With another NCAA Tournament in the books, it's time for some reflection. Actually, the reflection comes on the part of CBS/Turner's Charles Barkley. The Chuckster is telling the New York Daily News that it's time for him to cut back on his workload on the tournament noting that he was overexposed working 12 hours days on the first Thursday and Friday as well as appearing in commercials.
He says, "12 hours is too much. I don’t think you can keep your energy level up 12 hours.” That Barkley looked tired and unenthusiastic during the first weekend, often losing his voice, lends credence to his statement.
Barkley says that a studio crew could work the afternoon games while another works nights. CBS/Turner does split the hosting duties between Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson, Jr. in the New York studios during the first weekend so why not do the same with the analysts?
Sports Media Watch goes as far to suggest that EJ, Charles and Kenny Smith man the studios from Atlanta while Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis reunite for the New York studio. It's a good idea as the New York set since the CBS/Turner partnership began in 2011 has appeared crowded. With TBS reportedly getting the Final Four next year, splitting the studio crews between strictly along CBS and Turner lines might be what the doctor ordered not just for Barkley, but for everyone involved.
So if Charles gets his wish to work a split shift on the first Thursday and Friday, will that quell some of the criticisms thrown his way? Probably not, but if it does happen, less of Barkley could go a long way as the CBS/Turner partnership continues.
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