We're still recovering from the Super Bowl and the end of the NFL season, but the world game is in full midseason swing.  Thankfully, that means another weekly dose of Gol TV's magisterial magician of the microphone, Ray Hudson.  On the weekend, Ray seemed a little more mellow than normal in calling the Barcelona v Real Sociedad tilt, but still went places no other broadcaster would be willing to go...

1-0 Tello (:47)

"Once again we see the genius of Messi.  The pure ego of genius, he doesn't have any.  There ain't anything egotistical about him.  He supplies this ball for Tello that is off the charts.  And what a magnificent mother's touch Tello gives it.  Look at this ball for Leo.  Just level and the sweetest of touches from Tello.  That is absolutely magnificent from the youngster.  The ball is perfect from Lionel Messi."

Messi chance

"Wonderful play again from the man I was telling you about.  Thiago Alcantara.  Tattoo it on your arms Barcelona fans, he'll do you proud over the years."

Alves chance created by Messi

"He'd follow you in a revolving door and he'd still come out first, Messi."

2-0 Messi (7:35)

"Well, it's like blasphemy criticizing Lionel Messi because it takes 1,000 Steinways to reproduce one note of his.  Again a magnificent finish, but a beautiful pass to set him up.  This time he doesn't hesitate.  This time he dispatches with prejudice.  And he saves his eternal thanks as always to his deceased grandma.  Wonderful ball played in, the rub of it.  But there's no controlling it this time.  Dani Alves sees it, leads it, spins it.  The ball rubs beautifully.  Leo sees his target, the onrushing Bravo and that back post, and he dispatches beautifully.  Finally."

2-1 Vela (8:45)

"He's in... wonderful from Vela, nicely supplied by the Frenchman who I was warning you about in the preview, this kid Antoine Griezmann.  And, Victor comes and closes the angle but Vela has got too much space and he's got Victor at his mercy.  Is it a bad giveaway that leads to it?  Well, it's a surprising one.  Right here, caught in possession is Thiago Alcantara I believe and then Griezmann quick as Jumpin Jack Flash sets away the Gooner Carlos Vela."

I have something embarrasing to admit. I am that guy that looks forward to televised Celebrity sporting events. There's just something so egomaniacal and over-the-top-shameless that I guess I can't make myself look away. I mean, I think I honestly would be upset with myself if I wasn't watching live when the third leading actor from Bones just intercepted Joe Montana.

I think it all started with those Rock 'N' Jock games that MTV used to air in the 90's. In my head back then the Dan Cortese vs. Bill Bellamy rivalry was probably equal to Knicks/Bulls in the 90's and this stretch of back-to-back 25 pointers (at the 10:20 mark) in the '94 RNJ by JR Rider and Gary Payton was probably greater than Joe Carter's World Series clinching homerun in my opinion.

Anyways, the third most important Bowl game of the weekend, the Celebrity Beach Bowl, was on Saturday. Snoop took MVP honors as he was just too much to handle for the likes of Artie Lange and Doogie Howser. Here's his first touchdown of the game with Dan Patrick and Kevin Frazier providing the call.

La Di Da Di Snoop likes to party. I gotta say I'm impressed these days when someone can do something that produces audible groans from seemingly everyone in attendance. Well done.

Perhaps New England's best tight end was not pleased with the Patriots receivers after last night's heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl XLVI to the Giants. The "positive energy" Gisele Bundchen pleaded for did not spread to the Patriot receivers as some of their gaffes will likely be looked at as being the difference maker. Most notably was a dropped pass by Wes Welker in the final minutes that is made "100 out of 100 times" that likely would have clinched the game and also an unlikely interception when Chase Blackburn out battled a limited Rob Gronkowski.

All of this added up to a Giants win and a chance for New Yorkers to test out their newly minted bragging rights over Boston starting with Gisele following the game. Some scoundrel heckles her saying "ELI RULZ!!! ELI OWNS YER HUSBAND" and she offered this NSFW comment waiting for an elevator, which of course was caught on film by a gossip website.

"You've got to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball. My husband cannot f'n throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time."

I don't know, just last weekend I saw NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers do exactly that play for outstanding results.

The loss will be a bitter one for Brady as he will probably sulk by frolicking around on island beaches for much of the offseason with his supermodel wife. What a shame. 

[USA Today]

Super Bowl XLVI between the Giants and the Patriots did indeed break the all time viewership record as predicted by many before the game.  Even though the game was only the third highest Super Bowl in terms of overnight ratings (averaging a selection of the biggest markets around the country), the game drew an average of 111.3 million viewers.  That number barely squeaks by the 111 million viewers from last year's game as reported by Richard Sandomir of the New York Times.

It's now the third consecutive year that the Super Bowl has set the all time viewership record.  Saints-Colts, Packers-Steelers, and now Giants-Patriots are the three most watched events in the history of American television:  

1) Super Bowl XLVI - 111.3 million viewers
2) Super Bowl XLV - 111 million viewers
3) Super Bowl XLIV - 106.5 million viewers 

Frankly, I'm quite surprised the number wasn't much higher considering the large ratings in New York and Boston, the marquee players, teams, and storylines, and the fact that the game went down to a final play Hail Mary and was close throughout.  The 111.3 million viewers is well below the Over/Under number set at 117 million viewers before the game.  Even Madonna's halftime show drew a higher than average audience for the game at 114 million viewers!  I was expecting a number around 118-120 million viewers given how the game played out and the year-to-year growth over the last few Super Bowls.  The game peaked at 117.7 million for the final minutes.

It's amazing to think that the total number of average viewers was just 86.1 million viewers for Patriots-Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.  Odds should be in favor of another record being set next year if we're fortunate enough to see another close game.  

Right near the end of this clip, as you see many New York Giants players and personnel kissing the Lombardi Trophy as it makes its way through the crowd, Biff Henderson of CBS's Late Show with David Letterman gets his hand on the stem area of the trophy, then ducks his head in and plants one on it. Henderson's CBS eye microphone is clearly visable to the viewers at home.

This really isn't a huge deal, but it's pretty funny for Henderson, a former NBC employee and long-time CBS employee with Letterman's show, to get a brief moment in the spotlight for his former network. Imagine the execs at NBC and their mild horror that the CBS eye got put on TV during the Super Bowl on their network for a hundred million people to see. It's completely meaningless, but you know people at NBC are probably irritated at this while Biff and Letterman will greatly rejoice at his Super Bowl moment.  Biff's totally random appearance was just barely the second best celebrity cameo of Super Bowl XLVI.  

H/T Ken Fang

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Aside from Darren Rovell vs everyone from Jaime Edmondson to Jimmy Traina to Evan Longoria, the biggest feud to emerge from Super Bowl week in Indianapolis saw John Dennis of WEEI in Boston squaring off with Ryen Russillo of the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio once again.  The battle between Dennis and Russillo goes all the way back to 2005 when Russillo worked in Boston and allegedly made a play on Dennis' daughter.  That led to this infamous, profanity laced voicemail that found its way onto the interwebs and led to Russillo being on the short end of some sort of loser leaves town match.

Well, the two met up in Indianapolis at the Super Bowl and almost threw down according to The Big Lead and Deadspin.  Deadspin had a first person account that makes it seem like Russillo confronted Dennis in an alley outside one of the hotels and words were exchanged before both men walked away.  The best part about this feud though is that both men took to Twitter in the aftermath, still willing to continue the fight for all of us not stalking the Indianapolis back alleys to see...

ryenarussillo Always know, that when you looked in my eyes, you wanted nothing to do with me,you are a liar, and a fake tough guy @JohnDennisWEEI

ryenarussillo @JohnDennisWEEI That's one version, why didn't you follow through on your promise? You threatened me, had me fired and then backed down

ryenarussillo @JohnDennisWEEI You call me again, or we can get in a ring for charity. You in?

Russillo's tweets are saved for posterity by Boston Sports Media Watch because he deleted the Dennis tweets from his timeline.  Wonder if the higher ups in Bristol had anything to do with that decision... usually ESPN doesn't like their on-air personalities challenging other media members to boxing matches or referencing embarrassing past stories.  Dennis' tweets remain up for the world to see the bad blood between these two.  It's not too often that you see a prominent, big market regional radio host call out a prominent national radio host by attaching the hashtags #alcoholic and #callAA.  I'd say the use of creative hashtags and not deleting the tweets definitely gives this round to Dennis.  Sadly, I wouldn't expect this feud to be carried any further for the time being, especially on Russillo and ESPN's end.  

I for one can't wait Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans though, not so much for the game, but for the drunken media fights that will emerge out of the Big Easy.  Now that's something worth looking forward to.

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With the NFL season behind us, it's a full slate of NBA games with an ABC/ESPN Sunday tripleheader.

Monday February 6

Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks (NBA TV 7:30PM) Local Broadcast

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers (NBA TV 10PM) Local Broadcast

Tuesday February 7

Utah Jazz @ Indiana Pacers (NBA TV 7PM) Local Broadcast

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors (NBA TV 10:30PM) Ernie Johnson, Greg Anthony, Chris Webber

Wednesday February 8

New York Knicks @ Washington Wizards (NBA TV 7PM) Local Broadcast

Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers (NBA TV 10PM) Local Broadcast

Thursday February 9

Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics (TNT 8PM) Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, Steve Kerr

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings (TNT 10:30PM) Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber

Friday February 10

Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks (ESPN 8PM) Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz (ESPN 10:30PM) Mike Tirico, Chris Mullin

Saturday February 11

Denver Nuggets @ Indiana Pacers (NBA TV 7PM) Local Broadcast

Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings (NBA TV 10PM) Local Broadcast 

Sunday February 12

Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics (ABC 3:30PM) Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy

Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks (ESPN 7PM) Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown

Utah Jazz @ Memphis Grizzlies (ESPN 9:30PM) Dan Shulman, Chris Mullin

H/T Sammy!

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The Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, winning 21-17 in a game that went down to the final play.  It will likely break all viewership records in the United States and was another great showcase for the NFL.  These days, the Super Bowl is a day long event with everything from the game itself and the announcers to the pregame, the replays, the commercials, and the celebrity cameos being talked about.  We've brought it all together in one place for you.  Here now is the best and worst of Super Bowl XLVI...

Best Commercial - Chevy Trucks

There weren't many memorable commercials this year, but I loved this Chevy trucks ad that is timely and funny.  Poking fun at the impending Mayan apocalypse and getting a cheap shot in at your biggest rival makes for a winner.  The random box of Twinkies takes it to the top.

Worst Commercial - Bud Light Platinum

Although I was tempted to give this award to another Go Daddy Danica Patrick ad (even the E-Trade baby says enough already!), Bud Light Platinum wins the award.  Beer commercials are supposed to be about having a good time, average dudes attracting much better looking women, or talking animals.  This Bud Light Platinum ad has none of those, just a cold factory.  Tim Duncan's commercial spot with Bridgestone had more charisma!  To make things worse, this was the first game commercial when you're most excited for the hilarity and uniqueness of the ads.  Blah.

Best Pregame Feature - Steve Gleason's Battle With ALS

This was by far the most touching and impactful vignette of the seemingly thousands aired during the six hours of NBC's pregame show.  The former Saint's battle with ALS is a story more people need to be made aware of around the nation.  Although Super Bowl pregame shows are filled with hours of excess and frivolity by nature (hello Nick Cannon interviewing Jessica Simpson, winner for worst pregame feature), this was one segment worth saving...

Worst Postgame Reaction - Blame Brady?

According to Eric Wilbur, a Boston Globe writer, 27/41, 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, a 91.1 QB Rating and 16 straight completions at one point is a "hideous performance."  Skip Bayless is impressed with this trolling effort.

Best Moment & Best Call - Ahmad Bradshaw's Awkward Game Winning Touchdown

There has never been a more awkward touchdown to win a Super Bowl, and I love it!  The chess match in the final two minutes was fascinating to watch develop.  Here, the Pats let Ahmad Bradshaw score to give Tom Brady enough time on offense, but Bradshaw is unsure of whether or not to take the six points.  Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth were all over the strategy and importance of the play with Collinsworth suggesting Bradshaw made a mistake.  Considering the stakes and the rarity of seeing a play like that, it's an outstanding job by the announcers in that moment to be on top of it...

This is your center for all of NBC's football coverage for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.  Game coverage begins at 6 PM ET with kickoff around 6:30 ET with a full six hours of pregame coverage.  There are several interviews planned for the pregame show including President Obama, both quarterbacks, Madonna, and both coaches.  Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth have the TV call while Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason have the radio call.  

***Updated: We also have more details from NBC on the schedule of the pregame show and what you'll see throughout the pregame show.  That can be found below the list of interviews and features.

Super Bowl XLVI | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

New York Giants (11-7 NFC Champions) vs. New England Patriots (15-3 AFC Champions)

(NBC 6PM Game Coverage; 6:30PM Kickoff)

Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth
Sideline Reporter: Michele Tafoya

Radio Announcers: (DialGlobal/Westwood One) Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason
Sideline Reporters: James Lofton & Mark Malone

NBC Super Bowl Coverage

NFL Films: Road to the Super Bowl (NBC Noon)

Super Bowl XLVI Pregame Show (NBC 1PM)

Co-Hosts: Bob Costas, Dan Patrick
Analysts: Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison
Guest Analysts: Doug Flutie, Aaron Rodgers (Packers) & Hines Ward (Steelers)
Reporters: Peter King, Mike Florio
Hotel Reporters: Alex Flanagan, Liam McHugh, Randy Moss

Interviews

• Matt Lauer interviews President Barack Obama
• Bob Costas interviews Tom Brady & Madonna
• Dan Patrick interviews Eli Manning
• Al Michaels interviews Patriots owner Robert Kraft
• Tony Dungy interviews Tom Coughlin & Victor Cruz
• Rodney Harrison interviews Bill Belichick & Aaron Hernandez
• Bob Costas interviews John Mara (not previously announced)

Field Set Analysts: Collinsworth, Flutie and Harrison

Hometown Hero: Visits of the hometowns of Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul of the Giants and Tom Brady, Aaron Hernandez, and Wes Welker of the Patriots

Features:

• Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants)
• Behind the Quarterbacks: Archie & Olivia Manning (Manning's parents); Tom Martinez (Brady's mentor)
• Helmet Catch: Costas interviews Rodney Harrison & David Tyree
• Vince Wolfork (Patriots)
• Steve Gleason, Ex-New Orleans Saints player who is diagnosed with ALS (done by Peter King)

NBC Pregame Schedule & More Features

*During the 1 ET hour, Tony Dungy speaks with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and the hometown heroes segment air featuring Jason Pierre-Paul and Aaron Hernandez.  Hines Ward & Aaron Rodgers join the set to look back on last year's Super Bowl and the 2011 turning points for the Packers & Steelers.

*In the 2 ET hour, a feature on the legacy of Indianapolis and the impact of bringing the Super Bowl to the city for the first time airs with comments from former Colts coach Tony Dungy.

*A feature on Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko has him talking about his harrowing upbringing in Romania and the strange way he was introduced to football.  

*A highlight of Vince Wilfork's feature piece is claiming to outrun Tom Brady in the 40 yard dash.  Given what we've seen from Vince in action and Brady's complete lack of mobility, who's to say he can't?  

*Bill Belichick's interview with Rodney Harrison will run during the 3 ET hour.

*David Tyree and Rodney Harrison reunite during the 4 ET hour to discuss the helmet catch and their link through history in Super Bowl XLII.

*The 5 ET hour focuses exclusively on the buildup for Super Bowl XLVI.

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I recently noticed that with a high level of accuracy, I can identify who is anchoring SportsCenter by just hearing their voice as I'm often working on something and will have it on in the background (#humblebrag). It's not that hard after you memorize the regular dozen or so anchors who are in the rotation of ESPN's staple show.

Occasionally there is a new face/voice that I haven't seen before or just didn't make a memorable impression on me. However with ESPN sending a substantial amount of talent to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl in addition to stuffing the set with a record amount of television personalities, the Worldwide Leader has been spread a bit thin this weekend it seems.

With the late night/early morning SportsCenter on the weekend essentially being the grave shift, I found myself wondering if the pairing above might be the most unrecognizable pairing of anchors to host SportsCenter in recent memory.

Both Adnan Virk and Max Bretos didn't ring a bell to me although I'm sure I've seen one or the other in some capacity in the past. If you think I'm being harsh, I actually have to say I found Virk and Bretos to be pretty darn enjoyable as they breezed through a busy Saturday of highlights without incident. Although ESPN is known for trying to not duplicate the popularity of the Olbermann and Patrick dynamic duo pairing by constantly mixing talent for SportsCenter, it seems of late there has been a lot of continuity in the SportsCenter pairings.

Maybe the schtick of some of the regulars has worn a bit thin but of late I've found myself enjoying some fresh blood like Virk, Bretos, and others getting a crack at ESPN's signature program. 

For those of you thinking the 4 am ET SportsCenter on Sunday morning could be the worst assignment on ESPN, trust me there is way way worse things the overlords in Bristol can assign you.

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