“Be a Bruin” brings reality back to hockey

THIS WEEK:

• Hockey hopefuls
• Pats not flexible
• Celtics stuff

“Be a Bruin” brings reality back to hockey
NBC and NFL pick Peyton over Pats; FSN feast

Reality television has become the media phenomenon of the new millennium. Locally, NESN is giving sports fans a fine reason to jump on the bandwagon. “Be a Bruin” chronicles the triumphs and travails of a bevy of black and gold wannabes trying to fulfill their hockey dreams.

The program is the brainchild of former Bruin Brad Park and Chris Miller’s One-on-One Productions. “Chris and I were kicking around some ideas regarding what it takes to succeed in pro sports,” says Park. “We pitched the idea for “Be a Bruin” to Harry Sinden and he liked it.”

“Be a Bruin” is a collaborative effort with Moody Street Pictures, Supervising Producer/Director Rick DiGregorio and Emmy-Award winning Executive Producer Timothy T. Egan.

Park and his fellow coaches, former Bruins Terry O’Reilly and Gerry Cheevers as well as ex-Bruins Bob Sweeney and Wayne Cashman, judge forwards, defensemen and goalies based on a skill management system.

The top 36 players took part in a weeklong “Be a Bruin” Training Camp in July 2006. The top goalie, defenseman and forward will be invited to Bruins training camp.

“When Brad first approached me about doing the show, I wasn’t sure what it would be,” explains O’Reilly. “The first show was more stats and skills. Once the games started, it was pretty good hockey.

The show premiered on November 2 with a promising .22 household rating, .21 with adults ages 25-54 and .14 with women ages 18 and over.

The lead-in was the Bruins 5-4 shootout loss to the Sabres. “Be a Bruin,” airing 40 minutes later than expected, held the lead-in rating and actually increased it slightly. The show may have doubled the lead-in rating if the Bruins had won that game.

“I was happy with the premiere ratings,” says producer Tim Egan. “We have media sponsors coming to us. “Boston Sports Review,” “New England Hockey Journal,” “Inside Hockey Radio Show,” WBZ and Boston.com all want content from us as partners.” “Inside Hockey” features a weekly “Be a Bruin” segment on AM 1510, 4-6:00 p.m. every Saturday.

Adds Park, “I like the show. It is fast moving and it doesn’t leave the viewers a lot of time to go to the fridge and get a drink. They might miss something. The guys who are competing love the game. They are not actors. The emotions are real.”

Park wants the show to be long on intensity. He states, “Every show brings about new twists. We want to put these guys in a position to feel real pressure and tension. They are working with each other, yet also competing against each other. It is not a bed of roses.”

The same can be said for putting the show together. Says Egan, “The challenge was in post production. We had to get so much done in a short time. Camp ended in September and the premiere was November 2.

“We are thrilled with the way NESN is promoting the show. Viewers have told me that they see how much the competitors care about hockey. They said that watching these little guys do well might actually inspire the Bruins.”

According to Park, reuniting with O’Reilly and Cheevers is a real plus. “They are two of the best guys. I spent a lot of years with them as a player. We had great fun together, constantly fooling around before practices. The competitors on the show appreciate our knowledge. They really listen to us.”

O’Reilly can identify with the hopeful players. He states, “I was a long shot as a player. I had to work hard every day to stick with any team. It’s about love and passion for the game, and getting a break.”

“Our next shows will start to get hotter,” says Park, who says he is looking to take the program national at some point. “We will start to make cuts and it will be very emotional.

“There are also a lot of unexpected quirks in the program. The anticipation is worse than the participation. None of this is scripted, so the guys will be on edge.”

Adds O’Reilly, “This is Brad’s project, so we all support him. He does all the dirty work. Cutting players is not my cup of tea. Some of the players we cut felt that we didn’t give them a fair shot, but I feel we sent the best goaltender, forward and defenseman to Bruins’ camp. Viewers will enjoy watching the process all the way through.”

“Be a Bruin” is a unique program that captures the best of hockey, namely, rugged play, dedication and a basic work ethic that is quite refreshing.

The second edition airs November 14 at 6:30 p.m. with re-airings on November 16 at 6:00 p.m. and November 23 at 6:00 p.m. Show # 3 premieres on November 16 at 10:30 p.m., Show #4 on November 23 at 10:30 p.m. and Show #5 on November 30 at 10:30 p.m. Check NESN.com for more airings.

Flex football

The NFL has announced that the Week 12 Philadelphia Eagles-Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday, November 26 will be played at 8:15 p.m. on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

The 1:00 p.m. Bears at Patriots matchup on that same day, long thought of as the top contender to be moved to Sunday night as a part of NBC’s flexible scheduling, will move to 4:15 p.m. and air on FOX, as will the Giants-Titans game that day.

Certainly the Bears’ recent fall from the ranks of the undefeated and the Patriots’ two-game losing streak played into the decision. Those factors, combined with the Colts’ current undefeated status, clinched Indy’s move to prime time.

“These are both outstanding games, which is why one will be played in primetime and one will be in the important 4:15 p.m. doubleheader window,” says NFL spokesman Dan Masonson.

“The purpose of flexible scheduling is to ensure quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and give teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon 4:15 p.m. prime time slot on CBS and Fox.”

NBC spokesman Michael McCarley said in a press release, “The Colts are the only remaining undefeated team this season and the first team in NFL history to begin consecutive seasons at 9-0. The Eagles are in second place in the NFC East with a record of 5-4.

“The Colts have become the NFL’s top prime time ratings draw, playing in the four highest-rated primetime games in the past five years: Steelers-Colts, 14.8 rating on 11/28/05, Colts-Giants, 14.3 on 9/10/06, Colts-Patriots, 14.3 on 11/7/05 and Colts-Patriots, 13.9 on 11/5/06.”

FSN fanfare

FSN held their annual Celtics’ media gathering on October 25, just three days before the untimely death of the legendary Red Auerbach. The event was filled with optimism and hope for the slow-starting 2006-07 Celtics and there were plenty of great quotes. Here is a sampling.

“People take me to task for being that type of broadcaster, but I learned from Johnny Most that we are not broadcasting in Los Angeles. We are broadcasting in Boston.” - FSN analyst Tommy Heinsohn on his pro-Celtics style

“There is a buzz around this team. Last year, 33 games were decided by 5 points or less. The new faces and kids have a chance to be special.” - FSN play-by-play announcer Mike Gorman

“John Havlicek was the most focused individual I ever met and the best athlete the Celtics ever had until Paul Pierce showed up. This year, Pierce should have the easiest season he’s had.

“The point guards will wreak havoc. Rajon Rondo has a head like Bob Cousy and Larry Bird. He is three moves ahead of everyone else. 13 of the 16 Celtics’ titles were won with an up tempo style. It saps the other team’s strength like a relay team vs. a marathoner. This is the most feisty bunch I’ve seen in Celtic green.” - Heinsohn on the 2006-07 Celtics’ guards

“This team will have 47 wins.” - Greg Dickerson on the 2006-07 Celtics

“Do they mean red or white? - Heinsohn, joking about the NBA’s new policy on whining

“Fox told us we had to take Gary too.” - Gorman, joking about his FSN Celtics’ colleagues Heinsohn, Greg Dickerson, Donny Marshall and Gary Tanguay

“We are as good or better than everyone except New Jersey. New York is going to be terrible and I love it.” - Heinsohn on the Atlantic Division

“We have to be patient, but the Celtics will be in the playoffs.” - Gary Tanguay on the 2006-07 Celtics

Speaking of the Celtics, “Celtics Pride” airs after every home game on AM 890 ESPN Boston. “We are the only post game show in Boston for the Celtics,” says Patrick Gilroy who hosts the show with Jeff Hickman, “This year, we are giving away a pair of Celtics’ tickets on every show.

“Danny Ainge called into the show on Friday (November 10) following the loss to the Jazz. I asked him, ‘Is this team, 4 years later, as good or better than what you took over? He said no.’ Former Celtics’ coach Jim O’Brien will join us Wednesday (November 15).”