Local broadcaster among classy dying breed
Matt Coller
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Sports
I remember hearing a quote after legendary sportscaster, Jim McKay, died that said something like, "Broadcasters keep talking about how great McKay was, but for some reason they keep trying to imitate Chris Berman." No truer words have since been spoken.
Give Berman credit, he created a whole new style of broadcasting. He fathered a million little Bermans, running around with the same whoops, hollers and corny nicknames. Berman opened the door to a vortex that sucked in and demolished those from the Jim McKay school of sports broadcasting.
The Berman era is kind of like the '80s in music - a lot of flash and sillyness, but nothing with the same substance of past music. The Berman disease has even spread to talk radio where second-rate announcers scream about every close game being the greatest of all-time. The airwaves are a barren wasteland with no McKays in sight.
This semester, however, I was priviledged to spend three hours each day as an intern with the last of a dying breed: Sportstalk radio 1280s John DiTullio.
The first day I met John, I was nervous. Wanting to impress him, I ironed my khakis, bought new shoes and even threw on a tie. After about 10 minutes with John, I felt like I should have been kicking back in jeans.
Maybe you're thinking, "So what, he's a nice guy, that doesn't make him Jim McKay." Agreed. But the problem with today's typical sports broadcaster is that he (or she) is often more interested in bolstering their own ego and fame rather than reporting or discussing sports intelligently.
Off-air, John once said to me, "Sometimes I can't believe people want to talk sports with me and hear my opinions."
For the last four months, people talked sports with more than just John. He allowed us (myself and my fellow intern Danny) to play an integral part in the show. Listeners have grown accustomed to hearing, "What do you think Matty?" or "Danny, look that up."
John could have easily kept our mics dull and make us get him coffee, but he gets his own coffee. You think Chris Berman gets his own coffee? I understand Berman is a household name, but if DiTullio is ever on ESPN, he'll be getting his own coffee.
Give Berman credit, he created a whole new style of broadcasting. He fathered a million little Bermans, running around with the same whoops, hollers and corny nicknames. Berman opened the door to a vortex that sucked in and demolished those from the Jim McKay school of sports broadcasting.
The Berman era is kind of like the '80s in music - a lot of flash and sillyness, but nothing with the same substance of past music. The Berman disease has even spread to talk radio where second-rate announcers scream about every close game being the greatest of all-time. The airwaves are a barren wasteland with no McKays in sight.
This semester, however, I was priviledged to spend three hours each day as an intern with the last of a dying breed: Sportstalk radio 1280s John DiTullio.
The first day I met John, I was nervous. Wanting to impress him, I ironed my khakis, bought new shoes and even threw on a tie. After about 10 minutes with John, I felt like I should have been kicking back in jeans.
Maybe you're thinking, "So what, he's a nice guy, that doesn't make him Jim McKay." Agreed. But the problem with today's typical sports broadcaster is that he (or she) is often more interested in bolstering their own ego and fame rather than reporting or discussing sports intelligently.
Off-air, John once said to me, "Sometimes I can't believe people want to talk sports with me and hear my opinions."
For the last four months, people talked sports with more than just John. He allowed us (myself and my fellow intern Danny) to play an integral part in the show. Listeners have grown accustomed to hearing, "What do you think Matty?" or "Danny, look that up."
John could have easily kept our mics dull and make us get him coffee, but he gets his own coffee. You think Chris Berman gets his own coffee? I understand Berman is a household name, but if DiTullio is ever on ESPN, he'll be getting his own coffee.
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