Fox not stopping Big Papi

AMONG the most curious elements of TV is its inability to make NFL and MLB pregame and postgame shows worth our time. After decades, none stands out as even moderately interesting, entertaining or insightful.

It appears that Fox’s MLB studio show will again include little better than big names. Thus, lying, cheating, scorn-inviting, time-killer Alex Rodriguez, carefully and predictably dull Derek Jeter, and David “Big Papi” Ortiz will return.

If we’re still supposed to be attracted to Ortiz — a PED suspect, shady character and public speaker of crudities entering his seventh year (!) of being the unfunny comedy star of the show — Fox execs need to get out, and perhaps stay out, more. Despite the forced belly laughs of panelists, Ortiz is not funny. He’s barely understandable and says nothing of substance when understood.

➤ Again this season, at least 25 Yankees games will exclusively appear via pay-extra streaming, with the emphasis Friday night games. More bottom-line chopped salads from Rob Manfred and his band of team owners who have allowed baseball to rot.

➤ Best game televised last week? Johns Hopkins, 16-14, over Virginia in lacrosse, seen on the ACC Network. Close match, sustained action, minimal showboating.

➤ Thursday during Blues-Devils, ESPN again distracted and annoyed with its flashing IDs of players during power plays. This mindless additive holds no value beyond ESPN’s usual, “Look what we can do!”

➤ An “explosive argument” between Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee? Leave it to ESPN to create a match with no rooting interest.