Giants Fans Want Channel 3 to Change Game

Wow. What a week. This happens once a season. The Giants play at home against an AFC team and if it’s Sunday afternoon, the game becomes a CBS game. That;s the NFL rule. The road team’s network televises the game. That’s why this weekend, the Giants are offered on CBS, instead of FOX,

 where 99% of their Sunday afternoon games are televised.

The problem here in Connecticut is that the CBS station, us, channel 3, already has a commitment to televise the Patriots game. Look, channel 3 is the Patriots station in Connecticut, just as FOX 61 is the Giants station. Channel 3 televises the Patriots every time they’re on CBS. Patriots fans expect that coverage, and deserve it. They represent half the football fan base in the state.

We know no matter what we do, someone will be mad. So what we have to do is decide who we want mad at us. All of the Patriots fans who watch us every single Sunday during the football season,

or Giants fans who will watch us once, then go back to Fox to see the Giants next week, and the week after that.  I can’t believe Giants fans don’t see how clear cut it is. We are being loyal to our viewers,

and if that makes us bad guys, so be it. We’ve been called a lot worse, as you’ll see in the e-mails I’ve received this week.

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Hey tell that sports jerk that the giants never screwed us like the patriots did to Hartford. Patiots SUCK!!!!!!!!!

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I just watched your news program and the sports personel describe New York Giants fans who wanted to see the game on , instead of the New England Patriots as the”guy you see at the market once a year”. Well I ahve two things to say;(1) is that the New York Giants are the world champions, not the New England patriots and (2) this “guy you only see at the market once a year” watches WFSB each day for daily news, or did until this comment, I’ll be watch Fox from know on thanks for making the switch easy.

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I’ve been watching WFSB news for about 10 years now. I will seriously consider changing my news station after hearing Joe Zone refer to me and my wife (huge Giants fans) as “the person you run into in the grocery store once a year”. This was insulting. And Joe, don’t forget, not airing the G-Men won’t change the fact that we are world champs and your Patsies are the World Champion chokers!!!!

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how can wfsb decide to show the patriots vs dolphins game instead of the superbowl champion giants vs the bengals???? this decision is an easy one, and wfsb screwed it up. drop the pats bandwagon, their run is over. start paying attention.

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Why does Joe Zone say that this state is a Patriots state and that the Giants game will not be seen on Sunday.

I don’t know who makes the decision to broadcast certain games but there are a lot of Giant fans. Being that the Giants won the superbowl should take precedence over any other game. Joe Zone should wake up.

The game should be changed to the Giants.

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For Joe Zone: Just because I am a resident of Connecticut I do not have to be a “Patriots” fan. Your opinion doesn’t concern me.

Just report the sports results which is your job.

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Those are just some of what’s been coming into the sports3 inbox this week. It’ll be a lot worse when I get in on Sunday after hundreds more fans realize they’re not seeing the game.

I know one thing. It sure would be nice to hear from some Patriots fans thanking us for airng their games.

Then again, I’ve learned after 25 years in television that viewers hardly ever say thanks.

 

 

It’s

Order Restored

It was a week ago last Monday, Sebastian, on his morning radio show on WCCC, tryed to convince me that the Tampa Rays were the real deal. No way I said. When we get down to August and September and the games start to count, and the pressure begins to mount,

I think those young Tampa kids, I told him and his radio audience, are going to fold like a pair of twos at the World Series of Poker.

Sebastian would insisted Tampa would be there, and to further make his point, made a wager with me. Tampa wins the division, I buy dinner at Ruth Chris. Tampa does not win the division, and he buys. Now remember, the Rays had a five game lead over the Red Sox when we made the wager.

Here’s the part I like. Tampa hasn’t won a game since. They’ve lost 7 in a row since last Monday, falling back into second place, a half game behind the Sox.

My biggest fear on this wager is that in September, that final weekend when the Yankees and Red Sox are playing, I might have to think about rooting for Boston just so they finish ahead of the Rays to win the division. I doubt it would come to that, but if it does,

I might actually have to root against my own bet, and just enjoy the dinner at Ruth Chris, even if I am buying!

Who Needs Notre Dame?

I see where UConn wants to play football against Notre Dame, but to do so, would have to make all kinds of concessions, like giving up the home field for all of the games.

Notre Dame thinks it’s so important, Rentschler Field where UConn plays it’s home games isn’t big enough to accommodate the kind of crowd the Fighting Irish usually command.

So Notre Dame wants the home games it usually gets and the rest of them at a neutral site, like Gillette Stadium in Foxboro or Giants stadium in New Jersey.

Understandably, UConn fans are outraged, and well they should be. When Notre Dame used to relevant, and UConn was up and coming, maybe a deal like that would be ok.

But not anymore. If you’ve been paying attention, the two programs are going in opposite directions.

It may not be long before Notre Dame will be begging for a series with UConn, and the Huskies will be the ones asking for all of the perks.

Reporters vs Commentators

Last week, I questioned the sincerity of Terrell Owens tears when he was talking about his teammate, Tony Romo. Here’s one interesting e-mail exhange between a viewer and myself.

I understand your point of sportscasters having an opinion, and never said they shouldn’t, and I agree that the sportscast needs to be relevant, exciting, fun etc…. However, my opinion is that sportscasters (and I’m not singling you out, there’s quite a few in the business that this can apply to) need to be objective about what they report, just like newscasters do. A sportscaster taking shots at the opponent of a local team, is similar to say, Katie Couric taking shots at President Bush while doing the news. The main issue that I have with it is simply the medium in which it’s presented. Basically you are on TV using the station’s 8 billion gigawatts to give your opinion with no way for John Q. Public to present an opposing opinion. Again I point out the difference between sportscaster and talk show host, you can say on air “The Rangers suck!” I disagree but can’t defend my position publicly, whereas a talk show host can say that, and I would be able to argue it (and have in the past, although this season is a different story). Back to the newscaster analogy, Rush Limbaugh can bash Clinton all day long on the radio and it’s okay (it’s his gig) Al Terzi can’t (it’s his gig). Sorry for the long rambling email, just wanted to get my views across in a somewhat coherent manner! Have a great day. Bill

I then replied to Bill with this:

I would agree with you Bill if the sportscaster always slanted one way. But if you’ve watched me, I don’t take the same sides, even when my own teams are involved. I blasted Belecheat and got hammered for it. I critisized Tom Coughlin and thought he should be fired when the Giants were 0 and 2.> I blasted Arod when he stole the Sox thunder during the World Series, and Sox fans who know I really hate the Sox praised me for it. I usually do with what I think is right, not what team or player is involved.> > As for you Katie Couric comparison. You’re right about Katie….but you’re comparing me to the wrong person.> My role in our newscast as the sportscaster is much like that of Tim Russert’s in NBC’s newscast. If he blasts Bush, and then Obama, and then whoever, no problem,. Katie can’t, Russert can. Terzi can’t, I can. After you accept that premise, it’s a matter of credibity. If Russert blasts the same guy, or the same side all of the time, he loses credibility. If I do the same thing, I lose credibility.>

Joe Zone

And here’s what Bill came back with:

Y’know what, you won me over! A very compelling argument, and good explanation (the comparison to Russert is what sealed the deal). My apologies for misunderstanding your gig and you have gained a converted viewer! However, if you start blasting the Rangers….(on second thought they’re pretty pathetic of late, blast away).

Bill

Vick Comment Gets Reaction

This is my 6pm comment on Atlanta players supporting Michael Vick.

DID YOU SEE THE ATLANTA FALCONS PLAYERS LAST NIGHT,
SUPPORTING THEIR FORMER TEAMMATE MICHAEL VICK?
VICK WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY TO 23 MONTHS IN PRISON.
THE FALCONS PLAYED LAST NIGHT ON NATIONAL TV AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE WHOLE COUNTRY KNOWS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT VICK.

YOU KNOW.
THAT’S WHAT I HATE THE MOST ABOUT PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES.
THIS CODE THEY HAVE.
THIS INNER CIRCLE WHERE IF YOU’RE NOT IN IT,
YOU COULDN’T POSSIBLE UNDERSTAND.
LOOK, I GET SUPPORTING A FORMER TEAM MATE, HOPING THE BEST FOR HIM.
BUT WHAT I DON’T GET AND WHAT I CAN’T STAND IS THE JERK WHO SCORED A TOUCHDOWN AND THEN PULLED UP HIS JERSEY TO REVEAL AN UNDERSHIRT THAT READ “FREE VICK”.
FREE HIM?
HE’S GOING TO PRISON FOR DROWNING AND ELECTROCUTING DOGS.
FREE HIM FROM WHAT? HIS OWN PERSONAL DEMONS THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM TO ACT THAT WAY.
YOU WANT TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAMMATE. VISIT HIM IN PRISON.
DON’T INSULT THE REST OF US WITH AN INSENSITIVE DEMAND ON NATIONAL TV.

Here’s how some viewers reacted.

Heard your piece on Vick, couldn’t agree with you more.
What an example to set for young fans. If he ever plays in the NFL again, I”ll quit watching football,not that my one objection would mean much. Enjoy
your shows, keep up the good work!! No need to reply.

Good for you Joe!! I am glad to hear someone in sports not defending a pro player (Michael Vick) for their actions. He certainly received a lot lighter sentence than the dogs he tortured and killed.

I am a fan of WFSB news, and rely on it to update me on important issues in my state. But this evening, I was shocked to hear the outrageous sports commentary pertaining to Michael Vick, his sentencing and last football game. It was discourteous and appalling to say the least. Though everyone, including news anchors, are entitled to their personal opinions, the specific and very personal comments said were far beyond unprofessional. The job of a news anchor is to deliver facts to the public, not to rant about their personal thoughts on any matter, no matter how wide-spread the feeling is. This outbust was both shocking and unethical. I must admit that i am very dissapointed in the network for allowing it to be aired.

My reaction:

You may be correct about what a NEWS anchor’s job is, but you couldn’t be MORE WRONG about what the sports anchors job is. The sports anchors personal opinions are not only welcome, but encouraged by management. Isn’t it interesting that you think it’s all right for you to have an opinion, “discourteous, appalling, unprofessional, unethical” but not all right for me to have one. I’m sorry you don’t agree with my position on this, but you’re wrong about my right to not only have a position, but also to air it. I’m sorry that passion, energy, and thought provoking commentary make you uncomfortable.
Joe Zone

please tell joe zone we do not need his personal feelings about professional athlete’s he ’s a fan or fanatic stop being jealous of things you are not capable of doing the last time i saw you looked about five seven and portly not what a typical ahtlete looks like just give viewers the sports without your hatred of ahtlete’s go to burger king and have another milkshake and fries stop being a sore loser maybe your next lifetime you’ll play for the cowboys.

My reaction:

Nicely written. Where did you see the broadcast from, a jail cell?

A SLAP IN THE FACE

JOE TORRE THURSDAY,
TOLD THE YANKEES THEY COULD TAKE THEIR JOB AND SHOVE IT.
HARD TO IMAGINE THAT A 5 MILLION DOLLAR OFFER COULD EVER BE CONSTRUED AS AN INSULT,
AS A SLAP IN THE FACE.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHY IT WAS JUST THAT.
FORGET ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY IT IS.
THE MONEY ISN’T RELEVANT.
WHAT’S RELEVANT IS RESPECT,
OR IN THIS CASE, LACK OF IT.
SAY IT’S YOU.
12 YEARS WITH ONE COMPANY.
12 YEARS WITH MORE SUCCESS THAN ANY OF YOUR PEERS.
SO THE BOSS COMES IN AND SAYS TO YOU,
WE’RE GONNA CUT YOUR SALARY BY 30%.
WHETHER IT’S A HUNDRED THOUSAND OR A HUNDRED MILLION,
A 30% CUT MEANS YOUR BOSS ISN’T HAPPY WITH YOUR WORK.
BUT… IF YOU PERFORM REALLY, REALLY GOOD,
WE’LL GIVE YOU SOME MORE MONEY….INCENTIVES,
THAT’S AN INSULT TO ANY SELF RESPECTING PROFESSIONAL.
5 MILLION DOLLARS,
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS A SLAP IN THE FACE,
AND JOE TORRE WAS RIGHT TO TURN IT DOWN.
OF COURSE, I’M JUST SOME GUY ON TV, I MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT.

Most Stupidest

It’s frustrating for me when people watch my program, then criticize me for something they THINK they saw.
I received some phone calls after this commentary I did about the 50 point rule.

THERE’S A REALITY SHOW ON VH-1 CALLED THE MOST SMARTEST MODEL.
THERE’S A RULE IN CONNECTICUT CALLED THE MOST STUPIDEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULE.
YOU’VE HEARD OF IT.
IF A TEAM BEATS ANOTHER BY 50 POINTS OR MORE,
THE COACH WHO’S TEAM WON BY 50 OR MORE GETS SUSPENDED FOR THE NEXT GAME.
FRIDAY NIGHT, BERLIN BEAT FARMINGTON 57-0,
SO BERLIN COACH JOHN CAPODICE IS FACING A SUSPENSION.
CAPODICE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS PRINCIPAL,
IS APPEALING THE SUSPENSION.
CAPODICE TOLD ME TODAY HE DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE SCORE BELOW 50.
WHEN IT GOT TO 42-0, CAPODICE PUT HIS JV IN,
AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS IS THE MOST STUPIDEST RULE,
HE PUT HIS JV TEAM IN,
JUNIOR VARSITY,
AND TOLD THEM NOT TO TRY.
IMAGINE THAT,
THE THING YOU PRACTICE ALL WEEK,
RUN, BLOCK, TACKLE,
NOW YOU’VE GOT THE JR.VARSITY KIDS IN THE GAME WHO NEVER GET TO PLAY ANYWAY,
AND YOU TELL THEM DON’T BLOCK, DON’T TACKLE, DON’T RUN. DON’T TRY.
THE MOST STUPIDEST RULE EVER?

So what happens is, some people see the graphic behind me that reads MOST STUPIDEST, or they hear me say most stupidest, without hearing what I said at the very beginning of the comment.
If you see the first line, then it’s clear to most people that the rest of what I am saying is a play off of that line, the MOST SMARTEST.

I guess what’s really disappointing for me is that some people actually believe I’m so ignorant of the English language that I would go on TV and use the phrase, most stupidest, without a good reason. Very, very disappointing.

Your Patriots Station

Video: Joe Zone Explains Game Coverage

Channel 3, WFSB TV, is the Patriots station in the Hartford/New Haven market.
It’s that way because as a CBS affiliate, we televise AFC games. Just as the Fox station in this market is considered the Giants station, because Fox televises the NFC.
Therefore, we will always televise the Patriots when they are available to us.
This Sunday, we have what is perceived as our first conflict of the season.
The Giants-Jets game is a CBS game, because the rule is, the Network of the road team televises the game. The Jets are the road team so it’s a CBS game.
The Giants-Jets game is at 1:00pm. The Patriots-Browns game is at 1pm.
Now, let’s go back to the first line of my blog.
Channel 3, WFSB, is the Patriots station in the Hartford/New Haven market.
If the Patriots were a Sunday night, or a Monday night game, we would’ve been showing you the Giants-Jets game Sunday. Because the two games go head, it’s bad luck for Giants and Jets fans in our viewing area.
The best I can do for you is extended hilights Sunday in my sportscasts at 6:30 and 11:00.

TV Critics

Definition of a TV critic: Someone who earns a wage evaluating other people’s work because that person can’t earn a wage doing the work themselves.

Roger Catlin is the tv critic for the Hartford Courant. Pay attention. TV critic for the Hartford Courant. The Hartford Courant is owned by The Tribune Co., which also owns WTIC, channel 61, a TV station.

He works for a company that’s competing for the same ratings and revenues as the TV stations in Hartford he’s critiquing. Catlin’s job as an employee is to help his company earn as much money as possible. That’s the same job you have at your company and the same one I have at mine — help the corporation be as profitable as possible.

So, Catlin’s job, by definition, is to criticize other stations in Hartford in the hopes that his critiques will influence viewers to change channels from, say, Better Connecticut (a new informational and lifestyles program which airs on WFSB Channel 3) to, say, Jerry Springer (well, you know what Jerry Springer is, which airs on WTIC).

Therefore, everyone of those little TV critiques you see in the paper is influenced by Catlin’s own agenda: Trash the competition.
It’s difficult to be objective with that kind of agenda.

Of course, I’m just some guy on TV, WFSB Channel 3. I might not be right.

A message to our kids

This is a comment I did today on the 6:00 pm sports. I knew it would get reaction.
First, the comment.

THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS ALL OVER NEW ENGLAND,
PATRIOTS FANS AND THEIR KIDS.
IT GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
DAD, WHO’S THAT GUY EVERY BODY’S CHEERING FOR?
BILL BELICHICK? ISN’T HE THE COACH WHO WAS CAUGHT CHEATING?
SO WHY ARE ALL THOSE PEOPLE CHEERING, AND CLAPPING FOR HIM?
I THOUGHT CHEATING WAS WRONG,
AND WAIT A MINUTE, ISN’T HE THE SAME GUY, WHO RIGHT AFTER THEY FOUND OUT HE WAS CHEATING, GOT A NEW CONTRACT AND BIG RAISE FROM HIS BOSS?
BUT I THOUGHT CHEATING WAS WRONG.
BUT IF PEOPLE ARE CHEERING AND APPLAUDING AND TELLING HIM THEY LIKE HIM SO MUCH.
AND HE’S GETTING A LOT MORE MONEY TOO?
WELL THEN WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH CHEATING?
SO THEN I SHOULD CHEAT TOO, RIGHT, LIKE ON MY TESTS AT SCHOOL AND IN GAMES I PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS?
WELL HOW DO I KNOW THE OKAY CHEATING FROM THE NOT OKAY CHEATING?
YOU SAY I’LL HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT FOR MYSELF AS I GO. OK.
AND YEAH, DAD, I KNOW, PATRIOTS #1.

And the emails I received.

You asked last night how do you feel about the Pat’s Cheating.
I am very disappointed, ashamed, and also a bit mystified by this action. I just can’t get my head around why they would do something so stupid. The Pat’s are a great team, with a great deal of very talented people. They proved last night they can certainly win with out cheating. I think that they should volunteer to do some commercial TV spots for young fans that lets these young fans know it is never ok to cheat. That is the least they can do to make up for letting the fans down, and the least they should do to correct the message they sent to young fans about honesty and fair play.. Paying a fine is no big deal as far as punishment goes but losing a 1st round draft pick now that might just hurt enough to keep them and other teams (I am sure the Pat’s aren’t the only team to use extremely poor judgment) more honest. I hope they will never use that kind of poor judgment again, and if they do they will deserve whatever punishment they get. Professional sports teams and players should hold themselves to a high standard. If they don’t, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Carla
Putnam CT

Joe,You are such a New York sports homer. Where were you when Giambi admitted using steroids to cheat? What about Sheffield when he was with New York? What about A-Rod yelling “Mine!” in Toronto? All cheats in one way or another but because Belichick coaches the hated Patriots and not your beloved New York teams, he is being reamed daily by the likes of you. He did wrong, he admitted it and paid the price. But he is no worse than your beloved New York stars. Do us all a favor and go and work for a New York station. Belichick proved last night that he doesn’t need tapes to beat the supposed best in the league. Your whining only proves that you are not a fan of New England sports. The Patriots got caught doing what every other team does. Does it make it right? No..but if it had been Mangini or Torre, you would be defending them on a daily basis.

And of course, my response:
Paul,
You’re so off base, you sound silly, and pathetic. But I’ll clear up a couple of things for you any way. First, when Giambi admitted to the steriods, I was the FIRST guy to critisize him, and admonished any fans who cheered for him, for the same reasons. The message it sends to our kids.
Next, Belichick admitted nothing. He said he misinterputed the rule. Only an idiot, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t one, can misinterput, “No video cameras of any kind are allowed on the field during the game”.
Next. Only someone who does cheat defends it by saying everyone cheats. Not everyone does.
Finally, it’s fans like you I’m scared of. Fans like you telling your kids it’s ok to cheat, at school, at work, in sports.
That to me, is what’s very sad.