On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
www.bradyresidence.com/channelsurfing.html
August 26, 2005
New "teammates," the Eagles and 6ABC, are apparently off to a rough start.
According to a report by WIP 610-AM's Mike Missanelli, during last week's Ravens-Eagles game, 6ABC sports director and game sideline reporter Gary Papa was benched by Eagles management after he asked running back Brian Westbrook about his contract situation.
Calls to Papa and the Eagles Television Network weren't returned. Though the Eagles are the most popular team in town, according to sports industry sources, working with the team's in-house network (Eagles Television Network) can be "difficult."
Soul announcer Ari Wolfe, former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski (no, Ron my engine light isn't on), and Dave Spadaro of http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com will work tonight's game on 6ABC at 7:30 p.m.
6ABC acquired the rights to the Eagles' preseason games and television package this season. The Eagles Television Network is behind "The Donovan McNabb Show," "Inside the Eagles with Andy Reid," and the Sunday night highlights show, "Football Frenzy." ETN is nominated for 13-Mid Atlantic Emmy Awards.
Casting call
CBS3 is holding auditions today from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for its "Pardon the Interruption" knockoff," the "3 on 3" segment of "Sports Access." Men and women at least 21 years old who know their sports could appear on the Sunday night show. Participants should prepare a 30-second sports commentary and be ready to answer sports trivia questions. CBS3 is located at Fifth and Market Street in Philadelphia.
New all-sports radio station set
Greater Media announced on Thursday that WPEN (950-AM), the former home of Phillies baseball - will be the newest all-sports radio station in the city beginning on Oct. 3.
The stations, which had an oldies format the few years, also hired former WIP yakker Jody McDonald as the afternoon drive time host, to go up against Howard Eskin.
The station also will have the rights to Jim Rome's national show, which will air between 12-3 p.m.
Around the dial
Southampton resident Patrick J. Callahan hosts "This Week in Pro Football" Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon beginning Sept. 4 on WNTP 990-AM. ... "The Scholastic Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camp" created by Philadelphia's Jeremy Treatman, was featured on "The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and "The Today Show" last week.
Former boxing heavyweight champion Larry Holmes is the subject of "Beyond the Glory" on Fox Sports Net Sunday at 6 p.m. ... Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is returning for another interview with Mike Wallace on "60 Minutes" on CBS Sept. 18. ... "The Hank Fraley Show" will air on ESPN 920-AM and "The Hawk 97.5-FM" the night after each Eagles game from 8-9 p.m. ... Comcast SportsNet's Michael Barkann once again will act as a reporter for the USA Network's coverage of the U.S. Open beginning Monday. Ted Robinson and John McEnroe are the lead men's broadcast team.