Ted Turner - The Rays' Tenth Man

So this is what our forefathers had to go through, huddled around the radio, begging for a visual, tuned in only to the audio portion of the broadcast.  Thank goodness for XM radio and the ever-portable jack and coke.  I stepped outside to listen to the car radio until the network could regain coverage.  Never before had I yearned for the voice of Chip Caray.

Due to a power outage at TBS Saturday evening, the network responsible for showing the American League Championship Series fell far short of its broadcast duties.  Sox and Rays fans were anxious enough going into Games Six and Seven.  We shouldn’t have to be submitted to network gaffes.   TBS’ first inning coverage was as effective as Mark Kotsay with runners in scoring position.

If a tree falls in the woods, does anyone hear it?  Similarly, if BJ Upton hits a solo home run in the first inning and the entire nation misses it, does it count?

Fortunately for disgruntled Red Sox fans who missed the opening part of the game, Kevin Youkilis tied the game in the top of the second with a home run baseball fans were finally able to see live.

Look, I think Steve Harvey’s funny, but there’s no way I’d watch him over Game Six of the ALCS.  It’s bad enough we’re submitted to the incessant run of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne promos every commercial break, but that, compiled with the inability to watch the game was gut-wrenching.  Maybe next time, they’ll preempt House of Payne for an actual sporting event.  Doubtful, though.  After all, it is the #1 cable sitcom of all time, at least in the Turner household.

So thanks, Theodore, for reminding us that TBS is a mediocre network at best, one that should only be allowed to show Saturday college football games that nobody cares about.  If athletes are suspended for such off-the-field indiscretions, can’t we similarly suspend networks for shoddy coverage.  In the future, please opt out of airing all relevant sporting events until you buy a back-up power generator.

If there is anything ‘very funny’ about your network, it’s the coverage it provides.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another Frank Caliendo promo to watch.

Ladies and gentlemen… prepare yourselves for Game Seven.  And have your radios ready just in case.