To all readers finding this article in March 2020, Pardon the Interruption is on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please refer to this article for details. The article below is a decade-old April Fool’s joke.
UPDATE 7/23/10: This is an April Fools’ Joke.
After nearly a decade on the air, ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption is coming to an end.
Sources tell Sports Media Watch that ESPN plans to announce the cancellation of Pardon the Interruption within the next two weeks. The venerable talk show, which premiered in October ’01, will conclude in early August.
Hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon will both remain with ESPN in various capacities.
There is no word on whether the cancellation is related to recent controversies involving Kornheiser.
In its place will be a new and improved version of Around the Horn, which will extend to one hour and feature twice as many panelists. In addition to regulars Jay Mariotti, Woody Paige and Bill Plaschke, new Around the Horn panelists will include Skip Bayless, Mike Lupica, Colin Cowherd and Rick Reilly. Additionally, former ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith will make occasional appearances.
The show will also feature a new host. Sources tell SMW that ESPN is deciding between Stuart Scott and Chris Berman, with the possibility that the two may share hosting duties.
Under the new format, panelists on Around the Horn will be scored on the volume of their arguments, with a decibel meter superimposed on the screen. The loudest panelist will then get a special 10 minute Face Time at the end of the show, reminiscent of the Special Comments on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
During the 10-minute Face Time, each of the other panelists will have an opportunity to shout Rep. Joe Wilson-style rebuttals. Viewers will then be able to vote on the rebuttals on ESPN.com, with the panelist receiving the most votes getting a special Overtime Face Time, available to ESPN3.com subscribers.
The new Around the Horn will be part of a new ESPN afternoon lineup, set to debut in September. Currently, ESPN plans to air an expanded, 90-minute edition of SportsNation at 2:30 PM, an hour-long Jim Rome is Burning at 4, and Around the Horn at 5.
