There’s been a rumor floating around the Sports World for awhile now that ESPN was/is planning a late night talk show to air weekdays on ESPN2. Well according to multiple media outlets, including the NY Post, the rumor is soon to become a reality.
The show, according to officials, would be more of a cross between talk radio and “SportsCenter” than “The Tonight Show.”
“It would be tomorrow’s sports talk – tonight,” a spokesman said, declining to provide further information citing the network’s policy of not discussing shows in development.
ESPN sources note that the show is still in its earliest stages – although executives did tease the show to potential advertisers last May during the network’s “Upfront” presentation.
The understanding is that the new show would include three recognizable ESPN personalities offering their opinions on the day’s sports news.
ESPN 2’s late night slate is currently something of a TV wasteland, with shows ranging from coverage of streetball to a NASCAR wrap-up show.
This is beyond a terrible idea, but there seems to be no stopping the “Leader” now. The sure-to-trainwreck show is plowing forward and if you thought First Take’s ratings were bad….wait until ESPN “Late Night” gets going. The host names that have been floating around included Erik Kuselias, Dan LeBatard, Jason Whitlock and yes….Colin Cowherd. The good news is that TBL’s “sources” say that three of the four have declined. The bad news….the one that hasn’t is Kuselias. It very well could be the reason you’ve been seeing him everywhere on the network as of late.
I have a different thought though. Who’s the one person at ESPN who actually has a good bit of experience working on a talk show? That’s right folks….Bill Simmons. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but don’t be surprised.
ESPN Joins Late Night (NY Post)