Disney synergy strikes again.
After Mike Tirico mentioned that Disney stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were attending today’s Lakers/Jazz game, NBA fans were treated to multiple shots of the teen duo. First, a zoomed out shot of the booth where Tirico and analyst Hubie Brown were seated that managed to catch the very tinest edge of the Disney stars, who were sitting directly to the left.
Then, a taped shot, showing a seemingly borderline giggly Tirico having a meet and greet with Efron and Hudgens, presumably before the game.
And in the third quarter, an uncomfortably close shot of Efron and Hudgens on the bench, leading into fellow pseudo-celebrity Dana Delany reminding people that they were watching the NBA on ABC.
Thank goodness. I might have mistaken it for Entertainment Tonight.
After six years, NBA fans — and Monday Night Football fans for that matter — have to be getting numb to all of this. For ESPN, it is imperative not to let the game get in the way of the show.
Who cares about football, when James Denton is in the booth? Or Drew Carey, or even Hannah Montana? Oh, is it halftime of Game 6 of the NBA Finals? Then lets have Tirico preview the summer movie schedule with the late Joel Siegel. Are the Spurs playing? Then by all means, please get shots of Eva Longoria.
And don’t forget the music. It’s not the NBA on ABC, it’s Def Leppard and Tim McGraw. It’s Hank Williams Jr. and his all star band. It’s Coldplay presenting Euro 2008. Who doesn’t get pumped up by Coldplay?
Now, one could say ESPN is hopelessly out of touch. There is no ‘but’.
By the way, what are the odds you’ll catch Kobe Bryant saying “Thanks for watching Desperate Housewives on ABC”, or Donovan McNabb making a guest appearance on Lost?
About the same odds of ESPN putting on a sports broadcast that actually focuses on the game, not the show.
