(Editor's note: This is the first "column" -- really just a series of observations -- by BassFan's new media critic, Mr. X. By request, BassFan is not releasing his name because he holds a prominent place in the bass-fishing industry. Mr. X has free reign to criticize anyone and anything in the bass fishing media, including BassFan. We think you'll enjoy his observations -- or maybe he's really a she?)
> Show Me -- Other than the new format, the first of four "Showdown" events didn't look that much different from past broadcasts. But then again, it didn't look much different from past FLW shows. The morphing of both circuits into one indistinguishable blob has begun. Fortunately, Skeet Reese was there to carry the day by delivering some timely quips and some much-needed emotion. And even though Tommy Sanders insisted that the weights displayed on my TV screen were "unofficial, but very, very close," the suspense-killing stats ultimately did not put a wet blanket on the finale.
> TV-Friendly? -- With the final cuts going from 12 to 6 anglers, you would think that none of the pros could cough without getting it on camera. Yet there was Reese during the first episode with zero fish and a minute later he's boating his third bass. It just goes to show you that even with this format, camera crews have to guess about when to stay and when to leave. ESPN better hope that all the good stuff happens on the final day.
> Rambling Man -- As FLW broadcasts have made abundantly clear, the excitement level of any show depends on having the right pros make the final cut. Try to get a not-so-Super-Six into an on-the-water conversation and you start hearing crickets. In the case of Gerald Swindle, a high-energy guy, a tough final day got him to rambling. He did make several choice comments, but apparently someone in the editing room thought the rest of his banter was electrifying.
> Gummed Up -- This is ESPN and that means a female sideline reporter. In football it works because women like Andrea Cramer know a little of what they're talking about. But Kirsten Gum seemed to think that gushing over Skeet Reese like it was a South Beach nightclub somehow transmitted into interesting commentary. It didn't. Isn't there a woman bass pro out there who can bring some insight to the table?
> What About Fish? -- Even though Skeet Reese calling home to his wife, Kim, from the weigh-in stage is something that has been done before (remember a guy by the name of Hank Parker?), it was a nice moment. As usual, Fish Fishburne handled things well, which brings up the question: Does ESPN have something against this guy? If being funny, knowledgeable and quick on your feet doesn't qualify you for the big broadcast, what does? Let's see...gushing Gum or Fishburne humor? Go Fish.
> Montage of Misery -- This first broadcast of 2003 did hold some promise of what is possible, notably the montage of clips that showed moments of disaster and despair among the pros. Run near the end of the show, this nicely edited piece proved there is some creative thought going on at JM Associates. More please.
> Mute Button -- With all the hype about the Busch Angler of the Year money, you would think that the season opener would make more mention of this prestigious award. No matter what the reason, it looked as though someone wanted to avoid the uncomfortable task of having to explain the David Walker situation. The folks at B.A.S.S. must have been on their hands and knees praying that no-patch Walker wouldn't win.
> Best Line of the Week -- When asked about his chances in the unseasonably cold Florida weather, Woo Daves said that he needed "David Walker to freeze to death."
> Who's the Genius? -- CITGO's advertising agency must have a great line of bull to make the gas brass think that their "biker" commercial is worth a single dime. This is the ad where a group of tough bikers roll into a CITGO station with superimposed lines about how they "know Sonny," "likes his meat rare" and so on. At the end, they focus on one guy with the lines "We know Mel. Used to be Melissa." It made me want to take a shower. I didn't think it was possible, but CITGO made Busch's six-pack in the tackle box look like pure genius.
> Kudos to Berkley -- If you haven't seen Berkley's new TV ad touting their pro staff winners of last year, you haven't seen one of the best-produced bass fishing ads in recent memory. It starts with Davy Hite and ends with Jay Yelas, who subtly tries to upstage himself. Nicely done.
