Recently in Pat Tomasulo Category

If you watched our show at around 7:50 this morning, you witnessed one of the more awkward moments we've had in quite some time. Friend of the show (FOTS) Chet Coppock was on to plug his new book (the title of which conveniently escapes me at this time). I call Chet a FOTS because he's been an invited guest many times in the 4+ years I've been here. And each time, he and I have spoken in-depth, on- and off-camera, about sports, the business of sports broadcasting, and how much he enjoys the job I do on this show.

So you can imagine my surprise when someone plopped a copy of his guaranteed best-seller on my desk, open to a passage in which Chet lists the best and worst local sports personalities of the last 25 years. At #2 on the "worst" list: PAT TOMASULO.

What??? Wasn't I the "cat's meow?" The "Hulk Hogan of sportscasting?" Didn't he say I was "the tops," the "best of the best," and "Grade A???"  

Yes, he did. So did my grandfather . . . 20 years ago.

When people still spoke like that.

I'm sure some many might rank me #1 on that "worst" list; some a few might rank me #1 on the "best" list. Either way, I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't like my style. But Chetster had never given me any criticism in the dozens of face-to-face meetings we'd had! All those times we invited him on the show, he'd gush about me!

So I had to ask him about this list, on the air, in the middle of his guest segment. What ensued was an uncomfortable :30 - :45 of live television. I'm sorry for that :(  I sat looking at him, with an expression that could be best described as a "glare," while he furiously backpedaled. When we went off air, he shook hands with Larry and Robin, said nothing to me, and walked off set.

I'm not sure why. I suppose if our roles were reversed, I might be a little embarrassed. You know, here are these nice people who continually invite me on their TV show, even when no other stations are, even when their fans ask why they invite me on- not because they dislike me, but because they question my relevance. And I go and trash one of them! I guess I could have shared those feelings before they were the only TV crew in town that'd give me a chance to let people know I'm still around, and not until I decided writing a book would be the best way to remind them.

But hey, I can't guess what Chet was thinking.

He did preface in the book that he might make a lot of enemies by writing those lists. For the record, he hasn't made an enemy in me. I'll even continue to listen to him for the 12 weeks each year he's on local radio. But if he ever wants to come back on this show again, he needs to bring gifts, like . . . maybe a signed copy of his book?

Think he'll have any left?



(Editor's note: if you have no idea who Chet Coppock is, click here )








  

Turns out a lot of you don't mind some junk mail in your inbox, in order for me to guest co-host on "LIVE with Regis and Kelly." I want you to remember this moment when you're sifting through e-mails from Viagara, and a man in Nigeria who needs you to wire him a thousand dollars.

I'd like to extend a big fat "Thank You" to everyone who voted, especially my mother, who I can only assume mobilized the New Jersey social networking underground. This is the only way for me to explain how I got voted into the Top 5, and my teammate, Larry Potash, did not. Gosh, how I was looking forward to sharing a hotel room with him- the pillow fights, jumping up and down on the bed, doing each other's hair . . .

Alas, I will venture to NYC alone. We're still working out some scheduling details, but once I know for certain which day I'll be on, I will let everyone know.

Thanks again!

I'm one of the millions who plunks down $44.95 each month for UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) pay-per-views, so if I lose you with my mixed martial arts vernacular, I apologize. But there is a move in MMA called the "rear-naked choke." So far as I know, it's never been performed in the nude, and I can't fathom why someone put the words "rear" and "naked" together in describing the most lethal submission move in the sport.

Nonetheless.

I was put in a rear-naked choke once by a former UFC champion. It wasn't by choice- he just thought I'd find it interesting to know what suffocating felt like. It's a sensation I could live without re-experiencing. Thankfully, he had the common sense to keep me locked up for only 2 seconds. This young reporter was not blessed with such a perceptive interview subject.

But he does recover like a pro. 

There may come a day when Ozzie Guillen's incoherent ramblings become passe, but that day is not today.

We have WWE wrestlers on the show pretty often, and only ONE has done a segment in character- our old friend Booker T. Not only that, but his wife appeared in character too, and even let me pour a bucket of worms on her.

(an explanation would require more time than I have)

I used to envision these segments going something like this: they come on and play the heel, I antagonize them, they break a vase over my head, everybody goes home happy. But that's hard to do when they are contractually prohibited from touching me. Apparently, all those nutty old-timers who'd assault reporters for asking if wrestling was fake, ruined it for everyone.

Still, you try and pick your spots with these guys. This gentleman on Spanish TV picked one spot too many with Randy Orton. If only he'd seen MY interview with him.
  

Many communities would welcome a celebrity into their world. At my apartment building, for instance, there are fresh cut flowers and a martini waiting every day. And I can't tell you how much Tom Skilling appreciates that.

But Terrell Owens isn't experiencing the same hospitality in Buffalo. He's currently homeless, and being forced to schlepp it in the Penthouse Suite at the Adam's Mark Hotel. All he wants is a ridiculously priced rental unit to rest his head for 5 months out of the year (assuming he lasts a full season).

Is that so much to ask?

If National Geographic can show a lion chasing, and then eating the raw flesh of, an antelope, then I can show the video I did today. It involves a wayward pigeon, and a cricket ball travelling at a high speed. For those who don't know what cricket is, it's like baseball, except the batters wear facemasks. Needless to say, the pigeon didn't survive this encounter, and they had to spray the field before resuming play. 

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Like George Costanza, Lou Piniella has a lot of character in his face. It's as if he can express 12 different emotions with the same expression, like how NBA commissioner David Stern always looks as if he's on the verge of laughing hysterically. That's why Lou is my favorite person to Photoshop onto random pictures. On today's show, I turned him into a famous sculpture, a man showering, and The Burger King.

For my posts on our OLD blog, click here
Follow me on Twitter!
Or let's be Facebook friends