Pardon, me but no more "Horn"
By Brian Betz
October 28, 2002, ESPN introduced one of its worst ideas in recent years. And for some reason it just will not go away.
The TV show "Around the Horn", which prides itself on "competitive bantering" amongst sports columnists from across the nation, has given a bad name to the habitual post-strikeout routine.
Boxing analyst turned game-show host Max Kellerman facilitates a discussion between four representatives of major newspaper markets. The panel, and subsequently the show, ultimately feeds off disagreements between contestants due to differences of opinion regarding the controversial issues covered. Points are given according to how well each writer makes his argument, with more points for better answers and less points for worse answers. And, if their answers really blow, the thumb turns downward and "Maximus" beheads them for ten seconds by putting them on mute. When, in actuality, it's the gladiator himself whose mouth needs some duct-tape.
Kellerman wears the pants in the relationship with his guests. He wields all power to mute anyone he wants, distributes points to whoever he wants, all depending on his stance from topic to topic. There is no objectivity to the program. Kellerman thrives on muting Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, so much to the point that Paige is canned as quick as most WB programs (contestants are eliminated one by one throughout the show, until one writer wins the day's edition). Only recently have the producers realized that Paige's zany antics and public come-ons to Farrah Fawcett are the only things that keep the show afloat. Thus, he has managed to make it further and further into the show every day.
The saddest thing of it all is that the drama and agitating nature of the show are very real. "Around the Horn" is as painful to watch as it is for Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers to participate in it. Simers, who frequents "Around the Horn", talked briefly about the show during Wednesday's seminar at the LA Times Sports Writing Workshop, an honorary event in memory of the late sports writing legend Jim Murray.
"[Around the Horn] is a terrible, horrible TV show," said Simers. "It just sucks, I hate doing it but listen, they pay me so I don't mind doing it."
As the equivalent to a game show, "Around the Horn" does little justice for the truth. All of the answers are so arbitrary. Every issue is logically arguable. Who's to say that Jason Kidd is truly better than Gary Payton? Or that, "Hey, the only reason why some people consider LeBron James the greatest prep star of all time is because of today's media influence?"
The fact is, anyone who watches enough sports can make a case for these, and many of the other issues covered during "'The Horn."
The show is merely overplaying its predecessor, "Pardon the Interruption", by trying to steal a slice of the popularity that Washington Post columnists Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser received as pioneers for what they do. Except their show does not rely on a ludicrous point system. Theirs is not a game show.
First, it was the "Sports Reporters." Fine. Then, "Pardon the Interruption." Good. Now, "Around the Horn" No way! The show has no structure and it is only taking away from the novelty of the genre. Kellerman is in the position to judge the responses and give points as he sees fit. Whether he's getting cue cards from the producers, or he really has his own genuine thoughts toward every subject matter - it's very sketchy. Not to mention unentertaining.
When it first hit the air, I never thought it would last. Six months later, I am starting to wonder if I could get my own show.