Syndicated "Sports Machine" ending run

[Brian Damage]

WASHINGTON (AP) - "Sports Machine," the syndicated sports highlight show that rose to popularity before ESPN dominated the airwaves, will go off the air after 23 years when host George Michael steps down in March.

Michael, who began the show in 1980 as a late-night local feature on WRC TV channel 4 in Washington, also is retiring as the station's sports director and weeknight sports anchor.
Michael said he made the decision after NBC, which owns WRC, announced significant layoffs and staff cuts.

"I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet," Michael said.

"Sports Machine" became nationally syndicated in 1984. It's now shown in 194 U.S. markets and 10 foreign countries. Michael has won more than 40 Emmy awards.

It was trendsetting programming, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available. The show was the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports like NASCAR and professional rodeo.

"He was us before we were us," said SportsCenter anchor Chris McKendry, who was part of Michael's competition in Washington at WJLA TV from 1994-96.

SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt, who grew up in the Washington suburbs watching Michael, said the current TV sports industry is indebted to the retiring sportscaster.

"We used to have to wait days to watch highlights from some games," he said. "And then George came along and he had all these satellites and all these highlights instantly. If you were a kid who loved sports, it was like Christmas."

Michael helped the TV careers of several national sports personalities. David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstein, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon are among those who did their first on-air work alongside him.

Theismann, the former Redskins quarterback who is now part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team, said he learned just from watching Michael work.

"George is the kind of guy who doesn't have to say a whole lot to you. You just keep your eyes and ears open," he said. "And you have a good time."

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

WASHINGTON (AP) - "Sports Machine," the syndicated sports highlight show that rose to popularity before ESPN dominated the airwaves, will go off the air after 23 years when host George Michael steps down in March.

Michael, who began the show in 1980 as a late-night local feature on WRC TV channel 4 in Washington, also is retiring as the station's sports director and weeknight sports anchor.
Michael said he made the decision after NBC, which owns WRC, announced significant layoffs and staff cuts.

"I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet," Michael said.

"Sports Machine" became nationally syndicated in 1984. It's now shown in 194 U.S. markets and 10 foreign countries. Michael has won more than 40 Emmy awards.

It was trendsetting programming, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available. The show was the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports like NASCAR and professional rodeo.

"He was us before we were us," said SportsCenter anchor Chris McKendry, who was part of Michael's competition in Washington at WJLA TV from 1994-96.

SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt, who grew up in the Washington suburbs watching Michael, said the current TV sports industry is indebted to the retiring sportscaster.

"We used to have to wait days to watch highlights from some games," he said. "And then George came along and he had all these satellites and all these highlights instantly. If you were a kid who loved sports, it was like Christmas."

Michael helped the TV careers of several national sports personalities. David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstein, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon are among those who did their first on-air work alongside him.

Theismann, the former Redskins quarterback who is now part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team, said he learned just from watching Michael work.

"George is the kind of guy who doesn't have to say a whole lot to you. You just keep your eyes and ears open," he said. "And you have a good time."

Ww, I remember back in 87 that the only way to see highlights of the other NFL games was to stay up until 12mid to watch Sports Machine. If you didn't have cable that's where you went to see the Highlights. Those were the days

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Ww, I remember back in 87 that the only way to see highlights of the other NFL games was to stay up until 12mid to watch Sports Machine. If you didn't have cable that's where you went to see the Highlights. Those were the days

I agree, back then, it was so cool to see highlights from teams other than the ones in your local area. It was very innovative for its time.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I agree, back then, it was so cool to see highlights from teams other than the ones in your local area. It was very innovative for its time.

It sure was because my Local TV News only showed highlights if the Eagles in 87-lol

[gilligan fanatic]

WRC is my NBC station, I see him on there all the time. Very pleaseant sports caster. One reason I don't watch Sports Center is because they are way to involved, I know it is there job and everything to be, but it is kind of annoying. George Michaels is very calm, it is a nice change-lol

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by gilligan fanatic

WRC is my NBC station, I see him on there all the time. Very pleaseant sports caster. One reason I don't watch Sports Center is because they are way to involved, I know it is there job and everything to be, but it is kind of annoying. George Michaels is very calm, it is a nice change-lol

The ESPN reporters try to be comedians not sports reporters.

[gilligan fanatic]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The ESPN reporters try to be comedians not sports reporters.

I think you are right about that. They need to try harder though because they ain't funny-lol