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Plaschke: ‘It’s over.’ Bidding farewell to ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn’ with gratitude

BBG News

Despite the amount of vocal protests I’ve made throughout my journalistic journey, it may well be the numerous instances where I’ve been silenced that endure as my lasting mark.

Would you believe roughly 1,758 times in the last 22 years?

The frustrating mute feature is often used against me, perhaps the most frequently muted panelist during the approximately 23-year run of ESPN’s “Around the Horn” game show, which pioneered its development.

Over the past seven years, as per the data compiled by Caroline Willett, one of the show’s astute producers, I find myself muted on average once during each of my appearances. This makes me the regular panelist with the most instances of being muted, a statistic that, unfortunately, seems to be tied to moments when I blurt out something less than intelligent. Each time, it appears the host silences me by pushing a button, effectively turning my voice into vapor at those inopportune moments.

Today, CourtneyRCronin spent her FaceTime call honoring the writers who created this fantastic show. Later on, one of these talented writers, BillPlaschke, had the pleasure of listening to our heartfelt praise for quite some time. 😊

— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) May 12, 2025

For more than two decades, I apparently spewed plenty of stupid.

1. I’d boast about the Lakers, stay silent.

2. I’d call the Dodgers winners in advance, keep quiet.

3. I’d express doubt over Woody Paige’s words, keep mum.

As a cinephile, I found myself constantly silenced, with sports enthusiasts mockingly pressing an invisible button every time I posed a query.

During some of our most intimate conversations, my mom would occasionally break into a chuckle and exclaim, “Mute! Mute!” as if I were talking too much.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that the silence was infuriatingly frustrating, yet undeniably mesmerizing. It served as a daily reminder to swallow my pride, a harsh but necessary lesson in humility amidst a realm where careless, off-the-cuff opinions reign supreme.

Sadly, that slice of silence has been forever silenced.

After a remarkable run of 4,953 episodes, “Around the Horn” is shutting down this week. This iconic show has aired significantly more episodes than “The Simpsons,” but unfortunately, ESPN has decided to pull the plug on it due to executive fatigue.

Their loss.

They’re canceling more than a show, they’re shuttering a miracle.

The notion that someone would find enjoyment in listening to four overconfident sports commentators from various regions expressing their opinions and competing for points seemed implausible from the outset. When I became part of the team five months after its premiere, it was undeniably the most criticized half-hour segment in the annals of television history.

Amazingly, it was through an immense collaboration spearheaded by executive producer Erik Rydholm, coordinating producer Aaron Solomon, producer Josh Bard, and host Tony Reali, that we managed to pull off this project. It turns out, people appreciate the raw insights from us ink-stained wretches in real life just as much as they do on paper!

They enjoyed listening to Tim Cowlishaw discuss the Dallas Cowboys, with remnants of duct tape on his shoes from his recent walk through their locker room. They also appreciated Bob Ryan and Jackie MacMullan discussing basketball from the heart of Boston Garden. Additionally, they liked J.A. Adande’s insightful comments from within the Lakers locker room, Frank Isola’s observations from Madison Square Garden, Israel Gutierrez’s analysis from Miami Heat’s South Beach, and Kevin Blackistone’s commentary from their studio in Washington D.C.

They enjoyed listening to Woody Paige discuss various topics, especially when, as previously stated, his comments were often unclear or misinformed.

The program stood out among ESPN’s offerings as it showcased sports journalists who were deeply immersed in the action, rather than television hosts. These writers, having come straight from the field where they grappled with the challenges of trench warfare and scrum battles, shared their authentic experiences and truths birthed from the raw intensity of frontline reporting.

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It appears that many people are interested in watching that show. College students in their dorms after lectures, NBA referees in their hotel rooms before matches, and casino pit bosses every afternoon in Las Vegas seem to be among its viewers. In fact, it seemed as if “Around the Horn” was being broadcast on every television in every casino there, which sometimes resulted in hasty bets made on a show that had already been recorded hours ago.

Two hours prior to the broadcast, Paige used to contact his mom and reveal the contest winner. She would then place successful wagers against her acquaintances who were unaware of the outcome.

In the afternoons, we were quite well-known, as even the Cirque du Soleil acrobats would observe us. This tidbit I discovered one evening when a colorfully painted gremlin hopped onto my seat and hollered, “Plaschke!” from above.

The ratings consistently outperformed those of most shows on the network, its anecdotal appeal showed no signs of diminishing, and the audience reach was consistently astounding – from TSA agents during breaks, to residents in retirement homes at meal times, all the way up to President Obama himself.

Over time, the program transformed to feature vibrant and intelligent ESPN hosts who kept us older viewers on our toes with their clever humor and insightful perspectives. Notable figures in this group include Bomani Jones, Pablo Torre, Mina Kimes, Clinton Yates, Sarah Spain, Courtney Cronin, Harry Lyles Jr., and David Dennis Jr.

As the show progressed, it began to incorporate a fresh crop of sharp-witted ESPN personalities who challenged us older folks with their modern humor and intelligent viewpoints. Some of these rising stars are Bomani Jones, Pablo Torre, Mina Kimes, Clinton Yates, Sarah Spain, Courtney Cronin, Harry Lyles Jr., and David Dennis Jr.

Both options aim to convey the same meaning in a natural and easy-to-read manner.

As a cinematic enthusiast amidst the popular crowd, I often found myself the odd one out, the least trendy member of our group. In conversations drenched with pop culture references, I could barely decipher more than a handful of terms.

Sports

As a devoted sports enthusiast, I’m saddened to share the news that my beloved ‘Around the Horn’ on ESPN is coming to an end. The show, which frequently includes Times columnist Bill Plaschke in its panel of journalists, will broadcast its final episode next summer. It’s a tough blow for sports fans like me who have enjoyed this fast-paced, engaging discussion on sports news and opinions.

Initially, I felt a sense of satisfaction as the series advanced, broadened its scope, and illuminated important topics. Following Reali’s example, we emerged as one of the few sports shows on TV that addressed issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, and mental health. We shifted from shouting to listening. We welcomed change. We matured. The final episode you saw was a stark contrast to the premiere on Nov 4, 2002, with only one aspect remaining consistent.

For a good portion of my career, I consistently underperformed and was often criticized. It might surprise you to know that even Lil Wayne, a well-known figure, had sat in the same position as me. Despite being one of the most frequent participants, with 61 others, I have only managed to win about 24.3% of the times, placing me relatively low in terms of success rate.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’m frequently posed with the task of clarifying the peculiar grading mechanism of the series. Frankly, it remains a mystery to me that I can’t crack. All I can confidently say is that I consistently received the least points in the competition.

When the Chicago Cubs finally claimed victory in the 2016 World Series, breaking their 108-year championship dry spell, I lost 108 points from my tally as I had earlier written them off as no longer competitive.

In 2022, when the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had won 111 games, were eliminated in the opening playoff round, I lost 111 points as I had previously declared them champions.

The talented team behind the show consistently attempted to support me, but unfortunately, their efforts often fell short. Willett was always providing me with unique statistics, yet I kept forgetting them. Bard whispered hilarious lines into my earphone, but I managed to mess them up. Director John Dursee repeatedly advised me to clean the doughnut crumbs from my collar, but I remained untidy. Associate director Myriam Leger offered pre-show motivational speeches, yet I continued to falter regardless.

One factor contributing to my significant losses was my habitual use of the phrase “It’s all done,” which might seem ironic given that sports are never truly finished. However, this wasn’t just a catchy saying. In truth, I’m the type who genuinely thinks that once one team outperforms its opponent, the competition is already decided. The silence I received was deserved, as it came from my honest convictions.

Love & mutes, friends! ❤️🔇

— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) March 5, 2025

In addition to enthusiastically backing local sports teams, earning me the nickname “Homer,” I’ve often faced criticism from readers for being too aggressive in my writing. However, on a national television stage as a panelist from LA, I felt a sense of duty to defend Southern California. I often pondered if the locals appreciated it, but one evening before a Sparks game against the Phoenix Mercury, basketball legend Diana Taurasi, hailing from Chino, thanked me for my unwavering support for Los Angeles. To this day, that moment still gives me goosebumps.

Over time, countless heartfelt scenes reminiscent of “Around the Horn” have brought tears to my eyes, turning the show into an extended family for me. Reali, in particular, has played the role of the loving and eccentric uncle, surrounded by a lively group of siblings who’ve never hesitated to offer their unwavering encouragement.

They celebrated the triumphs alongside me – every time I received an accolade, they boasted as if it were their own achievement. Yet, during my hardships, such as when my lifelong struggle with stuttering came forth, they remained silent, adapting to accommodate me and offering support that helped me persevere in speaking out.

In simpler terms, during my most difficult times, such as when my parents passed away, they allowed me to triumph in my next performance so I could honor them with the brief spotlight. Similarly, they supported me even in my quirkiest moments, like the time I wore an argyle tie for a whole year trying to win favor from a specific woman, and they never forced me to change my attire.

Over the past few months, they’ve stood by me during my widely-known battles with the aftermath of the wildfires. In fact, they’ve ceased using fiery backdrops for their commentaries as a sign of empathy towards my suffering.

The unbearable guilt of losing nothing and everything- @BillPlaschke.
We love you, Bill

— Tony Reali (@TonyReali) January 16, 2025

Every evening, my mother would unwind with a glass of wine while enjoying “Around the Horn”, considering it her personal hour of joy. That period was incredibly happy for me too, and I’m grateful to have been involved in something that was not only innovative but also enlightening, empowering, and simply delightful.

Al Michaels once called us “gasbags on parade.”

Indeed, it’s with great pride that I acknowledge my loquacious nature. As we march boldly into the unknown, altering the American sports media terrain irrevocably, I can now confidently declare, “It’s a fact…

Mute!

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2025-05-23 18:31

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