OT: Bill Simmons + Rick Reilly
I already find it hilarious that ESPN.com's front page puts Bill Simmons side-by-side with Rick Reilly, since Simmons proudly represents everything Reilly is not and not too long ago was just a random bartender with a blog while Reilly filled the inside cover of every SI issue (back when it was far and away the best sports magazine). I also enjoy Simmons' willingness to mock and critique ESPN. I mention this because their current side-by-side offerings have set a new gold standard for stunningly awkward coexistence.
http://espn.go.com/
Reilly has a column up, posted Dec. 9, giving Tiger Woods a very detailed action plan on how to restore his image, titled: "An image-rehab plan for Tiger Woods." http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4…
Simmons, meanwhile, has a Dec. 10 column on the Tiger saga, which states: "I got a kick out of talking heads and writers arrogantly dispensing life advice like Dr. Phil wannabes." http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/091211
I wish they actually shared an office and ran into each other getting coffee. And I wish those interactions were recorded.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:06 PM ^
I hate how ESPN feels the need to put Reilly on Sportscenter. He is terrible.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
Simmons always has made snide remarks to this fact before Riley came to TWWL.
They even talked about their "supposed" (their words) rivalry when Reily did a Sports Guy podcast a few months back. They tried to bury the hatchet, but there was plenty of tension during the chat, IMHO.
Deadspin has documented a lot of this.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:15 PM ^
I didn't realize Reilly had been on a podcast. I will look up that segment and see if that gives me my awkwardness fix...
December 15th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
Reilly has been mailing in columns for years now. It's a shame, because his older stuff is pretty amazing.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:25 PM ^
To be fair, many long-time Simmons readers will say the same thing. I'm of the opinion that his stuff hasn't been as good since his first book.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:17 PM ^
You can't imagine the kind of hero-worship Simmons receives from Bostonians. I lived there for awhile and liked it a lot, but some things really grated on me. He is one of them.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:17 PM ^
Over the weekend, Rick Reilly anchored some late editions of Sportscenter.
That was the cure for my insomnia.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:21 PM ^
Agreed - I wonder why they did that? Simmons would have been much more entertaining (he also lives in LA, so it's doable).
December 16th, 2009 at 11:27 AM ^
Don't know about that--I saw Simmons on TV promoting his second book (PTI, Colbert Report) and thought he was absolutely awful.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:22 PM ^
Who really wants to be Dr. Phil?
December 15th, 2009 at 2:25 PM ^
Reilly at SI = Big reason why I had a subscription (plus the action shots).
Reilly at ESPN = One of many reasons I can't stand their website.
Reilly on Sportscenter (or Reilly commentating anything for that matter) = change the channel. He's one step above "Boom goes the Dynamite" in terms of talent and 8 million steps below in hilariousness.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:31 PM ^
Reilly in SI was refreshing - he took a humanistic stance on interesting stories, which contrasted well with the heavy sports output of the magazine.
Reilly on ESPN is redundant - they don't have nearly enough actual sports analysis and are far too heavy on the sappy stuff - which Reilly gets off on.
He's a good writer, with a good insight, but his arrogance and shallowness shine through far too much on t.v.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:32 PM ^
Bottom line: Reilly is past his prime, whereas Simmons is in his.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:39 PM ^
I also enjoy Simmons' willingness to mock and critique ESPN. I mention this because their current side-by-side offerings have set a new gold standard for stunningly awkward coexistence.
Anytime I read the line "new gold standard" in reference to ESPN, I have to chuckle.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
This weekend on SportsCenter Reilly said "...but that's kind of like being the tallest midget." I have done and said some things that I shouldn't have, but I am pretty sure you can't say that on the air.
I don't remember what he said it about. I was too shocked with him actually saying it.