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Tough to be a sport about ESPN changes (Published: January 30, 2004)
ESPN started moving in this fluffy direction with a section called Page 2 (OK, maybe naming the section Page 3 was a logical progression rather than an inspiration from 8 magazine). Page 2 looks at the world of sports from a more entertaining standpoint. It features humorous columns and offbeat takes on sports stories. In other words, it helps spice up the site a bit. But still, it's mostly in the name of sports. Now, with Page 3, ESPN has turned things upside down and is looking at the world of entertainment through the eyes of sports. And it's just wrong.
Let's hope they don't go all the way to Page 6, because then ESPN would have a beef with the New York Post's gossip page, and you don't mess with the Post's gossip gurus. Bad stuff ensues. Anyway, Page 3 is where ESPN.com can handle important breaking stories like the one about how New York Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer is going to star as the next "Bachelor." Hmm ... "The Bachelor" is on ABC, which, like ESPN, is owned by Disney. I leave you to draw your own conclusions. And when "Miracle," a movie about the 1980 U.S. hockey team that defeated the powerhouse Soviet Union amid the Cold War, hits theaters next week, you can bet Page 3 is gonna be all over it like Scott Gomez on a loose puck. After all, "Miracle" is being distributed by Buena Vista, also a subsidiary of ... well, what doesn't Disney own? The page is pretty simple. Down the left side, there's a Quick Pick feature. On Wednesday, this was a bracketed poll question about which TV show is your favorite. Somehow, "SportsCenter" managed to make it to the quarterfinals. But can it beat "The Daily Show"? Head over to sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3 to find out. Drama. In the middle of the page, there's a series of photos of celebrities posing for the camera (some sports figures, some not). Down the right side, there are quotes about somewhat famous people or athletes talking about something that vaguely has to do with sports. And at the bottom, you'll find longer stories. For instance, the site featured a countdown of the top 100 sports moments from "The Simpsons." But Wednesday, the features included a breakdown of the Academy Awards nominations that seemed totally out of place. Because who at ESPN knows anything about movies? NO ONE. Oh wait, the Oscars are on ABC this year. That explains it. What it comes down to is, I don't want ESPN to turn into the next MTV. You know how MTV used to play videos? Hopefully, I won't want to have to say the same thing about ESPN. But we're already moving in the wrong direction. The network debuted "Playmakers," a drama series about a football team's season that actually garnered some critical acclaim. Fortunately, it looks like the show is doomed thanks to pressure by the NFL, which has a big programming contract with the Disney family. Apparently, the league was unhappy about fictional football players doing drugs, having promiscuous sex and coming out of the closet. Because "Playmakers" obviously isn't an accurate portrayal of REAL football players. This stuff NEEEEEEVER, EEEEEEVER really happens. Might hurt the image of the league and stuff. And don't even get me started on "Cold Pizza." Have a happy and safe Super Bowl weekend. Oh, and don't forget to watch Janet Jackson at halftime. I'm sure she'll offer more action than the game itself. Scott Johnson :: sjohnson@adn.com
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