On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
February 17, 2006

He starred in his own reality television show from his driveway last summer. Now, it's going to happen for real as soon-to-be Ex-Eagle Terrell Owens will star in a reality series for Philadelphia's Banyan Productions.

Banyan president and co-partner Ray Murray said the show will take place around Owens' home base in Atlanta and will be filmed before NFL training camps start in July.

"It will be a talk show, physical fitness, and lifestyle show with celebrities in the mix," Murray said.

I think I should ask for a producer's credit. Here's what I wrote about Owens in an August 2005 column: T.O. and his incredible body should do a health and fitness show.

A network isn't set yet, but besides the obvious contender, ESPN, the show could end up on E!, VH1, Bravo, TLC, or Discovery.

Philling in

Scott Franzke of the Texas Rangers radio broadcast team will take over the Phillies' announcing position left vacant by Tom McCarthy, who is going to the New York Mets' broadcast team.

A 1994 graduate of SMU, Franzke, 33, did the pre- and post-game shows for the Rangers the last five seasons. He will handle the same duties for the Phillies as well as do play-by-play for the fifth and sixth innings each game.

He'll join Harry Kalas, Larry Andersen, Chris Wheeler and Scott Graham with the Phillies.

All of the Phillies games will be carried on WPHT 1210-AM.

Kalas, 69, is entering the final year of his three-year deal with the team.

'Ten' turns 20

"The Ten O'Clock News" celebrates 20 years on the air with a special at 10:30 tonight on Fox29. Can you name all of the sports directors in Channel 29 history? The answer appears at the bottom of the column.

In a related note, Fox29 weekend sports anchor Bill Vargus will have a new co-worker on the Fox news desk. Fox29 reporter and fill-in anchor Tom Burlington will become the new weekend news anchor.

No. 3 turns 10

Allen Iverson's 10 years with the Sixers will be celebrated on "Decade: Allen Iverson" Monday at 9 p.m. on CSN. Let's go down memory lane with the superstar:

Best quote: "We're talking about practice!"

Biggest circus: The driveway incident of a few summers ago.

Who should play Iverson in a movie?: Rapper-turned-actor Ludacris.

Hello, my name is: A.I. has played for Johnny Davis, Larry Brown, Randy Ayers, Chris Ford, Jim O'Brien, and Maurice Cheeks in his 10 years on the team.

Bad rap: Remember the ill-fated rap record?

Best fashion statements: The sock-like thing on his arm; the cornrows.

Fashion faux pas: The Boston Celtics jersey; tattoos on the neck (ouch!)

Three nicknames: "Bubba Chuck," "A.I.," "The Answer"

Time flies: "The Kid," as Brown called him, is now the father of four.

Trivia answer

Howard Eskin was the first sports director, working at Channel 29 from 1986-90. Carl Cherkin followed from 1990-96. Don Tollefson has been the sports director since.

Congratulations to sports producer Tom Sredenschek, one of only two members of the original news team to last there the entire 20-years.


February 17, 2006 4:53 AM