MAX’S NEW TUNE
Versatile Kellerman’s latest task is saving ESPN Radio’s drive show
Upon his upcoming departure from ESPN’s “First Take,” the Bristol Clown Community College Faculty should present Max Kellerman with a PhD in Diplomacy. Or maybe it will lead to Kellerman writing a book entitled: “How I Escaped ‘First Take.’”
Since he arrived at ESPN many moons ago, Kellerman has worked a variety of gigs that included dealing with some temperamental (that’s being kind) personalities. When he hosted a midday radio show on ESPN-98.7 beginning in 2006, Kellerman called his loyal listeners “The Max Kellerman Army.”
Yet in reality it was Kellerman who proved to be ESPN’s good soldier; marching into different shows and dealing with the challenges each one presented before moving to the next one.
In 2016, he replaced Skip Bayless, who went to Fox Sports, on “First Take.” Kellerman joined Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. Through their years together, it was SAS who attracted the heat and attention.
Still, Kellerman pressed on. He was no Bayless. Unlike Bayless, Kellerman actually has a heart AND soul.
And Kellerman dared to deliver insight — and facts — inside his debating points, which were not designed for Valley of the Stupid mentalities or the lowest common denominator crowd. Unfortunately, the Faculty, reportedly with SAS greasing the skids, eventually wanted Kellerman out. Was SAS less than enamored with Kellerman’s debating skills? Was he longing for the days when he went one-on-one with Bayless? Is he really enamored with the idea of debating a variety of lollipop celebrities?
Whatever. Now, Kellerman marches to the next outpost and another tough assignment. He will look to help revive ESPN Radio’s national morning-drive show that, for a variety of reasons, has not had any stability or gained any traction in months. In this new endeavor, Kellerman will work with Jay Williams, who by no means is a lightning rod, and Keyshawn Johnson, who is.
And there’s the rub. Johnson like Smith, loves glomming airtime.
Kellerman is leaving one Human Filibluster behind and picking up a former diva wideout whose credo is: Give Me the Damn Microphone! Where does Kellerman fit into this? Will he spend four hours in the backseat while MeShawn drives the bus? Or will Kellerman play the role of setup man for both Johnson and Williams?
The answers to both questions should be “no” and “no.” In its current state, even with Alan Hahn hosting (he would have been named permanent host if Kellerman stayed on “First Take”), the show had too much structure. With Kellerman now coming on board, the morning show should be less formatted and more free-flowing. MeShawn’s often outrageous, yet original, opinions can be a springboard for listenable back and forth.
Williams, who mostly brings a low-key presence (except when he is delivering Kevin Durant’s off-the-record comments) to the microphone, might actually wake up if both Johnson and Kellerman can “inspire” him.
Get it? These three Gasbags were thrown together by a combination of circumstance and ESPN suits managing by the seat of their pants, or jeans, or dresses. Maybe this serendipitous formula will actually work.
NEW MONEY MAKER
The NFL is good at finding ways to make money for its member clubs.
Here’s one the suits have probably already kicked around.
The league should sell the TV rights for teams holding joint training camp practices to local stations. It’s becoming clearer these practices have more action than preseason games. And if certain players and coaches were wearing microphones, the productions would be even more entertaining.
Especially for NFL addicts who would love getting a closer look at how coaches conduct these sessions.
WHAT NOW FOR RACHEL?
Don’t expect Rachel Nichols to be out of a gig for too long.
On Wednesday, ESPN announced it was dumping “The Jump,” her daily hoops show. With a year left on her contract, Nichols won’t be a part of NBA coverage next season. Considering her background as an NBA reporter and interviewer, Nichols would have been a sure shot to host ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.”
Ooops. Almost forgot that an ESPN employee secretly taped, and released, a private telephone conversation where Nichols inferred that Black colleague Maria Taylor got a sought-after hosting gig because of her race. ESPN suits knew about the audio over a year ago (what were they waiting for?) but only took action after it was brought to light in July by the New York Times. The spit hit the fan and Taylor wound up leaving ESPN for NBC Sports before ESPN placed Nichols (albeit while set to collect the $2 million ESPN owes her) in dry-dock last week.
Despite the static that erupted in the wake of this jive, NBA boss
Adam Silver said Nichols should not have her career taken away over the secretly taped comments. That’s a pretty good reference.
So maybe Nichols could return to Turner Sports, where she covered the NBA (and had her own interview show) from 2013-2016.
AMAZIN’ STUFF FROM KAY
It’s always an event of great historical significance and balance when Michael Kay, the TV voice of the Yankees, goes on a Mets rant on ESPN-98.7.
Happened last Thursday. Kay showed so much passion one would think he was talking about his Yankees. King Cranium made some good points.
There were also some that confused us.
Like when Kay said: “There’s something wrong in the water that surrounds the Mets.” Was he referring to the fact that chop shops in close proximity to Citi Field have an inferior sewage system? Very interesting.
Or how about: “The Mets players — how do I say this — are not reined in that well…. they can’t rein them in.” Is Kay having flashbacks to 1986? Sounds like he’s suggesting the Mets are running wild on city streets. Really?
This is absolutely fascinating stuff.
AROUND THE DIAL
Since the end of the Tokyo Olympics seven of YES’ nine primetime Yankees games have been the most-viewed English-language program in the New York market. ... Credit SNY’s Ron Darling with the line of the night (Giants-Mets) Tuesday. When Gary Cohen said a Giants’ home run blast put a dent in the Dominion promotional truck beyond the fence, Darling said: “There’s a place right across the street that can fix it.”… Didn’t know Marc Malusis was angling for a gig as Joe Buck’s agent. Moose gave an intense sales pitch Tuesday on FAN for Buck to get the “Jeopardy” host gig . ... We like CBS Sports’ move to team Jay Feely with veteran playby-play voice Spero Dedes . As he did when he was a sideline reporter, Feely brings a kicker’s perspective to the game. Now in the booth, with Dedes setting him up, he will get more chances to present those type of insights, which are a rare commodity on NFL telecasts.