UPDATED: USSS debut show flash critique

Took a quick peek at Day 2 of the Ultimate Seattle Sports Show on KONG.

Guest was Brad Adam from Marinets TV, so for the second day in a row, a media counterpart for interviews.   He spent a half hour with SIlvi and Egan and they compared the top five player interviews over the years from the Mariners.  People love lists, I guess.   Still looking for some guest star power here.  Matt Hasselbeck was out there on Seattle radio yesterday, so he would be a real asset pre-draft.  Can't Walter Jones come on with Paul, his 'Fifth Quarter' partner?   

The show did pump up some fresh video Tuesday with press conference sound from Mariners manager Dan Wilson, Hawks GM Schneider, Hawks coach MacDonald and the newest Storm acquisition Flau' Jae Johnson.   Added a segment called 'King of the Bet,' featuring an on-screen parlay dreamed up by the hosts.for viewers to bet "at one of our fine NW casinos," said Egan.   Bettors beware.  They then introduced on camera the show producer, which was just banter/filler.   I do think it would be fun for him to pop into the show at times to weigh in on some of the content.  It's an old trick, but maybe something to add here and there.    The final take was previously posted Chris Egan drive to an In and Out Burger in distant Ridgefield, WA.   That was posted here, in fact, ICYMI.

Overall, show was slightly better Tuesday.  Lots of work yet to do.  Rating period for the linear version starts Thursday.  They will be eagerly checking the overnights and the app impressions.

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Day 1

The Ultimate Sports Show on KONG

Jazzy music open with stadium and fan shots, a virtual man cave set with easy chairs and table snacks/chotchkes, laced with lots of joyous, high energy hype from hosts Paul Silvi and Chris Egan, who touted 60 years combined Seattle sports coverage.  The graphics are very Emerald City green and white, which seemed a bit flat, but I'm red/green color blind.

They did a quick billboard laying out the debut show highlights (always important to do) into the first guest, talk host Softy Mahler of KJR-FM, who cracked, "Who woke up one day and said we needed more of Silvi and Egan on TV."  Softy's audio was a touch late in joining off the top on a Zoom call.   They are promising top guests.

Mahler interview was interspersed with Mariner player sound bites, but no field play video, just full screen stats and action still pics of the players.   I'm sure K5 has file video of all the players, even from spring training or opening day.  Seemed odd and underproduced, but certainly less editing requred.  Easier to drop and drag stills into a show lineup.

Discussion moved to Seahawks upcoming draft on Thursday, with random, wallpaper stills of unidentifed college players from various schools.  The only one that was mentioned and matched with pics was a top player prospect from ND.   

More draft talk after a break and, again, still pics of the teams GM and coach.   No fresh sound.   Softy doing most of the analysis and opinion, of course.

After another break, Egan sampled some popcorn (nothing like a little popcorn at 10:45 a.m.) and Silvi adding that you can just listen to show "as you're walking around the house, doing a little cleaning, we'll help you get through it."

Softy comes back to talk Husky football.  Some video b-roll this time, probably from K5 files.   Then, some UW basketball talk, but stills again.    

Final segment was called FINAL TAKE and opened with sound from a new Storm player talking about seeing Rainier for the first time.    Cute Silvi take.

Heading for the close, Softy rejoins and Egan displays a hot dog, which he says MUST have mustard, ketchup and relish.  He said someone at the park told him you only put mustard on a hot dog, nothing else, so Egan wonders if there are now hot dog rules and hot dog police!  Softy backs him up for a laugh-laden finish.

And to close the show, a TEGNA copyright graphic.  Nexstar on hold for now.

Overall, they were lucky to have Softy to help carry the show for an hour.   He knows how to keep the talk moving.   Paul and Chris have great, genuine chemistry, but at times I felt like the laughter was forced too often, however, you gotta mix in the guffaws with the serious sports gab.   It's never fair to be too harsh on a first show.  But, I would say my expectations were higher for multiple and higher profile guests (even pre-taped) and more video.  Softy was an easy 'gimme' guest.  Needs more producing and less vamping.   IMHO.    Press on, gentlemen.

I guess the question that remains is whether this program, time slot and streaming will get any traction in a six-month, do or die trial.   I will take a look Tuesday as well,

Set your DVRs and weigh in, please.