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OLSON: Pulling an NHL
Written by: Jeff Olson
SPEEDtv.com   http://www.speedtv.com
08/13/2008
Indianapolis, Ind.
 
The excitement of IndyCar racing on-site hasn't been translated to TV as it could, Olson opines. (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos

I knew the call would come. It always does when news like this breaks. Besides, Skid had been quiet lately, hadn’t called since Graham Rahal won in St. Pete. Apparently he thought I’d be upset by that.

Or upset by yesterday’s news.

“Hey, Earrrrl,” he drawled sarcastically. “I hear you’re gonna be on Versus next year. What the hell is Versus?”

“You know exactly what Versus is, Skid,” I replied. “I know you watch bullriding. Don’t deny it. And I strongly suspect you‘re into World Extreme Cagefighting.”

That slowed him, but only briefly.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure, Skidmark is an old friend and nemesis who occasionally plops himself on my columns like a fat guy on a stool at Dunkin’ Donuts. Fitting, since Skid weighs roughly three bills and has all the sense of a frosted bear claw. His passion is NASCAR and, if you ask him, “all things American,” including his Chevy truck that’s made in Mexico. I once pointed this out by way of the truck’s doorjamb; Skid didn’t speak to me for a good eight months. A very good eight months.

But Skidmark can’t help a good dig, and he takes particular pride in trashing anything he doesn’t like, which, naturally, includes IndyCar racing and all that entails.

On this particular morning, Skid was digging the fact that, for the next 10 years, IndyCar races will be seen mostly on Versus, the second-tier cable network that used to be the Outdoor Life Network. The IRL folks will tell you that a) the Indy 500 and four other IndyCar races are still on ABC, and b) Versus is a first-rate broadcast partner.

Skid will tell you otherwise.

“I can‘t even find that on my TV,” he muttered.

“You have to be smarter than your TV, Skid,” I said.

“But y’all won’t be on ESPN every weekend. What gives?“

“ESPN wanted money.
Versus was willing to pay. Smart move by the IRL, if you ask me. This series is far from time-buy status. The ratings aren’t great, but they aren’t completely pathetic. There is an audience for it, and that audience is smart enough to find Versus on its cable or satellite lineup.“

“But still, it’s Versus. At least with ESPN you had some credibility.“

“Tell me, Skid, what has ESPN ever done for racing? For that matter, what have they ever done that’s fresh or innovative? They glom onto whatever’s established or cheap to produce, avoid anything new, and don’t properly televise or promote what they have. They’re the Wal-Mart of televised sports. Whatever they touch turns to crap. That‘s why you‘re watching poker late at night instead of sports.”

“But ESPN carried weight. You’re legit when you’re on them.”

“Skid, do you watch the telecasts? They suck wind. The production is amateurish, and the intent apparently is to dumb it down to the point where children can understand it. It's embarrassingly bad.”

“At least I can find it.”

“Really? I’ve never had a problem knowing where Versus is. Channel 72 on my system. Not a problem to remember that.”

“But really?” he stammered. “Versus?”

“Dude, have you ever watched what they do?” I asked. “The Tour de France coverage is stunning. I discovered it in a bar in Chicago a few summers ago. I had zero interest in cycling. None. But since that night, I’ve managed to try to find it when it‘s on. That’s how visually compelling it is. What this series needs is someone who takes that same approach to televising IndyCar races. When you see it live, it’s spectacular. When you watch it on TV, it’s breathtakingly dull. What you see live should translate to television, especially in HD.”

“But…”


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