Michael Phelps‘ handlers might need to brush up on their avoid-entertaining-interviews technique after allowing their client to go on Dan Le Batard’s radio show on 790 The Ticket in Miami today.
(Mike Phelps likes his Club™ Crackers @ The Playboy Club)
Yes, it really was too easy for Le Batard, when he asked Phelps the question, “What is the single coolest thing to happen to you since the Olympic Games?”
Phelps replied that the his biggest thrill since Beijing was setting up a charity through one of his sponsors, Kellogg’s. And in a stunning coincidence, Phelps was only doing the interview to promote his appearance on the boxes of various Kellogg’s food products.
So knowing Le Batard as you now know him, things next got interesting.
Le Batard (predictably) pressed Phelps after his pat response, saying, “That was a nice move there Michael because you just segued right into what you were selling there, when that can’t be the coolest thing to happen to you since the Olympics. I’m sure you’re very happy about it, but the coolest thing, the thing you tell your friends about, when you’re out getting a beer?”
Sadly, the bewildered Phelps then went into “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it” mode, offering up more pap about how he loved to get the word out about swimming and help people.
To which Le Batard responded, “Do you go into the nightclub with these Kellogg’s products and just drop them on the floor with your face on them?”
That’s when Phelps had had enough, saying, “Sorry, I think we’re going to head to the next interview. Thank you very much for your time.”
After the interview, Phelps accidentally didn’t hang up the phone for a moment, saying to his handlers about the interview and Le Batard, “I didn’t say nothing. That guy was a idiot, that was ridiculous.”
You can listen to the audio here.
Did Le Batard push a little too hard on the last point? Probably. But could Phelps have laughed it off and had some fun with it? Probably.
Guy is a humorless stiff.
Since sports celebs are usually overprotective of their image, you wonder how long Le Batard will be able to have this kind of fun in the future with an unsuspecting star?
So long as he remains local, doing it only in Miami, probably indefinitely.
6:14 pm on September 25th, 2008
Post Cereals should sign Le Batard to an endorsement deal immediately.
6:20 pm on September 25th, 2008
Whenever I hit the clubs, I always pack a few boxes of Corn Pops.
6:21 pm on September 25th, 2008
lebatard's one funny dude!
6:23 pm on September 25th, 2008
And if I was Phelps, I'd say the coolest thing to happen to me at the Olympics would be Stephanie Rice:
http://sportsbybrooks.com/mr-phelps-and-stephanie-rice-sitting-in-a-tree-19490
6:30 pm on September 25th, 2008
Or we could discuss Le Batard as being one of those typical douchebag sports radio dorks who thinks he's the most clever and funny guy on the planet. Obviously, he's not and the fact that he's nearly dead last in the ratings shows that most people in Miami think likewise.
6:32 pm on September 25th, 2008
Levitz is a colossal bore. What's the point of trying to make a guy look bad? There's nothing Phelps could've said.
6:33 pm on September 25th, 2008
OMFG, a radio host who is actually entertaining?
What's the world coming too?
6:34 pm on September 25th, 2008
I said sh–bag, not "idiot." Get it right, douchenozzle.
6:38 pm on September 25th, 2008
I don't know why people hate Lebatard so much. I heard the interview live and Phelps was just lame…kind of like he was on SNL….Lebatard's asked some crazy questions in the past, but this wasn't one of those moments.
6:40 pm on September 25th, 2008
After Phelps' Trevor Berbick-inspired SNL debacle, this should surprise no one.
6:41 pm on September 25th, 2008
dan's questions were completely reasonable. michael phelps is just a tool
6:44 pm on September 25th, 2008
When LeBatard's "frat boy" act gets to the point where no national guest will appear on his show- he'll be left to what he does best playing the race card & being the only black appoligist on South Florida radio. Stir the pot real good Flounder!!!
6:47 pm on September 25th, 2008
He was better heard under water than an interview he had with Le batard. OMG can he be anymore boring? His handlers are really bad…
6:55 pm on September 25th, 2008
While it's amusing, I have to chide LeBatard here: how many radio interviews come across because the celebrity is looking to promote a specific event, charitable foundation, etc.? LeBatard knows the rules - in exchange for having Michael Phelps on, he gets to shill something. If he didn't want Phelps to be slick and promote Kellogg's, don't have him on the air.
6:56 pm on September 25th, 2008
That being said, Michael Phelps appears to have the charisma and intelligence of an old dishwashing sponge.
7:05 pm on September 25th, 2008
Michael Phelps sounds like a 14 year old with down syndrome, why that douchepocket is ever allowed to speak in public is beyond me. I hope Greg Lemond crosses over and beats the hell out of him. Plus, ya know, he's from Maryland.
7:08 pm on September 25th, 2008
Mike Ryan should be happy, as he won't be nearly as busy in the not-to-distant future.
You wonder if this is the type of thing that is holding back Dan from going national. (Though I doubt it.)
Who would you rather hear do a national show, Tony Bruno? Tim Brando? Some guy you never heard of? Or Le Batard.
Obvious Alert!
7:31 pm on September 25th, 2008
Phelps needs to loosen up…and who cares if he has fun in his personal time….
7:46 pm on September 25th, 2008
Clearly he was most excited to get ear f*cked by Clay Aiken
8:47 pm on September 25th, 2008
If I were Phelps, I would be pissed and not want to talk to this guy anymore. Besides, he mentioned a charity event - it wasn't like he said his greatest moment was meeting Tony the Tiger or something.
8:48 pm on September 25th, 2008
I don't get the obsession with mindless douches like Phelps. Yeah, guy can swim. Great. Big winner. Outside of that, he's Gomer Pyle. Yawn.
8:53 pm on September 25th, 2008
ha ha phelps is a moron thats the coolest thing you have done since the Olympics look i listen to 790 live on my am dial and dan has a great show and people come on have fun do their interview and b4 they leave the host allows them to plug everything they want.. but phelps gave no interview just went str8 to plug what a goat
11:14 pm on September 25th, 2008
phelps has a point. i bet he never heard of this radio host. i seriously doubt that phelps has been doing almost ANYTHING BUT spokesman interviews and appearances for over a month. he's gotta cash in right now for as long as he can make it last. no one will care about him in another month or two.
11:37 pm on September 25th, 2008
You bet he never heard of him? You should make the same bet about me, we'll make you a rich man!
11:55 pm on September 25th, 2008
Michael Phelps is a stiff who really really cares about his image. LeBatard did nothing wrong,he always tries to make boring interviews fun.Do people really care anymore about what it feels like to be Michael Phelps?I dont.
8:14 am on September 26th, 2008
I will admit that I didn't actually listen to the interview, but from the transcript, it doesn't seem like LeBatard was being all that confrontational - he was just asking a question and hoping for a real answer, which seems reasonable.
8:48 am on September 26th, 2008
He's a swimmer, a pretty good one, but that does not make him a capable public speaker. There's no reason to think that he's going to be particularly savvy or composed in an interview. A good interviewer should be able to recognize that and work with him. LeBatard could have done a better job in my opinion
(incidentally, I'm a public speaking coach and an amature stand-up comic, so I do have some expertise in this area)
11:16 am on September 26th, 2008
BAM!
12:17 pm on September 26th, 2008
Dan Le Batard is a prick
12:43 pm on September 26th, 2008
Come on! Give the kid a break! If you spent that much time in the water, you'd be squeaky clean too! Give him his time in the spotlight, he deserves it!
1:12 pm on September 26th, 2008
Mr. Phelps you have 1 minute left of your 15 minutes of fame. Take what you can and run.
Lebitz is the best!!
1:22 pm on September 26th, 2008
Phelps has ZERO sense of humor, and needs to lighten up. First off he didnt even understand the 1st question, about if his agent has ever called and phelps being surprised about a deal. He took it as something being reported and he just denied it ever happened…he's an idiot. I wish that interviewed kept on going though because LeBatard said later on his show that he hadnt even gotten to the uncomfortable questions yet. He was going to ask him if he ever pees in the pool, or stuff his swimming suit to make his "package" bigger. Lol for those douches that think LeBatard is a jackass, he's never been serious, this is who he is and thats why he's great. He's definetly the most entertaining radio host
1:23 pm on September 26th, 2008
It was funny to here Patrick kinda jump Le Batard during their interview about something Le Batard said about him in the past. A rather ironic exchange considering the subject matter. There was def. some tension there.
1:24 pm on September 26th, 2008
and incase no one noticed, LeBatard also did the interview with Tim Hardaway when he said he hates gays. Dan LeBatard brings the truth out of the athletes he interviews with his loose playful questions. He makes them feel comfortable and thats when the truth comes out, Phelps is just like the tin-man (no brain)
2:29 pm on September 26th, 2008
Someone please tell Phelps to get his teeth fixed!! He swims and looks like a shark!!
3:42 pm on September 26th, 2008
I listen to Lebetard all the time. He did nothing wrong. Phelps needs to have a mind of his own and stop being such a TOOL like Dan Patrick!!!
4:26 pm on September 26th, 2008
Le Batard last in the ratings!?
Good one!
6:15 pm on September 26th, 2008
Dan, was this an interview for your entertainment or did you just want to embarrass a great kid? his private life should be kept that way. you are the immature jerk in this interview.
6:49 pm on September 26th, 2008
LeBatard last in ratings? Hmmmm you might wanna check that again……………790 is great because they talk sports and thrown in pop culture to entertain the audience.Michael Phelps is boring,which is something he has in common with 790’s rival 560WQAM.
8:13 pm on September 26th, 2008
Must be a bunch of women writing in. hell hath… Talk about slamming someone 'cause he's famos. He could feel the way he discribed in the piece, it's not necessarily incompatible with his being a caring, giving person who also not incompatbly likes women. WOW a guy who has more then one focal point. Not the usual man according to ad agencies.
Chuck
9:13 pm on September 26th, 2008
I love Michael Phelps, he's a nice guy and all, but he needs to realize Dan was just trying to lighten him up. I'm sure Michael had fun doing something else than endorsing Kellogg's; I don't really understand why he would say that at all.
And for all you haters, if you're as good at swimming as he is, do you really need to care about anything else?
9:14 pm on September 26th, 2008
Kevin and Joe are absolutely right.
10:37 pm on September 26th, 2008
When its all said and done Phelps has lots of money and bling and Le-Bastard sucks''''''
10:51 pm on September 26th, 2008
LeBatard is an ass and so are you for siding with him
11:20 pm on September 26th, 2008
I wish people would get it right. His name is Dan LeBastard.
11:24 pm on September 26th, 2008
Phelps = great swimmer. Phelps is NOT an engaging, interesting conversationalist. I mean, come on, the guy is young and I'm sure he's capable of having fun. He's just stiff and too short sighted to see the big picture.
11:27 pm on September 26th, 2008
This kid is not a kid. This young man is SET for life financially. He's broken records and if he wants he can keep swimming or start a company, buy a company, act, sing, do whatever he wants. He needs to lighten up.
12:19 am on September 27th, 2008
Le batard is an idiot
12:21 am on September 27th, 2008
Michael Phelps has ADD. He has acheived alot! Many kids with ADD take everything literally. They don't get the humor. He has a good heart and was very sincere when he said the biggest thing for him was setting up a charity and that he liked helping people. I'm sure Le-Bastard knew Michael has ADD. What a moron to embarass him that way. And the rest of the rude and insensitive comments. Well, just consider the sources! Those that spoke "out of their asses" should be half the person that Michael Phelps is.
1:57 am on September 27th, 2008
dad letard is a
RETARD
4:16 am on September 27th, 2008
WTF? lebatard is one serious dork and so are his juvenile twit fans.
10:21 am on September 27th, 2008
lynn23…youre the retard (need proof? check out how you spelled his name). And the dumbass that kept saying LeBastard…dont be upset at him if your daddy used to hit you as a child
11:07 am on September 27th, 2008
Phelps has had more than 15 min. of fame. And I would think that those who are making such a fuss over him not giving them the answer they wanted are the brats. Last time I checked spoiled brats tantrum when they don't get what they want…they don't excuse themselves politely.
1:05 pm on September 27th, 2008
LeBatard does some pretty stupid things. But Phelps is a bigger idiot!!! Promoting Kellogg's is your best moment after the Olympics, who are you kidding! They were good questions. What were you expecting questions only regarding charities? Then no-one would want to listen!!!!!!!!!!!!
6:52 pm on September 27th, 2008
I love how Dan Patrick gets to be the moral authority as to how media members should behave. This from a guy who has ventured out into bad movies and played a cop. Dan's pretty real. Most talk show hosts are not
7:18 pm on September 27th, 2008
Did anybody ever notice that the size of Phelps' brain makes the Geico Guy look like Albert Einstein? The f'idiot is going around spending his endorsement money and flaunting his new image like the dude from Goodfellas after the Luftanza heist.
3:08 am on September 28th, 2008
Dan Le Batard is the greatest sportstalk show host of our time.
3:22 pm on September 28th, 2008
If he was on there to promote his charity and Kellogg's donation to it - then the last thing he would want to do is tarnish his image and jeopardize corporate donations. How stupid can people be to think he should just "lighten up and have fun"?! There are serious corporate dollars at risk to assist youth programs across the U.S. Get a clue and think about the implications. Thank God he's not just another immature athlete who doesn't understand the boundaries of lockerroom behavior.
8:09 am on September 29th, 2008
Good for Michael. I get tired of this media people that act like that when people don't say what they want them to.
10:30 am on September 30th, 2008
I've got to vote with Phelps — LeBatard isn't half as funny as he thinks he is
6:30 pm on November 11th, 2008
Heres what will be in the dictionary of infamous D-Bags:
LeBatard: a.k.a. "Le Retard". One of the most retarded and biggest retards to try steal Phelp's glory. LeBatard also admitted he has an inferiority complex causing him to act like an idiotic bastard. he also had a goal to make it to the Special Olympics but was ultimately rejected.
8:04 am on November 12th, 2008
Just another moronic DJ trying to rub off on someone else's celebrity by trying to make them look bad.
It's not enough that Michael Phelps has to be the greatest olympic champion of all time - he also has to be charismatic and entertaining in person too?
He's an athlete, not a public speaker. That doesn't mean he's a douchebag.
The DJ is clearly the douchebag - talking on air is his job and he couldn't even make that worthwhile. Did he really expect Phelps to say "Oh gee, since winning 7 gold medals and fullfilling my lifelong dream, the greatest thing to happen to me was some random bimbo stripper at a nightclub a few weeks ago?"
Who hired that guy as a DJ anyway?
Lame.