Bill Simmons Gets Torched by NBC’s Cris Collinsworth Over Canceled HBO Show
Former “Any Given Wednesday” host criticizes analyst’s NFL coverage, gets “gently” reminded of his own recent failed TV talk show
Debbie Emery | November 14, 2016 @ 5:25 PM
Last Updated: November 15, 2016 @ 7:29 AM
Getty Images
Cris Collinsworth 1, Bill Simmons 0.
During a Super Bowl XLIX rematch between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night, former Grantland editor-in-chief Bill Simmons was critical of NBC Sports analyst Collinsworth’s commentary.
“Somebody needs to gently break the news to Collinsworth that the Pats have a weak front 7 and that’s why Seattle’s o-line looks good,” he tweeted.
Simmons was skating on thin ice considering that his HBO show “Any Given Wednesday” was canceled on Nov. 4 after just four months due to dire ratings, but Collinsworth was quick to remind him.
“Thanks Bill, we’ll look for you ‘gently’ breaking it down on that hit show of yours,” he replied in a tweet that has since been deleted (but was kindly screen grabbed by the likes of Sports Illustrated).
For those who are counting, NBC was first in ratings with a 5.5 rating/16 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 16.4 million on Sunday night thanks to a very close NFL game.
The Patriots also lost to the Seahawks 31-24, so it was a bad night all round for the Boston Sports Guy.
5 Reasons Why Bill Simmons' 'Any Given Wednesday' Tanked After Four Months (Photos)
Bill Simmons - the sports guy with the magic touch. He practically reinvented sportswriting for the web at ESPN.com. He founded Grantland, a legendary (and now defunct) website. His podcast was a killer! So why was his HBO talk show "Any Given Wednesday" canceled after just four months? Read on to find out.
1. No buzz
The premiere of "Any Given Wednesday" got people talking, not because of anything Simmons said, but because many viewers speculated that guest Ben Affleck was drunk when he went off on a tear about the New England Patriots and Deflategate. Unfortunately for Simmons, Affleck's spiel was pretty much the last time anyone discussed his show. "It never resonated with audiences," Simmons admitted in a statement.
2. The host
Simmons may be great online and on a podcast, but on TV? He's a bit ill-at-ease and stiff as a host. It didn't help that HBO decided to do the show essentially as a talk-radio broadcast, with a cheap set and virtually no music or graphics.
3. Low ratings
Well, duh. Bad numbers mean cancellation. But the ratings for "Wednesday" were especially atrocious. The premiere drew a respectable 260,000 total viewers. But by the Oct. 26 show with guest Larry Wilmore, the audience was down to 82,000 - an appalling 68% decline.
4. HBO's strategy shift
"Wednesday" was ordered up by the regime of former programming chief Michael Lombardo. But he was given the heave-ho earlier this year, and now new HBO programmer Casey Bloys (pictured) is eager to make his mark on the network. See ya, "Wednesday"!
5. "Wednesday" wasn't the point
Don't worry about Simmons. He has an overall deal with HBO, so he will be back in some other form on the network. And he still has podcasts and a new website, The Ringer. Maybe "Wednesday" was just a start. A false start.
Quick cancellation takes a bit of the gilt off former ESPN scribe’s golden touch
Bill Simmons - the sports guy with the magic touch. He practically reinvented sportswriting for the web at ESPN.com. He founded Grantland, a legendary (and now defunct) website. His podcast was a killer! So why was his HBO talk show "Any Given Wednesday" canceled after just four months? Read on to find out.
