Backfield Penetration

I returned to NYC last night from an uneasy fast in Philadelphia. I had a chance to reflect on the past year, my relationships, and of course, Philly sports.

The Eagles looked excellent dismantling an overmatched Chiefs squad on Sunday. They ought to be able to win the three games after the bye week and cruise into their November 1 matchup with the New York Football Giants at 5-1. I’m confident about the Birds. The Phils? Not so much.

I had the displeasure of listening to the World Champs on my drive home. The Phightin’s listless bats and underwhelming pitching made me want to vomit up all the kippered salmon and lox I had just eaten.

Pathetic. Why can’t they beat the Astros? Why do they make scrub rookie pitchers with 5.00+ ERAs look like Nolan Ryan? I have a bad feeling in my gut (unrelated to all the salty fish I ate).

On the other end of the spectrum, I have a very good feeling about something I watched last night. It can be summed up in three words:

Michael F***ing Scott!

I was finally able to watch the first two episodes of the new season of The Office. Wow. That show is unreal. Michael Scott is completely out of control. Whether he’s blowing up Stanley’s spot, or ruining Jim’s promotion, dude is one of the most cringe-inducing and wonderful characters in the history of television.

Last year, during the short run of the Michael Scott Paper Company, I felt that The Office eclipsed 30 Rock and became the best comedy on TV. It’s good to see that they’ve carried the momentum over into the new season.

As in any narrative, it all comes down to character. In an interview I conducted with Ricky Gervais last March, the creator of The Office said as much.

“… character elevates above everything else. It elevates above lines, story, everything.”

In another part of the interview, that you can watch here (listen for me at 1:40)



Mr. Gervais told me about his stand-up act. He said that the targets are not what they seem and that he is “the biggest butt of the joke.”

My 35 minutes with Ricky Gervais were like a Comedy 101 class. I’ve been thinking a lot about that interview lately, and about comedy and character in general, especially relating to this blog.

My perspective on entertainment is an interesting one because of my profession. I have a very cool job. I’ve interviewed the most interesting people in the world.

How does that relate to Backfield Penetration? What’s the tie between my connection to the entertainment world and the world of sports that I love so much? What is funny about this connection and what is funny about this blog?

It’s me, folks. I’m not some primped up Ryan Seacrest wannabe. I’m a goofy, hairy, raw sonofabitch. I’m not just funny because people laugh at what I say and what I write. I’m funny because of the stupid s**t that I do. I can’t come on here and promote myself as some cooler-than-thou slickster. I’m a goofball and I have to be able to portray myself as such.

That said, with a great deal of reluctance and apprehension, I present to you for the very first time, the world premiere video of one of my first gigs in the business.

This clip takes place on June 27, 2006, the eve of the 2006 NBA draft. I’m working a pre-draft party at the 40/40 Club. In this video, I have the pleasure of interviewing my favorite point guard in the league, Chris Paul.

Talking about his CP3 Foundation, he tells me about the murder of his grandfather, and I respond by saying “fantastic” and “amazing.” I s**t you not. Listen to me stammer after I say it. You can’t make this stuff up.



If you can’t laugh at yourself, at whom can you laugh? I know that I write some funny stuff and have an interesting point of view, but I’m not sure that’s where my ultimate talent as a character is. Like Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell, I need to embrace being the butt of the joke.