A New Low

Nope, not the Giants.

ESPN, our nation’s great sporting network, seems to be having trouble finding broadcast ideas. Over the years we’ve seen spelling bees, poker, scrabble and the World Series of Darts. This weekend it was wall to wall Little League, not the finals, but the preliminary rounds.

Of course there have always strongman competitions, and superstars type events. Recently I’ve seen paintball competitions. Remember, this is the network that brought us “Bonds on Bonds” until they couldn’t take it anymore.

But today, it’s a new low. Chris Berman and Tom Jackson are hosting a live Fantasy Football draft. Eight ESPN commentators (Irvin, Young, Salisbury, Jaws, Ditka, Mortensen, Kolber and Bakay (who the hell is Bakay?)) are now in the fifth round. They are using the set and the graphics of the NFL draft, with the pick scrawl across the bottom.

Any experienced fantasy player would love to be in a league with these guys. Reggie Bush was the #6 pick. Deshawn Foster was #16. Deion Branch just got taken with the 48th pick. Ditka took the Bears defense in the 4th round. At least there is a token of sanity – through 8 rounds, no Niners have been taken.

I guess this might just be what retirement is like: ridiculous TV programming until you die. At least they didn’t trot out Mel Kiper.

PS. Speaking of TV, if you’re not watching “Entourage”, you’re not living.