ESPN Hollywood
A short-lived ESPN2 show blending sports and entertainment news.
ESPN Hollywood was a daily 30-minute television program on ESPN2 that aired in 2005, focusing on the intersection of sports and entertainment. It was part of ESPN Original Entertainment, an effort to attract viewers beyond dedicated sports fans. The show premiered on August 15, 2005, to a low rating of 0.08% of U.S. cable households, approximately 75,000 people. Hosted by Mario Lopez and Thea Andrews, it covered athletes in movies, television, commercials, movie premieres, and interviews. The program faced controversy over a promotional ad featuring Derek Jeter and ended on January 26, 2006. It later continued as a segment on Cold Pizza. The show is now considered ahead of its time given the later proliferation of athlete entertainment news on ESPN and social media.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- Starring
- Mario Lopez and Thea Andrews
- Country
- United States
- Network
- ESPN2
- First aired
- 15 August 2005
- Last aired
- 26 January 2006
Facts from the source article.
Background
The show was created and executive produced by Andy Meyers, a former Entertainment Tonight producer and writer. A typical episode included news of athletes appearing in movies, on television, and in commercials, coverage of movie premieres, and interviews with athletes and entertainers. The New York Daily News described it as 'a sports version of Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood.' The launch was controversial: promotional ads featured a photo of baseball player Derek Jeter with a woman whose face was not shown. A spokesman for Jeter's employer, the New York Yankees, objected, saying, 'In the ad they insinuate they are out with Jeter, with his permission, or they are following him. Give me a break. Neither is true.' ESPN recognized the risk that sports figures angered by coverage on ESPN Hollywood might refuse interviews on other ESPN programs. The final episode aired on January 26, 2006. An ESPN executive vice president later remarked, 'I think fans want information about athletes in the context of sports coverage.' The show continued as a segment on Cold Pizza until early 2006.
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