Our Tuesday Press Releases

Ok, I have a bunch of press releases to get to and I hope to put them all in one post. Let's do it without further delay.

First, ESPN hypes its coverage of this Saturday's Belmont Stakes which will probably not have high interest after Rachel Alexandra's owners pulled her out of the race, but ESPN will not have a dark screen between 5 and 7 p.m. ET and will do the best it can to turn on the hype machine.

141st Belmont Stakes on ABC Saturday

ESPN and ABC will offer seven hours of coverage starting at noon ET -- including ABC’s two-hour race broadcast Sat., June 6 at 5 p.m. -- as jockey Calvin Borel attempts to complete an unprecedented personal Triple Crown. He will be back on board Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Belmont, having switched for the Preakness where he rode filly Rachel Alexandra to the winner's circle. All Belmont programming on ABC and ESPN will be aired in high definition on ABC HD and ESPN HD, respectively.

Overall, ESPN will provide Belmont Stakes coverage on: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPN International, and ESPN Mobile TV.

Joe Tessitore will host the programming with analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, reporters Jeannine Edwards, Rece Davis, Jay Privman, Steve Cyphers, Tom Rinaldi and Caton Bredar and handicappers Kenny Mayne and Hank Goldberg. Rick Reilly will provide commentaries.

ABC Sports will use 38 cameras to cover the race, including a super slo-mo camera and a helicopter camera

Features on The Belmont telecast on ABC and ESPN will include:

• Calvin Borel, life after the Derby
• Chip Wooley, trainer of Mine That Bird
• Kenny Mayne rides with Wooley from his home in New Mexico to Belmont Park
• Trainer Nick Zito’s love for the Belmont Stakes
• What makes a longshot

The multi-media coverage will include:

• ESPN.com: Stories, updates and video clips all week leading up to the Belmont.
• ESPN360.com: Will simulcast both Today at Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Stakes Special on Saturday. ESPN360.com will also feature the entire Belmont race replay after 2:30 a.m.,ET.

• ESPN Mobile TV: Will air Today at Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Stakes Special live on ESPN Mobile TV Saturday. Belmont customized content will also be featured on the ESPN Mobile Web in a dedicated section in the Hot Corner, a Breaking News Alert on the winner and video analysis. ESPN Mobile TV is ESPN's 24/7 wireless video network available on Flo TV and MobiTV. ESPN
• International: Atlantic Network (Sub-Saharan Africa and Israel), Middle East Network (North Africa and the Middle East), Pac Rim (Australia and New Zealand), Latin American Network, Latin American Network-Brazil, and Latin-Caribbean Network.

Time (ET)	Program	Network
Noon - 2:30p.m.	Today at the Belmont Stakes	ESPN
2:30 - 5 p.m.	The Belmont Stakes Special	ESPN
5 - 5:30 p.m. 5:30 - 7p	Belmont Pre Race The 14st Belmont Stakes	ABC ABC

On Wednesday, MLB Network will present one of Randy Johnson's greatest pitching performances in anticipation of his quest for his 300th career win.

MLB NETWORK TO FEATURE RANDY JOHNSON IN ADVANCE OF 300^TH WIN

Network to air Johnson’s 13-strikeout game from August 1998

MLB Tonight to include extensive coverage of Wednesday’s Giants @ Nationals game starting at 7:05 p.m. ET

June 2, 2009 – In anticipation of San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Johnson’s 300^th career win, on Wednesday, June 3 MLB Network will air an episode of All-Time Games at 2:00 p.m. ET featuring Johnson’s 13 strike outs and one RBI for the Houston Astros against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 12, 1998. Starting at 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Tonight will feature extensive coverage of Johnson’s next start, including live look-ins and in-progress highlights of the Giants at the Washington Nationals.

Here's a recap of what happened in Monday's episode of Big Break: Prince Edward Island:

Smith Fails to Advance on Big Break Prince Edward Island

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 2, 2009) – Self-doubt stinks. It is especially foul on Big Break Prince Edward Island when elimination can be just one shot, or a negative thought, away. Just ask Eugene Smith (Glen Ridge, N.J), whose shaky mental game led to elimination after losing the episode’s final challenge to Derek Gillespie (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) and Gerina Mendoza (Dallas, Texas).

The three competitors played for the right to advance to the series’ eighth episode in a challenge that featured each competitor holing out from three short-game locations surrounding the fourth green at Mill River Golf Resort in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The competitor taking the most strokes on the three locations was eliminated.

Gillespie took an early lead with a two from the first location while Mendoza and Smith took three shots. It was at the next location, a 35-yard flop shot over a bunker, that Smith took five shots and his “mental midget” persona surfaced when he called himself horrible and pathetic.

“I wasn’t helping my confidence level,” admitted Smith.

Fellow contestant Aaron Wright (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) said that it was as bad as it could be as far as a professional’s mental game goes.

After two locations, Gillespie all but had secured advancing while Mendoza had a one-stoke advantage over Smith. Facing a greenside bunker shot, Smith left himself a putt inside 10 feet to potentially force a playoff, which he missed. He then watched while Mendoza tap in for the three.

“I need to learn to calm myself down and not be so negative,” Smith understated. “I like this game too much. It drives me insane, but I like it.”

Elimination by Episode: Show 1: Robert Read Show 2: William Thompson Show 3: Kim Kouwabunpat Show 4: Caroline Larsson Show 5: Nicole Sikora Show 6: Brian Skatell Show 7: Eugene Smith

The five remaining contestants will compete for $100,000 that can provide the winner a means to finance their dream of playing on a Tour for an entire year. Past Big Break champions won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former Big Breakers Tommy Gainey and James Nitties compete on the PGA TOUR in 2009 while four previous female contestants currently play on the LPGA Tour, including Kristy McPherson, who finished tied for second at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this year.

Adding insight to Big Break Prince Edward Island as co-hosts are former PGA TOUR professional Charlie Rymer and Golf Digest Senior Editor Stina Sternberg.

Shot at Mill River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island, it marks the first time a Canadian location has hosted Big Break. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada’s east coast, Prince Edward Island boasts more than 32 courses that span from one end of the Island to the other. One of Canada’s top golf destinations, Prince Edward Island offers other recreational activities, including kayaking and cycling.

The eighth episode of Big Break Prince Edward Island will air Monday at 9 p.m. ET.

NBA TV gets ready for the NBA Finals on Thursday.

NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Finals Tips off on Thursday, June 4

TNT’s Inside the NBA crew appear on NBA TV for Games 3, 4 and 5

NBA TV’s coverage of the 2009 NBA Finals will tip off on Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Pre-game Show from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The network’s Fan Night crew of Ahmad Rashad (host), Gary Payton (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst) will preview Game #1 between the Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Lakers. Following the game, Rashad, Payton and Webber will recap the game with commentary and analysis on NBA GameTime post-game show. Following the 30-minute show, NBA TV’s Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst) will take over to further recap the game as well as air full press conferences and post-game interviews. NBA TV reporter David Aldridge will provide interviews and highlights throughout the network’s coverage.

On Sunday, June 7, NBA TV will tip off its coverage of Game #2 between the Orlando Magic and L.A. Lakers at 7 p.m. ET as Rashad, Payton and Webber give pre-game analysis on the Pre-game Show, with the crew returning for NBA GameTime following the game. Once again, Kamla and Smith will close out the evening with analysis, press conferences and interviews. Aldridge will make frequent contributions throughout the coverage.

For Games #3, 4, and 5* (*if necessary) of the series, NBA TV will present a special 30-minute edition of the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) live from Amway Arena in Orlando. Following each game, Johnson, Barkley and Smith will break down the action during a 30-minute Inside the NBA on NBA TV, followed by Kamla and Steve Smith finishing out the coverage each night.

The network will also provide additional analysis and commentary from NBA TV announcers Andre Aldridge (host), Eric Snow (analyst), Kamla and Steve Smith on off-days, both originating on-site as well as from the NBA TV studio in Atlanta.

NBA.com will provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date information with several unique features rolling out for the NBA Finals including blogs with the latest news from pregame, after each quarter and following the game, the latest highlights and video clips, look aheads from NBA TV and TNT announcers, as well as Player of the Game as voted on by fans. NBA.com will serve as a complement to the NBA TV’s coverage of the NBA Finals.

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel offers an all-access pass to the excitement and drama of the NBA Playoffs, with special features and reports being added throughout the postseason.

NBA FINALS COVERAGE ON NBA TV SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 4
7:30 – 8 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #1 pre-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
8 p.m.	Press Conference: Commissioner David Stern
12 a.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #1 post-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
12:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Friday, June 5
3 – 5 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Media) Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Saturday, June 6
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Sunday, June 7
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #2 pre-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
11 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #2 post-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
11:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Monday, June 8
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
Tuesday, June 9
8 – 8:30 p.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #3 pre-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
12 a.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #3 post-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
12:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Wednesday, June 10
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Media) Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Thursday, June 11
8 – 8:30 p.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #4 pre-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
12 a.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #4 post-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
12:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Friday, June 12
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Media) Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Saturday, June 13
12 – 2 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Media) Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host), Steve Smith (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
Sunday, June 14
7 – 7:30 p.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #5* pre-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
11 p.m.	Inside the NBA (Game #5* post-game) Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
11:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Monday, June 15
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
Tuesday, June 16
8 – 8:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #6* pre-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
12 a.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #6* post-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
12:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Wednesday, June 17
12 – 2 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Media) Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
7 – 7:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Thursday, June 18
8 – 8:30 p.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #7* pre-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
12 a.m.	NBA GameTime (Game #7* post-game) Ahmad Rashad (host) Gary Payton (analyst) Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
12:30 a.m.	NBA GameTime Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)

From the fine people at Comcast SportsNet New England comes a release about winning a regional Emmy for its special on Manny Ramirez.

COMCAST SPORTSNET’S MANNY BEING MANNY WINS REGIONAL EMMY AWARD

BURLINGTON, MA – Comcast SportsNet, New England’s original regional sports network, was honored with a New England Emmy Award in the Sports One-Time Special category for Manny Being Manny: The Final Days in Boston. The 2009 Emmy is Comcast SportsNet’s 11 Emmy this decade.

Manny Being Manny examined the key moments in Manny Ramirez’s final season as a member of the Red Sox, including his hiring of super agent Scott Boras, the Kevin Youkilis dugout incident, the Jack McCormick clubhouse incident, his no swing at-bat in Yankee Stadium and his mysterious July knee injury.

Honored with Emmys were Kevin Miller, coordinating producer; William Bridgen, executive producer; Steve Reagan, executive producer; Torey Champagne, producer/editor; TJ Powers, graphics/editor and Tom Guilmette, videographer.

“Manny Being Manny was a special project for Comcast SportsNet and our production team is honored to be recognized with an Emmy Award,” said Bill Bridgen, Comcast SportsNet executive vice president and general manager.

Finally, National Geographic Channel previews a show on the mysterious Easter Island.

EXPLORER: EASTER ISLAND UNDERWORLD

Tuesday, June 9 at 10PM ET/PT

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3829/Overview

Deep beneath the legendary Easter Island, a team of National Geographic explorers undertakes a groundbreaking expedition: to map a vast cave system that became the last refuge of the people who carved these iconic statues. Protected by sheer cliffs, narrow labyrinths and underwater entrances, these caverns have been forgotten for centuries. Now, these adventurers discover human remains and telltale artifacts that reveal an astonishing and brutal breakdown of a once utopian society.

Video “End of Easter Island” – Easter Island's inhabitants used up all their resources and eventually died out -- a lesson for us all.

The great voice of Peter Coyote doing the narration there.

Those are your press releases for tonight. I'll be back tomorrow.