Category Archives: CBS

Double duty: Jim Nantz to present Couples and Venturi into Golf Hall of Fame tonight

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At Golfdigest.com, I wrote about how Monday will be a big, and unfortunately, bittersweet night for Jim Nantz.

The voice of golf for CBS is set present both Fred Couples and Ken Venturi during induction ceremonies for the World Golf Hall of Fame tonight (Golf Channel, 9 p.m. ET). Unfortunately, the 82-year-old Venturi is ailing and won’t be able to attend.

Nantz said he is “crushed” about Venturi’s situation.

“He’s going to be terribly missed,” Nantz said.

From my post:

Yet Nantz vows the evening will be special for Venturi’s sons, Matt and Tim, who will accept on his behalf, and his extended golf and CBS family. Nantz knows what the induction means to Venturi, who waited a long time to receive the honor. He even was more thrilled when Venturi asked Nantz to be his presenter.

Couples followed suit, requesting that his old University of Houston classmate also present him during Monday’s ceremonies.

It will be the second time Nantz performs the prestigious daily double on induction night. In 2011, he presented the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, and legendary CBS golf producer Frank Chirkinian. Lanny Wadkins also asked Nantz to do the honors when he was inducted in 2009.

That he has ushered five people into the World Golf Hall of Fame is a number that humbles Nantz.

“When people ask me, ‘What are you most proud of,’ I say it’s that I’ve had five people close enough to ask me to present them at the World Golf Hall of Fame,” Nantz said. “There were any number of people they could have used, but they asked me. It really means a lot to me.”

Nantz and Venturi formed a close bond through the years:

He calls the former CBS golf analyst “one of my father figures.” He taught Nantz about the game of golf and broadcasting golf during their 17 years together.

“Ken, and the players of his generation, are an embodiment of what the game is all about,” Nantz said. “When we were on the air, we found ourselves completing each other’s sentences. You almost forgot you were wearing headsets. It felt like talking at home, watching the tournament on TV with a friend.”

Off the air, Nantz cherishes all the dinners they had together. Venturi’s stories ranged from Ben Hogan to Frank Sinatra.

Venturi would have told plenty of them if he was in St. Augustine Monday night. Nantz says the World Golf Hall of Fame has extended an invitation to Venturi to make his induction speech during the 2014 ceremonies.

“God willing, Kenny will be there,” Nantz said.

The date already is circled on Nantz’s calendar.

 

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Nantz: Ailing Ken Venturi to miss his induction ceremony at the World Golf Hall of Fame; Extended stay in hospital

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It doesn’t seem fair. After waiting for years to earn a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame, Ken Venturi will miss his induction ceremony Monday night in St. Augustine, Fla.

The 1964 U.S. Open winner and long-time CBS golf analyst has been hospitalized for nearly two months in Palm Springs, according to his former partner Jim Nantz. Venturi, 82, has been suffering from an infection and a subsequent stomach surgery.

Nantz described Venturi’s condition as extremely weak.

“It’s such a shame,” Nantz said. “I kept thinking about how he battled during that final day of the U.S. Open, when it was so hot and people were telling him not to go out there. I kept hoping that there would be the same storyline here, and that he would snap out of it and be well enough to be there. It’s not going to happen. He will be terribly missed.”

Venturi had asked Nantz to be his presenter at the ceremony. Nantz, along with his sons Matt and Tim, now will accept the honor on his behalf.

Nantz said the acceptance speech will be “very spare” in the hope that Venturi can return in 2014 and speak on his own behalf.

“We’re going to tell people that we want Ken to be making this talk,” Nantz said. “We were thinking if he didn’t make it to the Hall of Fame, it would crush him. He would have a hard time recovering. But once he hears he has a chance to come back in ’14 and give that speech, he’ll be OK. God willing, he’ll be there.”

 

 

 

 

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Video: CBS, Jim Nantz’s moving tribute to Pat Summerall

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I was talking to Jim Nantz the other day. He asked if I saw CBS’ tribute to Pat Summerall during Saturday’s telecast of the RBC Heritage.

I told him I was out Saturday and missed it.

“I really want you to see it,” Nantz said.

Nantz explained that he considered going to Summerall’s funeral in Dallas Saturday, but decided to be part of the tribute. Summerall would have wanted it that way, he said.

“The feedback has been tremendous,” Nantz said. “It was a collaborative effort. We all put a lot into this. We’re very proud of it.”

In case you also missed it, here is Nantz’s closing essay:

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No restrictions: CBS’ La Canfora plans to tweet picks during NFL draft

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You know that “gentleman’s agreement” between ESPN and the NFL Network to have their reporters be selective about tweeting during NFL draft? Well, it doesn’t apply to Jason La Canfora.

After last year’s NFL draft, La Canfora left the NFL Network to become the NFL insider for CBS. As a result, any Twitter restrictions during the draft don’t apply to him; CBS isn’t providing live TV coverage of the draft.

So it’s open season for La Canfora. He intends to tweet as much as possible. Beware: that includes upcoming picks before they are revealed on TV (if he gets them) to his nearly 300,000 followers. He also will be contributing updates to CBSSports.com.

“We’re not a broadcast partner for the draft,” La Canfora said. “I will be trying to get the information out as quickly and accurately as possible. What event is made more for Twitter than the NFL draft? If the teams have the information; if the guys in the production truck have the information; if the commissioner has the information; why wouldn’t passionate football fans want it as well?”

Later, La Canfora added: “It’s very rare to have a job like this and you’re charged with stifling information. It goes against every instinct.”

However, after working at NFL Network, La Canfora understands why the networks want to set Twitter limitations. There are many viewers who don’t want to be tipped off about upcoming picks.

“We’d have these production meetings at NFL Network where after people complained,  one producer would say, ‘Don’t put the picks on Twitter,'” La Canfora said. “Then you’d have another producer say, ‘It OK. Go ahead and put them on Twitter.’

“I understood it. I didn’t fight my bosses on it. I knew what the rules were. But if the rules don’t apply to you, I think you have to get the story.”

What about the followers who don’t want the story? Or at least those who don’t want to know until the picks are officially announced on the telecasts?

La Canfora says the solution is simple: Unfollow him during the draft or stay away from Twitter. You can’t have it both ways, he says.

“I’m going to do what I think best serves the people who follow me,” La Canfora said. “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s draft experience, but I also have a job to do.”

 

 

 

 

 

A tribute to Pat Summerall: His few words said it all

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Could Pat Summerall have been given the assignment to call 16 Super Bowls, all those Masters and U.S. Opens in tennis in today’s landscape?

It is an interesting question. The networks likely wouldn’t have been jumping all over each other to sign a former kicker who really didn’t say much on the telecasts. It’s more about color and flash, and unfortunately, sometimes screaming and yelling in today’s game. Summerall hardly was a flamboyant personality.

Yet Summerall, who died yesterday at the age of 82, leaves behind one of the greatest legacies in TV sports history. All those Super Bowls; all those big NFL games; all those golf tournaments when Jack Nicklaus was in his prime; all those big U.S. Opens when John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, and Jimmy Connors made that event appointment TV.

Summerall did it because of two main assets: A wonderful deep voice that punctuated his wonderful sense of brevity. He didn’t overwhelm a telecast. Rather, he melted into it, providing the ideal sound track to accompany the hum of the venue and the pulse of the action taking place down below.

There was this quote from Summerall in the New York Times obit:

“I always remember a bit of great advice from a producer doing golf for CBS. He told me that TV is a visual medium, and you don’t have to tell people what they already can see. His last words were, ‘If I ever hear you say that he made the putt, you’re fired.’ ”

Summerall let the pictures tell the story, adding just the right words to bring those pictures to life.

If you have a minute, take a listen to the clip above. It is the final minutes of the Green Bay-49ers playoff game that culminated in the famous Terrell Owens catch for the winning touchdown.

“Three-man rush…Young stumbles…Pass over the middle…Pass is caught by Owens…Owens made the catch!”

And then Summerall fades, first letting the crowd and then John Madden add the accent points to the memorable play. Perfect.

In a fine piece at Sports on Earth, Chuck Culpepper wrote how all Summerall had to say was “Third and 10” to set up a big play.

I still hear Pat Summerall saying something spare — “Third and ten . . .” — and I know the light has been fading outdoors. I know just as sure as any clockwork that Daylight Saving Time might be on its way, or that Daylight Saving Time has crashed in and blackened 5:30 already. I do not need to move from this seat. I do not need to look through a window. I know.

Indeed, Summerall was the voice of several generations. He always was there, first with “Brookie” and then the whacky coach from the Raiders. He played the straight man, always bringing out the best in his partners.

What Summerall did really was an art. Would it work today with the volume turned up several levels in 2013? Who knows?

All we need to know is that it worked wonderfully back then. All those Sundays in our minds contain the voice of Summerall, perfect, clear and succinct.

“Montana….Rice….Touchdown!”

Really, was there a better call than that?

 

 

 

 

Madden: Pat Summerall is voice of football and always will be

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Tributes are coming in for Pat Summerall:

John Madden on his long-time partner at CBS and Fox: “Pat was my broadcasting partner for a long time, but more than that he was my friend for all of these years. We never had one argument, and that was because of Pat. He was a great broadcaster and a great man. He always had a joke. Pat never complained and we never had an unhappy moment. He was something very special. Pat Summerall is the voice of football and always will be.”

*******

CBS noted Summerall’s impact on its coverage of sports:

Pat Summerall worked for CBS Sports from 1962-94.  He called 13 Super Bowls, 26 Masters and 21 U.S. Open Tennis Championships for the Network.

“There is no one more closely associated with the great legacy and tradition of CBS Sports than Pat Summerall.  His voice was synonymous with big events whether it was NFL football and the Super Bowl, the Masters or U.S. Open Tennis.” – Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports

“Pat Summerall was a hero to me.  I treasured the gift of friendship that I had with him.  I was his understudy for 10 years.  He could not have been more generous or kind to a young broadcaster.  He was a giant and one of the iconic figures in the history of the CBS Television Network.” – CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz

“In 1976 I was a junior in college and Chuck Will put me in the 18th tower as a spotter for Pat Summerall.  He told me, ‘You’re not going to meet a finer man in this business than Pat Summerall.’ And to this day, I never have.  He was kind to everyone.  When you were around him you never knew that he was the number one broadcaster.  He taught me so much, not only about this business, but how to treat people.  I’m sad on this day, but also smiling because I know he will be with his good buddy Tom Brookshier.” – Lance Barrow, Coordinating Producer, CBS Sports, Golf and NFL

“Pat was a friend of nearly 40 years.  He was a master of restraint in his commentary, an example for all of us.  He was also one of the great storytellers who ever spoke into a microphone.” – CBS Sports’ Verne Lundquist

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Fox Sports noted Summerall and Madden gave their new sports enterprise instant credibility:

Pat was an icon in his profession, and was the voice that defined the NFL on television for generations of fans.  He and John Madden helped give FOX Sports and the NFL on FOX credibility when it launched almost 20 years ago, and for that we’ll be forever grateful.  Pat’s 50-year record as an NFL player and broadcaster is truly unique, and it will be very difficult for anyone to ever walk in his footsteps.  Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Pat’s wife Cheri and the Summerall family.

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Al Michaels told Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead what made Summerall so good:

Pat Summerall was just a classy, classy man. He had a very soothing style. Pat was what I would call a very comfortable listen. You could sit back and enjoy the game, and by design, he was more of a minimalist in how he approached things.

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Mike Tirico on ESPN:

Pat was the gold standard….When the moment got bigger, Pat had a way to find the right phrase, right word that set the tone, captured the moment, but never got in the way of the event.

******

And there will be more.

 

 

Really? Nick Faldo changed his mind on Tiger; his statements on the Golf Channel

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It appears it also won’t be a good day for Nick Faldo.

Upon further review, Faldo completely changed his tune on CBS regarding the Tiger Woods controversy. He now understands how it all came down.

Carry on, old chap.

Wow.

Just a refresher, this is what Faldo said on the Golf Channel earlier in the day:

“There’s absolutely no intention to try and drop that as close to the divot.  Absolutely none at all.”

“This is dreadful … in black and white – and that is the greatest thing about our game, our rules are very much black and white – that’s a breach of the rules. Simple as that.”

“Sometimes the black-and-white factual of them is harsh, but I think Tiger would gain massive Brownie points if he stood up and said, ‘You know, you’re right guys.  I clearly have broken the rules and I’ll walk, I’ll see you next week.’”

“This one has clearly changed the lie of the golf ball.  Absolutely clearly.”

“He should really sit down and think about this and the mark this will leave on his career, his legacy, everything.”

*****

Well, speaking of legacy, Faldo’s career likely will be linked to this reversal. Do you think somebody at Augusta National talked to the three-time Masters winner?

Faldo is getting ripped on social media. Among the tweeters were CBS’ own Doug Gottlieb.

@GottliebShow: Who knew Nick Faldo was a cover cornerback? Impressive back peddle from this AM until now #Tiger #CBS

Yep, Gottlieb might get a phone call from someone at CBS Sports over that tweet.

 

 

CBS’ McManus: Tiger impact on ratings isn’ts as “dramatic” at Masters as other weeks

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Bet it has been an interesting morning for CBS.

Given what has transpired, it seems to be an appropriate time to discuss Tiger Woods’ impact on the ratings at the Masters.

Earlier this week, CBS Sports President Sean McManus said in a conference call that the Tiger effect wasn’t as profound at Augusta National.

“It’s very documented the kind of spike you get when Tiger Woods is in contention,” McManus. “During a regular PGA Tour event, that can be anywhere from a 100 to 200 percent increase. It’s not as dramatic at Augusta. The Masters traditionally is the most-watched event of the year. There’s no question if he is in contention, we’ll get a spike.

“The good news is that even (when Woods isn’t in the hunt), the ratings have been pretty darned good. If he’s not in contention, I’m still confident we’ll get a terrific rating.”

The ratings always are strong, but you have to keep one thing in mind: Woods contends almost every year. Since 2005, Woods only has one sub-top 6 finish at the Masters; he placed 40th last year. He won in 2005; was second in 2007, 2008; and fourth in 2010, 2011.

Last year, when Woods stumbled badly, the ratings did take a hit. Sunday’s final round did an 8.0 rating, down from 9.5 in 2011; CBS’ two-day average for the weekend was 6.8, down from 8.2 in 2011.

In 2010, when Woods made his comeback following his “troubles,” the rating was 10.7 on Sunday, and 9.0 over the weekend for CBS.

So McManus is correct in the sense that Woods doesn’t produce a 100 percent bump in the ratings at the Masters. However, there was a 16 percent drop in last year’s final round from 2011 and 25 percent compared to 2010.

Those still are significant decreases. They gave CBS ample reason to hope Woods shows up for his 1:45 p.m. (ET) tee time this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

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Faldo, Chamblee calling on Woods to DQ himself

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Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee have the same advice to Tiger Woods: DQ yourself.

On the Golf Channel, Faldo said: “This is dreadful..The greatest part of our game is the rules are black and white….Tiger should stongly consider disqualifying himself”

Chamblee said: “He knows he is  in violation of the rule. He knows it is the right thing to do. He hasn’t done it yet. That’s sad.”

Chamblee added, “He gained an advantage by breaking the rule.”

If Woods does play, it will be interesting to see if Faldo is as vocal about his views on CBS today?

 

 

 

 

 

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History of Masters TV: Remember Vin Scully on 18? Brent Musburger, Dick Enberg working Butler cabin?

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Classic Sports TV and Media did a terrific post chronicling the history of the Masters on TV.

There was plenty of good stuff in there that I didn’t know or forgot about it. For instance:

Vin Scully manned the 18th tower from 1975-82. Pat Summerall didn’t take over until 1983.

Brent Musburger and Dick Enberg each served as hosts in the Butler Cabin.

In 2003, the telecast went without sponsors in the wake of the Martha Burk furor over the no women membership. I definitely remember that one.

Frank Gifford actually worked the Masters while he was at CBS in the late 60s.

When was Gary McCord’s last Masters on the CBS telecast? The answer: 1994, when he made his infamous “bikini-wax” remark about Augusta National’s green.

Chris Schenkel and Bud Palmer called the first Masters for CBS in 1956.

That first televised tournament had 2.5 hours of coverage. This year, they will be 18 hours. As I have written often this week, that’s not enough.