h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Melissa Stark... Annoying or a welcome visual treat from large, sweaty, hairy men grunting a lot?

Opinions please...

Looks good to me The Meg Ryan of MNF ...

I was just thinking about her last night ... as I watched 49ers-Giants game. The network covering the game had a black woman (her name escapes me) working the sideline.

Have all the networks taken to putting a female reporter on the sidelines to keep the viewer interest? I would say male, but perhaps female viewers find something to connect with.

Pam Oliver, I think, is the Black women, she's not bad either... in a purely professional sideline reporting way of course

Although I think the lovely Melissa is wonderful to look at, I can't help thinking her voice is just a tad annoying...

I always thought that Mike Carlson's critisism of her last year was a bit unfounded. I think she's doing a good job on the sidelines, and I also think that those hats of hers are her little trademark thing.

I don't have anything against her. However, she's no Armen Kateiyan.:_)

Armen is indeed the man!!!

I agree with you in that the majority of sideliners do a good job. Not the best prospect, I feel, to ask a coach on the wrong end of a thrashing at half time pertinent questions!!!

Eric Dickerson aside, most of them manage to glean some interesting tidbits most of the time. If nothing more, the coaches comments do provide a window to their current emotional equilibrium.

The last week of regular season, Sky showed a section where they had clips of different things from the season, and they also had that guy from NFL Films rnning about asking people silly questions, like he asked a D-Line coach if he could have his Jacket, and amongst other things, he also asked Melissa Stark (I think) what she thought she could do better for the second half of that particular game, and the answer was that she wished she could come up with some of the platitudes the coaches give as answers every week.
Quite to the point.

I mean, how many times this season have we heard a coach say that:
"We're going to come out in the second half as if it's 0-0, and work our way from there." or:
"We have to get our Offense moving and also keep our Defense strong, so that the Offense can get us back in the game."

Is there a quote book that's issued to all head coaches with answers to give the reporters in any given situation?

Melissa Stark... not bad.

Leslie Vissar... beautiful and intelligent. *Sigh* A shame MNF dumped her just 'cause she was pushing 40.

Darn.. that's just 10 years 'till I'm on the scrapheap then

There are sports chicks in the world, and we might as well have commentators that reflect that. Stark and Oliver aside, though, too many female sports commentators are hired just for their looks. I don't really care what they look like, I want to hear someone with something halfway insightful to say.

But be glad you don't get Fox Sports West... the female anchor for the Southern California Sports Report is *not* attractive. She has the most misshapen head you've ever seen, with all the features lopsided and weird. I can't even hear what she's saying... I'm too busy trying to figure out what species of troll she's descended from... rock? Bridge? Tree?

Actually Blathers, those of us with a Sky Digital subscription do get the Fox Sports Report!!!

What's her name and I'll try to help with her species designation!!!

I should have it for you after tonight's hockey game.

Obviously she's not a regular anchor, because I haven't seen her doing the previews during my hockey games ever since I posted that bit. I finally saw her tonight, and I'd better post the name before I have the chance to forget.

It's Carolyn Hughes.

I found some seemingly bad news on the SkySports website.

Can anyone confirm how this is going to affect football viewing next season?

"Lisa Guerrero will join ABC's "Monday Night Football" as a sideline reporter for the upcoming season. She replaces Melissa Stark, who will not return for a fourth season because she is expecting her first child in September"

This is true..
However, it will not be at all upleasant as Ms Guerrero is somewhat of a looker. She's also been the anchor of "Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Fox TV so she knows her sports.

Official ESPN story (including picture) can be found at:

http://espn.go.com/abcsports/pressreleases/s/2003/0625/1572680.html