Chris Berman Defends Shtick, Will Be in the Booth for U.S. Open

Posted Jun 06, 2008 12:49PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf, ESPN, PGA

This is great news for, well, Chris Berman: the ESPN "personality"/gasbag will be at Torrey Pines next week doing the play-by-play for the first two rounds of the U.S. Open. He's been a fixture at the event since 1986, so it's hardly surprising, but much like a scheduled colonoscopy, just because you know it's coming doesn't make it any more enjoyable.

Earlier this year, there were concerns that Berman could be part of ESPN's Masters coverage; fortunately, the Green Jacket Mafia* had no interest in being associated with the traveling one-clown circus.

Interestingly, the consensus seems to be that Berman, golf announcer, is a bigger train wreck, than Berman, angry guy with combover. Quite a feat, for sure, yet, ESPN keeps trotting him out for the Open.

Yesterday, the San Diego Union-Tribune's Jay Posner spoke with Berman about the perception that he's a buffoon, and, predictably, he defended his shtick:

"First of all," he said, "it's unfair because if you're on the air for six hours and heaven forbid I say, 'Ground control to David Toms,' you're writing it like I said it 500 times. Not the case."

Yes, because nothing makes a golf telecast more enjoyable for the viewer than to be distracted by the banal ramblings of a guy in love his own voice. But it gets better. In response to the charge that he puts himself above the event he's broadcasting, Berman offered this:

"It's unfair if people say I'm trying to make it my show. Then you haven't paid attention. Then you haven't done me fair. 'Cause I'm not. But I'm trying to be me and have a good time with it as someone who's an avid follower of the game; someone who's like most of the audience who are watching, a 16-handicap give or take, not a 3 (handicap) or a scratch.

"...So is it going to please everybody? No. I'm not doing the final round, either. You've got to remember that. I'm doing the early rounds. ...

"It's the only way I know how to do it. There's a lot of ways to announce it; I'm just being me. I'm not trying to overdo it at all. If anyone thinks I come in to overdo it, you're not being fair and you're not listening."

First, I find it very hard to believe that somebody with this swing is a 16-handicapper. Second, I fail to see how Berman's act is any less offensive because it's Thursday or Friday. Finally, I can't disagree with his last point: nobody's listening. Intentionally, anyway.

Previously on FanHouse
ESPN's Masters Coverage Draws Huge Ratings Even Without Chris Berman
Augusta National Might Want to Consider Televising 'Patron Race Walk' Next Year
Mike Tirico Doesn't Want to Talk About Why Chris Berman Isn't at The Masters
ESPN Will Televise the Masters; Thankfully, We Won't Be Subjected to Chris Berman

* No idea if the Augusta blue hairs had anything to do with Berman's fate, but it seems plausible.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-06-2008 @ 1:21PM

bridgehome said...

Ryan, thanks for the thoughtful article on Berman (maybe alias Beerman) given the size of that gut based on his picture in the article. Why can't Tirico do the Open? Maybe "Beerman" owns too much ESPN stock and they can't dump him? Anyway back to "Beerman's" golf swing which looks like a cross between Limbaugh's and Dick Nixon's. How the hell could anyone be a 16 handicap with a swing like that? Since we are on politics, maybe "Beerman" scored his handicap similar to the way Bill Clinton takes a mulligan on every shot? Fore!!

6-06-2008 @ 2:59PM

bigflyer said...

Berman is, was, and always has been over the top. Some exec in Bristol, CT is very fearful those naked pictures with the goat, the jello, and the black leather will be forwarded by the helium blimp himself to the media. Until that day arrives: Chris Berman will be on ESPN and sadly the US Open.

6-07-2008 @ 1:35AM

George B Vieto said...

Yes Chris Berman will give ESPN's golf coverage ratings despite his commentary giving his critics heartburn.

6-07-2008 @ 8:58PM

bilko said...

I have to respectfully disagree with George Vieto. Berman does fewer and fewer events for ESPN each year precisely because of his over-the-top antics. They are slowly phasing him out because his presence causes ratings to drop. In a way, it's almost admirable that ESPN keeps him on the air, because, truth be told, he DID help build ESPN into the juggernaut it has become. He's kind of the Dan Rather of ESPN - lost his mind, but was there a long time ago.

But the U.S. Open? No. As Ryan said about the "guys in the green jackets," keeping Berman off The Masters coverage is the way to approach it. The honchos at the USGA need to put their foot down and say a fond farewell to the misassigned Berman. Golf is not his bailiwick, nor anyone at ESPN that I can think of. USGA -- let the Golf Channel or TNT handle Thursday & Friday. I don't understand why you run this world class association that affects every golfer in this country from munis to resorts to country clubs. You are the legal arm of golf. You uphold and protect its traditions and rules. You put on the second best tournament in the world annually (with the coordination of volunteers - no easy task). Your golf venues are always spectacular (though sometimes you MAY overdo it!). Next to the Masters it's probably the most anticipated golf event of the year. And then you put your masterpiece in the hands of ESPN (other than Berman, can you get any worse than Mike Tirico?) I just don't understand it. Does anyone know how long ESPN has secured the rights to the US Open? The fact that CBS' crew - hands down the gold standard in the biz - is amazingly frustrating to the viewers. I say start lobbying the USGA now. No more ESPN. They are doing to golf what they did to pump up bowling. And we all know how good (not) that was!