(Editor's note: In this edition of The Media Critic, Mr. X focuses his/her eye on the FLW Tour's new TV coverage, in this case using the first event of the season, Lake Okeechobee. Following those observations are a few more about outdoors TV.)

Setting the Table – For BassFans who truly want to get a visual handle on how a tournament played out, the folks at FLW may have a better formula. The only problem is you have to watch 3 hours of programming to get it all. Of the three separate shows (preview, tournament and post-event) on the Okeechobee tournament, the preview edition was the most bloated. In addition to the FLW "talking heads" Taylor Carr and Carlton Wing, pros Larry Nixon and Hank Parker were on hand with Parker doing on-the-water interviews.

Being concise is not a hallmark of this FLW broadcast, and while Parker is a television veteran, he has yet to develop his skills as an interviewer. Even when paired with long-time buddy Larry Nixon, Parker found himself scrambling for a comeback. Quick on his feet, he is not. Still, the preview broadcast did set the table for what was to come, and gave the viewer a pretty good idea of the Okeechobee terrain.

Fuzzy Logic – In previewing the Big O, the FLW producers resurrected footage from past events. Give them a high-five for that one. But if you looked closely at one shot of David Walker, FLW felt compelled to electronically "fuzz out" his tournament shirt. Sponsor conflict? Let's hope that someday FLW will chill out on this orgy of logos that does nothing for the sport and everything for lining their pockets. At least they haven't forced anglers to wear sponsor rain suits, which thankfully made the Okeechobee event more tolerable to watch.

Some Hits, Some Misses – The actual tournament coverage wasn't much better than that offered by the ESPN/B.A.S.S. crew, as producers still haven't figured out how to develop a strong story line instead of jumpy coverage. But FLW is way ahead of the curve in their montage segments: they actually show something, rather than just having quick cuts for the sake of excitement.

But like ESPN, they focused too much on the wrong guy. In this case it was Dan Morehead (also featured in a Land 'O Lakes commercial) who got way too much face time while Pat Fisher (the winner) seemed to get short shrift. ESPN managed this same goof in its Seminole coverage when rookie Casey Iwai got the minutes while veteran and runaway winner Gary Klein became an afterthought.

Finally, although FLW insists on using their hokey – and antiseptic – weigh-in setup, blending in action footage thankfully minimized the bad stuff. It did prove, however, that Charlie Evans is one too many bodies on that stage. FLW also matched ESPN in their bumbling of the final weigh-in. By chopping it up without any real explanation, the viewer was at a loss to follow who had what. Another case of the suspense-killers at work.

Summing Up – If you only had an hour to spend watching the Okeechobee FLW, the wrap-up show hosted by Larry Nixon was pretty satisfying. Not only did Nixon do well interviewing the top anglers, you got a relatively well-crafted synopsis of what transpired. When Nixon loosened up during the interviews, his personality came through. If he grows in his role, this could be the only segment you need to watch.

Over-Modulated – For those of the opinion (meaning me) that announcers should be more technically proficient in the sport of bass fishing, Taylor Carr and Carlton Wing actually came through with passing grades. Yes, they probably don't know diddly about the inside game, but at least they were on the water asking questions. They may not have been exactly the right questions, but it's better than nothing. What they need to do is tone down their "television voices" by dropping all that manufactured excitement and Top 40 "spinning stacks of wax" modulation. Take a cue from Tommy Sanders.

Heaven Help Us – A while back the "Thank You Lord" fishermen seemed to be playing to no one else except themselves. But what originally started as a simple and personal statement has now been reduced to a self-conscious, on-camera parody of itself. If the FLW Okeechobee footage is any example, TV's God Squad is not interested in simplicity. Now it's all about that devilish red light on the camera that has anglers trying to top themselves in the prayer department. Rick Couch was the most obvious with his "Thank you Lord, thank you partner" reference, but even Jay Yelas – someone who gets plenty of airtime – seemed compelled to throw in a "For the Kingdom." In addition to the Bible, perhaps its time to read another good book, the one that says a simple "thank you" is enough.

Other Observations

Fly Guys – Why is it that fly fishermen have a better handle on what makes an appealing television show? I find myself watching Flip Pallot on "The Walker's Cay Chronicles" wondering why bass show producers don't wise up. Is the "Bubba factor" so ingrained in our fishing culture that we can't separate good from bad? The most obvious difference is that Flip relies heavily on scripted narration and doesn't seem in love with his own voice when he's on camera. He's a talented angler who brings us the whole fishing experience, not just the fish-catching part.

Connecticut Yuppies in King Gowdy's Court – It's amazing that ESPN can provide a forum for Curt Gowdy in his superb "Curt's Corner" column on its web site, yet ignore what made Gowdy and the "old" American Sportsman show so great. Obviously Gowdy's longevity in the television business proved that in addition to talent, he is a team player. The problem is that Curt should be captain of the squad, rather than the new wave of ESPN programmers who apparently don't know a bass from a blue marlin.

Bad Actors – Note to any television host who thinks the audience is buying these hunt recreations: stop the madness! There is nothing worse than watching someone approach a downed turkey or deer and pretend he is coming upon it for the first time. News flash: There's already a camera in position! Not to mention the lame acting skills of the people involved. It's this kind of junk that keeps redefining outdoor programming as the "new" vast wasteland of American television.