Ummm, that was REALLY Awkward: Reilly & ESPN's 'Homecoming'
Friday, January 9, 2009
Reilly and Camera Make Creepy CoupleIt's been a few hours, and I'm still trying to shake the awkward, uncomfortable, kinda creepy feeling I have lingering courtesy of the premiere of ESPN's 'Homecoming' show. Let's ignore the fact that my crazy social life has escalated to such a degree that ESPN2 was somehow front and center at 8 p.m. on a Friday night. Seriously, just put that aside.
Instead, let's focus on everything off about this thankfully short six-part series and its first installment. For those who had better things to do this evening, like say observe paint drying, clip one's nails, twiddle thumbs or the like, the only adjective that continues to come to me is awkward. And that's really not the half of it.
For a quick rundown of the "official" description of 'Homecoming,' check it from Awful Announcing to get a feel. Trust us, it was all it was cracked up to be -- and so much less. A full hour of a Reilly looking not at ease on television, surrounded by a whole gym full of Hamilton's "closest" friends including HS teammates, family, scouts and a whole bunch of other random people is a recipe for awful television. I think I also noticed the full band in their band outfits. Only they never played, or marched or did anything except look creepy in their sparkly outfits.
Hmmm...let's see what else irked us about this thing:
1. When I first read about the concept, I thought an hour for a show of this format sounded a bit long. I was wrong. It unbearably long. Excruciating, actually. At least a half-hour too lengthy if not more.
2. Jesus. The Lord. God. The Man Above. He was everywhere apparently, and the entire high school gymnasium was singing his praises constantly. The episode was a virtual sermon. At one point, I thought someone might come out with a collection basket or an 800-number might flash across the screen seeking donations. Hey, I couldn't be happier the guy got his life back in order - from religion or any other way - but is this an interview or an evangelical service?
Instead, let's focus on everything off about this thankfully short six-part series and its first installment. For those who had better things to do this evening, like say observe paint drying, clip one's nails, twiddle thumbs or the like, the only adjective that continues to come to me is awkward. And that's really not the half of it.
For a quick rundown of the "official" description of 'Homecoming,' check it from Awful Announcing to get a feel. Trust us, it was all it was cracked up to be -- and so much less. A full hour of a Reilly looking not at ease on television, surrounded by a whole gym full of Hamilton's "closest" friends including HS teammates, family, scouts and a whole bunch of other random people is a recipe for awful television. I think I also noticed the full band in their band outfits. Only they never played, or marched or did anything except look creepy in their sparkly outfits.
Hmmm...let's see what else irked us about this thing:
1. When I first read about the concept, I thought an hour for a show of this format sounded a bit long. I was wrong. It unbearably long. Excruciating, actually. At least a half-hour too lengthy if not more.
2. Jesus. The Lord. God. The Man Above. He was everywhere apparently, and the entire high school gymnasium was singing his praises constantly. The episode was a virtual sermon. At one point, I thought someone might come out with a collection basket or an 800-number might flash across the screen seeking donations. Hey, I couldn't be happier the guy got his life back in order - from religion or any other way - but is this an interview or an evangelical service?
3. I feel like I've heard this story somewhere before, aybout this Hamilton guy. Hmmm, was it on TV? The radio? Online? Oh yes, I recall now, it was everywhere! Don't get me wrong, amazing tale. Crazy. Heck, I even gave the story another run back in May of last year and it was crazy-old then. You could even tell Hamilton was like "really, Reilly? these same questions? couldn't you come up with anything new?"
4. Reilly is terrible. This show would have been strange and difficult to watch with someone like Costas, but it might have been tolerable. But for $17M, I guess you can't just have the guy banging out columns for the dot.com. That's not much better than, well, what I'm doing right now...
So, we get mistreated to the joy of seeing Reilly on the tube. The Rickster just seems to be trying way too hard, and his rapport with Hamilton is the complete opposite of natural. Plus, the camera kept panning so that Reilly's mug was dead center and way too close to the camera complete with a this goofy, forced permagrin for the episode's duration. I can't even explain it. I have no idea if the next episode will be as bad, but do me a favor. Tune it for at least a few minutes just to provide me the comfort that I'm not losing it.
5. Tour de Forced. If you watch (or watched) the program, everything seems incredibly forced. The "guest speakers" looking petrified with a mic in their hand and talking at Hamilton as if they'd been handed a script and were there to deliver it as quickly and devoid of motion as possible. The fake smiles. The half-laughs. Granted, the format is terrifically artificial and manufactured by design, but a lot of television programs are - but they don't feel that way on the air.
The only cool minute or two? When they handed the mic to Clay Counsil, the 70-something American Legion coach from Hamilton's hometown who he called upon to toss him pitches at last summer's Home Run Derby. Not only is that story awesome, but Counsil was funny, down-to-earth and cool.
Other than Clay, we found the hour of Reilly to feel like a lifetime of Reilly. Homecoming will not be returning to this abode that is for sure. Anyone else out there check it out? Thoughts?
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1 comments:
You know, I've always been a Reilly fan...own several of his books, use to get SI so I could read his column every week, etc. He always seemed to champion the little guy. But since he's started writing for ESPN, he's just become another lapdog. A column on Obama's fantasy football picks? Please! Another column telling everyone how great Tyler Hansborough is? Jeesh! (The reason some people can stand "Psycho T" is the same reason a lot of people despise Coach K and Duke, ESPN keeps cramming them down our throats!)
BTW, my excuse for not watching the program Friday night was that I had a 3-hour meeting at church.
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