Come on, admit it, you've watched George Michael's Sports Machine once or twice before. It's practically the only original programming on Sunday nights at 11:30 p.m. That, and the fact that its been on the air for 27 years. So, somewhere along the line you caught George pressing the buttons to start the reel-to-reel videotape player that showed highlights of both major and minor sporting events.
That era is now coming to an end as Michael has decided to pull the plug on the show. This Sunday will be its last broadcast. According to an article in USA Today Michael decided to end the program after NBC, who distributes Sports Machine and owns the Washington D.C. affiliate where George was a sportscaster since 1980, requested drastic staff cuts due to budgetary issues. Michael told executives that he would need to be the first person let go, and he was. Despite this, the parting between Michael and the network was amicable.
This isn't the end of sportscasting for George however. This former record promoter and DJ (who could be heard on AM powerhouses WFIL and WABC in the 60's and 70's) has been asked to call four NASCAR races on DirectTV this summer with Fox sports analyst Darrell Waltrip.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-24-2007 @ 1:24PM
Bill said...
Before ESPN, this guy was it for highlights of anything but your local teams. And he's also a dedicated baseball historian, collecting old unidentified photographs and figuring out exactly what game is pictured. Which might sound lame to some people, but to a baseball geek, it's pretty awesome.
http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com/
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3-24-2007 @ 1:44PM
Destin said...
"Come on, admit it, you've watched George Michael's Sports Machine once or twice before."
Nope, never heard of it. In fact, I'm only familiar with two people named George Michael; one's a pop singer, and the other's a fictional teenager on a defunct sitcom.
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3-24-2007 @ 1:52PM
David said...
George is a pioneer - he was ESPN before ESPN existed. And he wasn't bad spinning 70s hits back in the day on the old WABC 77 Music Radio in NYC..
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3-24-2007 @ 2:19PM
Sue, Bradenton, Fla. said...
I'm so sad to hear of the end of the George Michael Sports Machine, what a shock. I've watched it on & off since it first started. He's so good & it was such a good show that I watched even the parts I really wasn't interested in. I especially loved the end of the month show featuring the funny/spectacular/outrageous plays of the month.
Yes, it is the end of an era. But a new chapter is opening up in George's life & I'm sure he will be richly blessed by it.
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3-24-2007 @ 3:25PM
julie said...
I remember George in the stands during Redskins games (when they were much better) and being great to the fans....
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3-24-2007 @ 4:05PM
Donnie said...
Destin,
You shouldn't be so proud of your cultural illiteracy. From now on, try to douchebag it up a little bit less.
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3-24-2007 @ 5:25PM
Will said...
I don't watch the show anymore, but I am sad to see it go.
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3-24-2007 @ 5:32PM
Tia said...
"Come on, admit it, you've watched George Michael's Sports Machine once or twice before."
I gotta agree with ya... I'm not even really into sports and I can tell you that I've watched the Sports Machine a couple of times... Well, maybe because I do live in the DC area and he usually comes on during the Sunday night local news so by the time its 11:30 I usually kept the channel still there.
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3-24-2007 @ 11:19PM
Troy said...
I'm sorry to hear that. I'd purposely look for his show to see 'how' he was going to cover the week in sports.
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3-25-2007 @ 1:48AM
rickywalls said...
George Micheal was a very good sport ,I willing enjoyed his sport machine.He is better then some sport caster.
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3-26-2007 @ 1:35AM
RimeBuddha said...
George Michael is a classy guy and an icon in sports. His insisting that he would be the first to be cut is an unusual mark of a true professional, a friend and a mentor.
Blessings on the New Venture and God Speed.
-GBhuti
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3-26-2007 @ 1:59AM
Bobby T. said...
Gonna miss you Sunday nights on NBC10 outta Philly! No matter what I was watching, midnight found me switching to your show, even when NBC10 dropped "She Spies" as your follow-up. Sundays just won't be the same anymore.
Hope you don't pull a Johnny Carson by disappearing from the airwaves. Enjoy your retirement, but pop up with some in-depth specials from time to time.
Regards from a long-time fan!
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3-26-2007 @ 3:10AM
Randy Leonard said...
I have watched the Sports Machine nearly religiously for at least 15 years, and have enjoyed it each and every time. It's shame to see George and the show go, especially due to budget cuts. The amount of money spent on far less entertaining shows is criminal for money to be used as the excuse for this show ending. Good luck Mr. Michaels and thanks for all the great stories and film. RL
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3-26-2007 @ 4:38AM
Judy Hiell said...
I can't imagine Sunday night without George Michael. My husband, Son and I would hurry home after bowling so we could watch the Sports Machine. The show was something to look forward to for us and we will miss George. So many memories. He's going out a winner in our book. George, we will miss you terribly and wish you a great life. You're the best.
Bruce and Judy
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3-26-2007 @ 8:29AM
Matthew Peck said...
I assumed he was off the air along time ago... 11:30 sunday is long past my bedtime now a days.
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3-26-2007 @ 1:43PM
JAdelberg said...
George's last show was another Grand Slam.
Great memories from one of the last true Class Acts in Sports!
George Michael’s Sports Machine will be truly missed by true sports fans.
Good Luck and Blessings George.
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3-26-2007 @ 6:04PM
Kris Burkel said...
What a class act is George Michael!
What an entertaining show was his Sports Machine.
We loved your show since the early 80's.
You made all of your subjects interesting - even those that we didn't particularly care about otherwise.
The in-depth character stories were especially inspirational.
To heck with all the glam and glitter of other present day sports shows - yours was just plain good honest interesting entertainment.
We will miss you very much.
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3-27-2007 @ 12:31AM
Rodney said...
OMG! I was stunned to hear that the show was ending. No matter how my weekend went, nor what time of year it was , I always watch THE MACHINE. It's been part of my Sunday night routine for just about all of his 27yrs. WHAT WILL I DO NOW!!! :(
You will be missed SIR.
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3-27-2007 @ 5:59PM
Julius May said...
My Sunday nights/Monday mornings watching WCAU-TV 10 will not be the same now that the Sports Machine is off the air. Thanks for a great show George.
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4-02-2007 @ 1:55AM
Danielle said...
I am truly sad to see this show end. The Sports Machine has been part of my Sunday Night ritual for the entire 20 years I've been married. What was NBC thinking??? Has George thought about syndicating through someone else? I'm sure it would be picked up! There are so many of us loyal fans out here!
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