Re: Stump the Schwab, they've been casting for season 3 and should be back shortly.
I agree the ESPN "reality game shows", Beg Borrow and Deal (1+2), I'll Do Anything, and all the Dream Job shows left much to be desired (where art thou Dave Holmes).
There are some good EOE produced shows, the problem is they bury the shows. Timeless is a well produced, interesting show on sports that ESPN wouldn't even bother with. Of course they air the show once at 11:30am Saturdays spring/summer.
Bound for Glory was shopped around to many high schools around the country with the idea that Butkus would be their "coach" (he attended high school in Chicago). Not a great idea for the Montour Spartans, they go 1-8 and Butkus left after the 7th game as his contract ran out, although he made a token apperance in their season finale.
Screamin' A. Smith doesn't need an hour-long show or 30 minute "after show". This opinion seems to be shared by the viewers. According to this
article (bottom of page), ESPN2 got a .3 with billiards/poker/table tennis/etc. QF, with all the promotion the ESPN machine can muster, gets a .2
If you think ESPN programming is bad, ESPN Classic has really gone downhill the past year. Who wants to watch a low-rent Sportscenter (Classic Now), terrible HBO series watered down by censors (Arli$$), and too much of the same thing (Tyson/Ali weekends). I do enjoy Cheap Seats however, much more when it was an hour instead of the rushed 30 minutes it is now.