Tyler F&%$ing Palko
 

I can't believe I never brought this up when it happened.
So Pitt QB a couple weeks ago, after a big win (for us) over Notre Dame, after breaking a record (most TD's thrown by a QB vs. ND ever), and seconds after the game ended, Pitt QB Tyler Palko was interviewed on the field by NBC. After probably the game of his life so far, he said "I'm so proud of this f*&^ing team" in his comments. There was obviously no tape delay (as there's supposed to be!) because this aired. NBC broadcasters apologized, and basically trashed Tyler for saying it. Meanwhile, it's their own fault for getting in a player's face seconds after a big emotional win, and not having a tape delay... Tyler apologized profusely at the post-game press conference.

To my knowledge, NBC has not been fined by the FCC.

I've heard very similar things watching TV -- for example, if anyone watched the OU-Texas game and saw the "interception" that Jason White threw (it hit the ground and I could see that from 38 rows up), you could clearly the crimson half of the stadium yelling "bull$hit" -- that's definitely not uncommon to hear.

Also, try reading a coaches lips during a game.

The Pitt QB needs to watch his language, but I don't see how anyone gets off trashing him for his potty mouth.

The way I look at it, this is a kid who just had the game of his life, and if you want a heat-of-the-moment comment from him (why else have TV cameras on him right after the game), that's what you'll get. It's unedited emotion.

Really, if the networks don't want things like that to happen, then wait until the postgame press conferences to interview players and coaches, especially at the college level. I know a lot of programs coach players on how to conduct interviews (Boston U. hockey for one), but that doesn't mean that a 18-22 year old who had a great game won't let a curse slip.

Re: Tyler F&%$ing Palko
 

Actually, there is no FCC regulation requiring tape delay on ANY broadcast, including live sporting events.

Radio and TV broadcasters have been delaying live phone-in shows for years, but to the best of my knowledge, only CBS routinely delays other live programming, including live sports events -- and that has only been done since Janet's wardrobe malfunction.

So what? The kid said 'fuck' - I say it a lot when I'm doing something intense like that, especially when it goes extraordinarily well (or poorly). Many are the same way.

It's an accident - NBC got the raw emotion they wanted, and it's not something that will harm anyone. Palko shouldn't be admonished beyond any other simple slip of decorum: perhaps a word of warning, but nothing more.

There is a difference between "heat of the moment" kind of things and planned or ongoing questionable content.

The question is, will the Powell FCC see it and walk away.

A couple of thoughts.

Even in the "heat of the moment," folks like a major athlete should think before they speak. Or, they shouldn't agree to be interviewed.

Post game news conferences don't start in a timely enough fashion to wait until then -- the TV post game shows generally run between five and thirty minutes. By the time the coach talks to the team, the athlete showers and dresses -- it's too late. Also, unless it's a very important game, the network won't spend the money for a live camera in a locker/interview room. Most of the sound bites you see from them are from the local affilliates.

I've had several instances over the course of my career -- much of which was producing or directing live sports -- where either an errant word or "lip read" was embarassing.

Since I didn't see the telecast in question, I would just say that the announcers certainly shouldn't "trash" the QB. Just appologize and move on. As I used to tell the sports production class I taught at Colorado, by the time the "truck" reacts to a mistake -- it's already out past Venus somewhere and there's not much you can do about it.

When you speak of the heat of the moment, consider what's going on in the production truck as well. Depending on the style of the producer, director and others -- it can be absolutely nuts. (I was always quiet and laid back -- but I'm not in the majority). Between Producer, Director, AD, multiple cameras, a number of slo-mo playbacks, graphics and the control point (probably NBC BOC (Sorry, Broadcast Operations Control) in NY trying to outyell each other, it can be pretty chaotic -- particularly at games end when the post game folks are trying to integrate all of the highlights and a few live interviews and get the hell off the air on time. It's exciting, but it's nuts, too.

In the end, though, you can't shoot the messenger. The kid should know better than to swear on TV.

DeltAlum,
I understand where you're coming from; I have some experience in the sports reporting/media field, although you've definitely seen more in your time than I did in my 5 years. Plus, mine was in print instead of live feed. You definitely have more time/room with discretion when your deadline is in an hour instead of a minute.

My main point was that this wasn't a professional athlete, this was a young man from a college in Pittsburgh who just had the game of his life against Notre Dame. I draw a distinction between what he did and what Shaq did last season, or even what Dale Jr. did this season.

I understand it's defnitely not a perfect situation on the other end though...with things flying around in the production booth, you can't catch absolutely everything.

Collin

OOOOH The FCC!

Great Janet Jackson showed Her BooB1.. So damn few people missed it and who in the Hell Cared.? FCFC, get it?

Dale Jr. said in a moment of passion the S**T word, oops

The NBA debacle or the Auburn Game, Cannot Remember who they played.

Very Tired of This Crap.

Fry The Perportrators of bad taste.

Delayed and Replay is becoming a great past time unless it wants to be showed!:rolleyes:

OH, FDC, way to go you putches!!:mad:

Our Govt. in action.:(

I can understand how the Pitt QB could get caught up in the moment and accidentally drop the F bomb. They can have a tape delay of five or ten seconds to avoid this type of thing from happening. It sounds like an honest mistake. He apologized, and he learned a lesson about how to behave in front of the cameras. He really can't do much more than that.

I think that people need to lighten up. You never know what can happen during a live broadcast. A few years ago a woman flashed her breast on the Today Show. Someone wore a shirt that said the F word to a sports game and it was aired on tv. Many years ago someone gave the camera the middle finger.

Eat shit Pitt.

WVU is going to smoke you guys tomorrow.

Hmmm, I expect Notre Dame fans were thinking the same thing before the Irish played us :D

As for Palko; I watched that interview and I didn't even notice that he said that! That is very bad; I have such a potty mouth that someone dropping the F-bomb on national television doesn't register :eek:

Man I hope so. I hope we go to a bowl game this year. Last year it was too much fun.

Coramoor and DGqueen17, all I have to say to you is:

HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Danielle said. ;)

That was seriously one exciting game, though!

I couldn't even watch :( It's such a shame. We always have the potential but somehow we always lose it.

When we beat Maryland, we got cocky. But yea it was a good game. There's always next year;)