TAPE OP'S TAPES TELL TALENT'S TALES

Ampex 2000: 1300 lbs. worth of shit stirring!

It looks like Chris Berman sure pissed someone off!

Using the name Ampex2000, a colleague of ours has posted three more clips on You Tube that shows a side of ESPN's Chris Berman that the public rarely sees.

The first Berman video to hit the net, "Chris Berman Goes Crazy", was posted on January 30 by new You Tube member winnarwinnar. Self described as a 23 year-old from Denmark, winnarwinnar has not posted anything since, but is no doubt proud to know that in only ten days on the web, his effort has been viewed more than 1.3 million times.

Whether winnarwinnar and Ampex2000 are one in the same isn't known (yet?), but they most definitely share the same negative opinion about Boomer.

We are wondering about the name. Could Ampex2000 be a reference to the industry's first color-capable VTR model (shown above), which debuted in 1967? If so, it could mean that this person is either quite the TV veteran or at least knows something about TV history.

However, these clips (and "Chris Berman Goes Crazy") were recorded during the 2000 NFL season, so perhaps the name was simply derived from the year combined with this person's craft.

Anyway, we'll see Chris Berman from the ESPNZONE restaurant in New York, where he hosted ABC's Monday Night Football.

"Chris Berman the WINE maven makes a pass" is the title of this first clip. Ampex2000's description:

"Chris Berman again shows why he is so obnoxious and is disliked by so many."

There is a well-known co-star in this piece that should not go uncredited. The object of Boomer's flirtation is none other than Philadelphia's own Becky Solomon. This highly regarded stage manager has spent much of her career shuttling between gigs in NYC and Philly. Becky no doubt has been the intended receiver of many passes over the years from numerous announcers covering every local and network-televised sport.



Ampex2000's description of clip #2, "Chris Berman the Linguist......nice mouth!" (sic), is clear and concise:

"Chris Berman again showing why he is the master."

The third entry from Ampex2000 is "Chris Berman Complains Again... about the prompter" in which,

"Chris Berman shows again how spoiled and rude he is".

Will there be more entries to follow?

Will any other notable announcers feel the wrath of Ampex2000?

The answer is on tape.

Carolina 'Caines All Locked Up By FSN South, Sonics' Escape From Seattle Takes Shape

Good news for Ya-Man & friends: Carolina Hurricanes games will be seen on FSN South for at least the next five years. The new contract calls for an increase from 55 telecasts to a minimum of 65 per season. A minimum of 35 road games will be televised each season, as well as all playoff games exclusively available to local rightsholders.

The contract includes multiple options that could extend the agreement beyond five years.

Time Warner Cable and Baltimore-based MASN were said to be interested in acquiring the TV package as well, but couldn't even make a proposal to the NHL team because FSN's exclusive negotiating window hadn't expired.

Meanwhile the news isn't as good for Seattle's freelancers. Far from it in fact. Supersonics Chairman Clay Bennett gave a ringing endorsement to Oklahoma City's $120 million Ford Center improvement plan yesterday, another big step towards moving the NBA franchise.

On March 4, Oklahoma City residents will vote on a one-cent sales tax to pay for the improvements. A trial will begin on June 16 to decide whether the Sonics can buy out the remainder of their contract with the city of Seattle or if they have to play there until the deal expires prior to the 2009 - 2010 season.

The NBA would also have to approve of the relocation, which Bennett applied for last November after no new arena plan was offered in Seattle. "The goal is to come to Oklahoma", Bennett said yesterday according to the Daily Oklahoman.

For those keeping score, Seattle is the 15th largest market in the US while Oklahoma City ranks 45th.

That says plenty about Seattle's desire to keep the team and/or Bennett's judgment on where he can make more money.

Spell Czech Would Be A Good Idea

Call it what you want. Chyron, Dubner, Infinit, Duet, whatever.

The operators of these graphics machines don't set.

They (usually) don't strike.

And now some of them can't spell.

Here's evidence from last Saturday's Duke - Miami game on ABC:

(Thanks to Ballsiest.com)

Who knows, maybe "Gerg" will be the next "Jacob".

This was a potentially dangerous mistake from Tuesday's PTI on ESPN:

(Thanks to With Leather via SbB)

Talk about pressure! Hit one wrong key and Al Sharpton may try to get you fired.

Let's be careful out there.

BEST. CLIP. EVER.

Coming February 14.

Exclusively at Sports TV Inside Out.

(until other bloggers grab it & post it too, but that's okay)

Mark your calendar now!

CUT TO BLACK: "INSIDE THE NFL" WHACKED BY HBO BOSSES

Last Supper: Now Tony, Carmella and Cris all eat with the fishes.

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"Inside The NFL", the weekly highlight and analysis show that has been an HBO staple for 31 years, was canceled today. The Super Bowl wrap-up airing this week will be the season and series finale on the pay-cable network.

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Despite the myriad football highlight shows currently on TV, "Inside" stood apart by resisting today's catch phrase mentality and concentrating on the sport. Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti hosted the series for two decades until 2002. Current Host Bob Costas was joined by former NFL players Dan Marino, Cris Collinsworth, Cris Carter, and football writer Peter King.

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Since the show's inception, Harry Kalas provided voice over narration of highlights shot by NFL Films. The steady and reassuring sound of his voice reinforced "Inside The NFL's" reputation as a high end, high class production.

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The biggest concern at the moment is what will become of Collinsworth, who has appeared on "Inside" since 1990. A studio analyst on NBC's Sunday night package and a game analyst on NFL Network's games, HBO's decision leaves Cris only two vehicles with which to opine.

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There was no word regarding Collinsworth's future possibilities in the official HBO release announcing the show's cancellation. However the "Ask A Host" feature on the "Inside The NFL" web site gave us a chance to inquire on our own.
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If we get a response, we will post an update immediately.

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An AP story raised the possibility that "Inside The NFL" could resurface elsewhere next season. NFL Films, which owns the series, may search for another outlet or perhaps air the show on the league owned NFL Network.

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After 31 years at HBO, we hope "Inside The NFL" finds another good home for years to come.

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If just for Collinsworth's sake.

Golf Channel Announcer Takes Mulligan

Did we miss the firestorm over this one or did it just not happen... yet?


(thanks to FAN IQ)

Golf Channel execs must be hiding under their desks wondering what's going to happen next.

Marshall Plan Creates Chaos At Key Arena

We've seen this clip posted elsewhere recently, but didn't watch it until a few minutes ago.

It seems Cleveland's Donyell Marshall didn't have his jersey on when he was sent into a game against Seattle.

"Coverage" and we say that loosely, is from FSN Northwest.

Yeah, it's funny on it's own, but there's a serious whip that's also pretty funny too.