I will help you out. <BR/><BR/>This season, we have all worked hard to build a place where we could go to talk about NASCAR TV and make our opinions heard. I am just the group leader, and no more important or smarter than any person leaving a comment.<BR/><BR/>Let's all keep our heads together and continue to debate this wild year in NASCAR TV. Thanks.Daly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-4976196176333323082007-08-14T13:21:00.000-04:002007-08-14T13:21:00.000-04:00It's getting alittle rough in here. It has been su...It's getting alittle rough in here. It has been suggested that we give ESPN alittle time and they will get better. Let me point out that they've had almost a year since they signed the contract to get ready. Also they have been covering the Busch series for the entire season. How much more time do they need?<BR/><BR/>Nascar Now is terrible with Erik as host. He reads from a script and isn't a Nascar fan.I don't even think he's a good lawyer. If he was he would have been able to give the viewers a better answer than Marty Smith about how the LEGAL ruling in the Nascar vs AT&T drama actually affect Nascar. Marty Smith is a good reporter but he is not a lawyer yet the lawyer asked him to tell the viewers the impact. All Erik could say was "Nascar 1 AT&T 0 now let's move on". <BR/><BR/>With Nascar Now not saying anything about the Busch or Truck race they should just be called Nextel Cup Now.As far as Cowlishaw being a "real Nascar follower" let me just say this. He never ever sounds like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to Nascar. If he attends reces is it because he wants to or because he is being paid to?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-47888559487893100672007-08-14T12:50:00.000-04:002007-08-14T12:50:00.000-04:00Good shot at INC, but the problem with your compar...Good shot at INC, but the problem with your comparison is that SPEED does many other <B>good</B> NASCAR-related shows.<BR/><BR/>ESPN does not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-39030730019745204282007-08-14T12:16:00.000-04:002007-08-14T12:16:00.000-04:00Anonymous,1. Just because someone says that they a...Anonymous,<BR/>1. Just because someone says that they are a fan, doesn't mean they are. 2. Because he knows some of the names doesn't make him an expert. 3. Running a check for Timmy's coulmns at the Dallas Morning News, the most recent 29 columns come up. Of those 29, only 2 had to do with NASCAR (You can count, can't you?). Five columns were dedicated to the Mavs/NBA, Eight were about the Cowboys/NFL, Two were about Tiger Woods /PGA /golf, Ten were about the Rangers/MLB, and two were about the Dallas Stars NHL team. Memo to Tim, don't wear yourself out writing all those NASCAR columns. You know, anonymous, I go to quite a few races myself and I have not seen him at any of them (Brickyard, Michigan, Chicago, Bristol). I live in Indianapolis, it's a city in Indiana, and is famous for hosting motorsports events. We even have a newspaper that is printed daily! On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays there are locally written stories about NASCAR, IRL, and Chump Car. I will agree with you that Inside Nextel Cup reeks. That subject has been brought up before at The Daly Planet. It used to be a must see show. Now it's the same as NASCAR Now, a must avoid show.Kevin in Brownsburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587307086741704859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-59575734275815761012007-08-14T11:42:00.000-04:002007-08-14T11:42:00.000-04:00Kevin in Indy:Here's how I know Cowlishaw is a NAS...Kevin in Indy:<BR/><BR/>Here's how I know Cowlishaw is a NASCAR fan: 1. He says he is (which he has done often on ESPNs Around the Horn and elsewhere), 2. He actually knows the names of the people in the sport, 3. He covers NASCAR for his newspaper (you cn read, right?), and 4. He actually goes to races (I know because I've seen Tim at a few)...<BR/><BR/>Yeah, ESPN is a little rough around the edges when it comes to covering NASCAR (yes, they prefer stick and ball sports), but they're still covering it, right? Unless you live in NASCAR land, ask yourself when was the last time you read any coverage in your local newspaper or watched it on the nightly news--I bet it's close to not at all.<BR/><BR/>Give ESPN a chance they'll come around. Besides, what they're doing is still better than that goofy Inside Nextel Cup on Speed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-82083930433791705152007-08-14T10:10:00.000-04:002007-08-14T10:10:00.000-04:00Not sure why ESPN bothered to buy the rights to NA...Not sure why ESPN bothered to buy the rights to NASCAR racing at all. They treat producing it like an obligation, refuse to assign the reporters and hosts who know something about the subject to their nightly show, play games with swapping hosts from Erik (who needs to learn the topic first) to Bestwick (who knows it inside-out). <BR/><BR/>Can you imagine ESPN treating a stick-and-ball show this way? Assigning Jerry Punch to cover football? No. Why?<BR/><BR/>Because they actually care about stick-and-ball sports. <BR/><BR/>Which leads back to the original question--<BR/><BR/>If they didn't want to deal with NASCAR, why did they buy the rights to it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-47114362848747527922007-08-14T09:19:00.000-04:002007-08-14T09:19:00.000-04:00Hey folks,Let's keep things civil. The reason we a...Hey folks,<BR/><BR/>Let's keep things civil. The reason we are discussing this is only because we all care about it. That is a very positive thing. <BR/><BR/>SPEED's location is not an issue in this, but I appreciate the comparison. A small liveshot style studio in Mooresville, only a ten minute drive for most NASCAR types, would change things forever for ESPN. <BR/><BR/>The problem, as explained to me at the beginning of this year, was the network's committment to High Def. I was hoping they would take the gear from the NYC studio formerly used by Cold Pizza and Steven A. Smith and transfer that to Mooresville, but that did not happen.<BR/><BR/>We all want ESPN and SPEED to deliver to us a high quality product, and we will encourage them all the way. Thanks again for all your input.Daly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-73274098028608642562007-08-14T08:47:00.001-04:002007-08-14T08:47:00.001-04:00You wrote:"ERT, (ESPN Regional Television) is loca...You wrote:<BR/>"ERT, (ESPN Regional Television) is located a long way from Mooresville in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte. They also have a very full plate. A driver or NASCAR personality would have a long drive to "show up"" for a liveshot or interview."<BR/><BR/>The Speed TV studios are also in South Charlotte, not far from Ballantyne. Drivers used to show up to do interviews every week there when NASCAR Nation aired on Speed. Why can't they go to south Charlotte to go the already existing ESPN studio if they can go to the Speed studio? <BR/><BR/>I personally don't care where the reporters are reporting from, but I do dislike the phone interviews of the drivers and would rather see them on the air in person. if they can use this ERT studio, then they should.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-29799204770403687282007-08-14T08:47:00.000-04:002007-08-14T08:47:00.000-04:00Anyone else get the feeling that "Anonymous" is r...Anyone else get the feeling that "Anonymous" is really Cowlishaw or Erik (with a K)or maybe one of their sycophants. I've been reading the Daly Planet for months and I've known all along that Mr. Daly used to work for ESPN. He's mentioned it in numerous blogs. He's worked in the media much longer than you have and has seen what works and what doesn't. It is clear that when Erik hosts he has no clue as to what he's talking about. I've looked up Timmy's columns on-line, looking for proof of his NASCAR expertise. Didn't see much. How did he get a job as an "insider"? Tim, are you and Erik (with a K) dating? Hell, my 6 year old knows more about the sport than these two hacks.Kevin in Brownsburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587307086741704859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-84933343053591647952007-08-14T07:55:00.000-04:002007-08-14T07:55:00.000-04:00Whether or not the NASCAR Now reporters location w...Whether or not the NASCAR Now reporters location would actually make their reports any better is debatable, but the viewer <I>feels</I> closer to the action when they see that the reporter is on location. This is especially true when it comes to any type of rumor control, or inside information. If they want viewers to come back, they should try to make them feel as close to the action as possible. It's not brain surgery.<BR/><BR/>While ESPN has clearly increased the mention of NASCAR events since their turn to cover them has arrived, their actual reporting on them stinks. At no point, before, during, or after the race, do they leave me with the feeling that they are enjoying bringing it to me. It almost feels like it's more of a chore for them. Interrupting a commercial break for a caution, or to get back to the race in time to see the green flag drop after a caution, would be a big help. Better personalities wouldn't hurt, either.<BR/><BR/>The one positive thing I'll say is that their animated graphics for explaining vehicle parts and how they operate is exceptional. Id like to borrow it for my customers!<BR/><BR/>Not much comfort, but at least I said <I>something</I> positive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-54783396381384518692007-08-14T06:30:00.000-04:002007-08-14T06:30:00.000-04:00Nascar Now is laughable. More time spent rehashin...Nascar Now is laughable. More time spent rehashing old news and 'picking' one driver over another? So sad. Perhaps, if they spent less time trying to create controversy whee there is none, we could get more real news. The ruling in the Nascar vs. AT&T case is a big deal...and Eric K didn't know enough aboutthe ituation to question Mary Smith on the possible ramifications of it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-57944335011403003652007-08-14T06:29:00.000-04:002007-08-14T06:29:00.000-04:00My friends,Let me respond. I had a blast working a...My friends,<BR/><BR/>Let me respond. I had a blast working at ESPN, but I left back in 1989 to move to TX and start Prime Network, remember This Week in NASCAR with Eli Gold? That was mine. ESPN is a great place to work, and has been great with the on-track NASCAR action. <BR/><BR/>ERT, (ESPN Regional Television) is located a long way from Mooresville in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte. They also have a very full plate. A driver or NASCAR personality would have a long drive to "show up"" for a liveshot or interview.<BR/><BR/>To say the location of the NASCAR Now reporters is irrelevant is ridiculous. This show has worked hard to hide things, and has never been up-front with viewers. Why didn't the host just say Mike Massaro was at ESPN on another set? NASCAR Now should say where the reporters are just like every single other ESPN news oriented show.<BR/><BR/>If you check my archives, I have enjoyed Jerry Punch and his gang since the beginning of the year. What viewers did not enjoy, and did not understand, was how the most sophisticated sports network on the planet could put inexperienced on-air hosts in front of a national audience and say "just accept it." That never would be done with baseball or football. <BR/><BR/>Last week, NASCAR Now was hosted by Ryan Burr and had two fantastic shows. Absolutely fantastic. Same crew, same studio, same network. Then, in the blink of an eye the hype and chaos returned. That is the problem, and that problem will continue to be discussed here until it is fixed. Thanks.Daly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-78471867059536534722007-08-14T03:41:00.000-04:002007-08-14T03:41:00.000-04:00Anonymous 12:14 a.m. -With all due respect you're ...Anonymous 12:14 a.m. -<BR/><BR/>With all due respect you're a moron. If you EVER bothered to read this blog before today you would know that Mr. Daly has stated MANY TIMES that he was a former ESPN employee. And there's this...<BR/><BR/><I>Daly Planet Editor<BR/> John Daly is a twenty-five year sports television veteran. He is now a media consultant and journalist.</I><BR/><BR/>You can find this on the right-hand margin of the blog.<BR/><BR/>If you go back and read the posts since the beginning of the season you will soon see that Fox and TNT both caught as much if not more grief for their coverage. We expected more from <B>The Worldwide Sports Leader</B> Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk.<BR/><BR/>Now instead of wasting your time on the company computer in Bristol try to make the coverage better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-85181190524866541682007-08-14T01:16:00.000-04:002007-08-14T01:16:00.000-04:00Forget the "NASCAR Now" programming.I think watchi...Forget the "NASCAR Now" programming.<BR/><BR/>I think watching ESPN's NASCAR coverage on the "Bottom Line" is even more pathetic and telling. All season, ESPN has been showing the top 12 points leaders for the Nextel Cup on its "Bottom Line." So why has ESPN now, out of the blue, started to show the top 14 points leaders over the last two weeks?<BR/><BR/>ESPN. All Junior, all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-34674135026122455872007-08-14T01:14:00.000-04:002007-08-14T01:14:00.000-04:00It's amusing that you never mention that you used ...It's amusing that you never mention that you used to work for ESPN. In the interest of the good journalistic practice of full disclosure, I would think you would mention that you used to work for them. Would any of your readers consider your opinions unbiased if they knew this truth? Obviously you have something against ESPN, and when I found out today that you used to work for them, it made everything clear. You're bitterness towards ESPN comes from the fact that you used to work there and you think you can do things better than the current crop of employees working on NASCAR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-82502468433980192572007-08-14T01:07:00.000-04:002007-08-14T01:07:00.000-04:00Well, the NFL plays one day each week, with the ex...Well, the NFL plays one day each week, with the exception of Monday Night Football. Then everyone goes home and comes back a few days later. Sure the NASCAR season is long, and the NASCAR industry is all in one area, but that doesn't justify ESPN setting up camp there. Not when they have ERT set up for ESPNU right in Charlotte. There's really no reason to set up another shop when everything they need is right in Charlotte. <BR/><BR/>The reason NASCAR Now doesn't specifically mention where reporters are is because again, it's not important. For NFL coverage, their reporters are at the headquarters of each team, so it's important to say that they're at those headquarters. But when Cowlishaw is coming to you from Dallas, and he's not at a NASCAR specific place, his location becomes irrelevant. The same goes for Angelique. She's in Detroit because it's where she's from. And she reports most of the week from her home city. It's pretty unimportant to mention where she's at if it doesn't have anything to do with what she's reporting on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com