Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Scattershot thoughts

>With A-Rod, it's always about the money, but how many tropical islands does one man need?

>Heather Burnside was a hilarious Britney Spears for Halloween. If Britney hadn't already checked into rehab, watching SoundOFF might do it.

>I promise no more tank tops. First John Basedow, now K-Fed. How do I end up looking this ridiculous each year? (Don't answer)

>John Bachman's promo as me as John Bachman was funny. He's a good sport. If that makes sense, you saw it. If it doesn't, you didn't.

>I'm never comfortable at costume parties or class reunions. Both make me want to stay home, though I usually have a good time if I'll just overcome my insecurities.

>I'll admit, I beat this dead horse too much, but I can't believe how ugly Iowa State's road football uniforms are. Thank goodness they're changing next year.

>The Cyclones were competitive in back-to-back weeks against top 15 teams. When's the last time that's happened? It's the most hopeful sign of the Chizik Era. Don't sell your coins yet.

>Anyone hear any rumors about Andy Fales?

>Pella Christian's Jerry Staton is not only a heck of a football coach, he's a really thoughtful person. He recently wrote a nice letter letting us off the hook for forgetting his name (on-air) and thanking us for covering his Eagles. That's class.

>Kirk Ferentz and staff outcoached Michigan State something fierce. That game looked over at halftime. The Hawks adjusted, the Spartans didn't. Ferentz critics should think about what this man has done in nine seasons. It's harder in Iowa City than you realize.

>How foolish is Dominique Douglas? Time to give this guy the boot. I'm willing to forgive a guy who steals a few DVDs, but not when he's already suspended for allegedly using a stolen credit card.

>The NCAA ruling that takes away a year of eligibility from Lucca Staiger is stupid, unfair, and hypocritical. Punish Staiger because others did something wrong? Idiotic.

>Are you as tired of Kobe Bryant's whining as I am?

>KXNO's coverage of high school football is terrific.

>Smart move by the Iowa Energy signing Jeff Horner. In fact, the Energy has made one shrewd move after another. I'm still not sure NBDL will work here, but having local owners who "get it" sure makes a difference.

>Shawn Terrell is one of the best local sports reporters in the country. We're lucky to have him.

>Chris Hassel always does or says something to make me laugh everytime I see him. He's also a bigtime talent. And nuts.

>I still haven't finished that John Grisham book, Playing for Pizza. I think I read The Firm in one night.

>Love him, hate him, Kid Rock's new album is a blast.

>Can we just call Sunday's game between the Patriots and Colts the Super Bowl? I know the Colts love being overlooked, but I'll still take the Pats on the road.

>If you know anyone from Boston, and I know many people, you know how superior to us they already feel. It's getting worse: Red Sox, Patriots, BC, Celtics hype. Please make it stop.

>Dan Winters' story on local residents "redshirting" their small children was solid journalism and slightly disturbing.

>Great decision by KXNO's Jon Miller to put sports aside and report continuously on the chemical plant fire. Keeping people safe and informed ranks somewhere ahead of Ken O'Keefe's play-calling skills.

>Shows on my TiVo: House, Life, Chuck, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Saturday Night Live, Scrubs, Heroes, The Channel 13 News at 6 & 10, SoundOFF (just being honest), and E60 (the new ESPN Real Sports knockoff). Looking at that list, there is no doubt I'm showing NBC a lot of loyalty, but it's hard to be objective.

>Tuesdays with Morrie at the Des Moines Playhouse is solid, but nothing beats reading the book. It's the kind of story---if you buy this sort of thing, and I do---that requires reflection at your own pace.

>Ankeny at Southeast Polk again? Are you kidding me? This is our Colts-Patriots. I think this Monday is the night Ankeny finally breaks through Polk's kryptonite.

>I haven't watched an NBA regular season game from start to finish since Jordan retired. If I had to pick one team to end that drought, it would be the Suns.

>I'm not sure I'm even making sense. My son Colin has had a high temperature and the stomach flu for the past four days. I've slept less than Thomas Edison.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heard Andy was spotted in the news room. My husband and I were in KC last month for the NASCAR race and watched Andy on the news. His co-workers seemed really odd (to put it nicely!) and he seemed slightly annoyed with them. He just didn't seem to click. He was pretty quiet, which we all know isn't Andy!!

Anonymous said...

How can Andy come back when he was replaced by Chris Hassel? And what does this mean for Heather Burnside on SoundOff?

Anonymous said...

I heard from a very reliable source that Andy was seen with Dave Busick from TV 8. Explains why Heidi got the boot.

Anonymous said...

Slept less than Thomas Edison? That's not very much sleep at all. Yes, I will be watching the Suns as I do every year. It's very entertaining to watch Steve Nash and company. Hopefully, they will win the Championship. They deserve it.

Sara said...

I think this clip from Jimmy Kimmel sums up my feelings about the red sox best. Did you see this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X7Zi_p-5ww

Anonymous said...

www.freelucca.com

Unknown said...

I can't listen to KXNO's HS football coverage because I can't get past the fact that Marty and Miller are only after shock value and don't really have their fingers on the pulse of central Iowa.

Keith Murphy said...

Sara,

Thanks for the video tip. I think a lot of people feel the same as Jimmy, but I'm a believer. The games I've watched at Fenway with friends are some of my favorite memories.

Anonymous,

There actually is a www.freelucca.com!?! I thought you were joking.

Is there a www.freeandy.com?


Thanks.
Keith

Anonymous said...

Keith: You like to joke about Andy, but why are you avoiding telling us what's really going on?

Keith Murphy said...

I enjoy Andy. I'm interested as anybody to see what he'll do next.
What are you hearing?

Anonymous said...

That he's going to 8 to replace Heidi. Everyone knows that.

Anonymous said...

The real question is why would he leave a professional sports city - after less than a year - to come back to Des Moines to be the #2 or #3 sportscaster???

Keith Murphy said...

I don't think he would.

Anonymous said...

You are definitely right about Coach Staton. This state is full of classy coaches and it just shows you how classy he is that he stands out among them all. The world would be a drastically better place if more people were like him.

Anonymous said...

There is supposed to be an announcement [internally] at KCCI regarding what's happening with Heidi this week. If Andy is taking her position (which everyone suspects is the case), I think it will/would be interesting to see how Andy Garman feels.

I agree with Keith - Andy wouldn't come back to DSM from a larger market just to be number 2. So, if he's agreed to coming back at all, it will be for a top dog position. Since Murph & john Walters presumably aren't going anywhere, it would have to be at 8.

Anonymous said...

KCCI would never hire Fales as Sports Director. He would be a terrible fit. Garman & Meyer are both better and more likeable. He will be back in 13 in some capacity.

Anonymous said...

KCCI's GM just confirmed on KXNO that they've parted ways with Soliday and that they have no interest in Fales.

Sara said...

is anyone else's heart a flutter just at the idea of andy fales coming back? um... just checking... no comment here or anything because i certainly never swoon in response to clever sportscasters.

Anonymous said...

Maybe they wouldn't hire him as director but believe this: KCCI wants Andy Fales in their corner. KCCI is trying to makeover their stodgy old image. Face it...their viewers are either dying off or stepping into Depends. The Juice and/or Cityview crowd watches 13. KCCI wants some of that.

Anonymous said...

The Juice crowd should rumble with the Cityview crowd. I'd pay to watch that skirmish.

Anonymous said...

Other than Heidi, I'm not sure anyone in Des Moines even knows who the other sportscasters at Channel 8 are. Hiring Andy would be a dream for 8. But why in the world would Andy want to work in that stuffy station when his friend and colleague, Keith, is at the main competitor? You two go together-- you shouldn't compete! We're lucky to get Andy back, I don't care what his reasons are. Please find him room at 13.

Anonymous said...

Other than Keith, I'm not sure anyone in Des Moines knows who the other sportscasters at Channel 13 are either.

Anonymous said...

"Face it...their viewers are either dying off or stepping into Depends."

I'm not sure where you get your information from, but according to the last ratings article I read (in the Register), 8 seemed to have the majority of older AND younger viewers. I think they'll get along just fine without Andy Fales.

Anonymous said...

Andy Fales is back for one reason and one reason only- the Iowa Energy.

Anonymous said...

Andy Fales has returned to confess his love to Lois Lane, and defeat the evil Lex Luther once and for all.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to do this on your blog, Keith, but I am sorry to see Heidi go. I'm not quite ready for Depends yet, but I have been watching her for many, many years. As a woman sportscaster in the 70's she was somewhat of a pioneer. She did her job very well. I doubt that I am saying anything that Keith disagrees with.

That being said, she has some very tough competition in this market (keep up the good work, Keith) and I think KCCI just did what they had to to keep/gain market share.

Anonymous said...

What's up with all of these D-I teams that are supposed to be good getting upset by D-II teams? Findley? I've never heard of them until I watched them play Ohio State. Granted, they are no slouch because they went 29-2 last year, but they are D-II. Then we have Grand Valley State beating Michigan State. MSU is projected to win the Big Ten aren't they? It doesn't matter, I'm an Indiana fan anyways, but come on....

Anonymous said...

Hey Murph, according to today's Register it sounds like this is exactly what's happening...

Anonymous said...
The real question is why would he leave a professional sports city - after less than a year - to come back to Des Moines to be the #2 or #3 sportscaster???

November 2, 2007 10:46:00 PM CDT


Keith Murphy said...
I don't think he would.

November 3, 2007 5:24:00 PM CDT

Keith Murphy said...

Nothing in the newspaper changes what I wrote on November 2nd. "I don't think he would". Shawn and Chris aren't going anywhere.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter whether anybody thinks he would come back or not for a #2 or 3 sports spot! DM lost a very entertaining sportscaster and talent. If he comes back in any capacity in broadcasting - I for one would be happy to see that! I've missed his contributions - so to speak! I would applaud Andy's return!

Anonymous said...

It's interesting that KC press is reporting that Andy Fales is leaving KC for "personal reasons". Why don't they just say he's moving back to God's Country? I hope he comes back--he's great!

Anonymous said...

You're not going anywhere either, right, Keith?

Keith Murphy said...

Angie R.,

You've got it right, although, I guess realizing Iowa is God's Country could be construed as a "personal reason".

Thanks.
Keith

Anonymous said...

"Keith Murphy said...
Nothing in the newspaper changes what I wrote on November 2nd. "I don't think he would". Shawn and Chris aren't going anywhere."

Interesting that you didn't say anything about Heather on SoundOff not going anywhere.

Keith Murphy said...

Anonymous,

Heather's not in the "#2" or "#3" sports positions, which is the entire context of that discussion. Why would I mention her? I didn't mention B-Ross, Ed Wilson, or Jim Zabel either.

(By the way, I don't like using numbers or rankings to describe positions. It makes it seem like one's more important than the other, which is not always true or fair.)

Thanks.
Keith

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Heather is history.

Anonymous said...

So Keith, if Andy wouldn't be coming back to be the #2 or #3 guy, and Shawn and Chris aren't going anywhere, that only leaves you. Where and when are you going?

Conspiracy Theorist at work!

Anonymous said...

You need to add It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia to your Tivo list. The show is hilarious, I think you would really like it! Rent the first two seasons on dvd if you have time.