-
Cubs Lose! Cubs Lose!
May 6, 2013 | 28 comments
-
The Perfect Country Singer
April 29, 2013 | 24 comments
-
Searching for the Duke
April 25, 2013 | 106 comments
-
Carlos’s Moment of Clarity
April 16, 2013 | 27 comments
-
Civil Blight in Old Blighty
April 15, 2013 | 24 comments
Sports Arena
PMS at ESPN
In the United States of Offense, Brent Musburger is a major miscreant.
As alert observers know, one of the principal differences between men and women is that women have PMS, while men have ESPN. A much better deal. But Tuesday, ESPN had an acute attack of PMS.
By the time Monday night when Brent Musburger crooned a bit about the manifest beauty of quarterback A.J. McCarron’s girlfriend, the only issue on the field was whether Bama’s point after touchdown kicker would have to be treated after the game for exhaustion. The Irish had about as much chance against the Crimson Tide Monday as an armadillo has against a steel-belted radial. Had it been a fight, the ref would have awarded Bama a TKO in the second.
Musburger’s innocuous aside about beauty in the stands was a brief and welcome break from carnage on the field. And what he said during a wildly non-competitive game about the comely Katherine Webb was decorous, though banal, and without a hint of the leer. Read and judge for yourself: After calling attention to the obvious, that Webb is a beauty, Musburger added: “You quarterbacks, you get all the good-looking women. What a beautiful woman.” “Wow,” analyst Kirk Herbstreit analyzed.” “Whoa!” back to Musburger. “If you’re a youngster in Alabama, start getting the football out and throw it around the backyard with Pop.” (Video here.)
Sound advice. (Though you really don’t have to urge strenuously to get Alabama boys to want to grow up to be quarterbacks. It’s in the blood.) So it was at least a bit of a surprise, even in these politically correct times, when a minor fertilizer storm followed Musburger’s innocent and heart-felt remarks. Offense-tropic twits tweeted their scandalized little hearts out. Musburger was called a dirty old man and his remarks termed “creepy” and worse by thousands of passive-aggressive indignatos with time on their hands and progressive passion in what passes for their hearts. Houston Mitchell, a sportswriter for the ever with-it L.A. Times declared, “Most of America got a little grossed out.”
Well no, Houston, America was not grossed out. At least not the portion of America where good sense and traces of testosterone have yet to be stamped out. Bi-coastal and university faculty lounge progressives may have their knickers in a knot about Musburger’s straightforward appreciation of La Webb. But normal American men and women see nothing remarkable in what Brent said. In fact, most would have considered it an oversight not to remark on the most pleasing looks of young Webb, and the amazing good luck of the talented McCarron.
But, sadly, it’s not normal America ESPN caters to in its pronouncements, but to the freak-bubble of the cultural left. So in reaction to this little snit, ESPN’s Vice President for Craven and Nonsensical Apologies issued this vague and timorous statement:
“We always try to capture interesting storylines, and the relationship between an Auburn grad who is Miss Alabama and the current Alabama quarterback certainly met that test,” ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys tweeted. “However, we apologize that the commentary in this instance went too far and Brent understands that.”
No. No. No. I’m certain that the 73-year-old Brent does not understand this. Nor do I. Nor does Miss Webb, who said Tuesday that she wasn’t offended by praise from the press box. “For a woman to be called beautiful, I don’t see how that’s an issue,” she said, demonstrating a firm grasp of the obvious that eludes the more progressive.
“Too far” for whom is the question. Just who is ESPN trying to sooth with its uncalled for apology? Is the network trying to increase viewership among the NOW power-lifting club, the appearance of many of whose members is enough to make a freight-train back up and take a dirt road? Are they trying to entice those with black-belts in women’s studies to become Monday Night Football regulars? These are the circles of geek-branch feminism, where any male attention to female pulchritude is considered sexist, evil, and actionable. ESPN’s gutless apology will cut no ice with the far greater number of the well-grounded who know that male appreciation of female beauty is not an offense, but is in fact an absolute requirement for the continuation of the species.
So, what’s next at ESPN? Will the network start blacking out the cheerleaders? Will the network start hiring sideline babes who look like Musburger? No. Networks will continue to show the cheerleaders and will continue to hire great-looking young women to ask pointless questions of inarticulate athletes after the game is over. This latest episode of network nervousness is just another example of the politically correct hypocrisy that disfigures our age. My succinct message to the castrati who cower in the ESPN executive suites is, “Get over it, girls.”
The biggest shame of the Musburger/Webb/ESPN kerfuffle is that it has taken attention away from the far larger story, which is that President Obama Wednesday, by executive order, took points way from Alabama and declared the championship game a draw. “Alabama didn’t win that game themselves, and they got more than their fair share of points,” Obama said in explaining his unprecedented action in the name of spreading the wealth around. Now THAT’s progressive.
While White House officials clearly believe Alabama got many more points than it needed Monday, they declined to comment on whether La Webb is too beautiful.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (51) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Larry Thornberry
More Articles From Sports Arena
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/01/10/pms-at-espn
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
drudge ette obama| 1.10.13 @ 6:25AM
I didn't see the "offense" live - too late for me, but in "playback" it didn't appear to be anything vile or lewdish. It was observatory in nature and I can't figure out what's the fuss about. Watched CNN's coverage at the auto service center yesterday and was amazed at the bottle-blondes and brunettes with over-madeup faces reporting on this big issue. Made me sort of sick and I went to sit in the new models in the showroom rather than watch it. But, I did notice that many people in the tv room, also waiting for their car service, were enraptured with the idiotic CNN coverage because, I think, beauty sells and accusations of lust by old men fof young girls sells.
Jack in Wi| 1.10.13 @ 7:09AM
The only women who were offended by Brent's compliment were a bunch of old, ugly, feminist, battle axes. They were never, ever called beautiful. I remember when Brent was a young sports annoucer in Chicago. Just because Brent is 73 does not mean he can't admire a beautful woman. He said nothing out of line period. We old goats like beauty just like young ones.
PolishKnight| 1.10.13 @ 10:39AM
In the early 90's, Anita "cokecan" Hill made her infamous sexual harassment charges against Clarence Thomas. It kicked off a salem witch hunt in government and academic offices against men saying ANYTHING of a sexual nature in front of women including, and this was in the "awareness" courses, telling a woman "she looked pretty today."
Then a few years later, Bill Clinton was accused of groping women while he was governor and then using the white house oval office to perform sexual deeds that would be considered degenerate. The feminists gave him a free pass because everyone knows that the "ladies" weren't really harmed by such remarks but were just using them to justify more victim goodies.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.10.13 @ 6:32AM
It simply gave the collective estrogen universe another opportunity to make their point that women are treated different and that's why women can't get ahead when old fossils sit around and admire them for their beauty.
We are in a full blown gender and race culture war and no skirmish is too small too notice.
TLP| 1.10.13 @ 11:31AM
Let me get this straight: Brent Mussberger calls a Gal who won the title of Miss Alabama, Beautiful, Fabulous, Fantastic, and then tells boys to "Get out there and start throwing the Football around, cause all the Pretty Girls love the Quarterback" and we've got Lefties pissing their Thongs all over the place?
Meanwhile.....back at Insanity Central: The Stupidest Man in America, and the guy tasked with Confiscating our Guns, is Fondling, and Dry Humpin some guy's Wife til he wet the front of his pants, and NOBODY said a Goddamn Thing.
You still think this Country isn't finished?
Think again.
mike 3/505| 1.10.13 @ 2:39PM
One of your better efforts Tim.
Frank Drackman| 1.10.13 @ 6:42AM
Hey at least Brent didn't make a DSL joke(like I would have/did)
Not to toot my own horn, but Miss. Webb is a graduate of MY almer matter, THE 2010 BCS CHAMPION AUBURN TIGERS, and BTW the BCS hasn't been won by a Non-Yellowhammer State team since we let Timmy Tebow have it for a year in 2009...And not by a Non-SEC team since...umm where did I put my Namenda???
OK, sure Miss Webb's working at a Chick Fil-A in Columbus Georgia(in MANAGEMENT, Hate-uhs) in Alabama she's what we call "Over Ed-jew-ma-cated".
And its not so much a Football thang as an Alfa-Male thang, what Top Dog, given the choice wouldn't pick the hottest Bee-Otch at the water dish?
And don't tell me bout Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, or Hilary Clinton, there's always an exception to the rule.
Frank "Rudy's a Homo" Drackman
Appleby| 1.10.13 @ 6:44AM
I was watching that game (ROLL TIDE!) and saw and heard absolutely nothing objectionable from Mr. Mussberger -- nothing that my own Dad would not have said, although I am sure Dad would have added, "I'd like to see HER backfield in motion!" Then he would have made the historic Alabama/Auburn joke about halftime being necessary so the cheerleaders of the opposing team could graze.
Just like NA$CAR, NCAA Football is there to separate the men from the metrosexuals, and when that census is taken, you want to be foursquare and for sure on the right side of the field.
If there are in fact people who have nothing else to get hissy about, I'm glad they don't live around here.
drudge ette obama| 1.10.13 @ 7:07AM
Love your comments....especially the grazing one and what your father would have added. Superb. I was glad that Alabama won only because Georgia will have to live with it for the year, as well as being tied with Notre Dame at 5th. Living in Georgia, it can be difficult with the nostop woofing and bark-grunts that you would never hear a real dog utter.
Appleby| 1.10.13 @ 7:15AM
There is a cheer in Canadian football (a pale copy of real football that is watched by about 30 people, I think) that appears to include shouting the phrase "Oskee Wee Wee!" What this actually means is anybody's guess, but I am sure it appeals to toddlers of all ages. And I'm with you regarding the Bulldogs (although Alabama escaped by a margin too small for my money, in that game) -- I could never support any team that required me to make dog noises. I suppose we're fortunate their mascot isn't an elephant.
R Martin| 1.10.13 @ 8:19AM
Mr. Thornberry, your opening paragraphs are creative and well written.
Appleby, will you come and join us to discuss football when we meet at some point in the coming months?
Al Adab| 1.10.13 @ 8:33AM
See, if she were properly attired in her burka this would not be an issue.
BTW, she is a very pretty girl. A total non-issue except for the fact that it furthers some agenda.
Von Mises Jr| 1.10.13 @ 9:45AM
The answer seems obvious. We need to replace Brent and Troy Aikman-type announcers with Ellen Degenerate and Rosie "babba elelphante" O'Donnell. They could describe their intended sexual perversions on poor Miss Webb and everyone would think it enlightened.
CJW| 1.10.13 @ 10:47AM
Al, Von, RM
God is obviously punishing Notre Dame, the supposedly No. 1 Catholic University, for honoring abortionists Obama/sebellius, and as added measure for Georgetown covering the name Jesus on the podium so as not to offend the sensibilities of the "christian" Obama.
Von Mises Jr| 1.10.13 @ 10:58AM
While I am a practicing Catholic, thirty percent voted for Obama/Biden. They are just too stupid or idealistic to understand that they are next in line right after God and government get through with the Fighting Irish.
Al Adab| 1.10.13 @ 11:10AM
W:
You make an interesting point. Maybe ND has been found wanting as have so many Catholics who vote completely opposite their beliefs and in favor of the idolaters as Jr. writes.
markenoff| 1.10.13 @ 11:41AM
It's there racism. They didn't judge Obama by his character but by the color of his skin. If H Clinton had won or supposedly Catholic Joe Biden had won neither of them would have been invited. Just like everything else Obama has accomplished it was his skin color that got him invited to ND.
fmm| 1.10.13 @ 8:41AM
Excellent article. The right response to those who got all in a tizzy and to the ESPN management is laughter.
Bob Grant| 1.10.13 @ 9:09AM
Snore!
This "story" continues to be discussed?
Why?
SUBVET| 1.10.13 @ 9:44AM
+1..............
Gr0w1er601| 1.10.13 @ 9:54AM
I wonder what all those Auburn alums think of Ms. Webb wearing Alabama crimson...?
Frank Drackman| 1.10.13 @ 9:57AM
in Alabama, women dress to please.....
Anti-Statist| 1.10.13 @ 12:08PM
"I hope to be as fortunate as Miss Webb someday and wear crimson too." is what.
Frank Drackman| 1.10.13 @ 9:55AM
Just wondering what the Notre Dame QB's girlfriend looks like...
I'm thinking "Pale"
Frank
Anthony| 1.10.13 @ 12:02PM
Better put some ice on that Brent.
I'm thinking Bama should have sent out the girl's varsity volleyball team to finish off dem Jesuits, you know, spike the ball down their jocks.
No I'm not gay, so says my Doctor, Dr. Drackman.
JimP| 1.10.13 @ 10:10AM
So who identified Ms. Webb before the game? Was THAT Musberger? If she were a really homely woman would ESPN have bothered to find this 'story line' at all? I think we all know the answer to that one. Yeah, the Auburn-Alabama 'mixed couple'/rivalry angle is kinda interesting (speaking as an Alabamian) but I don't recall it being spoken during the game. Wonder why?! Be honest ESPN, it is Ms. Webb's stunning beauty that made you decide to have your cameras ogle her. Yes, you were ogling. It was NOT the Auburn-Alabama rivalry. THAT really is creepy isn't it? You single out this young woman and premeditatedly, and with horniness in your lustful hearts, plan to put your never blinking eye on here at length. You KNOW all us guys will be transfixed upon seeing her. You had a boring blowout game on your hands (Yea Bama!), and being rating whores you turned to Ms. Webb to bail you out. Shame on YOU ESPN. Nice job Brent and "Herbie" I thought you were respectful in noting her pulcritude while still managing to perform your corporate bosses' wishes and 'keep the game interesting'.
PolishKnight| 1.10.13 @ 10:47AM
Only in America can someone lose their job for saying a woman is pretty. In other countries, when you compliment women they blush and are happy for the rest of the day.
When I went outside of the country, it was like those documentaries about Amish teenagers going out among "the English" to see what the real world is like. It's eye opening to say the least. Women don't mace you in the face for saying "good morning" to them. They dress in a manner to attract attention from men. If the wrong men are attracted, they gracefully reject the advances rather than getting into a nasty hissy fit. And they seem to LIKE men. They play fewer games.
Sad to say, I don't think feminism in the states caused women to act badly but rather American women appear to have been unfeminine for centuries and this caused feminism to emerge here with a vengeance. Perhaps it's due to the frontier times when women were rare combined with prude puritanism and hyper chivalry?
Minuteman78| 1.10.13 @ 11:13AM
"Women don't mace you in the face for saying "good morning" to them." Brilliant. Couldn't have summed up the feminazis attitude any better.
JP| 1.10.13 @ 10:58AM
After a dozen plays of the BCS game I went to bed. The game reminded me of the 1972 Orange Bowl in which Nebraska beat Notre Dame 40-6.
Besides, all of these Miss Alabamas and Miss Universer women look alike. Brent was either drunk or flying on too much viagra.
Anti-Statist| 1.10.13 @ 12:04PM
Well done, Miss Webb, for doing what so many Auburn alumnae have done over the years- travel to Tuscaloosa to find their men.'
Crimson compliments the natural colors of their beauty than that god-awful orange and blue, as they come to realize.
I remember after the 1981 Iron Bowl some very nice and beautiful Auburn girls wanted to take my friend and me (both Bama boys) back to Auburn to party.
I'm ashamed to admit that we declined. Later, we asked ourselves why, and the embarrassment of having passed on a great opportunity isn't forgotten to this day.
Anti-Statist| 1.10.13 @ 12:06PM
38-6. A total rout. Nebraska (Johnny Rodgers, the Heisman winner that season) put the hammer to our Tide. That one hurt, but not nearly as bad as the 24-23 loss to the Irish in the '73 Sugar Bowl.
THAT demon got exorcised the other night. Finally.
JP| 1.10.13 @ 4:07PM
And the following year, when ND defeated Ala 14-10 in Ara's last game as a coach.
But, the 1972 Sugar Bowl was as good as it gets. BTW, Ala did beat Lou Holtz in 1987 by 3-4 TDs. All I remember is ND's QB being chased around the field for 4 qaurters by Ala LBs.
Petronius| 1.10.13 @ 11:24AM
How dare Brent react to any female like a Normal Unreconstructed American Man. And we didn't get grossed out. A football game is no place for weenies, and ESPN managers and producers who can't stand any guy with a drop of testosterone should be thrown off the top tier of the stadium so we can hold up the cards as they splash on the pavement.
Pecos Pete| 1.10.13 @ 11:52AM
Whoa now. Uncle Joe may now want to ban "the top tier" of stadiums. And buildings taller than 1 foot.
markenoff| 1.10.13 @ 11:34AM
Will ESPN now stop publishing their annual "Body" issue of ESPN the magazine?
Just a crude rip off of the SI swimsuit issue anyway.
spike59| 1.10.13 @ 4:31PM
what part of 'swimsuit' are you missing while kvetching over 'who did it first?'
markenoff| 1.10.13 @ 11:36AM
The problem is that Musburger has never publicly come out for abortion under any and all circumstances paid for by the federal government. If he had he could have gone up into the stands and had his way with the young lady and would have been given a pass by the left.
markenoff| 1.10.13 @ 11:37AM
This reminds me of how the NOW crowd stood up for Sarah Palin's daughter when David Letterman made those oafish comments about her being impregnated by a ballplayer between innings. Oh wait, that's right, the NOW crowd were nowhere to be seen then.
Stormy| 1.10.13 @ 11:53AM
Hey, Political correctness is what ESPN does, or has no one noticed? They are extremely liberal. Sportswriters are extremely liberal. So, where is the surprise here? Paging Rod Parker...
Tom Kyba| 1.10.13 @ 11:55AM
Are you people insinuating that ESPN's first duty is to report and editorialize about sports? Next you'll be telling me that RGIII would have had to be dragged from the field against Seattle and wasn't on the sidelines feeling like a downtrodden slave. And then you'll try to convince me that Shanahan doesn't don a white hood when he gets home every day. I learned all of this watching ESPN, the Extraspecial network.
Third Army| 1.10.13 @ 12:45PM
I heard nothing offensive in what Musbuger said and did not consider it to be "leering." She's a beautiful woman and he mentioned that. Big deal. Sounds like some people are jealous.
Big Bob| 1.10.13 @ 12:53PM
As my son is a professional athlete, having played Div I sports, and now making a living at said sport, I take more than a passing interest in how athletes end up finding a mate. He is a fine young man and has very high standards, and is still in the "hunt". So when cameras focussed on Miss Alabama, (actually no longer Miss Alabama), I called my wife over to take a look. What a surprise when she commented on how beautiful the woman looks. Imagine that: a state sponsored beauty pageant winner actually being beautiful. Now that is an oxymoron, no? So Mr. Musberger, I enjoy your commentary, and hope ESPN wakes up. They don't have a limitless error account, after all.
BigAl97801| 1.10.13 @ 1:40PM
Why does ESPN's leftist bent and lack of cojones surprise anyone?
Remember back when Rush Limbaugh was on ESPN giving his take on the NFL, and no one except Chris Berman would sit at the same desk with him? When Rush uttered his observation on the media puffing of Donovan McNabb, ESPN threw him under the bus. Rush was right: Most sportswriters are toadies of the left with (deserved) inferiority complexes.
Lance227| 1.10.13 @ 2:49PM
It's "principal" not "principle". C'mon Larry, you're better than that!
cicero| 1.10.13 @ 2:59PM
The only shame in the matter, given the interest level of the game itself after the Tide's fist 2 possession was that the cameras spent too much time on the field. They could have gone seat by seat looking for good looking girls, as far as I was concerned.
Despite the attempt by the beer commercials to make anybody think that half of the audience is women, the reality is that football is 90% a male viewed game. I guess they could have picked out a few good looking guys for the 10%. Anything to bring a bit of interest to the screen.
As the father and grandfather of beautiful girls, I take it as a compliment when their beauty is commented upon. Fortunately, they all look like their mothers.
kpccrysler| 1.10.13 @ 3:39PM
Is it ANY surprise that the author of this article is a over-the-hill bald white guy from a bygone generation who's bitter towards the newer generation's youth they no longer have?
What?| 1.10.13 @ 5:53PM
are you being facetious or racist?
Crassus| 1.10.13 @ 6:49PM
We're still waiting for ESPN to apologize for Bill Conlin.
junkyard infidel| 1.10.13 @ 7:03PM
hmm... must have been some of that there "dog whistle" or "code" talk that only the pseudo-intellectuals can hear !
iahawk86| 1.10.13 @ 9:22PM
Given the allegations of harassment leveled at ESPN employees in the past, I think the bigwigs are a little paranoid.
CHAUSSURES FEMME AIR MAX LTD | 1.11.13 @ 1:40AM
The Irish had about as much chance http://modefrance.blogger.hu/2.....-etiquette against the Crimson Tide Monday as an armadillo has against a steel-belted radial. Had it been a fight, the ref would have awarded Bama a TKO in the second.