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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,033
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Sports Talk Shows: An Axe to Grind
I admit it. I’m a sports-talk “junkie.” I need my “daily fix.” It can come mornings, afternoons, or evenings, sometimes all three. Yet recently, I sense a trend toward the ribald. In my opinion, this tawdry approach has crept into sports-talk. In fact, it’s reached a point that when I sometimes babysit my grandchildren, I want to put headsets on them.
I’ll preface my remarks by saying I’m no prude. I’ve heard swears most of my life. Yet there is a time and particularly, a place.
Recently, at least in my opinion, there has been a more decided raunchiness when it comes to sports-talk banter, either from the hosts or from their listeners, or both. Yes, I know that a lot of this, at least recently, stems from the New England Patriots’ quarterback, Mac Jones, recent kicking of the Jets’ cornerback, Sauce Gardner, in his “private parts." Gardner has even claimed that Jones' kick might prevent him from having his wife be in "a family sort of way."
Yet, as I continue, we’re hearing more and more, over the air: “balls,” testes, testicles, etc. This, in itself isn’t too bad, at least not yet. Yet I ask, “Is this but a harbinger of things to come? Are we soon going to hear fellatio, cunnilingus, carnal knowledge?” I’m certain that you get my drift.
On this matter, if this more sordid approach to sports talk (does it boost the ratings) were to continue, I may have to “cut back,” even quit “cold turkey.”
Moreover, if these bawdy interludes were to continue, I would whole-heartedly advise, possibly at the start of the show, that there be a disclaimer: "Please be advised that some of the content and language used on this show 'may appeal to the prurient interest.' Viewer/listener discretion is advised. May not be suitable for all ages.”
At this juncture, I ask, “Is the tried-and-true sports-talk show morphing into titillating sports stories of a sexual nature?” Something like “Listen in the next hour as we discuss the recent book, "The Secret Life of an NFL Quarterback: He’s Throwing Passes of a Different Variety."
It may be me, but I find that even the callers appear to be “pushing the envelope.” Some shows are even featuring sultry-voiced “sirens." Maybe these calls could be part of future sports-talk, sex-talk segments, i.e., "In the next hour, we'll discuss “The Secret Lives of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders."
In closing, a suggestion. You could possibly tone down the reference to genitalia by using such phrases as: “a twig and berries.” Or you might say, “He’s got no gonads.” Or, as we used to call out to the referees when I was in college, “You've got no hair!” Frankly, I’d hate to see this get out of hand. I believe most of us are looking for a cultured, enlightening, and uplifting approach to sports-talk as opposed to a show that takes sports-talk to salacious levels.
__________________
Walt (Teach)
"Walt, make a 'mental bet' and lose your mind." R.N.S.
"The important thing is what I think of myself."
"David and Lisa" (1962)
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