Post by twinpinesmt on Mar 31, 2006 14:29:33 GMT -5
I just read over at fried twinkies that Tava is gone and Craig is in #EXCITE122#
Here is the whole article for those who might want to read it...and yes I have premission to post any article from this blog.
Hummer’s presence signals
OLN is pulling plug on Smiley
Posted by Josh Peter on Thursday, March 30th, 2006 at 11:41 pm.
Eventually, OLN officials may confirm the worst-kept secret in the bull riding broadcasts: The Tava Smiley Experiment is over.
Craig Hummer will serve as OLN’s sidelines reporter for the third consecutive weekend, and as of Thursday OLN still had no comment on Smiley’s future with the network. Not that anyone needs an official comment to deduce what’s going on: Hummer has replaced Smiley as the new sideline reporter for PBR telecasts.
For the record, it was Randy Bernard who first raised concerns about whether a former soap opera actress with little knowledge about bull riding could make it as a sidelines reporter. Of course when OLN informed Bernard they intended to give Smiley a shot, it was Bernard who defended Smiley in the face of criticism over her shaky performances. (Smiley hugging Chris Shivers after Shivers went over the $3 million mark in career earnings may rank as one of the most embarrassing moments in OLN’s 3½ years of PBR coverage.)
But Bernard no longer is campaigning on Smiley’s behalf. Smart move, because it’s a lost cause. The former soap opera actress has proven that good intentions and good looks can’t compensate for a lack of experience and knowledge. PBR fans deserve better from a sidelines reporter and OLN recognized that – even if they aren’t willing to acknowledge that Smiley is gone for good.
Note: Ty Murray will return to the booth this weekend, replacing Michael Gaffney as the primary color commentator. Murray and Gaffney will continue to rotate in that capacity while Justin McKee continues to serve as the lead announcer.
Here is the whole article for those who might want to read it...and yes I have premission to post any article from this blog.
Hummer’s presence signals
OLN is pulling plug on Smiley
Posted by Josh Peter on Thursday, March 30th, 2006 at 11:41 pm.
Eventually, OLN officials may confirm the worst-kept secret in the bull riding broadcasts: The Tava Smiley Experiment is over.
Craig Hummer will serve as OLN’s sidelines reporter for the third consecutive weekend, and as of Thursday OLN still had no comment on Smiley’s future with the network. Not that anyone needs an official comment to deduce what’s going on: Hummer has replaced Smiley as the new sideline reporter for PBR telecasts.
For the record, it was Randy Bernard who first raised concerns about whether a former soap opera actress with little knowledge about bull riding could make it as a sidelines reporter. Of course when OLN informed Bernard they intended to give Smiley a shot, it was Bernard who defended Smiley in the face of criticism over her shaky performances. (Smiley hugging Chris Shivers after Shivers went over the $3 million mark in career earnings may rank as one of the most embarrassing moments in OLN’s 3½ years of PBR coverage.)
But Bernard no longer is campaigning on Smiley’s behalf. Smart move, because it’s a lost cause. The former soap opera actress has proven that good intentions and good looks can’t compensate for a lack of experience and knowledge. PBR fans deserve better from a sidelines reporter and OLN recognized that – even if they aren’t willing to acknowledge that Smiley is gone for good.
Note: Ty Murray will return to the booth this weekend, replacing Michael Gaffney as the primary color commentator. Murray and Gaffney will continue to rotate in that capacity while Justin McKee continues to serve as the lead announcer.