Dan Le Batard may be highly questionable (well I’m still not so sure on that), but ESPN is hoping that his new show is not. Like all new ESPN programming, the herd of mother ship followers is quick to judge whether the show is good, bad or ugly immediately following the first episode.
Although I do watch ESPN (how can you not?), I do not unquestionably consume all that they produce and praise it as gospel. I like to think of myself as more of a renaissance sports fan.
I use local papers to get information on teams; I’d rather watch the MLB network than Baseball Tonight, and sometimes I go CBS sports instead of ESPN. Some call me crazy, some call me a revolutionary (!Viva Dan Patrick!), but sometimes the good old worldwide leader just doesn’t cut it for me.
However, when it comes to “Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable?”, I’m in.
I kind of want to give the show some time to get going and work out the kinks before I start praising it profusely, but then again I really don’t.
The show is simple. It consists of Dan Le Batard sitting in a cartoonish 1950’s kitchen, talking about sports. Oh yeah, and Dan Le Batard’s father, now known only as “Papi”, is his co-host.
I have to admit, when I heard the premise I thought it was going to bomb. So wait, you mean you are giving squirrelly looking dude from the Miami Herald who finds his way on the PTI set every once in awhile his own show? Wait, it’s just him and his Papi?
Trust me, I couldn’t have been less enthused and quite frankly more wrong.
What makes the show good is that it’s different, which is more than I can say for ESPN’s other new program “Numbers Never Lie”.
The interplay between Dan, Papi, and the producer who interjects via a loudspeaker in various segments, is just gold. I never used to think Dan Le Batard was all that funny, but the way he discusses sports with Papi, coupled with his short monologues have made me a believer.
On Tuesday’s show, Le Batard interviewed Michael Strahan, but what made the interview good was Le Batard’s playful relentlessness. He didn’t let Strahan cop out on any questions, which made for some hilarious moments—including Strahan telling Le Batard that the worst thing he bought with his pro money was his ex-wife.
If you are looking for the next PTI, maybe this isn’t your cup of tea. However, if you like sports, like to laugh, and think old guys with Spanish accents are funny, then Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable? is for you.
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Y ya era tiempo para un programa como este.
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Well written review and I couldn’t agree more.
Long live Papí.
I will get right to it. Dan Le Batard is the worst thing to ever appear on Sports Television. I have had the misfortune of watching him appear on a couple of PTI shows. As much as I like the show with Wilbon and Kornheiser, when he is on, I either want to projectile chuck or punch my television.
He is arrogant, loud, uninformed and a professional jerk. I particularly do not like his attitude and not real impressed with his face.
To give him a show is grounds for dismissal of the TV exec. and is humbling and humiliating to Reality Television. In fact, Jerry Springer should be embarrassed. BAM!
I will get right to it. Dan Le Batard is the worst thing to ever appear on Sports Television. I have had the misfortune of watching him appear on a couple of PTI shows. As much as I like the show with Wilbon and Kornheiser, when he is on I either want to projectile chuck or punch my television.
He is arrogant, loud, uninformed and a professional jerk. I particularly do not like his attitude and not real impressed with his grating voice or face.
To give him a show is grounds for dismissal of the TV exec. responsible and is humbling and humiliating to Reality Television. In fact, Jerry Springer would be embarrassed. BAM!
The show is not bad at all. The chemistry between Le Batard and his Dad is great.
Besides the fact that the show is in a 50s kitchen, it’s also different because it has a Latin flavor – meaning some diversity. Considering how homogenous (or monotonous) ESPN’s shows can get, Highly Questionable is a breath of fresh air.
Just so you know Bob, that TV exec. who’s head your calling for is Erik Rydholm. He just so happens to be the executive producer and one of the creators of your beloved PTI. Something tells me he knows what he’s doing…
bob’s wrong. rick reilly is the worst thing to ever appear on Sports Television
I love the show. The questions are are not the typical questions you’ll hear the answers to on every other sports show. His father is a natural and I love it when they call Dan’s mother. I hope it stays on the air for a long time.
Worst show ever since that “Put Up Your Dukes” debacle. I have never heard of this guy until I switched over to the channel early in order to watch Jim Rome. It’s like watching two dumb, uninformed sports fans talk about things they know nothing about, and giving lame opinions. I guess in the sports talk universe full of arrogant hosts someone at ESPN thought that a “dumb and lame” schtick would be refreshing, but it is not it is what it is, dumb and lame.
When I talk sports with people I dont look to converse with idiots or uninformed people, so I dont want the same in my sports talk programming.
Peter W: “It is what it is” is the most complicated way of saying nothing.
For all not enjoying the show: Switch the channel.
For those enjoying the show: I am entertained by this unique twist on discussing some of the daily news in sports. Even though DLB is a Miami Herald veteran, hearing him discuss sports doesn’t feel like I am being lectured by somebody that has to demonstrate he knows more about sports than I do, like every other person on sports television. Whenever I understand what Papi is saying, it is a funny and refreshing input from a truly casual sports fan. No lectures. Love it.
Sí, o no?
In a word, “drivel.” I don’t give a farthing about his obviously orchestrated arrogance. The bottom line is he’s boring. Isn’t there anyone out there, aside from Dan Patrick, who is literate?
Jesus, who comes up with these programming ideas. Here we have one daft old codger and some guy with chipmunk cheeks blithering about god knows what. Hello ESPN! Get these goofuses off the air, please.
Personally, I think this show is hilarious. I agree with the comment, “If you don’t like it, change the channel.” There are many sports shows I do not like even though I love sports. If I don’t like something, I am free to change the channel. Papi tells it like he sees it and feels it. As far as I am concerned, he is the star of the show, not his son. You can keep Jim Rome and Numbers Never Lie and I will change the channel, but switch back for LeBatard.
Why does every discussion about someone on ESPN inevitably revert to some troll espousing the greatness of Dan Patrick? Dan Patrick is alright. That’s it. He’s ok if you don’t mind the banter with his crew of socially-awkward, never-been-laid, goobers. It seems like people who have never been good at sports are naturally drawn to Dan Patrick and Jim Rome.
Si Si, I’m very intrigued!! lol