On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
March 11, 2005

Here are the results from our annual readers' poll:

Favorite Sports Anchor/Personality: 1. Gregg Murphy, CN8; 2. Gary Papa, WPVI; 3. Michael Barkann, CSN.

This is a big upset for Murphy, who began as CN8's sports anchor at the beginning of the year. Notice that Papa, from No. 1 station WPVI was the only broadcast sportscaster to make the list?

Favorite Source of Sports News: 1. ESPN; 2. CSN; 3. Broadcast television

One reader noted, "SportsCenter has become a bunch of guys yelling at each other mixed with bad game show segments. Can I get a normal highlight already?"

Favorite ESPN Personality: 1. Chris Berman; 2. Dan Patrick; 3. Chris Mortenson, Chris Fowler, Ron Jaworski, Mike Golic, Larry Bowa and Kenny Mayne.

John Madden (ABC) and Charles Barkley (TNT) were also noted, though they work for different networks. One reader wrote of ESPN's Stuart Scott: "Please stop him."

Favorite WIP Personality: 1. Glen Macnow; 2. Howard Eskin; 3. Angelo Cataldi, Anthony Gargano.

Another surprise as Macnow beats his drivetime counterparts.

Favorite WIP Sportscaster: 1. Rob Charry and Jan Gorham; 2. Joe Altamonte, Rhea Hughes, Sue Schilling and Steve Trevelise.

Favorite Part-Time or Fill-In WIP Host: 1. Ray Didinger; 2. Mike Missanelli; 3. Rob Charry.

Didinger's Eagles' expertise endears him to many sports fans.

Favorite Radio Station: 1. WIP 610-AM; 2. WFAN 660-AM; 3. ESPN 920-AM.

Favorite Play-by-Play Announcer: 1. Harry Kalas (a few readers wrote that Harry was "slipping."); 2. Merrill Reese; 3. Tom McGinnis.

Favorite Analyst: 1. Larry Andersen; 2. Steve Coates, John Kruk (no longer with team) and Chris Wheeler.

Mike Quick was the only Eagles-related broadcaster or show not named "favorite."

Favorite CSN "Post Game Live" Analyst: 1. Ray Didinger; 2. John Marzano; 3. Al Morganti.

Favorite Sunday Night Sports Show: 1. Sports Final, WCAU; 2. Sports Sunday, WTXF; 3. Eagles/Sports Access, KYW

Favorite Weekday Sports Show: 1. "Daily News Live," CSN; 2. "Sports Connection," CN8; 3. "SportsNite," CSN

Favorite Eagles' Show: 1. Eagles Post Game Live, CSN; 2. Eagles Total Access, KYW; 3. Football Frenzy, WPVI, The Angelo Cataldi Show, CSN, and The Donovan McNabb Show, KYW.

One reader called "The Donovan McNabb Show" and "The Andy Reid Show" "30-minute commercials for the team."

Favorite Radio Broadcast (Professional Teams): 1. Eagles, WYSP; 2. Sixers, WIP; 3. Phillies, WPEN.

Not a big surprise because the Eagles are by far the most popular team in town.

Favorite KYW Newsradio Sportscaster: 1. Harry Donahue; 2. Ed Benkin; 3. Jeff Asch.

Sports Emmy Awards

Here are some of the nominations for the Sports Emmy awards which were announced this week:

Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host: Bob Costas, NBC/HBO; Bryant Gumbel, HBO; Dan Patrick, ESPN; Greg Gumbel, CBS; Mary Carillo, NBC.

Outstanding Sports Personality - Play by Play: Al Michaels, ABC/ESPN; Dick Enberg, CBS; Jim Lampley, HBO; Jim Nantz, CBS; Joe Buck, Fox.

Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Analyst: Cris Collinsworth, HBO; Harold Reynolds, ESPN; Howie Long, Fox; Michael Irvin, ESPN; Steve Young, ESPN.

Outstanding Sports Personality - Sports Event Analyst: Cris Collinsworth, Fox; Joe Morgan, ESPN; John Madden, ABC; Johnny Miller, NBC; Tim McCarver, Fox.

The awards are set for May.

Selection Sunday

The "NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Selection Show" airs at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS. Saint Joseph's radio analyst Joe Lunardi will bring his "Bracketology" talents to the ESPN selection show at the same time.

Gargano jinx

With the departure of Ike Reese, the Anthony Gargano jinx continues. With the exception of Jeremiah Trotter, Reese joins A.J. Feeley and Brian Mitchell who left the team after doing a radio show with Gargano.