It was actually refreshing to hear Doug Gottlieb in-game analysis state exactly what everyone watching was thinking, especially in regards to referee mistakes. (i.e. "You can tell those refs that never played college basketball and/or the game of basketball").

Sadly, because of these high $$$$ contracts networks receive, so many of their analyst/commentators are too afraid to challenge and/or point out major blunders.

While Gottlieb has always been outspoken (many fans get butthurt when they disagree with him), it was at least refreshing to watch his games yesterday...as he, more than anyone else, spoke freely, and wasn't AFRAID to point out major mistakes.

No clue if the NCAA has a veto in CBS's announcer line-up, similar to what the MASTER Golf Tourn has...and done (i.e. Masters kicked off 2 CBS Announcers through the years after comments that were stated on air by Jack Whitaker and Gary McCord.

(03-22-2013 08:30 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  It was actually refreshing to hear Doug Gottlieb in-game analysis state exactly what everyone watching was thinking, especially in regards to referee mistakes. (i.e. "You can tell those refs that never played college basketball and/or the game of basketball").

Sadly, because of these high $$$$ contracts networks receive, so many of their analyst/commentators are too afraid to challenge and/or point out major blunders.

While Gottlieb has always been outspoken (many fans get butthurt when they disagree with him), it was at least refreshing to watch his games yesterday...as he, more than anyone else, spoke freely, and wasn't AFRAID to point out major mistakes.

Frankly, the more inflammatory you are, the better your job security in this current media landscape. See the utterly worthless Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Jim Rome. I'm not saying Gottlieb is on the level of those guys (I actually think he's fine), but being confrontational is generally considered to be a good thing on TV these days. CBS *wants* Gottlieb to be forcefully opinionated - that's why they hired him away from ESPN as opposed to, say, Stephen Bardo. Of course, if the NCAA is bothered with Gottlieb, I can only imagine what they think of Charles Barkley (the difference being that Barkley is quite entertaining even when he's dead wrong, as opposed to Bayless, Screamin' A and Rome).

(03-22-2013 09:11 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 08:30 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  It was actually refreshing to hear Doug Gottlieb in-game analysis state exactly what everyone watching was thinking, especially in regards to referee mistakes. (i.e. "You can tell those refs that never played college basketball and/or the game of basketball").

Sadly, because of these high $$$$ contracts networks receive, so many of their analyst/commentators are too afraid to challenge and/or point out major blunders.

While Gottlieb has always been outspoken (many fans get butthurt when they disagree with him), it was at least refreshing to watch his games yesterday...as he, more than anyone else, spoke freely, and wasn't AFRAID to point out major mistakes.

Frankly, the more inflammatory you are, the better your job security in this current media landscape. See the utterly worthless Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Jim Rome. I'm not saying Gottlieb is on the level of those guys (I actually think he's fine), but being confrontational is generally considered to be a good thing on TV these days. CBS *wants* Gottlieb to be forcefully opinionated - that's why they hired him away from ESPN as opposed to, say, Stephen Bardo. Of course, if the NCAA is bothered with Gottlieb, I can only imagine what they think of Charles Barkley (the difference being that Barkley is quite entertaining even when he's dead wrong, as opposed to Bayless, Screamin' A and Rome).

Thats most likely true for those that have to fill 10-30 plus hours of airtime each week for "talk shows".

No clue if the NCAA holds the final call in which CBS announcers that get approved...ala the Masters, which kicked off at least 2 CBS announcers through the years (Jack Whitaker and Gary McCord).

PS. In regards to inflammatory talking heads...believe it was Doug Gottlieb who a few weeks ago, when talking about mindless shows like First Take and Sports Nation...said that those 2 shows main target audience was unemployed African-Americans (i.e. the most likely Male group who is home during the day watching TV since they have the highest unemployment rate of any adult group in the country).

(03-22-2013 09:21 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  No clue if the NCAA holds the final call in which CBS announcers that get approved...ala the Masters, which kicked off at least 2 CBS announcers through the years (Jack Whitaker and Gary McCord

I don't know what influence the NCAA has over the announcer-selection-process. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, maybe none. But I have to believe the NCAA's influence in this does not come close to matching the influence Augusta National wields over the CBS telecasts of the Masters. That is an ENTIRELY different kettle of fish.