It's probably not a fair fight to put King 5's Fifth Quarter vs Fox 13's Seattle Sports Live Sports on Sunday nights. King's show comes on about 20 minutes after NBC Sunday Night Football, but without knowing ratings, not sure how much lead-in it holds -- likely plenty enough though. Combined with the longtime sports guru and host Paul Silvi and Hawks HOFer Walter Jones, paying ex-Hawks hero and radio voice Steve Raible joining in, doing the show live on tape from Lumen right after the game, and the station's partnership with the team which provides live player guests, they kinda have it all. I think Jones, while a great player, is not a very good analyst, relying on cliches and the obvious. They should hire Matt Hasselbeck. He's much more insightful and current. Show needs a more astute talent upgrade.
Allyssa Smith-Charlston hosts for 13, but seems to me Aaron Levine should host because he is more equal to Paul in longevity and experience here. He was featured at Lumen with a fringe former Hawk, not close to the stature of Jones. They included plenty of locker room interviews but all pre-taped of course, not the live feel. The show also offers other weekend highlights, e.g. UW, which differentiates it from Seahawks-only King.
Both shows execute their missions and are good for Seattle fans who want the most from the Hawks and a wrap on the football weekend.
The difference really is that King pays lots for Jones, Raible and team access. Hard to top that any given Sunday.
Big Walt does a great job--much improved--plus he lives around here. Hasselbeck lives on the east coast.
ReplyDeleteMatt coaches high school football with his brother in Tennessee. He would be a good addition but he's not available.
ReplyDeleteMatt does up to two zoom appearances a week now with Colin Cowherd, so he could join remotely and provide a QB insight, much better than a lineman can. Since the show is done live to tape it would be easy for him to take part in a double box format. Distance is not the issue here, it's how to freshen a show with new opinions. Jones is probably under contract for this year, of course, so it's a moot point for now, but maybe it could be a future consideration. That's what I was getting at.
ReplyDeleteIf Matt is interested, I don't see any reason why KING couldn't bring him on the show, if not as the regular weekly anylist then as a special guest anylist. He would add some additional insight and perspective that Jones might not have.
DeleteAlso, with FOX 13 ramping up their sports coverage lately, I think KING should consider dusting off NWCN's Northwest Sports Tonight. Air it nightly at 10:30pm on KONG. Have Matt contribute to it if he's interested. Seattle is becoming a more significant sports town, and sports has long been a beat that KING has excelled at. This would just kick it up another notch.
Is Fox on from the field or at the studio at 11PM? Do KIRO or KOMO do anything? KIRO has seahawks games right?
ReplyDeleteThe Sunday show on Fox was anchored from the studio by Alyssa, and Levine did a live on tape segment from Lumen featuring the analyst they hired and locker room sound bites. Ian Furness used to do a lot of that work when he freelanced for 13 while at KJR.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, KIRO will have Hawks games on Sundays, and I would expect Eric Thomas to cover based on his Toronto sports experience, but he will probably just do extended highlights during the news, rather than a post-game special of some kind. KOMO has Tamurian for highlights during the weekend news and maybe for a short college Saturday wrapup segment called Sports Zone, I think.
ReplyDeleteI love Walter Jones!! He's a natural and a great guy. Ran into him at a bar/eatery in White Center. Bought him a drink, had pictures with my party and enjoyed banter with him!!!
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