Sportsnet Connected Review...and the Big Mac Debate

Sportsnet Connected is the new look for the old Sportsnet News studio and upon initial reaction, is very aesthetically pleasing. Co-hosts are now sitting lower than normal on new, urban-mod leather stools with a very chic oversized coffee table highlighted by an orange back lit glass table top which sits in front of them. The music scheme has also changed from the old 80s porn classics to something, well, something you would find in a film starring Crissy Moran.

Graphic changes have also moved in the right direction. With crisp, sleek lines, off-set with contrasting colours and a subtle sheen, the producers have made simple things like a logo's glass backdrop an aid to everything around it, even the host.

It’s nice to see that they haven't dismissed some of their classic broadcasters either, most notably Mike Toth. There's just something about his vigor and passion that makes him fun to watch. When broadcast companies turn over their anchors at a high rate you risk a disconnect with your adoring faithful. Having time to bond and grow with someone is essential in life, love, friendship and the entertainment business.

Sportsnet Connected is aiming at making this new look and layout more entertaining, and by that, I think they mean for everyone; including the fans and hosts alike. Throughout the broadcast you would constantly hear one host come out of the blue with a comment like "wow, I feel so hip and stylish now" as they were caught up in the new digs so much that their producer was probably screaming into their ear buds to stop talking about the new set and just pass along our daily dose of sports news.

The first grievance however, came when the show prepares to go to a commercial break. They have an annoying exit where they show you what's coming on after the break. This format might not sound unfamiliar because every sports news show does this, although SNC does so on their 103 inch plasma. Again, this might sound like a good idea. Well, when you're watching on your own TV, essentially what you're doing is watching a smaller screen, because your 27'' Sony Trinatron is still only 27'' no matter how big the TV is in the picture. A giddy extended exit sequence adds to the frustration, as you can only dream during that time how your high def picture should really look.

After the first break, the hosts come back with Z Zenya wardrobes designed for the modern urbanite, and have moved from their original stools to a standing position that closely resembles ET. This is a different concept for the sports news industry. We're now trying to appeal to the pop culture, band wagon jumping, technologically paparazzied generation x, y, or z - take your pick I don't know what to call them (me) anymore, and this change of pace seems to work well for the attention deficient generation. Is it really going to make me tune in more often, well a good start would be to get some more anchors who fit the profile of a Canadian Jeanne Zelasko – but a little toned down, more pure, and with that girl next door/mistress on the town appeal.

Soon to be a very popular segment during the hour long telecast will be what SNC calls: In Box. Tailored to the new technologically savvy sports fan, Stephanie takes a look at some online merch, video clips and other attention grabbing items. Her first profile was on Catholicshopper.com and profiled mini-statues of Jesus playing various sports with kids. I'm a religious man, but seeing a cloaked Christ showing lil’ Billy how to hit a baseball is somewhat disturbing, yet, a great news clipping nonetheless. I hope a staple of this segment will be to show random Youtube clips as was done on the premiere. Steph showed a clip from a home video of a kid playing tyke football. As he's running downfield with the ball in his hands and a defender in front of him, what does the boy do, how about hurdle the defender completely, and as he's coming down the defenders backside he taps his foot on his back for support as he descends! (The defender remained standing the entire play) Honestly one of the most amazing plays I've seen at any level. If anyone can find the Youtube link to this pass it my way, I'd love to see this play again. Overall, short, quick clips and opinionated thoughts make this a valued segment of the show and Stephanie, a look alike to the sheltered brunette from Cruel Intentions, is not hard on the eyes, which makes it even better.

Even with the many changes on SNC, it seems as though the producers still see fit to base the broadcast solely on hockey, which is my second grievance, and a more major one I have with Canadian sports telecasts in general. If I could get ESPN I would, so don't tell me to shut up and get the southern equivalent. Why we have to show the same highlights twice without getting to any other sport is beyond me. Is this honestly the only thing that everyone in Canada wants to see? Is it what GTAers want to see? Where's the latest in the NBA? What's going on in the prep for this weekend’s NFL Divisional games? Where's the reaction on the following day to the terrible loss in the BSC Championship by THE Ohio St. University? We need to move from a single sport mentality and expand our horizons. Don't cut hockey completely out, but when the local basketball team is playing against their forgotten son, it would be nice to see the highlights of the game. It wasn't like I didn't watch the game, I take every chance I can to root for my Raps and jeer VC. If you missed it here’s a quick rundown. Vince was hot and got the Nets off to a great start. Then went down and cried on a very suspect play, sat on the bench and looked like he was on this death bed and conveniently passed the leadership duties onto JKidd, who lead the team to a win. Ahh, it's nice to know that in a world where everything seems to be changing, some things will always be the same.

Supposedly there will be more insider segments with various industry experts from across the 4 major professional sports. Tonight, Ken Rosenthal was on and the topic of discussion was none other than the infamous; Mark McGwire. Ken was surprised by the total number of votes Big Mac received, he thought the 24% of the vote he got was low. To be honest, this number seemed bang on. When a group of people superficially builds a persona around themselves, dictating to the public that they are mortality police and the protectors of the great American game (we'll get into that below), you can only imagine that these same people will express the fact that they will not be voting for the villain publicly, as it brings publicity to themselves and their affiliates. The BBWAA did so in a resounding voice prior to the release of the official results. That’s why his low support total wasn’t a surprise.

It's funny, because as this whole soap opera has played out, it seems more and more like the BBWAA have taken the McGwire issue personally. It's as though Big Mac was once the perfect little son of America and baseball, held to the highest regard. Then, all of a sudden, a secret transcribed, but not from the mouth of the assailant, but from those around him. When Big Mac didn't step forth and admit his mistakes, the BBWAA begins to act like the petty parent who's taken a hit to their ego because their son or daughter was just caught having a smoke out the back door after the role model parent repeatedly told them not to and that it was bad for them. Now the Writers Association is grounding Big Mac until he comes forward, tells them where he got the smokes from, how long he's been doing it for and why, and ultimately, apologizes. Then, and only then, can we all sleep easier at night, have the peace in America restored, and Mom and Dad will have their little Marky back.

Currently though, the consensus throughout the group of writers who vote for the Hall seems to be the same; I can't vote him in and sleep with myself at night. This is a hard pill to swallow. Look back during the late 90's, when the Monster himself helped ease the stress of coming up with new and intriguing storylines and feature profiles for the daily sports articles. As he clubbed his way to history and helped salvage a sport that had been put on the back burner permanently by Sports Nation, he also helped make these very same writers who they are today. McGwire made life easy for people, but we forget this. He made it fun to watch the game again. He brought life back to America. After all this though, he's still an evil man, never to be allowed access to the most hallowed baseball museum in the world. Let me remind you, McGwire has never been arrested, never beat his wife, and I would doubt if he's even stolen a 5 cent Double-Bubble from the corner store. Regardless, as the clock ticks now, I think his only shot at getting into the Hall is if the current group of baseball writers has a terrible arthritic pandemic at a short story convention in a sunny tropical resort, and the new group of gen-XYZ journalists come in, and with our jaded and corrupt views, show the ability to look past the fact that he used legal substances and saved a sport. Here's hoping Big Mac, although I doubt your remaining 14 years of eligibility will be any different, but we can always hope.

While on the topic of steroid use, why is it that the sports world, and by this I am mainly referring to middle class America, so caught up in the McGwire debate but, can turn a blind eye to the daily occurrences in America's new National pastime; football. It got to the point during the regular season this year where you almost heard a weekly update on the players found to be juicing, then have the league suspend the culprit for four games and then, all of a sudden, its like nothing happened. The most notable character being Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman. Merriman is a freak, and one of my most respected players in the league, that was until his steroid suspension. I'm not hating on him now because he was on the juice, I've revered many loathed sports figures in the past, and am sure more will come in the future who tickle my fancy. What really makes me upset is how we can be holding McGwire hostage on assumptions, allegations and no real facts or proof, and at the same time, say that a proven user should be named his leagues Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, in the same year he was suspended no less?! This makes absolutely no sense! To argue that he did the crime, did the time, and now the slate is wiped clean is complete bullsh*t! How do we know how long he was taking steroids for and what subsequent effect it would have on his play this season? We don't! It's safe to assume though, that by Merriman juicing, he definitely altered his play for more than the four games he was suspended for. In no way should this issue be handled so laissez-faire by everyone in the sports world. If we are going to hang one of the most influential figures of the 1990's because he's not a good public speaker, then so be it, but I won't be amongst the hypocrites at the hanging.

All in all though, the new Sportsnet Conneted theme seems like it should work. It's new-aged, modern, sleek design will appeal to the new generation of sports fans. They have kept the things in an order which is easy to follow and has a nice flow, and with a few minor adjustments to the programming, should be looking at a major step in the right direction. It's refreshing to see change. Change can be a good thing. Now let's try to pass on this knowledge to our writer friends who have a vote in next years Hall of Fame class, because McGwire deserves to be remembered, he did too much for us to forget him.

- JW