'Joe Buck Live' Premiere Just What We Expect From HBO -- But What About Next Week?

by Wayne Friedman, Jun 19, 2009, 9:45 AM

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TV shows that come -- and stay -- with "energy" usually succeed. But an early sprint  is usually hard to maintain.

HBO's new "Joe Buck Live," which is replacing a similar effort helmed by Bob Costas, had the highly energized, foul-mouthed Howard Stern cohort and comedian, Artie Lange, among its roundtable of guests for its debut.

Lange's segment was the last on the Buck premiere episode, which included a high-profile, but low-key interview with Brett Favre  concerning his return to the NFL, and another light piece on New York Mets' David Wright.

Lange's instructions from Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, were to put more "energy" into things   -- especially if the show was dragging. He took this to heart, and, since it was  HBO, with no restrictions vis a vis advertisers, which, of course, means no restriction on language -- proceeded to get scatological, homophobic, and crude.

Watching it, I recalled this marketing turn of phrase: "It's not TV. It's HBO."

Lange's efforts aren't unusual. Guests of daytime talk shows that target the lowest common denominators -- those of the trashier demographic -- have been told by producers for years to "go with their emotions." Wrestling, fights, and other stuff ensue -- all to grab an impromptu-looking, accident-in-progress appeal.

TV news producers -- even on straight-ahead cable news analysis segments -- will also talk about the "energy" needed, getting those guests with strong opinions, all to build drama and conflict.

Blame Lange? Please. This is what HBO desires and needs. He did his job for HBO; it would have been different on Conan O'Brien.

The question is what happens from here -- whether a Joe Buck-hosted sports show can find new frankness, intelligence, and cachet. Another HBO show, "Real time with Bill Maher," comes to mind.

By accident or design, HBO needs to live up to its rep. It's not regular TV. For $10.99 a month, it better not be.

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0 comments on "'Joe Buck Live' Premiere Just What We Expect From HBO -- But What About Next Week? ".

1. Casey Quinlan from Mighty Casey Media LLC
   

   commented on: June 19, 2009 at 10:14 a.m.

   It would be great news if someone took on sports the way Maher takes on politics - you don't have to agree with Bill to be glad that at least SOMEBODY's ripping the lid off the PC-ness of most political commentary and discourse.

   If Joe Buck can become the Bill Maher of sports, blending intelligence and savvy with provocative opinions, he'll have a winner on his hands. I wish Costas would rip the lid off occasionally - worked with him @ NBC eons ago, and he's certainly capable of it. His audience would rock back on their heels...would be fun to watch.

   I think Buck could own that space, though.

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