Rather ironic Q & A with Erin Andrews over at SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY today. I’m not going to talk about the whole interview, since it’s a subscription site and those guys work their butts off over there. So if you want to read the thing, subscribe.
(Andrews on Kimmel - will she be back to cover Hollywood soon?)
Andrews lists TMZ.com as one of her two favorite websites (People.com is the other). As we all know, TMZ specializes in the celeb-u-hate, so it was amusing to hear Andrews complain about the coverage she gets from the media, main or otherwise.
Andrews to SBD on media criticism: “I’m just a target right now for people that either want to come after me or make headway on the Internet, and I’ve got to accept that, have thick skin and watch everything I do. I’m learning that I’m a target moreso than anyone and I haven’t figured out why yet, but I just have to make sure everything’s covered.”
I haven’t read too many pieces critical of her, have you? There may be a couple-few, but they are few and far between. 99% of what I’ve seen, read and heard about Andrews is positive. Very few people, besides rapidly-fossilizing, dinosaur media-types have a problem with her professionalism on the air.
SBD also asks Andrews, “How has blogging changed sports journalism?”
Andrews’ response: “Sports blogging is what it is. I’m trying to do my best to stay away from it. One thing is it gives people a voice and they may not know the whole story and that could be very damaging. On the other end, blogging has made me pretty popular — I don’t know if popular is the right word — but it’s created kind of an animal for me on the Internet.
“I think it’s important for me and my employers not to take it so seriously because it gives people a voice that may not know the whole story.”
Key emphasis on “employers” there. Andrews is obviously now extremely aware (paranoid) in public about her appearance and behavior because of the millions of photos of her spread around the web. She’s kept herself remarkably in check, but obviously fears for what her ESPN superiors thinks of the way she’s portrayed on the web.
Most interesting during the interview is Andrews not ruling out moving from covering sports to entertainment.
She told SBD, “I’m enjoying right now where I am on the sidelines. I like being part of the action. A lot of people bring up to me maybe entertainment, maybe studio and I’m never going to turn up my nose at any of that stuff but I think the one thing for me is I love being a part of the drama.”
Based on her aforementioned favorite websites (none were sports), I think there’s a distinct possibility she may not be long for ESPN. The irony about her rising star is that, in my opinion, the internet has just as much to do with it as her ability. An internet that she quite obviously disdains.
2:03 pm on October 24th, 2008
Criticism? What is there to criticize her about?
2:11 pm on October 24th, 2008
The fact that every single sports web site seems to constantly talk about her and put up pictures of her can become tiresome.
Not for me, though.
2:18 pm on October 24th, 2008
I don't see her as a target. Maybe a target of affection and obsession, but not of scrutiny.
2:22 pm on October 24th, 2008
I don't know if Erin can make it in Hollywood. She's cute, but some the entertainment reporters out there are just as gorgeous as the celebrities they report on.
2:23 pm on October 24th, 2008
let her go. i'm tired of seeing and listening to her.
2:27 pm on October 24th, 2008
I think we should thank Erin Andrews for ushering in a new era of hot young female sideline reporters. I'd rather stare at her on the sidelines than Paul Maguire.
2:39 pm on October 24th, 2008
That's quite a tan Erin's got going.
2:41 pm on October 24th, 2008
Trust us, Erin - popular is the right word.
2:43 pm on October 24th, 2008
I never understood the whole infatuation with Erin Andrews. Yeah, she's okay-looking, but it's not like she's drop-dead gorgeous or the most beautiful woman in the world. There are other women covering sports who are just as attractive and knowledgeable.
Nothing against Ms. Andrews personally, but I don't see what's the big deal about her.
2:48 pm on October 24th, 2008
The popularity of Erin Andrews is more or less the reason for the Big Ten Network's recent rash of hirees:
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/jim-delaney-likes-him-some-tennis-ball-implants-20556
And for that I thank her.
2:51 pm on October 24th, 2008
Oh sure, she loves TMZ now, but wait til their camera crews start following her around 24-7, asking her where she's going and what athletes she's slept with.
3:05 pm on October 24th, 2008
If ESPN was smart and really wanted to keep her, they'd give Erin Andrews her own show. I'm sure ESPN2 or ESPN Classic could squeeze in a slot for her.
3:16 pm on October 24th, 2008
Or get her a spot on The Ocho.
3:26 pm on October 24th, 2008
What kind of program would Erin exactly have? I suggest a talk show called 'Andrews And You'.
3:50 pm on October 24th, 2008
god..erin andrews looks soo much like my last ex..and i mean my EX!!!
3:52 pm on October 24th, 2008
Her voice is annoying and there are hotter women to roam the sidelines and give obvious, non-eventful comments. Let here go, time for a change.
4:03 pm on October 24th, 2008
If ESPN needs a sexy replacement for Erin Andrews, Wendi Nix was looking pretty good yesterday covering the Tom Brady knee saga.
4:05 pm on October 24th, 2008
Erin should be able to do a good job in Hollywood. If she can handle drunk college fans, she can handle anything.
4:07 pm on October 24th, 2008
Bruce Pearl will certainly miss her. Who's he gonna hug at halftime now?
4:31 pm on October 24th, 2008
They can take whoever they want, but leave Heidi Watney in Boston.
5:00 pm on October 24th, 2008
As far as sports reporters go, Erin Andrews is one of the hottest. She deserves all the attention she gets.
5:02 pm on October 24th, 2008
I wonder how much she's rooting for her hometown Rays. Think they'll let her throw out the first pitch for Game 6 or 7 (if necessary)?
5:11 pm on October 24th, 2008
So she doesn't like being part of the blogging attention, yet she likes being 'part of the action'. Make up your mind!
5:15 pm on October 24th, 2008
Let the poor girl do her job. All Erin is guilty of is providing insight and news during games. I feel sorry for her.
5:33 pm on October 24th, 2008
Don't think she'll get a job with E!. She sounds too smart.
5:38 pm on October 24th, 2008
Since she's already become a celebrity in her own right, she should have no trouble rubbing shoulders with Tinseltown's finest.
5:52 pm on October 24th, 2008
Erin Andrews isn't literally on Jimmy Kimmel, is she?
6:06 pm on October 24th, 2008
It would be good revenge for Sarah Silverman f***ing Matt Damon.
6:45 pm on October 24th, 2008
If Erin does move out to L.A., she can stay with me.
7:00 pm on October 24th, 2008
Well, the 'E' in ESPN does stand for 'Entertainment'.
7:06 pm on October 24th, 2008
Why people obsess over this woman I'll never know.
7:09 pm on October 24th, 2008
From what I've seen & heard of Erin Andrews, she is quite a beauty, and does have a cute accent.
7:53 pm on October 24th, 2008
I think she's ready to take on Hollywood.
7:55 pm on October 24th, 2008
I'd have to agree that I have no idea why she thinks people are taking shots at her. Just because she's talked about almost constantly doesn't mean it's all bad news.
8:01 pm on October 24th, 2008
Erin should stay with ESPN. She's the biggest & most unique star the network has. But if she's pursues a career in 'entertainment reporting', she'll just be another anonymous gossip getter.
8:04 pm on October 24th, 2008
You do what you want, Erin - as long as you're still on a TV screen near me.
8:10 pm on October 24th, 2008
I can't think of another reporter who's had more stories done about her than the actual events she covers.
11:11 pm on October 24th, 2008
ESPN tried to do a show on Hollywood and it BOMBED! That happened a couple of years ago. I don't know ESPN would do the same dumb thing again, when it didn't work before. EA may want to change careers. If it does happen, I don't think it would be with ESPN and Hollywood. Hollywood, maybe. Not both.
11:22 pm on October 24th, 2008
Erin Andrews the hottest and biggest star at ESPN???? Ever heard of Bonnie Bernstein, my personal favorite of anybody at the four letter network???? If there is anybody who combines stunning beauty with sports knowledge and preparation, it's easily Bonnie. Let "EA" go the Kevin Frasier route. I certainly wouldn't miss her.
7:05 am on October 25th, 2008
Oh YEA she is the Hottest woman on sports Tv today! From sports to hollywood I don't care what she is doing, I'll be watching her :D! If I was her only thing I would worry about is a stalker!
8:50 am on October 25th, 2008
Erin is the Queen. She is smart and very hot - two qualities rarely found at the same time in a woman.
3:00 pm on October 25th, 2008
Who is Erin Andrews?
11:57 pm on October 26th, 2008
She's pretty hot & smart. Shame to see her leave the college sidelines.
4:14 pm on October 27th, 2008
I could never get tired of Erin Andrews. Keep her on the air 24/7!