[News] Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole leave TSN UPDATE: They're back!

[kenk-la]

Disappointing, but understandable news. The money in broadcasting in the U.S. is just much higher than here, who wouldn't jump at that. Hopefully they do well in the U.S. and I hope that Fox 1 or whatever it is called is on Canadian television. I wonder if they'll continue to do the podcasts? If they don't I'll be choked. How else will I find closure in regards to the raccoon fur coat?

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Curious to see how American audiences react to their brand of humor.

Jay and Dan are well established in Canada, but it took time. On first impression, some American folk might not get their schtick and be turned off by them.

Good luck to them. Both are just awesome guys.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Curious to see how American audiences react to their brand of humor.

Jay and Dan are well established in Canada, but it took time. On first impression, some American folk might not get their schtick and be turned off by them.

Good luck to them. Both are just awesome guys.

I was thinking the same thing. If it doesn't pan out then I can see them coming back. Hopefully, for their careers, it does.

[TopChed]

I just hope they keep doing a podcast when they move to Fox.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Curious to see how American audiences react to their brand of humor.

Jay and Dan are well established in Canada, but it took time. On first impression, some American folk might not get their schtick and be turned off by them.

Good luck to them. Both are just awesome guys.

the US is used to the schtick part, almost all sportscenter hosts try to play for comedy

the post at Deadspin about it http://deadspin.com/jay-onrait-and-d...rica-489561140

their interplay has drawn comparisons to the glory days of Olbermann and Patrick, without the "one of us is clearly an a$$&#**" undertone.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

the US is used to the schtick part, almost all sportscenter hosts try to play for comedy

the post at Deadspin about it http://deadspin.com/jay-onrait-and-d...rica-489561140

I actually think they mimick the schtick of their ESPN brethren. Every time I watch TSN I'm reminded of the ESPN guys. I think the US has been exposed to lots of 'characters' like Onrait and O'Toole for years so viewers getting acclimatized to them won't be any different than a guy coming over from another network. They are very talented but far from original or unique.

[Stay Golden]

I wonder how their zany routine goes over in LA. I will miss those 2 dudes the replacements for them will be just that. They won't have the same fun tone to the show.

[drewtastic]

Still my all-time fave (someone can embed, if they want pls/thnx--not working for me...):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfUTrc9_1SE

[TSXCman]

Never knew they had a podcast. Time to add it to the list..

[d_phaneuf]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mor...index.html#all

How did Fox Sports management become aware of Onrait and O'Toole? They read the Wall Street Journal story above from last July that carried this longing headline: "Why Can't We Have Canada's 'SportsCentre'?". With their interested piqued, Fox Sports executives started taping Onrait and O'Toole's nightly work from the Fox Soccer Channel studios in Vancouver. They liked what they saw, and offered the anchors a deal that included bringing over their longtime producer (known anonymously as Producer Tim on Twitter). On the surface, it's a smart, outside-the-box hire. Chemistry is hard to develop for this type of show, and Fox Sports executives believe Onrait and O'Toole already possess it. It will be interesting to see how their style plays in the States.

and on the pay

The aggressive moves by Fox Sports -- as well as the recent staffing of the NBC Sports Network and CBS Sports Television -- have resulted in some on-air talent getting paid very handsomely. A longtime ESPN staffer who works in management estimated Fox Sports will pay Thompson about $900,000 for her first year, and that Fox Sports Live anchors would earn between $300,000-$600,000 per year, depending on the specific talent. "From what I've seen. Fox is paying ridiculous money," said an ESPN management source with knowledge of talent salaries.

[Hair bleach and Vodka]

That much money?!? Holy crap. No wonder they made the decision. Can't blame em for that. I hope they rock it.

[dammage79]

There is a chance Fox Sports One could been shown in Canada. Since they're replacing Speed channel with FS1, Crtc could let them broadcast with the same license. Maybe it works out that way maybe it doesnt.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by TopChed

I just hope they keep doing a podcast when they move to Fox.

Since so many people are asking the @JayandDanTSN Podcast WILL continue just not sure where and when yet. I will keep you posted. #whynoteh

https://twitter.com/JayOnrait/status/331563262489546754

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

I actually think they mimick the schtick of their ESPN brethren. Every time I watch TSN I'm reminded of the ESPN guys. I think the US has been exposed to lots of 'characters' like Onrait and O'Toole for years so viewers getting acclimatized to them won't be any different than a guy coming over from another network. They are very talented but far from original or unique.

Ya I was thinking this as well. If anything, its Canada where sports broadcasters tend to be more rigid usually, seems like they're always joking around with zany humour when I'm in the States watching U.S. sports channels. As long as they can build an audience, they'll fit in fine down there.

[Cowperson]

I'm suddenly realizing how little I've been watching sports highlights the last bunch of years because I'm only modestly familar with Onright and hadn't heard of O'Toole . . . . . yet there's a big hullabaloo in a lot of Canadian media about them heading to the States.

Best of luck.

Cowperson

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Ya I was thinking this as well. If anything, its Canada where sports broadcasters tend to be more rigid usually, seems like they're always joking around with zany humour when I'm in the States watching U.S. sports channels. As long as they can build an audience, they'll fit in fine down there.

They may have to reel it in a bit, I think the bigger worry will be their familiarity with NBA and NCAA. Obviously they won't be talking nearly as much hockey. Do these guys know enough to go in depth with these sports? Sports fans are hard to fool, if you get something wrong, it isn't soon forgotten.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Deelow

They may have to reel it in a bit, I think the bigger worry will be their familiarity with NBA and NCAA. Obviously they won't be talking nearly as much hockey. Do these guys know enough to go in depth with these sports? Sports fans are hard to fool, if you get something wrong, it isn't soon forgotten.

they don't write the content, only the entertainment

[Voodooman]

From the same SI article that diane_phaneuf referenced, here is one of the other new cohosts for FS1



I wish any of my coworkers looked like that.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

There is a chance Fox Sports One could been shown in Canada. Since they're replacing Speed channel with FS1, Crtc could let them broadcast with the same license. Maybe it works out that way maybe it doesnt.

Speed Channel in Canada will probably end up the same as the Outdoor Life Network which was taken over by NBC Sports in the USA. That is airing shows such as Duck Dynasty because their programming isn't licensed in Canada.

[Bertuzzied]

It's too bad they aren't going over to Fox News. that would be so frigging awesome i would pay a monthly fee for it.