quade 4 #1 January 27, 2003 http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20030127/living/16485.shtml Quote JOHN KIESEWETTER GANNETT NEWS SERVICE FOX Sports Net is going to extremes to attract young viewers who like skateboarding, snowboarding and BMX biking. But will kids hop off their skateboards, snowboards and bikes long enough to watch? Starting tonight, FOX Sports Net devotes a half-hour weekday show called "54321" (airing at 5 p.m.) to the five major extreme sports. Think of it as "SportsCenter" for snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX, motocross and surfing. "This is the first show that treats these sports as real sports, with real athletes," says Tracy Dolgin, FOX Sports Net president. "54321" is aimed specifically at the 12-24 age group, about 77 million Americans who care more about individual extreme sports than baseball, football, basketball and other traditional team sports, according to FOX Sports research. In other words, all those kids playing Tony Hawk video games. Yet extreme sports are not routinely covered in newspapers, Sports Illustrated, on radio or "SportsCenter." "It should be (covered), and this generation is going to demand that it is," Dolgin says. "It's the future. And the future happens to be here now." Leeann Tweeden, a regular contributor to the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," will co-host "54321" with Kip Williamson, an announcer for NBC Sports' Gravity Games and surfer Chad Towersey. Tweeden, 29, a former Victoria's Secret lingerie model, isn't just another pretty TV face. She grew up in a BMX racing family, and has spent her free time snowboarding, skydiving, hiking and riding dirt bikes. "I just bought a truck because I needed to fit my snowboarding bag in, and my golf clubs, and my dirt bike gear," says the Virginia native. "I'm not just a pretty face. ... I actively participate." "54321" analysts include X Games champion moto-rider Brian Deegan, two-time Olympic snowboarder Shannon Dunn and former skateboard champion Mike Vallely. They will help FOX Sports Net profile athletes, comment on their games and explore their lifestyles. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #2 January 27, 2003 Quote...FOX Sports Net devotes a half-hour weekday show...to the five major extreme sports.Shouldn't that be the five mainstream extreme sports?"...just another pastime, like golf or bowling."-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 January 27, 2003 I saw this advertised and was miffed that skydiving was once again left out of the "Extreme" sports scene. Oh, well, I guess those guys can go on and on calling their little pieces of wood with some wheels on it extreme...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 January 27, 2003 More info on "54321" and it's target demo HERE. I -do- believe that if you had some exceptional footage or event that this might be an interesting place to try to publicize it. I know that if it were -my- job to do publicity for say, the Pro Swoop Tour, I'd be giving these guys a call and pitching stuff to them right now.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blewaway5 0 #5 January 27, 2003 ah yes, the great art of subtle suggestion Truman Sparks for President Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #6 January 27, 2003 Oh good. Another attempt by TV to lure people away from participating in activities to observing activities. I wonder if people can even tell the difference anymore. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 January 27, 2003 Quote Another attempt by TV to lure people away from participating in activities to observing activities. You have to be aware of an activity before you can participate in it. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #8 January 27, 2003 Quote You have to be aware of an activity before you can participate in it. Well, I suspect something like 99% of all kids are already aware of skateboards, snowboards, and bicycles. Besides: Quote But will kids hop off their skateboards, snowboards and bikes long enough to watch? This quote goes directly to the heart of my comment. "Come on, kids... don't go play with other kids, WATCH kids playing on TV. It's even better than doing it yourself. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLOfreefall 0 #9 January 27, 2003 As a huge fan of "entry level" extreme sports, I actually look forward to watching this show tonight. They've been advertising it for several weeks now, and the day is today. If nothing else, this show should be viewed just to see Lee Anne Tweeden. Definetly worthwhile. Until now I always thought that skateboarding, and BMXing was just to have a good time. As a skydiver, I realize that I've put in a good 10 years of PLF training! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #10 January 27, 2003 QuoteI saw this advertised and was miffed that skydiving was once again left out of the "Extreme" sports scene... of course dave, you cant sell a skyboard and a canopy to a 12 year old, and we already know that the word [booming voice on]EXTREME[/booming voice off] is a marketing tool and has nothing to do with the actual danger or skill involved. i remember 'extreme' bowling nights. black light day glo balls etc..looked cool, but i was thinking ok extreme bowling "you and 12 friends take turns..."____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #11 January 28, 2003 Quote...i remember 'extreme' bowling nights...How about Extreme Bass Fishing?-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #12 January 28, 2003 so is the Polar Bears club [booming voice again] EXTREME SKINNY DIPPING!![booming voice fades amdist laughter...] ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
