Giannotti Critiques Eisen’s Return to ESPN

Gregg Giannotti, co-host of WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio,” is not shy about sharing his thoughts on Rich Eisen’s upcoming return to ESPN. On Thursday, he remarked, “The talk show is Ambien. The clips I see make it seem like they’re broadcasting from a funeral home. I can’t get any more bored.”

Giannotti expressed his critical view, suggesting that Eisen’s re-emergence as the host of a show named after himself, nearly two decades after leaving ESPN, is a sign of a shift in the NFL broadcasting landscape.

During the conversation, Giannotti questioned the attention surrounding Eisen, asking, “Why is everyone talking about him? Why does he have all these jobs?” His remarks come as Eisen’s show is set to begin airing this fall as part of ESPN’s wider consumer services, which includes ESPN+ and Disney+.

Once viewed as a prominent host on “SportsCenter,” Eisen became a household name through his work there before moving on to the NFL Network in 2003. Giannotti acknowledged this, praising Eisen’s ability as a studio host during that time, particularly when delivering highlights.

Interestingly, while Giannotti was complimentary of Eisen’s earlier career, he didn’t hold back when discussing Eisen’s more recent endeavors. He described Eisen’s hosting of the 2023 NAB Marconi Radio Awards as “Holy Hell,” akin to needing a jolt from smelling salts.

On another note, ESPN’s Pat McAfee, who shares the weekday slot with Eisen, seemed to ponder the implications of Eisen’s return. He speculated about the competitive landscape, hinting that maybe Eisen’s comeback could be a counter-programming strategy. “I find it very interesting,” McAfee noted, though he admitted he wasn’t fully sure what it all meant.

Giannotti appeared skeptical, suggesting that if McAfee felt threatened by Eisen’s presence, it could hint at insecurity about his own show. He remarked that such worries were unlikely, pointing out that McAfee has effectively carved out a niche in the broadcasting world, making it hard to believe Eisen would genuinely disrupt things.

In the end, it seems more of an amusing rivalry in the sports talk show industry, with personalities like Giannotti encouraging a good debate, even if feelings might be a bit mixed. The return of Eisen this fall certainly raises eyebrows, and whether it shifts the dynamics remains to be seen.