PTI turns 20

[spikechiquet]

Happy 20th anniversary to PTI, the sports show that changed sports talk

Tomorrow at 7, ESPN is doing a tribute show with Pablo Torres as host. I gotta say, pretty much my entire professional sports career PTI has been on and ... good or bad ... it altered the sports talk TV show landscape.

Nod to AA for mentioning the shows that came before PTI that helped launch it to where it began. Having 2 friends/co-workers was a smart move and it made pretty much every newspaper hack/TV-wanna be (like myself and my friends in the biz) want to have that job someday.

The fact PTI has hit 20 years is pretty astounding. I would have thought Tony would have said "eff it" by now. But then again ... getting paid to sit in my attic and do a show? Yeah, I'd stick around.

 

[sgreenwell]

It probably helps for Tony that he can frequently take vacation, it seems. And, I'm sure it is mentioned in that AA article (don't have time to read it right this second), but I think PTI owes its biggest debt to Siskel and Ebert. Both shows "work" until a lot of other debate shows because you like the leads, and it doesn't feel like they're taking a "side" on something. The same with Inside the NBA. I might disagree with the hosts, but I seldom question whether they believe what they're saying, vs. First Take and its ilk.

 

[Songbird]

Around the Horn > PTI 7 ways till Sunday.

 

[nickp]

PTI was the best invention since Siskel and Ebert

 

[Roscablo]

I used to DVR it when I couldn't catch it live for years. Stopped a long time ago but I'll still watch it if I happen by a repeat late at night and still enjoy it. It is sort of crazy it's been 20 years.

 

[spikechiquet]

It probably helps for Tony that he can frequently take vacation, it seems. And, I'm sure it is mentioned in that AA article (don't have time to read it right this second), but I think PTI owes its biggest debt to Siskel and Ebert. Both shows "work" until a lot of other debate shows because you like the leads, and it doesn't feel like they're taking a "side" on something. The same with Inside the NBA. I might disagree with the hosts, but I seldom question whether they believe what they're saying, vs. First Take and its ilk.

yeah, it’s mentioned that Siskel & Ebert helped birth it along with The SportsWriters out of Chicago (which I was a fan of in HS) and The Sports Reporters.

loved how it mentioned S&K used guys from competing papers while PTI took co-workers. The chemistry was already there.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Michael was always an excellent columnist. Tony might've wound up as the best long-form sportswriter ever if he'd gone in that direction. Like Wright Thompson but less regional. I know I'm an old fuddy-duddy, but that their show was their mutual career accomplishment saddens me.
PS: Loved the SportsWriters from Chicago show. The visuals from the cigar smoke were amazing.

 

[Webster]

I am a loyal Little (although not as much in the current incarnation) and Tony is pretty open in the fact that the money/fame made him less inclined to work as a writer.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I am a loyal Little (although not as much in the current incarnation) and Tony is pretty open in the fact that the money/fame made him less inclined to work as a writer.

I remember Tony at Lillehammer complaining that the Olympics meant he had to write every day. I was turning out a minimum of two stories and usually three and I really blew my top at him. Bob Ryan took my side, bless him.

 

[Webster]

He is definitely a diva. He’s the kid who everyone said was special and the normal rules didn’t apply to him. In moments on his radio show/podcast, he’s self aware enough to recognize this.

PTI was the best because it was first. But it was also the best because it was two very smart guys who care for each other shooting the **** like they were your friends. They bring you in like a great morning drive show.

 

[wicked]

Tony’s writing was as dry as prime firewood IMO and that’s what set him apart.

 

[spikechiquet]

I remember Tony at Lillehammer complaining that the Olympics meant he had to write every day. I was turning out a minimum of two stories and usually three and I really blew my top at him. Bob Ryan took my side, bless him.

A guy I worked with was an intern and said Kornheiser was such a jerk. He also said that the editors said he was an awful speller. LOL

I met Tony 4 years ago after getting to sit in on a taping of PTI. He asked me if I wanted to take a picture on the set with him. I told him I was a former sports journalist and also used to work in TV.
He deadpans: "Well, as you see. I've been more successful at it than you." It was said in such a Mr. Tony way that I still find it hilarious, although...yes, total **** line.

 

[playthrough]

I know it's part-shtick, but I'm long over Wilbon's Chicago fandom (and still can't get past his Cubs jersey immediately after the WS). And I don't think either of them put in much prep anymore, which comes with the territory of having the most secure gigs at the network and seven-figure salaries.

 

[DanOregon]

I'll take PTI over the faux argument shows on Fox and ESPN in the mornings.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

PTI was must-watch TV for me back when Mike and Tony followed sports and had some clue about what they were talking about.

That was a long, long time ago.

 

[Slacker]

PTI was must-watch TV for me back when Mike and Tony followed sports and had some clue about what they were talking about.

That was a long, long time ago.

Yeah, same here. And Kornheiser was much better in print and on radio in the years before TV reeled him in.

 

[Scout]

It’s the best of this format, with those cigar smoking geezers and the “kid” second.

Tony and Mike don’t try to score points or say the popular things. They are at their best, especially Tony, when talking about events that are momentous. Tony understands tone and place very well. They use common sense so much more than other shows who keep trying to say “gotcha” lines or hot takes.

If you cannot watch, the podcast is very good. I need to listen to it more.

 

[wicked]

I know it's part-shtick, but I'm long over Wilbon's Chicago fandom (and still can't get past his Cubs jersey immediately after the WS).

Wilbon said once that Sportscenter producers were the ones who wanted him on camera with the jersey.

I still listen to Tony's podcast for what it is. It's comfort food.

 

[Webster]

Wilbon said once that Sportscenter producers were the ones who wanted him on camera with the jersey.

I still listen to Tony's podcast for what it is. It's comfort food.

Wilbon did say that he was only there as a fan and wasn’t expecting to be on camera.

I am a loyal Little, but Tony in the podcast era and especially in the Uncle Benny’s table era has been a sharp decline.

 

[NNDman]

Ah yes, sports writers on TV with Bill Gleason,Bill Jauss, Rick Telander, and moderated by Ben Bentley who was pretty big deal in Chicago boxing IIRC! Watched just about every episode.