TMTTRIO
06-09-2005, 12:42 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA060905.5P.jakle.2f44ab974.html
Jeanne Jakle: ABC feature traces Manu's roots
Web Posted: 06/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
I know my women pals talk about it. What makes them tune in the San Antonio Spurs with even more fervor than championship fever? The sexy guy factor.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker with their international accents and playful attitudes especially embody it.
The former is said to have reached Elvis status "Manu is the man," an ABC feature about him proclaims in his home country of Argentina. Viewers of Game 1 of the Finals can travel there via a colorful and moving halftime piece on ABC.
It focuses on Ginobili's family in Bahia Blanca, a coastal town that is the only one to emphasize basketball in a country devoted to soccer.
We hear his adoring grandmother, dad and mom talking complete with subtitles about Ginobili. His mom speaks of her son's "class and humility." We also hear the big-grinned guy himself speak about how much he loves his home and old neighborhood.
But fame, as the special points out, has its price. Because of his and their new celebrity status, Ginobili's family became the target of kidnapping plots; this reportedly is a common problem in Argentina, with perpetrators hoping for a monetary payoff. Ginobili's mom and dad speak of a time when bodyguards had to accompany them everywhere.
This fear has subsided, however, and his family back home now can fully relish their son's success. Take in the details tonight during halftime.
As for that other sexy international Spur, Frenchman Parker, his links to slinky Eva Longoria can't hurt his passionate image. In fact, the latest TV guide returns to that gossipy topic. It recalls how the actress wore Parker's jersey in an NBA promo, suggesting the two still are playing "a little one-on-one."
Good memories
ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer has personal reasons for giving San Antonio a stellar push on his network during finals broadcasts. He met his wife, Ann, in San Antonio 22 years ago near the romantic River Walk, he told me in a phone interview Tuesday. They were both here for a cable TV convention.
Bodenheimer said he looks forward to drinking in the uniqueness of San Antonio when he visits here for Game 1. He said there will be plenty of shots of San Antonio and its cultural aspects during the game's broadcast.
As for who'll be watching, Bodenheimer is happy to report that the female audience for the NBA has grown over the years. "Over 30 percent of our audience is women," he said, remarking that the "likable characters" in basketball these days, such as Ginobili, Parker and Tim Duncan, help account for the increase in female attention.
Kudos to KENS
A glass should be raised to CBS affiliate KENS and anchors Chris Marrou and Sarah Lucero for sticking with the edge-of-your-seat mayoral election with the longest continual coverage in the 10 p.m. hour. WOAI, KSAT and KENS came back around midnight to showcase the newly elected Phil Hardberger. (Have you noticed a resemblance to Gene Hackman?) Along with his attractive family, Hardberger gave us some fun moments at the podium.
Oh, and in the land of radio, KTSA, led by talk host Chris Duel, doggedly stayed nonstop with the election until well past midnight.
Stay tuned
For supersized Spurs-Pistons coverage before and after ABC signs off, cable's NBA TV is the place to be. At 7 tonight, for instance, Ahmad Rashad will host "NBA TV Live at the Finals with Ahmad Rashad." He will welcome George "Iceman" Gervin and Julius "Dr. J" Erving and get their analyses of the finals.
Incidentally, did you know that Monday's Pistons-Heat Game 7 was the most-watched playoff game in cable history? TNT drew a record 6.75 million households for the contest that decided which team would face the Spurs in the finals.
Star power
It was cool to learn that such major stars as Will Smith and Alanis Morissette will be performing tonight as part of the entertainment of Game 1 in the SBC Center. According to NBA spokeswoman Gena Gatewood, it's part of the association's efforts "to stay on top of what's hot." She added that artists consider the well-watched finals "a grand stage."
As for why Smith would choose San Antonio for a performance of his latest hit, "Switch," Gatewood surmised that it might have something to do with the country flair of his video of the song, which showcases a dance that resembles line dancing.
Another side
It was great to see a sizable feature devoted to San Antonio's Ricardo Antonio Chavira in the June 6 People magazine.
Almost unrecognizable without his trademark "Desperate Housewives" goatee, Chavira's profile emphasized the softer side of the TV tough guy. It told of his work as honorary chair of last weekend's Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C.
Chavira's mom died of breast cancer when he was 16, and his story of watching her grapple with chemotherapy and other treatments is a moving one.
Oh, and fans of ABC's dark comedy can count on Chavira returning next season as Carlos. According to creator Marc Cherry, who's quoted in this week's TV Guide, a "Desperate Housewives" prison set is being built for him, and Carlos will be shown pulling strings from inside the cell.
This should be interesting :elephant :)
Jeanne Jakle: ABC feature traces Manu's roots
Web Posted: 06/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
I know my women pals talk about it. What makes them tune in the San Antonio Spurs with even more fervor than championship fever? The sexy guy factor.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker with their international accents and playful attitudes especially embody it.
The former is said to have reached Elvis status "Manu is the man," an ABC feature about him proclaims in his home country of Argentina. Viewers of Game 1 of the Finals can travel there via a colorful and moving halftime piece on ABC.
It focuses on Ginobili's family in Bahia Blanca, a coastal town that is the only one to emphasize basketball in a country devoted to soccer.
We hear his adoring grandmother, dad and mom talking complete with subtitles about Ginobili. His mom speaks of her son's "class and humility." We also hear the big-grinned guy himself speak about how much he loves his home and old neighborhood.
But fame, as the special points out, has its price. Because of his and their new celebrity status, Ginobili's family became the target of kidnapping plots; this reportedly is a common problem in Argentina, with perpetrators hoping for a monetary payoff. Ginobili's mom and dad speak of a time when bodyguards had to accompany them everywhere.
This fear has subsided, however, and his family back home now can fully relish their son's success. Take in the details tonight during halftime.
As for that other sexy international Spur, Frenchman Parker, his links to slinky Eva Longoria can't hurt his passionate image. In fact, the latest TV guide returns to that gossipy topic. It recalls how the actress wore Parker's jersey in an NBA promo, suggesting the two still are playing "a little one-on-one."
Good memories
ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer has personal reasons for giving San Antonio a stellar push on his network during finals broadcasts. He met his wife, Ann, in San Antonio 22 years ago near the romantic River Walk, he told me in a phone interview Tuesday. They were both here for a cable TV convention.
Bodenheimer said he looks forward to drinking in the uniqueness of San Antonio when he visits here for Game 1. He said there will be plenty of shots of San Antonio and its cultural aspects during the game's broadcast.
As for who'll be watching, Bodenheimer is happy to report that the female audience for the NBA has grown over the years. "Over 30 percent of our audience is women," he said, remarking that the "likable characters" in basketball these days, such as Ginobili, Parker and Tim Duncan, help account for the increase in female attention.
Kudos to KENS
A glass should be raised to CBS affiliate KENS and anchors Chris Marrou and Sarah Lucero for sticking with the edge-of-your-seat mayoral election with the longest continual coverage in the 10 p.m. hour. WOAI, KSAT and KENS came back around midnight to showcase the newly elected Phil Hardberger. (Have you noticed a resemblance to Gene Hackman?) Along with his attractive family, Hardberger gave us some fun moments at the podium.
Oh, and in the land of radio, KTSA, led by talk host Chris Duel, doggedly stayed nonstop with the election until well past midnight.
Stay tuned
For supersized Spurs-Pistons coverage before and after ABC signs off, cable's NBA TV is the place to be. At 7 tonight, for instance, Ahmad Rashad will host "NBA TV Live at the Finals with Ahmad Rashad." He will welcome George "Iceman" Gervin and Julius "Dr. J" Erving and get their analyses of the finals.
Incidentally, did you know that Monday's Pistons-Heat Game 7 was the most-watched playoff game in cable history? TNT drew a record 6.75 million households for the contest that decided which team would face the Spurs in the finals.
Star power
It was cool to learn that such major stars as Will Smith and Alanis Morissette will be performing tonight as part of the entertainment of Game 1 in the SBC Center. According to NBA spokeswoman Gena Gatewood, it's part of the association's efforts "to stay on top of what's hot." She added that artists consider the well-watched finals "a grand stage."
As for why Smith would choose San Antonio for a performance of his latest hit, "Switch," Gatewood surmised that it might have something to do with the country flair of his video of the song, which showcases a dance that resembles line dancing.
Another side
It was great to see a sizable feature devoted to San Antonio's Ricardo Antonio Chavira in the June 6 People magazine.
Almost unrecognizable without his trademark "Desperate Housewives" goatee, Chavira's profile emphasized the softer side of the TV tough guy. It told of his work as honorary chair of last weekend's Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C.
Chavira's mom died of breast cancer when he was 16, and his story of watching her grapple with chemotherapy and other treatments is a moving one.
Oh, and fans of ABC's dark comedy can count on Chavira returning next season as Carlos. According to creator Marc Cherry, who's quoted in this week's TV Guide, a "Desperate Housewives" prison set is being built for him, and Carlos will be shown pulling strings from inside the cell.
This should be interesting :elephant :)