Customer Reviews

The Big Show

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fans of Sportscenter are going to love this book - Dan and Keith, the way they were. All of the wit, sarcasm, and intelligence we came to know and love from the guys who really put Sportscenter on the map. A must read for any sports fan, really. En Fuego!

I just saw a Sport Center segment and I pulled this book out. This was the start of something special. All the sportcasters with irreverent comments and phrases...it began in earnest with these two. This was the golden era of Sport Center...

Great insight and I love the phrases. It does read like the stories that those two used to do. The Big Show...Sunday Nights...

...And surprisingly, it ended with grace...remembering Tom Meese.

If you are a fan in any way, shape or form of Sports Center, get this book!

Well, maybe that's stretching it a bit, but I just stumbled across this tome by Messers. Patrick and Olbermann, and I have to say it is a great read for any sports and ESPN buff. Plus, the naked pics of Dan are to die for (just kidding).

This book came out some seven years ago, when Olbermann was still allowed on the grounds at Bristol, but it resonates today because a lot of it holds true. Forget the somewhat dated references to the Macarena, and you'll enjoy it for what it is: two co-workers locked in deadly combat over whether the 1899 Cleveland Spiders deserve mention or not.

Patrick and Olbermann were the anchor for the good times at Sports Center, and they write with absolute candor about their time in bottom-feeding jobs across the country before they fulfilled their destinies as the premier wiseasses for a generation. The "how-to" chapter on becoming a potential sportscastor is rather intimidating, but they offer helpful hints on how to get started (and to have a back-up plan in case it doesn't work out).

But the real meat of the book is the estimation of atheletes over time. Olbermann and Patrick know their sports, and it shows in the lists they compile of "the greatest". Note to the fainthearted: Olbermann's arcane knowledge of nineteenth century baseball is mind-boggling, you may want to take a quick walk outside after poring over the lists.

Patrick and Olbermann may no longer be a team, but their book is a great relic of that time when Sports Center truely was "The Big Show". Pick it up today, and you'll never put it down.

This book was a great and easy read. The only flaw is the lack of humor that the show it's about is so famous for. I especially enjoyed the chapter that focused on how to become a sports broadcaster. Before I read it I had no idea the work you had to put in to become what these two men have become. It definitely made me think twice about what I wanted to do with my life and how I was going to do it. Some of this book is funny, some parts are poignant, but most of it is just biographical. If you enjoy these two men, the show, or are interested in becoming a sports broadcaster read this book.

What makes this such a great book is what it does when you're done reading. You can't get it out of your head, especially Keith's list of should-be baseball hall-of-famers (who knew he was such a baseball genius!). Even when you're done reading you'll show your friends parts of the book just for a laugh. You know the saying about how certain books you'll read over and over again? This IS the book they were talking about.

I got this book thinking that I would read it, but my wife got to it first and she LOVED it! She now understands why I love Sportscenter so much. Highly recommend it.

Olbermann went into great detail when he mentioned players who were deserving of enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I have even noticed that some of his choices have been elected in the last few years. Three that come immediately to mind are Orlando Cepeda, Nellie Fox, and Frank Selee. I believe there is much to be learned about the way the Hall of Fame elections work in this chapter, and that it is only a matter of time until Curt Flood takes his place among the other immortals of the game.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read! Keith and Dan are they best sports anchors and tell a great story. Their bloopers chapter made me cry with laughter. The glossary on their catch-phrases is a chapter that gets you in the mind of these to authors. You gotta read it.

This is easily one of the best books I've ever read. I first bought it back in the mid 90s, and I still pull it out at least once a year if not more to read it again and again. It has everything: It's extremely funny and very informative. I learn something new each time I read it. Olbermann is a baseball genius, his chapter on the 100 players not in the Hall of Fame is amazing. And the arguing between him and Patrick is hilarious. It helps if you are a sports fan, but even if you're not, you will enjoy this book. Great stories, great insight, great humor, great information. What else can you ask for?

Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann have written a gem. The average viewer doesn't understand what really goes on in making and producing a Sportscenter, but if you read this book you will. I have a much greater appreciation for broadcasters and I recommend this book to any sports fan. Not only is it informative but it is hilarious. It is a barrel of laughs and it's fun for all ages. If you like this book you might want to read ESPN:The Uncensored History by Michael Freeman.