MLB Network’s New Show To Feature Phillies Bullpen
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, February 23, 2009 04:30 PM | Comments: 27
News, Posts
MLB Network has announced its first reality show: “The Pen.” The show is about … the Phillies bullpen. From Todd Zolecki:
Six weekly episodes are scheduled to run through the All-Star break. The series is expected to show how a bullpen works, as well as how individual pitchers work together and rely upon each other throughout the course of the season. The show also will visit with the pitchers off the field to give viewers a sense of their personalities and interests.
Should be an interesting show, especially with some new personalities, the possibility for youth and, of course, the JC Romero drama.
Posts: 0 Maverick
Pretty phuckin cool.
Posted: 04:39 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
i predict scott eyre becoming a reality show star.
Posted: 04:49 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
It’s good to see that Philly has caught the public’s eye, in all honesty it’s about time Philly was getting more airplay instead of all this A-Rod/Barry Bonds/Balco and other awful news going around. A lot of characters in that bullpen and it should make for interesting viewing, I think you’re right Ryan I think Eyre is going to have some fun with this piece.
Posted: 04:55 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 reddeath
i think the phils hit the big time now. your not a big deal until you have a reality show.
Posted: 04:57 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
ryan, I was thinking the same exact thing.
Posted: 05:04 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Brett
I think this is going to be a distraction. That being said, it’s still pretty cool to get some national attention.
Posted: 05:11 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 pb
If you watch the “Rollins: Life as a champion” interview on mlb.com he says HBO is following Charlie around. Anybody know the story behind that?
Posted: 05:13 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ben
I love that the Phillies are being promotoed nationally, but man didn’t they learn anything from the HBO Cowboys training camp fiasco. You just might give away too many secrets. I’ll still watch every single one of those episodes. At least its just one aspect of the team and not practically your entire team being shipped out there on display.
Posted: 05:14 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Brett: Don’t overestimate this. The cameras won’t be on them too much. Regardless, the players have cameras in their faces a lot throughout the course of a season, both in practice, games and otherwise.
Posted: 05:14 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 dan
stars of the show: mad-dog and clay condrey
Posted: 05:20 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 MP
Sooo excited for this. Gonna be pretty cool. Is this just during spring training? If it is, I think it won’t be too much of a distraction.
@pb… I read this in the interview the Inquirer did with Charlie and have been wondering the same thing myself. I have HBO and until they start running promos on the various channels (if this is just about Charlie) they don’t start running them until a few weeks before it airs and they usally have minimal info on their website. Could also be something for Bob Costas’ show or Real Sports.
Posted: 05:35 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
I agree with Brett that the possibility for distraction is there. Not only cameras but those invasive microphones picking up every thing said. The potential for bickering, gossiping, etc can be blown out of proportion
and creating tabloid headlines. The worst scenario being clubhouse dissension. Those stupid reality typed shows are now creeping into professional sports. Sorry, that’s not my kind of “entertainment”.
Posted: 06:30 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I’ll definitely watch it, but I don’t like the idea of making a “reality show” with our “perfect” bullpen. Leave it alone.
Posted: 06:44 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave S
The biggest ‘secret’ that came out over the Dallas HBO special was that Felix Jones is ‘awesome.’
Maybe Zagurski will make the bully…or what if Eaton makes the bully? All the other guys are gonna have to make Adam pay for every meal, right? I mean, he is stealing from the Phils so he has to give some of it back.
Posted: 07:51 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Honestly, this is a MLB Network show. The last thing I think they want is to create controversy among one of their clubs. The Phils have cameras in their faces all the freakin’ time. And I don’t think the guys in the bullpen give a flying shit what the cameras pick up for entertainment purposes. Forgive my language.
Posted: 08:36 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I guess you’re right, Tim. Bring it.
Posted: 08:47 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 justin
i dont get the negativity. Raise your hand if you like seeing the Phillies tv. I know all your hand are raised. This is great. Honestly, we won the World Phucking Series! Celebrate, enjoy your team on national television.
I dont see how this being a distraction. Your talk about the Hard Hits show with the Cowboys. Was it HBO’s fault that Romo chokes under pressure? That there defensive coach sucks and got fired? No it was not.
If Myers was still the closer, he would be great. Hes a Rock Star!
Posted: 08:55 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Bullpen was star in ‘08, set to be the star in ‘09 « We’re the Team to Beat
[...] reported by the 700 level and Phillies Nation yesterday, the new MLBTV Network will launch it’s first original programming called ‘The [...]
Posted: 10:45 PM on February 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe Durbin
Not a good idea! Leaves too much chance not only for distraction, but editing to make certain incidents appear much different than the actual event. They are setting themselves up for bickering over words being taken out of context.
I am stunned that anyone decided this was a good idea.
Posted: 07:46 AM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
First, I have Dish Network and they do NOT have the MLB Network. This is most disconcerting because most of the baseball I watch is from Joe Buck and company.
Instead of raising my hand, I shall remonstrate for a moment and perhaps gesticulate at my TV as I am wont to do whenever McNabb throws “gofer balls”.
Second, the inane myopic scheduling directors of Dish Network should be bludgeoned and/or eviscerated because they don’t have MLB Network or NFL Sunday ticket. Since I am in TN as evidenced by my oh so clever username, I don’t see the Phillies as often as the rest of you. I also don’t worship Chase on Tastykake billboards.
I do apologize for the various invectives. Where is that Mets fan to change the subject?
Posted: 09:18 AM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Joe D., since it is a show on MLB Network, I find it hard to believe they will try to edit stuff that could cause bickering. People who watch this channel want to see baseball (not drama), so I really hope they keep it that way.
Posted: 09:53 AM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
It’s all good… these guys can handle it. More opportunities to watch our Phillies!
Posted: 10:33 AM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Well I think Joe has extra incentive here, considering he doesn’t want his son to get befuddled with cameras on him. Still, I think the point of the program will be to show just how intriguing being part of a bullpen is in the context of a 25-man roster.
Posted: 11:14 AM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Tim~ You don’t think the people responsible for the new “reality”-like show about the bullpen has more in mind to entertain viewers on MLB Network? And Joe definitely has a point about the eavesdropping devices (mikes) listening in on comments by relievers that are NOT intended for public consumption. Of course, there will be editing (censoring profanity). However, as Joe commented, it is network’s prerogative in what they choose to allow (or manipulate) on the air.
Posted: 12:10 PM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe Durbin
I did not realize it is being done by the MLB. I doubt we will see issues if so.
Let a network take it and we would have all kinds of things going on.
Chad never seems to have a problem with the camera on him.
I agree though as a parent you sure would hate to see anything negative happen.
You cannot imagine the pride I felt last fall. The only two WS games I got to go to were the ones Chad pitched in. Lucky!
Go Phils
Posted: 06:03 PM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Hopefully MLBN will not use the tactics of the major networks in their editing. As a fan of several reality shows(yes, I watch them, totally enjoy them, so sue me) I have seen some very creative editing to make things appear completely different than they really are.
Posted: 10:34 PM on February 24, 2009
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
I’m the opposite of Georgie as I’ve never been able to watch any of those shows….probably why I watch so much MLB & NHL as an avoidance method.
Anyways, I’ll make an exception for this one as it’ll be fun to see more of the bullpen guys who work pretty hard but usually don’t get much attention (other than Lidge) except when they don’t do well.
As for Joe’s comments, I remember FSN Detroit regulary interviewing Chad for all sorts of “cutsey” segments…..He’s definately camera friendly and talkative…
Posted: 08:05 AM on February 25, 2009