Half-OT: Mr. Six deep-sixed?

[Bob in Jersey]

Angry new board members at Six Flags -- featuring Redskins owner
Daniel Snyder and ex-ESPN exec Mark Shapiro -- are making the theme-
park company rethink its marketing strategy...including likely
firing their manic dancing TV pitchman (free registration):

http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=46973

[Mark J.]

Who's Shapiro going to get to replace Mr. Six--Kit Hoover? :)

Speaking of which, a college football blog put up a post the other day
about "52+ Reasons ESPN/ABC/Disney Sucks"--with lots of comments
(including an admittedly pot-stirring one from yours truly--no one took
the bait):

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=1406

But I do wonder--how you can complain about corporate America and be
racist, sexist and homophobic at the same time? You will notice that
almost every reference to women in the post and comments seems to be
referring to how they look or how good they are in bed. Is that being
a libertarian?

(And I know that I've been refuted every time in this forum I've
accused a Stuart Scott or Steven A. Smith detractor of being racist,
but it seems that besides Chris Berman, a *lot* of the people at ESPN
[or players, be they college or pro] they hate are black.
Coincidence?)

And more important--if all of these people hate ESPN so much, why has
no one else been a serious competitor to them (and these people seem to
hate Fox Sports/FSN as much as they do ESPN? And how can they claim to
not be frat house types and criticize ESPN for pandering when they talk
dirty and make sexist and racist (yes, I've said it) remarks? I just
don't get it.

[Anthony Foglia]

On Thu, 1 Dec 2005, Mark J. wrote:

> http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=1406

>
> (And I know that I've been refuted every time in this forum I've
> accused a Stuart Scott or Steven A. Smith detractor of being racist,
> but it seems that besides Chris Berman, a *lot* of the people at ESPN
> [or players, be they college or pro] they hate are black.
> Coincidence?)

And a lot are white. Chris Berman is listed multiple times.
Also making the list are that I know are white Keith Jackson, Lou Holtz,
Mike Lupica, and Mark Shapiro. And ones I'm guessing are white simply
from their name include Lee Corso, Mike Gottfried, Woody Paige, Beano
Cook.

That's the main column. The comments might be a bit more skewed,
(I just skimmed the first few screens) but they pile the hate on Mitch
Albom and the entire Sunday Night Football booth. And they justifiably
like Tom Jackson.

I will admit the "very cute lesbian" comment in item 21 is
uncalled for.

--Anthony

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"A facility for quotation covers the absence of original thought."
-- Peter Wimse

[KJB]

Okay, as I understand the argument, the list is about sports and is taking
a shot because it is sexist, talks dirty and is racist because they don't
like Stephen A. Smith? And this makes then "frat house types"? I watch
sports, actually agree with some of what was said on the list (although the
"cute lesbian" remark was a little out of line we are talking about mostly
guys who, frankly, like to think about cute lesbians even if they would
never be allowed in the same building with them) and I have never even been
inside of a frat house. Sounds like a little prejudice at work with that
remark.

Everything is, in some way, spoken out of prejudice whether it's racial,
sexual or just from the knowledge that you know the guy in the corner
office is a dick. Doesn't make any of it right but I think some of what
you're trying to spotlight isn't as bad as you're trying to make it out to be.

KJB