Buck's ability to crack jokes just didn't work. It came off as wooden, because he wants to be funny yet still retain his dignity. It's like he wants the laughs of a pie-in-the-face gag, yet he wants his eyes to be custard-free.
He's trying to fill the void left by the end of Costas Live. Now, Bob Costas does play-by-play sometimes, but he's more known for anchoring his NBC Olympic coverage. Coupled with his past shows (Costas Coast To Coast, Later), it was a more natural fit for him to host a show like that than for Buck, whose primary purpose — albeit, a difficult one — is to tell the story of a sporting event, and let his colleague interject.
HBO shows rarely last long when they're good. I can't imagine how much longer this one will stick around.
Article comments
1 - RJ
In other entertainment news, The Goode Family has been moved to Friday nights after just three episodes. This is the television equivalent of an elderly person being transported to Oregon for some "alternative medical treatment" by Jack Kevorkian.
2 - El Bicho
Saw the 1st episode of TGF and enjoyed it. Must not have been able to draw as well as MXC, I mean Wipeout. Too bad. Should have gone to a cable channel and given it time to grow
3 - Russ Evenhuis
"It's like he wants the laughs of a pie-in-the-face gag, yet he wants his eyes to be custard-free." And that so perfectly describes Joe Buck. I cannot stand listening to him call a game so there is absolutely no way I will be watching this show.