The George Michael Sports Machine

Infobox Television
show_name = The George Michael Sports Machine
format = Sports
runtime = 30 minutes
starring = George Michael
Lindsay Czarniak (2004-2007)
country = USA
first_aired = 1980 (locally); 1984 (national syndication)
last_aired = March 25, 2007
imdb_id = 0196293

"The George Michael Sports Machine" was a long-running television show, syndicated by NBC. The show was hosted since its inception in 1980 by George Michael, a former DJ for Philadelphia's WFIL radio in the 1960's and 1970's and New York City's WABC radio and a then-sports anchor at the Washington, D.C. NBC-owned and operated station, WRC-TV. "Sports Machine" aired on local stations' Sunday late-night schedules, and was in the past distributed by syndicators such as ITC Entertainment and King World; it was last distributed by NBC Universal Television Distribution, an arm of the network, although stations of all affiliations (or none) could air it. First airing on WRC-TV exclusively, the station began syndicating the show in 1984.

Host Michael presented clips from the weekend's sporting events from across the U.S., and sometimes Canada, if a given league included teams there. Unlike newer sports-related programming, "Sports Machine" did not usually present commentary or criticism, just the weekend's highlights, and, often toward the end of the show, an in-depth story about a particular athlete. The show was also somewhat unique in its occasional coverage of remarkable high school sports footage, and its occasional coverage of sports largely ignored by other sports wrap-up shows, such as equestrian events.

The show was sometimes derided by critics for the large quantity of fake machinery on its set. Although the set changed throughout the years, the theatrics basically remained the same: after introducing each of the highlights, Michael then "activated" the machinery to play the video clips. Michael and the producers chose the computer motif mainly because high technology was fast coming into the American consciousness at the time of the show's debut.

Another criticism of the show was the poor video quality of the highlights shown usually by a screen zoom, the reason being to focus on the action of the games and take out the distraction of the digital on-screen graphics added by the networks. However, both ESPN and Fox Sports Net have also practiced this policy in the past in order to deny other networks "de facto" free ad time for their shows. Beginning in 2004, Michael had co-hosted the Sports Machine with former Speed Channel pit reporter (and fellow WRC sports anchor) Lindsay Czarniak; she became the official co-host of the program in September 2006. However, this arrangement did not last long, as Michael announced on November 16, 2006 that he would retire and "Sports Machine" would end its 27-year run in March 2007, citing that he would not want his contract renewed at the expense of WRC's sports staff, which would be reduced under the [http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/corporate-20061019000000-nbcuniversalannoun.html "NBCU 2.0"] network-wide cost reduction initiative. He will continue to appear on sports panel shows and Redskins-related programs for WRC.

When the show premiered nationally in the mid-1980s, the only highlights available to sports fans on Sunday nights were those on late local newscasts and the original ESPN and CNN cable networks, creating an audience niche for "Sports Machine" to fill. By the later years of "Sports Machine," however, the rise of numerous specialty cable sports channels (notably ESPN News) and the expansion of Sunday evening local newscasts to either air an extended sportscast (an "extra" in common parlance) or a separate program to recap Sunday football and baseball action. Stations would begin to drop it, or else air it later in the late night.

The last episode aired on March 25, 2007. After thanking his co-host, sponsors, syndicators and staff, Michael said this at the end of the show:

"I close every show every Sunday by saying 'Thank you for letting us be a part of your weekend.' Well tonight, for the final time, we say, 'Thank you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life'. From everyone at the "Sports Machine," have a great weekend everybody. We hope to see you somewhere down the road of life. Thank you."

Michael then walked off camera, and was heard to say "Last one out, turn out the lights!" as the show closed for the final time.

References and notes

* John Maynard (2006-11-17). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111600669.html George Michael to drop anchor chores, continue weekend sports panel shows.] The Washington Post.

External links

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