Fang's Bites

Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote — 2011

Time to bring the annual Hot Chicks Post back again. The original post in 2007 had what can be considered a Mount Rushmore of Women on TV. In 2008, we had another strong list featuring Fang’s Bites fave Charissa Thompson and Heidi Watney. The 2009 list had Olivia Munn, Trenni Kusnierek and NFL Network’s Lindsay Soto. And last year had Trenni, Michelle Beadle and Kate Walsh.

This year, we have a new list. I like the women we have for 2011.

5. Jaime Maggio — CBS/Turner Sports

Had her coming out party during the NCAA Tournament this year on CBS and Turner Sports. She’s also working for Turner in the League Division Series. We certainly welcome more national assignments for Jaime. She’s currently working full-time with KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. Does a great job reporting on the sidelines and would love to see Jaime more in 2012.

4. Erin Sharoni — CNBC SportsBiz: Game On!

In just four shows of the new series hosted by Darren Rovell, Erin hits this list. Previously a sideline reporter for St. John’s basketball on RedStormSports.com, Erin has made quite the impression on viewers to NBC’s new sports business show on Versus. I’m quite impressed with her on-air style and her rapport with Darren. I was told that Darren wanted to get someone new and fresh for his show and he certainly did that. I predict big things for Erin down the road.

3. Jen Royle — 105.7 The Fan, Baltimore

Ok, technically Jen is not on TV right now, but she was earlier this year on MASN. She left the regional sports network before this baseball season, so in the range from last year to this year’s list, she qualifies as having been on TV. As she hosted an Orioles pregame show on 105.7 FM The Fan this season and is currently covering the Ravens, Jen is also a candidate to return to her native Boston possibly on NESN and perhaps one of the sports radio stations. New England would certainly welcome her back with open arms. And if NESN wants to bring her in to possibly replace Heidi Watney on Red Sox broadcasts (more on that in another post down the road), that would be welcomed too!

2. Tina Cervasio, MSG Network

Tina returns to the list after being on the original list in 2007. After leaving NESN in 2008, she joined MSG Network where she’s the reporter for both the Knicks of the NBA and the Red Bulls of MLS. Tina is also doing work for CBSSports.com on college football. Tina has been anchoring sports at WNYW-TV and sister station, WWOR-TV. I’ve heard rumors that Tina is about to get another gig. I don’t know where it is, but if it’s national, it’s well deserved. And Tina is lovelier than ever having seen her at Blogs with Balls 4 this year.

And here’s a pic of our #2 and #3 picks together. This comes courtesy of Jen so I thank her for giving me permission to post this.

Very lovely pic of Jen and Tina together.

1. Maggie Q — Nikita

Last year, we had our first Asian representation with Betty Nguyen of CBS News. This year, it’s Maggie Q of The CW’s Nikita. Trained in Hong Kong by Jackie Chan to become an action star, Q had a rather meteoric rise and now is the star of her own series. Not only is Maggie gorgeous, but she can also kick your ass. I respect that. In addition, she’s a strict vegetarian and a member of PETA. I’m glad in the 5th edition of this list that an Asian sister is finally number one.

And that will conclude the list for this year. Back again next year.

Jenn Sterger Takes Shots At ESPN For Hiring Hot Blonds

Ever since this whole Brett Favre sexting incident, Jenn Sterger has been trying to find her niche. Her show at Versus was canceled. Then she’s been doing various freelance gigs plus an interview with Good Morning, America, but really hasn’t found that signature role that she call her own.

Then I happen to find through Twitter that she presented a video on BroBible and in the process, fired shots at ESPN for hiring hot blond chicks. And Jenn Sterger then takes a shot at Jenn Brown. Do you find it ironic that hot chick Jenn Sterger is taking shots at ESPN for hiring hot chicks? Is this the pot calling the kettle black? As they used to say on the old Batman show, “What do we have here?” Watch the video and see what you think.

And Jenn Sterger’s delivery is so bad that you have to turn up your speakers to understand the jokes. In this type of feature, you have to have a voice to carry the jokes and she speaks so softly that any humor is lost. I originally had no problem with Jenn Sterger when people took shots at her for getting gigs at Sports Illustrated and I want to like her, but it’s tough. This video doesn’t help. It makes her look petty.

Season 3 of World Fishing Network’s Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi Premieres Monday

Some of you may have World Fishing Network. Some of you don’t. Others may have never heard of it. I’m in the second category. I don’t have it. But thanks to press releases sent to me by WFN’s PR department, I have definitely heard of it. I posted the press release touting the 2nd season of Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi earlier this year, and when I received one promoting the 3rd season premiering on Monday, I figured I should be consistent.

So without further ado, I give you a picture of the lovely Mariko.

And here’s the press release.

WFN: WORLD FISHING NETWORK’S HOOKIN’ UP WITH MARIKO IZUMI KICKS OFF SEASON THREE ON MONDAY, NOV. 1, 2010 @ 7:30 PM, ET

Stops This Season Include Florida, Maryland, Toronto, St. Thomas & Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Among Other Places

DENVER, CO. – OCT. 28, 2010 – With her rod, reel and bikini packed, Mariko Izumi is once again traveling the globe in pursuit of fishy adventures on Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi, on WFN: World Fishing Network, North America’s only 24-hour fishing lifestyle network. Beginning November 1, at 7:30 pm ET, and airing every Monday night, Mariko will show viewers how to have fun on and off the water on their next fishing vacation. For a complete schedule and additional information, visit www.wfn.tv/hookinup.

Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi follows the world’s sexiest angler on her journey to meet the coolest people in the hottest fishing spots. At each stop, Mariko is charged with completing fishing-related tasks while exploring the local fishing scene. Whether she’s whetting a line with some of the best anglers or partying at the wildest hotspot, Mariko’s inviting style offers viewers a fun and fresh look at each destination.

Her 2010-2011 travel dossier includes stops in Boca Grande, FL; Ocean City, MD; Toronto, ON; Lake Powell, AZ; St. Thomas, USVI; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Langara Island, BC; Atlanta, GA; and Denver, CO.

Here’s a sneak peak at the first four shows on tap for this season:

Nov. 1, 2010 – Boca Grande, Florida: Watch as Mariko goes hunting for tarpon and gets spooked by a hammerhead shark during her adventures with Joe Mercurio and the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series crew.

Nov. 8, 2010 – Ocean City, Maryland: Mariko hooks up with her fishing buddies in Ocean City to compete with one another in whatever they can get their hands on, including some hungry sharks.

Nov. 15, 2010 – Toronto, Ontario - In her hometown celebrating Canada Day and fishing for Salmon with her dad and best friend, Mariko discovers there’s a lot she didn’t know about her city.

Nov. 22, 2010 – Lake Powell, Arizona - Mariko and Jarrett Edwards go on a full-day adventure, complete with secret canyons and bass fishing.

If you have a chance to watch this show, let me know how it is. Maybe I’ll even let you do a guest column to review it.

Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote – 2010

Ok, while I’m away at a wedding today, I give you my annual post of The Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote. Usually, I’ll try to make each year’s edition different. And since the weekend is near, why not give you a post that doesn’t make you think too much. Of course, you’ll jump on me because you think I missed someone or you’ll think someone doesn’t deserve to be on the list. That’s ok. You’re entitled to disagree.

Last year’s list included three women in sports and two in entertainment.

In 2008, Fang’s Bites faves, Trenni Kusnierek, Heidi Watney and Charissa Thompson made the list.

And the inaugural list in 2007 had Stacey Dales, Tina Cervasio and Erin Andrews.

Let’s see who made the list this year and if there are any holdovers. In each of the previous lists, you can see I have a very good eye and I think this year’s list is very good too.

5. Michelle Beadle – ESPN

I hate SportsNation, but only because of that untalented ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd. When I’m flipping the remote in the 4 p.m. ET hour and I see Michelle Beadle on ESPN2, I immediately stop and watch the show. Then when Colin Cowherd comes back on camera, I change the channel. That is the perfect definition of a woman who can make me stop flipping the remote. ESPN has some high hopes for Michelle and expect to see her on other programs down the road. Let’s hope so.

4. Christina Hendricks – Mad Men

I need to get some Mad Men representation on the list and who better to represent than Christina Hendricks? I could have chosen January Jones as well, but then the list would be blond-heavy. Not that I have anything against blonds, but we move on. Whenever Christina is a scene, she lights up the TV. Her character, Joan, is one of the best on television and my TV is already on Mad Men, but the remote cannot be flipped when when she’s on.

3. Betty Nguyen – CBS News

Courtesy: Asiance Magazine

I’m also glad to get some Asian representation on the list. Betty was at CNN from 2004 until early this year, anchoring weekend coverage when she moved to CBS becoming a contributor and occasional host of The Early Show. When she was at CNN, my weekends would always start with her. Now, the remote goes to CBS where does the news on the Saturday Early Show. An excellent correspondent, she’s covered many stories including the Haiti earthquake, the death of Pope John Paul and Hurricane Katrina. Betty is also the co-founder of Help the Hungry, an organization that helps the poverty-striken.

2. Trenni Kusnierek – MLB Network

Courtesy: Trenni Kusnierek

The only holdover from last year and now the first person to be on the list three times and consecutively at that! Trenni does a tremendous job at MLB Network. She’s now in pennant race mode as she’s starting to criss-cross the country reporting from game sites for MLB Tonight. When I put her on the list in 2008, she was working for Fox Sports Wisconsin as the sideline reporter for Milwaukee Brewers games and free lancing for Big Ten Network. Right after she made the list, she worked for TBS Hot Corner for the MLB postseason and got the gig at MLB Network. I’m not taking credit, but as I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I do have a very good eye.

1. Kate Walsh – Private Practice

Courtesy: Brian Bowen Smith

I love Kate Walsh. I admit, I watched Grey’s Anatomy and just happened to start when Kate Walsh’s character, Addison, joined the show. I stopped watching when Addison was spun off to Private Practice and went with her to the spinoff. I really can’t find the words to write. She’s gorgeous. Kate’s a very good actress and I love watching her in every scene. Kate Walsh tops our list this year.

Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote – 2009

It’s time for the 2009 edition of The Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote. It’s an annual tradition here at Fang’s Bites and one which I take time from providing the links to providing the list. No gratuitous photos, but I will provide a few pics where I can find them.

The 2007 List:
1. Giada De Laurentiis – Food Network
2. Erin Andrews – ESPN
3. Tina Cervasio – then at NESN, now at MSG Network
4. Nigella Lawson – Food Network
5. Stacey Dales – then at ESPN, now at NFL Network

The 2008 List:
1. Charissa Thompson – Big Ten Network/Fox Sports and now, Versus
2. Heidi Watney – NESN
3. Robin Meade – Headline News
4. Aida Mollenkamp – Food Network
5. Trenni Kusnierek – then Fox Sports Wisconsin, now MLB Network

If you notice, my lists are pretty good and some of the women have moved to better jobs. There’s no correlation to my list and their moves, but you notice I have a very good eye. Let’s move to this year’s list.

5. Lindsay Soto – Fox Sports West/Versus/NFL Network

Lindsay’s been getting some national attention thanks to her work during the 2008 Olympics for NBC, plus sideline reporting for the NHL on Versus. Lindsay got notice in Southern California for her work at Fox Sports West. She’s also getting work at NFL Network as both a fill-in host and reporter. It’s welcomed on this end. Here’s hoping Lindsay gets some more national exposure.

4. Olivia Munn – G4

The co-host of Attack of the Show on G4, she’s the subject of geeks’ and gamers’ fantasies since joining the Comcast-owned network in 2006. In addition, she’s done her share of modeling and acting. And lately, she’s been doing the talk show circuit promoting what I have no idea. Doesn’t matter. I love watching Olivia and she’s always Tweeting away.

3. Amber Theoharis – MASN

Whether she’s on the sidelines for Orioles games or does work for MASN’s Ravens postgame broadcasts, Amber is a very solid broadcaster. I saw her for the first time in 2007 and I was going to lobby my friends at the then-790 The Score to bring her to Providence to work, but alas, the Score fell by the wayside. She can talk sports with the best of them and here’s hoping she can get some national work over the next 12 months.

2. Trenni Kusnierek – MLB Network

The only holdover from last year, Trenni jokingly complained to me during the weekend that she was left out of the MLB TV Awards. Well, I do pledge that I’ll try to fit her in next year, but she does move up from 5th place to 2nd in this year’s list. Trenni did a tremendous job in hopscotching across the country for the new MLB Network. One day she would be in Anaheim, the next, Milwaukee, and then flying back to New York at a moment’s notice. She was all over the place and Trenni handled it extremely well. In addition, the Milwaukee Brewers fans constantly lament about her departure from Fox Sports Wisconsin. Milwaukee’s loss is the nation’s gain and I’m not talking Red Sox Nation here.

1. Bridget Regan – Legend of the Seeker

(courtesy ABC Studios)

Yeah, I became enamored with Bridget last year after watching a free preview of very first episode of the syndicated Legend of the Seeker series on iTunes. If you’re a regular visitor to Fang’s Bites, you’ll know that the show has been a regular recommendation in my Weekend Viewing Picks. And I’ll plug the fact that show returns this weekend for a 2 hour season premiere! Bridget did a great job in the show acting as Kahlan Amnell the Confessor in the series based on Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth books. Bridget just has this look that makes you want to watch her and I do every week.

And that is the list for 2009.

Erin Andrews Wearing Her Version of the Liz Hurley Dress

This comes courtesy of Jimmy Traina at Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks. This is just amazing.

Compare it to what Liz Hurley wore to the premiere of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” in 1994.

Give it to Erin for wearing her dress. She pulled it off. If she wore something similar to Liz, I’m sure she would look good as well. Wow. That brightens my morning.

Follow Friday II

Time for another Follow Friday feature here at Fang’s Bites. Just a quick refresher. I’m bringing this over from Twitter. You suggest your favorite Tweeters for others to follow. If you like them, you click “follow” and go from there.

I’ll suggest some of my favorite sites for you to follow.

For Sports Media, Bruce Allen of the Boston Sports Media Watch. Bruce has done a great job providing links to the all things Boston sports as well as providing a nice check on the writers who have massive agendas. And for disclosure purposes, I’m also a contributor there as the Friday megalinks are posted there as well.

Also in sports media, the great Sports Media Watch keeps up with the ratings for various sporting events and also does some good writing on various issues. Paulsen does a very good job researching his posts.

One more sports media blog and that’s the Eye on Sports Media run by Christopher Byrne.

For mainstream sports media blogs, there’s Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News who keeps up with all things in the Metroplex.

I like linking to Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News to get a West Coast perspective.

To baseball and Red Sox blogs, I’ve always like Dan Lemonthe’s Red Sox Monster blog. He does a great job keeping the blog updated. And he links to my blog.

For the NFL, there’s The NFL Chick. She may be a Ravens fan, but she’s quite nice and is a blogging sister of Steelergurl whom I recommended you follow last week.

It’s an easy pick, but Peter King of Sports Illustrated really is a must read for all NFL fans. Is his Monday Morning Quarterback self-indulgent? Is there too much manlove for Brett Favre? Yes and yes, but I enjoy reading him. Plus, he does get information that other reporters don’t.

Digital Sports Daily is in its infancy, but it’s fast becoming a very good destination as an electronic sports newsgathering operation. I’m not saying that because I’m occasional contributor, but I say that because I believe it. Visit it often.

For strict entertainment and pictures of hot chicks, visit Busted Coverage. I’ve seen this site grow from just a small site to a very popular one. And every once in a while, BC breaks stories. I have noticed the site went through a redesign and for some reason, Fang’s Bites was dropped from the blogroll. I hope that’s rectified.

There are a lot of bloggers who don’t like her, but I don’t have a problem with her. That’s Jennifer Sterger, the former Florida State Cowgirl who was got her claim to fame thanks to a cutaway shot during a college football game. She blogs, she tweets, she has her own YouTube channel, but overall, she’s a hot chick.

In Sports marketing and public relations, Joe Favorito has a very nice blog and keeps up with some stories across the country.

For non-sports blogs, head over to Moments of the Week, run by my good friend, Linda Dias. During American Idol, she kept up on the voting and the contestants. I avoid American Idol like a chemical weapon, but if you’re into it and many of you are, then check out Linda’s site.

And this one is a personal favorite not because of the subject, but because it’s run by my cousin Lina, The Traveling Food Critic. Thanks to her job, Lina gets to go to great American cities and sample the local cuisine. Sometimes when she comes to Boston, I’ll take part in the sampling. The blog provides a nice service especially if you travel or if you’re looking for a good restaurant in your own neighborhood. And drop a line to Lina to let her know that you’re visiting her site.

Finally, I would link to Morgan Wick, but he’s asked me not to link to him this week, so I won’t. He says once he’s ready which should be next week, I should do so next Friday. Ok, I’ll abide by his request.

That concludes your Follow Friday for today.

Late Night Links

I’m burning the midnight oil here on the East Coast to give you links. I’ll try to do this quickly as I have to get to bed and get up early for work.

Christopher Byrne from the Eye on Sports Media blog uses readily available data from Nielsen to tell us that 2008 was a record setting year for sports viewing on TV.

Stuart Elliot at the New York Times says the ad card for the Super Bowl is slowly, but surely filling up.

The Sports Media Watch goes over the NFL primetime ratings for Week 13.

Bob Molinaro of the Virginian-Pilot says ESPN’s documentary on the NFL’s Greatest Game Ever Played hearkens back to a time when fans actually mattered.

Matt Anderson of the Greenwood (SC) Index Journal says Northland Cable has no plans to change its NFL Network service which prevents subscribers from seeing games, but allows them to see everything else on the channel.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says he’ll try to delve more into the 3-D thing in his Friday column.

Carolyn Giardina of the Hollywood Reporter says 3-D is making a run at your home TV screen.

Bill Ordine of the Baltimore Sun says Thursday’s 3-D experiment at the Oakland-San Diego game could lead to similar broadcasts into your home.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun says NBC’s reairing of its Paralympics documentary is certainly worth your time to watch.

Erik Kirschbaum of Variety writes about the International Olympic Committee ending its more than 50 year relationship with the European Broadcasting Union.

Let’s give you some hockey-related links now.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says Fox Sports Southwest and KDFI will air 38 of the Dallas Stars’ last 54 games in crystal clear HD.

This is my first opportunity to link to major puckhead and the always lovely Kat Kealy of Press Box Perspective. She writes about the NHL showing games on the Center Ice PPV package in stunning high definition.

Steve Lepore of the Puck The Media blog says Monday’s Prison Break episode had plenty of St. Louis Blues references. That’s funny.

Over to Steven Niciforo’s The Hockeycaster blog and he says he wasn’t surprised to see Barry Melrose land back at ESPN.

The Washington Business Journal says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is seeing a 140% increase in the ratings for Capitals games.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News says the NHL’s Sharks are seeing increased ratings this season.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says RPI gets some exposure for its hockey program next weekend on ESPNU.

Friend of Fang’s Bites Joe Favorito says NASCAR is managing to buck the trends in a tough economy.

The Big Lead conducted an interview with ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla.

I’m always glad to plug Maury Brown’s Biz of Baseball site whenever I can and Maury tells us that he’ll be live blogging from the Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas next week.

SportsByBrooks says Danica Patrick was the most searched athlete in 2008. Ok. She’s hot. I get it. But the most searched athlete?

I found more links than I had planned. And I’m seeing the Friday media columns already. I’ll stop here. Don’t forget later the usual Friday posts, College Football Viewing Picks (last one of the season), NFL Viewing Picks, Friday Megalinks (expect those to be up late) and the first College Basketball Viewing Picks for the season. Also expect to see another webisode of Mayne Street and I’ve seen the preview. It looks decent. See you later.

Thursday Midday Linkage

I’ll once again provide a few links today, then do a full-scale update tonight.

Newsday’s Neil Best says while he was at a screening for ESPN’s documentary on the 1958 NFL Championship Game, he met a Colts fan who happened to be at the theater and got a chance to meet his heroes. And Neil talks with former Giants wide receiver and Monday Night Football announcer Frank Gifford about the Plax mess.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says high definition is driving sports TV ratings.

I think CNBC’s Darren Rovell is smitten with supermodel Marisa Miller in the same way I’m smitten with Bridget Regan.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says despite a government bailout, Citigroup will keep its name on the new Mets stadium.

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman says sports TV has a new toy to use.

The Sports Media Watch says Saturday Night Football continues to do well for ABC. The SMW tells us that the Washington Capitals are continuing their ratings gains from last season.

Steve Lepore’s Puck The Media provides us with the link to Nielsen Ratings’ blog which states that NHL ratings are up nationwide.

Ben H. Rome of the We Love DC blog talks with the host of NHL.com’s Hockey Show, Carrie Milbank. If you watch The Hockey Show, Carrie does a very good job on the webcast.

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press writes that CBS and the NCAA were at Ford Field for last night’s North Carolina-Michigan State game to see how the building could handle the Final Four next April.

That will do it for now. Expect full updates tonight.

Another Hot Bridget Regan Interview

I managed to find another Bridget Regan interview and again she’s looking lovely. This is from the syndicated magazine show, “Better”.

Looking great again. That is all.

Bridget Regan is Hot

There’s no reason for me to post this video other than because Bridget Regan is a hottie. She’s in “Legend of the Seeker” which is seen on local stations across the country and on WGN America on weekends. This is an interview she did with G4′s Attack of the Show.

I do think “Legend” is the best new show of the season and the CGI effects are done quite well. I’ve been hooked ever since I saw the free preview on iTunes. So here’s an interview Bridget did just before the two hour premiere last month.

Anyway, this has nothing to do with sports. I just wanted to post it. I’m out. Back tomorrow.