The brief letdown I felt on Sunday stemming from the losses this weekend has faded and I’m in full-on geeked mode for the Big One. The Lloyd Carr retirement rumors have raised it up a notch and it’s just been too long since the last home game – let’s do this!
With the hype building for Saturday it was a great night to watch the premiere of HBO’s first documentary dedicated to sports: The Rivalry. Initial review by those that at pre-screening event was that it was slanted toward the Buckeyes and didn’t mention Lloyd Carr. I went in with an open mind:
– The content definitely slanted toward the Buckeye side of the house. I’d say the last half of the piece was 80% focused on Ohio State fans and Woody Hayes.
– Overall it was well done. While they didn’t have any mention/picture/video of Lloyd Carr, they didn’t exactly spend a lot of time on Tressel. But the Carr omission was a little weird. I mean, they showed footage of John Cooper and a lot of Earle Bruce, but and didn’t mention Carr?
– The quotes from Bo were great. They talked about the gold pants that each OSU coaches and players gets if they beat Michigan (and later show up on eBay). One thing that never occurred to me is that Bo himself owns some of those pants due to his time coaching under Hayes in Columbus. As he looked behind him to make sure no one was listening Schembechler whispered, “I have several of those pants myself, I don’t mention that around here.”
– The footage from the 1950 ‘snow bowl’ game in Columbus was outstanding. Definitely check it out. The teams punted 45 times.
– It turns out ‘Muck Fichigan’ has been with us quite a while. They showed some sort of parade following the 1968 game in Columbus that featured a wooden sign spray painted with those famous words. It showed up later in the 70s and right up to last year on hats, shirts and signs that were seen throughout the documentary.
– Speaking of F-words, that Bo Biafra from the Dead Schembechlers was awful. He added an ‘F Michigan’ except he actually said it. Way to go, buddy – on film forever dropping f-bombs about Michigan.
– They showed a strip of film showing the real ‘Those Who Stay Will be Champions” sign, which I’ve never actually seen. It’s unspectacular but still pretty cool. Just a plain old sign. Here’s what they showed:
– Just a general question: Is there anyone famous from Ohio State? They had interviews with some comedian, that loser from the Dead Schembechlers, a writer from the Dispatch…then all coaches and players.
– I laughed a few times. They did point out that Michigan fans think of Buckeyes as author John Bacon explained, “slightly redneckish” and didn’t do much to defend that characterization of the Ohio fans. As Bacon uttered that legendary description the HBO producers panned to a BuckNut walking by with a mullet and a Daniel Boone fur cap. Great stuff.
– The piece closed with a nice (but brief) tribute to Bo and Woody, and included some superb pictures inside Michigan stadium.
Overall, I’d have to say well done but the criticism you’ve heard already is valid. They have killed two birds by including a segment on Lloyd Carr and the past 10 years or so. I look forward to the next installment from HBO – The Notre Dame vs. Michigan rivalry.
7 Comments
Jerry Hall
You rightfully mentioned the band’s f-bomb but no mention from you on the filthy mouth of Desmond Howard. I think that one f-bomb (which was apologized for) is not nearly as bad as the continual spew of f-words from a smiling Desmond. I am ashamed of him and a little surprised at you for being so obviously slanted.
mvictors
Jerry, yes Desmond dropped 2 f’s describing his famous punt return. While I would have preferred a different choice of words desmond gets a pass. Why? He’s a player, he was describing a particular incident (in the game, mind you!) and a member of the media (last point can be debated).
David Charles
And remember, Desmond wasn’t saying F* OSU, he was describing a punt return the first time and the OSU fans’ treatment of him when he comes to Columbus the second time. I was actually a little surprised at how distasteful I found that band member’s expletives. Normally that stuff doesn’t bother me (sadly I live in Columbus so it’s not uncommon) but his vehemence on actual film just shows complete irreverence for The Big One and I for one was embarrassed for him.
Lew
Agreed. Desmond was simply recounting how he’s been treated by Buckeye fans — the guy from the Dead Schembechlers was a joke, and the epitome of a Buckeye fan. (Although it almost looked like he started cracking up after he said it, either wishing he didn’t say it or just coming out of character for a second. Tough to tell the way things get edited.)
I also agree that it was too OSU-focused, but the reality is that as a whole their fan base is much more focused on this game than we are, given our other rivalries with ND and MSU. The highlight for me was the interview with Bo. Listening to him recount tales of Woody and the rivalry, just days before he passed . . . incredibly powerful stuff.
Sad UM Fan
I was aghast at Desmond’s language. I am also sickened by the double standard many of you are trying to apply here. If we are going to be held above the rabble to the South then we have got to have a higher moral standard. Making lame excuses for him does not cut it. Excusing him because he was a player makes it worse. I expect MORE from his as a former player. Not less. You should all be ashamed. I am disgusted.
Shame Shame Shame
Desmond seemed to revel in his foul language. He brought us down to the level of animals. Sad and pathetic.
BTW, for all their bluster Dead Schembechlers did donate over six thousand dollars to Bo’s charity at the hospital. Far more than many UM graduates have ever done. I found their donation and kind words to Bo to be noble especially considering from where they came.
mvictors
Shame…- That’s great that the Dead Schembechlers are pillars of the Columbus community.
Now, can you explain to me what he was doing in the documentary? Mike Wallace, Chris Spielman, Dan Dierdorf, Bo Biafra…one of these things is not like the other.