PETITION TO BE SENT TO THE PBR:
Readers: Please post your names (or screen names) and whereabouts as comments to this post. They will be added to this petition and sent to each executive at the PBR.
To:
Jeffrey Pollack, Sean Gleason, M. Dockery Clark, Jay Daugherty, Rodd Granger, Kevin Camper, Andrew J. Armstrong, Jr., David K. Schaible, Richard H. Patterson, Thomas L. Teague
In your effort to move bull riding into the mainstream and expand its audience, you are sacrificing the original feeling of the sport by getting rid of authenticity, in the person of Justin McKee, and introducing what you perceive as contemporary personnel. These changes are not improvements.
If you read the comments on the PBR web site and on every other fan site and blog, you’ll see them running 99 to 1 in favor of McKee. Nobody likes Erin Coscarelli, and almost no one likes Craig Hummer. You certainly must be aware that people detested the NBC commentators, who knew next to nothing about bull riding.
People also intensely dislike the male voice that leads in to the broadcast, and the female voice scattered throughout. He’s the worst cornpone stereotype, and she’s smarmy.
The synergy between McKee and anyone he partners with works because of McKee’s spark. He balances anyone else’s deficiencies or gaffes. He’s not perfect, but he’s unique.
In spite of improved camera work, broadcasts are now tedious because there is no single knowledgeable commentator with the right sense of humor for the job. Ty Murray is supremely knowledgeable, but doesn’t have the spark. Craig Hummer is unbearably motor-mouthed, and half of what he says is either crashingly obvious or makes no sense.
The Anaheim broadcasts consisted of two, three, or at the most four rides, interspersed with up to seven commercials at a time. Coscarelli might as well not have been there, for all she contributed. Leah Garcia’s absence is another glaring error on the PBR’s part.
We are asking you to please reinstate Justin McKee as commentator for the PBR broadcasts.
BullRidingMarketing@BullRidingMarketing.com
Bullridingmarketing Blog 
Reinstate Justin McKee. He is sorely missed!
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Craig Hummers disrespectful comment to Ty Murray during a PBR broadcast during the Jacksonville Invitational is unforgivable.
It was during Guilherme Marchis’ ride when he was prepping in the shoot.
Craig said something intangible while Guilherme was prepping, and sounded as if Ty asked if he was OK to go on, and Craig’s on air response was “I’m talking at the moment in case you lost track of that”
I could tell Ty bit his young, and didn’t say what needed to be said to that POS loudmouth.
I’m sick of listening to an announcer that would rather be jocking a bunch of guys in spandex on the tour de France. Let them listen to Craig, and give us a break.
Sgt. P. USMC
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Craig Hummers disrespectful comment to Ty Murray during a PBR broadcast during the Jacksonville Invitational is unforgivable.
It was during Guilherme Marchis’ ride when he was prepping in the shoot.
Craig said something intangible while Guilherme was prepping, and sounded as if Ty asked if he was OK to go on, and Craig’s on air response was “I’m taking at the moment in case you lost track of that”
I could tell Ty bit his young, and didn’t say what needed to be said to that POS loudmouth.
I’m sick of listening to an announcer that would rather be jocking a bunch of guys in spandex on the tour de France. Let them listen to Craig, and give us a break.
Sgt. P. USMC
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We left PBR when Justin McKee exited. Bring him back and we’ll come back.
Dian and Winslow >
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Get Justin BACK please
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We miss Justin Mckee so much we hardly watch PBR any more.
He brought such authentic commentary.
He belongs to that world and his humility and humor can not be matched.
Bring him back and we’ll be back.
Dian and Winslow
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I am a very big fan of J B and Shane but I cant believe how sad the BFT web site is when in comes to listing the result, our local little league does a better job. Also is there any way you can get the Brazilians to stay home, if not it will become like Indy car racing, which is who cares who is winning we never heard of them and don’t care. Wake up American sports we are not interested in all these foreigners. Jeff in Ruskin, FL.
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Maybe YOU are prejudiced against foreigners, but here are a few facts:
1) Unless you’re a full-blooded Native American, your ancestors are foreigners, so what does that make you?
2) If you deport all the “foreigners” in U.S. sports, baseball will be crippled.
3) People who really care about sports just want to see excellent athletes, period.
Don’t post on this blog again if you’re going to make racist statements.
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Well we are long time fans and supporters but when they got rid of Justin McKee we lost interest as did a lot of other people we know. So if they bring back Justin and Leah and get rid of that “hummer” that name its self says a lot “wink” “wink” No we DON’T like him !!
John and Faye Fritz
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Well, it seems PBR is being phased out of being aired on network t.v. all together since the total disappearance of the Versus network. Can I blame Erin Coscarelli and her extremely annoying voice and bubbleheaded personality? Why did they get rid of Justin McKee? Biggest mistake ever! I miss Mr. McKee and I miss PBR on t.v.
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As far as we are concerned, even tho’ we were long term PBR fans, the television productions were not only ruined, but are now almost impossible to find! It’s no longer worth the effort, which is a damn shame that greedy people have once again spoiled a great spectator sport! Hope they’re happy! The PBR fans sure aren’t! We’ll no longer tune in or buy tickets…
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I don’t know if ya’ll can see this note but I used to jot down funny Justin McKee quotes. Just remembering the good ole days of the PBR…. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=285871320179
Renee in San Antonio
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What a hoot! Those are some of the very same McKeeisms I noted in my blog posts… and then some! You gave me an idea: collecting McKeeisms on this blog. Thanks for starting the ball rolling!
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I wish I had seen this before now. I will be proud to say whats on my mind about Justin McKee. I have not enjoyed rhe show as much as I did when McKee was there. Justin McBride don’t have a good voice for announcing. I kike Hummer alright but even he was bettere when McKee was with him. This is October and I still miss Justin McKee. BRING HIM BACK.
civi@nctc.com
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Thanks, Vida! It’s never too late to be included in our petitions to the PBR. Three have been sent already, and only the first one received any response at all: basically, dismissing our comments. I’m collecting names for the 4th one. Maybe the current CEO will have the sense to listen to the ticket buyers and viewers.
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.. THE GUY WHO FIRED JUSTIN McKEE, MUST HAVE HAD HIS HEAD UP HIS BUTT, OR SMOKING SOME BAD CRAP WHEN HE DECIDED THAT THE PBR DIDN’T NEED JUSTIN & LEAH.. HE’S A FOOL AND IS BAD FOR THE PBR, HE’S THE ONE THAT NEEDS HIS WALKING PAPERS… FIRE HIS BUTT AND GET A REAL RODEO ANNOUNCER BACK IN THE BOOTH! WHAT A FOOL!
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We have been PBR fans since 1999. We went to our first event in Laughlin NV, which is no longer on the tour. We watched faithfully every week it was on Versus.( We even went to DirectV so we could get it!) We just don’t understand why you have done the things you have done! Like getting rid of one of the best announcers on ANY sports show. And getting rid of one the the best girls on ANY sports show that really knew what she was talking about, unlike the one that is there now! And one that the riders really could talk to. OR maybe WANTED to talk to!!!!! And as for the start of the show with that guy that does the military show—————what is up with that?!?!?!?!?! This is not MILITARY!!!! This is supposed to be Professional “Bull” Riding!
SO, so far I think you screwed up by getting rid of Justin and Leah!!! Ty just doesn’t cut it! And I never did like Hummer, but at least he had Justin to liven things up! And as for Erin, I kinda feel sorry for her cause she is not liked!!!! As for the format of the beginning of the show——-“NO CLASS”!!!!!
To bad cause I really loved the show, but don’t remember the last time I watched it! AND there’s no point to watch it cause, all you see are Hummer and Murrary! BOOORRRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe someone should rethink this whole thing and “PUT IT BACK”! The PBR was growing, but————.
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I totally agree! They don’t seem to care about the fans that got them to where they are today. It was always something we did on the weekends and always went to Columbus with a large group, but no more! We’ll spend our money where it is appreciated and they don’t trash up a family event.
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In honor of Justin McKee, I have cancelled recording the PBR events and PBR on RFD. (I don’t care if they offered it to him or not, which is probably a crock.) I guess they are getting rid of all of us old folks (55) with money and trying to attrack all kids with no money. Justin McKee brought class to the PBR. I am also sorry to see that none of the bull riders and ex-bull riders “cowboyed-up” as they like to brag about, and bowed to NBC losers. I didn’t buy tickets to any of the events this year and we won’t be back!! We have been going to the PBR finals for many years, not this year! A real cowboy has to have principles and I am very disappointed to see how they handled this! Randy would have never let this happen!!!
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I agree with the above comments. PBR on Versus use to be a number one priority in our family on Saturday and Sunday and we always recorded it just in case we wanted to watch it again. We still record it and maybe we will watch it and maybe we won’t. When you fired Justin McKee and brought in that Erin dame plus the Hollywood producer and the weird old guy and woman to announce what we already knew we were going to view. All of it put together just aggrevates you everytime you sit down to watch, Who ever is trying to gussy up the PBR has made a real mess. I feel so sorry for those guys who have to put up with Erin’s dumb questions.
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I have been a loyal fan for years. Began to lose interest when the production became more of a priority than the bull riding. Checked it out again after the summer break and it is, if anything, worse than before. Erin may be a nice girl but she is a lousy commentator. The woman announcer, whoever she is, sounds li8ke a slut. My tenure as a fan is over. Boring, boring, boring. Bring back Leah and McKee and maybe I’ll come back.
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We’ve already lost interest! Been a fan for over 10 years and used to take a large group to Columbus every year, but since they quit caring what the fans want/think, we’ve stopped going.
McKee, JW, Justin and Ty know what they are talking about and keep it real and interesting. Hummer is a “wanna be” and ruins what was once our favorit sports show. Erin’s lack of experience and knowledge is just painful to watch. If something ain’t broke, don’t screw it up!
It’s no longer a family show that we can enjoy watching together, so we DON’T!
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Bring back McKee and Leah git rid of hummer !!!
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I have been a PBR fan for years! Don’t understand what you people are thinking!! We used to go to the PBR In Laughlin, NV and you cancelled that venu——–OK, but Justin McKee made the show! And “ERIN” who is she? Why? Is Leah next? Ever since the PBR has been on Versus I have been watching it, but that may change! How many others can you FIRE before you realize that no one is watching anymore?!?!?
Roberta of Mesa AZ
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Bring Back McKee !!!!!!
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We have loved the PBR for about 8 yrs. now. But for the last year or so we have been losing interest big time due to the loss of McKee. We really enjoyed his reparte with Craig Hummer. They played well off each other. We cannot tolerate the bimbo sounding woman in the intros to commercials, we always mute her.
We heartily agree that the scantily clad girls that are scattered around behind and in front of the shoots are a real turn-off. The show seems to want to look like Las Vegas instead of a family show. If these things are not corrected, we will no longer buy tickets for Columbus and will watch very little of the events on TV.
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You said it! I’ve sent the PBR a second petition to bring back McKee, and will be preparing a third one in the next few weeks. I’ll definitely include your comments. A lot of people feel the same way.
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I really miss Justin Mckee on the PBR. I liked last years programs much better when Justin Mckee was there. If I had my way I would put Justin Mckee in place of Craig Hummer.Then the broadcast team would be much better. Justin Mckee has always been the best PBR. announcer. What is wrong with the PBR. decision makers? Don’t they know the best when they see it.
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You are so right. What’s wrong with the decision makers is that they don’t know bull riding fans. They’ve concocted a marketing strategy that doesn’t take us into account.
I sent the PBR a second petition for McKee’s return, and in a few weeks will rev up another one. Keep checking back here so you can add your name.
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I hate that Mckee is not back yet. I thought surely the pbr would see the error of their ways. Bring him back! We miss his expertise and those funny Mckeeisms!
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You and thousands of other bull riding fans feel the same way. I’ve sent the PBR a second petition to bring back McKee, and I’ll be revving up another one in a few weeks. Other blogs and individuals also have been contacting them for months. If we’re lucky, the PBR will take advantage of the break during the BFTS tour to figure out ways to make up to McKee for their gigantic faux pas.
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A FRIEND INVITED US UP TO WATCH THE PPV LAST NIGHT BECAUSE THEY KNEW WE WOULDN’T/COULDN’T PAY AND THEY KNOW WHAT BIG FANS WE ARE AND WANTED TO SEE MCKEE BACK ANNOUNCING. WHAT A BILL OF GOODS PBR SOLD ITS FANS TO GET THEM TO SPEND THE $30!! MCKEE WASN’T A TV COMMENTATOR, HE WAS THE ARENA ANNOUNCER AND WAS ON TV VERY, VERY LITTLE, JUST ENOUGH TO HUMILATE HIM! THE PROMISE THAT WE WOULD SEE FLINT AND MORE OF THE BULLFIGHTERS ACTUALLY WORKING WAS ALSO A LIE, BUT FLINT REALLY PUT IT TO THEM WITH HIS JAB TO THEIR CREDIBILITY. GOOD FOR HIM! THEY HAD FEATURES ON THE BULLFIGHTERS, BUT YOU STILL DIDN’T SEE THEM ACTUALLY FIGHTING THE BULLS. THE COMPETITION WAS EXCITING, DUE ONLY TO THE BULLS AND RIDERS, BUT ONCE AGAIN THE NEW PBR PROMOTERS WERE PROVED TO BE UNTRUSTWORTHY IN THEIR LIES! REALLY GLAD WE DIDN’T GIVE THEM OUR $30 AND BET THEY HEAR A LOT FROM THOSE THAT DID! ALSO, DID YOU NOTICE HOW MANY EMPTY SEATS THERE WERE IN THE ARENA? IF THEY WANT THE FANS TO SUPPORT THE RIDERS, THEN THEY NEED TO QUIT SCREWING THE FANS!!!
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You guys sure dropped the ball by getting rid of Justin. Hummer is not bad (way better than those NBC guys) but he is just a talking head, push a button and noise comes out. When ever he does try to get any
thing deeper about the bulls or riders he steps on his own foot.
First Randy Bernard goes, then Mc Kee, now pay per view. Whats next?
In the least put J W in the booth more.
Bob Lewis
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I was interested to see that McKee is going to be at the “Last cowboy standing” event. Regardless of how outraged we are that they are going to pay per view for any of these events, we are happy to see that they seem to be working McKee back in, we hope.
Re: Craig Hummer, we don’t know why so many people don’t seem to like him to be the commentator.k We like him very much and think that he really tries to do research and tries to work with the others in the booth in a really respectful and intelligent way.
Re: The woman who announces the commercials!!!! Ughh..please get rid of her. That voice and inflection, trying to sound like a hooker, is a real turn-off.
Re: G-man…He is a doll but is not equipped with the fast pick-up required in the booth. Justin and JW have kind of grown on me since JW quit trying to put down the riders so badly.
We are kind of losing interest since there have been so many staff changes and attempts at making it more upscale. PBR should learn from WalMart’s experience with trying to attract upscale people to their stores and what a disaster that has been! There are more ordinary people in this country than pretentious ones and the PBR should learn to value what it has already.
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They’re not working McKee back in. They’ve kept him as invisible as possible. Most bull riding fans haven’t seen him since the PBR fired him, because the majority of us don’t have RFD-TV, and a lot of people can’t or don’t want to pay $30 for the Last Cowboy Standing event. This way the PBR can say McKee’s back, without him actually being visible.
Hummer doesn’t do the research; commentators are provided ahead of time with the information they need on each bull and rider. Occasionally he mixes up the pieces of paper and has to correct himself. Ty Murray has most of the information in his head. And if you’ve ever read the Hummer comments I collect and post on this blog, I think you’ll agree he’s a moron.
It’s ironic that in the PBR’s attempt to make bull riding “mainstream,” or even “upscale,” they actually are pricing it out of the mainstream, increasing the sleaze element (Jack Daniels and Rock Star “girls” and Las Vegas mostly naked bimbos) to appeal to the lowest tastes, AND offending women, who are half their market. Plenty of reasons to lose interest.
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Man you all come on ty murry was a good bull rider but annoucer he is not craig hummer need to stick with mma fights, McKee was the best annoucer the PBR has ever had,, jutin Mcbride should put his guitar back in the case colby yates can out sing him anyday,, JW hart is good but him and Mckee was the perfect mix
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You are so right!
I appreciate Ty’s knowledge, and I like seeing the diagram of what a rider is doing right or wrong, but he is so not full of personality!
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yup, businesspeople in suits that don’t have a clue about the workings of a successful organization. Send them back to the planet they jumped off of and reinstate McKee. Nuff said…
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That planet is the one that’s ruining ours!
They may know how to sell poker, or widgets in retail stores, but they really don’t know what to do with what they’ve got.
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Versus, you’ve missed the mark. Bring Justin McKee back.
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Terry, you are 100 percent right. If those numb nuts want to give an extra bull to five contestants, give them to the BOTTOM five as a handicap. Nobody has a chance to catch up the way it’s going now. I think the suits need to go back to college and learn how NOT to screw up a great business! They obviously don’t have a clue what made PBR what it WAS! It’s crashing faster than you can say Justin McKee!!!
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Who ever had the great idea to get rid of to anouncer Justin McKee who was one who made the PBR a highly professional program and added to making the PBR a great orgization and shared a vas amount of knowlege of the bulls and the riders and the bull buisness. To a program that is now at most just an average program just above amature. Justin added a good amount of humor and a lot of excitement and a vass amount of knowlege about bull riding he also seamed to project a great respect for the PBR organisation.
Also some of the changes that the new CEO has implemented seem to me are hurting the PBR events . This short go after the first rounds allow the top ten have an extra ride then counting the score to the event. This practilly eliminates any chance of a first round rider that gets bucked off any chance of getting back to the final short round. If this was the format in past years riders like Ty Murry, Chris Shivers and Justin McBride may not have been world champs . How many times did you see Justin McBride get bucked off in the first round and then come back and win the event or at least place close to the top. The short round in the past was for the top 15 now it is the top 10 I do not know if they still pay the top 15 or not .If they only pay the top ten then there are five less riders getting paid. I can see making changes to try and improve something but if it is not working change it back. Could it be time to get a CEO with bull riding and bull riding buisness experience.
It seems to me that the new CEO has very little knowledge of bull riding or rodeo events and is trying to implement things from other venues may be he should try to get feed back from people that are and have been in the buisness. It could be that some of the people in the PBR that should be speaking up are afraid to say any thing. I sure wish someone would speak up before this CEO ruins what it has taken years to acomplish.
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Whether the suits of the PBR can admit it, they need McKee! His personality and enthusiasm is what every fan has expected for years and is missed more and more with each performance . No disrespect to Ty Murray but he could be a little more personable in front of the camera. Plus, like many I’m sure, I miss the “Mckeeisms”. Two thumbs up for Justin McKee!
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With all these comments give in regards to Leah and Justin Mckee what do the BIG SHOTS have to say about bringing them back. They were both good announcers and Justin was funny. He made me laugh with a lot of comments. They always say, “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” . They know what the viewers mean. We need these two folks back on PBR now. For now Leah is back, now bring Justin back and it will be complete.
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I’ve been watching since the Donnie Gay days. Regarding the commentary, the Chicago event was a disaster! I’ll give Hummer his due. It was worse without him. But Craig or not isn’t the problem. The PBR reduced the number of guys in the booth from 3 to 2. No more JW and McBride discussions. And, they took away the personality that glued the team together… Justin McKee! The chemistry just isn’t there without him. Add to that the two man team and there’s a lot of empty space. Shorty Gorham is a great asset but you’re asking too much of him. He’s got 2,000 pounds of bull to think about. Erin seems lost and no match for Leah. Big mistakes all around.
P.S.
Who the heck signed off on that white crap they put down on the arena floor at Chicago? If it’s a hazard to Shorty’s eye’s it can’t be doing anyone else (including the bulls) any good.
John
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I’ve been watching PBR since ’03. When Direct TV lost VS briefly, I switched to Dish network so as not to miss bullriding. Craig Hummer’s come a long way. Ty Murray’s come a long way. However, you could have any two other announcers in the booth and Justin McKee can tie it all together and make it informative and entertaining. Those responsible for letting him go are FOOLS. Regardless of where they are trying to take the PBR, bullriding is rooted in the cowboy tradition and Justin McKee is essential to that “cowboy flavor”.
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We watched for a short time last night, long enough to see Leah was back. Yeah!
But whoever was replacing Hummber was even worse! Monotoned and obviously out of his element. Felt sorry for Ty, who was trying to give insight to the rides. Fell asleep after 1/2 hour! That doesn’t happen with McKee. I received a reply from Rick Patterson, who claims he isn’t the one who choses the broadcaster. Wonder who is?
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I was so happy to see Leah–it’s abundantly clear what the difference is between her and Coscarelli.
I disagree on announcer Sam Gore, though. I liked the way he talked to the viewers and Ty: clear, straightforward, no hysterical yelling and crazytalk. He asked pertinent questions and sounded intelligent. If he were a rider, you’d say he was centered and confident. He provided information, knew when to stop talking, and pronounced the Brazilian names correctly. Sounds like he’s been covering the sport for a while, even if he hasn’t. THIS is an announcer who makes the PBR sound PROFESSIONAL. I wish they’d keep him and Ty, and dump Hummer! Gore actually made it PLEASANT to listen. Get McKee back, and that’s a real broadcast team.
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Super comment Debra. I agree 100 percent. Why would any business person buy a very successful business and then change the product completely? Will someone let me know when McKee,Leah, JW, are back and Erin and the card carrier girl are gone. I miss PBR on Versus but not enough to listen to this drivel.
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Leave the PBR alone…BRING BACK JUSTIN McKEE…every time someone tries to “bring rodeo into the limelight,” they never understand exactly how big a following is already there.
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I’m relatively new to bull riding. I have NO idea how I came across it, got sucked into the excitement, personalities & live stock, but I have come to love the sport!
It is evident that “The Ivory Tower Guys” (TITG) did not perform their due diligence before making decisions. What company makes major changes without considering the bottom line ~ what is the ROI? My guess is it will be negative if they don’t turn this buggy around, & soon! So listen up, TITG! The stampede you’re looking at should scare the hell out of you. All you will see are backsides because the TRUE decision makers of PBR are not only speaking out, but walking out.
Take a tip from the co-founder & owner of a live event production company: more flash-bang isn’t better, it’s just noise. Less IS more & although change is difficult, you’ve made the wrong changes.
You still have time to get it right, so man up, grow a pair, be a real cowboy by taking responsibility for your bad decisions, disrespect for the fans, admit you made mistakes, ask forgiveness & learn to work with the people in this industry.
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AMEN!! I want to work for your company.
The brass are scrambling in too many directions, and hiding behind a stone wall. Arrogance is the worst way to cope with a backlash. “Throw it against the wall and see what sticks” is not a management style. Not a good one, anyway.
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I REC’D THE FOLLOWING REPLY TO A POST I MADE ON ANOTHER SITE. IF HE DOESN’T HAVE A SAY IN THE BROADCASTERS, WHO DOES? I HAVE ASKED HIM THAT AND HAVE NOT YET REC’D A REPLY. DOES ANYONE KNOW?
JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW THEY ARE AWARE, SO DON’T STOP!
Ms Glaser,
We do not take you or any of the PBR supporters lightly or for granted. I hope you noticed that Leah was on the scene this weekend, as she will be at about half of the remaining events. I note this for information purposes only as we (folks that helped some retired cowboys get some $$ for their years of hard work) have not had a voice in the selection of our television announcers.
Sincerely,
Rick Patterson
Rick Patterson
Spire Capital Partners
1500 Broadway, Suite 1811 | New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 218-5454 | Fax: (212) 218-5455
10 Town Square, Suite 200 | Chatham, NJ 07928
Phone: (973) 701-7711 | Fax: (973) 701-7772
Email: rpatterson@spirecapital.com
From: CINDY
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 11:25 PM
To: Patterson, Rick
Subject: In answer to your “response”
Mr. Patterson,
This is SO typical of a large company buying out a successful, fan supported business and RUINING IT! How many times have we seen it happen? We WILL contact the PBR, the advertisers and the founders of the PBR to let them know how displeased their longtime fans are with all the poor decisions that have been made. It’s not just the void that Justin has left, the excruciating “interviews” that Erin attempts, but the overall amateurish, annoying, programming changes that have been made. We used to look forward to watching PBR most weekends with our friends and would discuss it through the week, but now, we mute the TV so we can at least enjoy watching. We are NOT buying tickets this year to Columbus until this gets straightened out. If you don’t listen to the ones that brought the PBR to the “dance” then we will quit dancing and move on. Don’t take us lightly Mr. Patterson. Who do you think kept Ty on Dancing all those weeks??? It was his Army and his Army is NOT happy! We have begun circulating your response through our local horse clubs, who have large numbers of PBR fans. We did this when Ty was Dancing and believe me it is very effective! I don’t know if you have any background with cowboys/girls, but we are a determined bunch and you have messed with something we truly care about. We take it seriously and so should your company.
Cindy & Steve Glaser
Champaign County Ohio Horseman’s Council members
Miami Valley Carriage Association members
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VERY interesting–and revealing. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Versus may be calling some of those shots, and that maybe part of the financing deal between Spire Capital and the PBR is that the money boys keep their mitts off corporate policy. I’m somewhat puzzled about the line saying that “we” helped “some retired cowboys” get some money for their years of hard work. Meaning that Spire put money into the pockets of the guys whose $1000 apiece started the PBR?
The comment that the PBR doesn’t take fans lightly is disingenuous. Hasn’t he been paying attention to the fact that none of the brass respond to viewer and fan comments? I’d be curious to see what happens if you respond to his email. I’ve already posted his email to me, and my take on it; I’m also going to respond to him privately.
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I ‘m so glad that Leah is back! Hope it’s permanent. Erin lacked the knowledge and interest in the sport. Now we need to have Justin McKee return. The broadcast is now flat and full of dead space. Justin provided interesting and amusing analogies accompanied with a world of knowledge about the sport. We need the G-Man to return. Lose the annoying canned woman’s voice and show who is riding the bull. Sure, sponsors are needed but forcing each rider to take a canned beverage is distasteful. Shorty’s viewpoints are great to hear, but the truth booth adds little.
BRING BACK JUSTIN MCKEE!
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I am not one to meddle in the business affairs of a company, but the PBR has been more than just another supplier of goods and services to me and my family. I was disappointed when Justin was replaced but decided to wait and see how the season went. I just finished watching the 2nd round of the St. Louis event and felt compelled to ask for Justin back. His common sense down to earth on screen demeanor won many hearts and fans for PBR. In the words of Stephen Covey, Justin made deposits into the emotional bank accounts of all PBR fans that would easily cover the withdrawals caused by the missteps the PRB has made on screen this season. If he would have been there they would have been forgiven, since he is not the loyalty factor of fans is faltering. Bring him back, please.
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Well said, Rob!
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When is Justin McKee coming back? I’m tired of waiting!
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You and me (and a few million other people) both!
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As a more casual fan I really enjoyed the energy and knowledge Justin McKee brought to the broadcast. When I first turned on PBR about 6 years ago it was McKee who keep me interested enough to keep watching and then later actually search to see when the next broadcast was. Your current crew may be acceptable for hardcore viewers but McKee really helped us “newbie’s” understand and appreciate the sport but I no longer look to see when the next broadcast is. Please bring back McKee.
Dean
Seattle
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Actually, most of us hardcore viewers are extremely dissatisfied with the current crew. You should see all the comments on the PBR website and other bull riding blogs–yikes.
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I too am a “hardcore” viewer and think this new format with the fancy Hollywood production team and changes in the “booth” STINK… Bring back Justin and Leah and stop with the flim flam.
Ginger
Pasco, WA
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At least Leah is back, confetti is back and sirens gone, and JW is back. Now they needs to get rid of the 90 point club girl, bring back Justin McKee, and get rid of that terrible woman announcer. Even if they have to pay her out of her contract it would be cheaper than losing all the fans that can and do buy Ford trucks and wear Dickies. This flash and sleaze leaves me totally cold. Can’t watch this mess. What were they thinking, look at the audience, not just a slick production team.
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Our family have been PBR fans for many years. Since your organization has remove McKee from his front spot and replaced him with people who in our opinion have no style or talent we are not as focused as usual watching the events. This is too bad as we love the bulls but with McKee gone now perhaps we will start watching something else. Leah Garcia’s absence is also noted. This new lady sucks! She doesn’t even carry an interview well. Please bring McKee & Garcia back. If not then perhaps you just don’t care about having fans anymore. If that is the case we will watch bulls elsewhere and not on the PBR. We cancelled our PBR magazine also.
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GIVE US BACK THE OLD PBR, WITH JUSTIN McKEE, OR CONSIDER THIS FAN GONE!
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Bring back McKee, Bull riding is really dull without the color he provided. He is witty and very knowledgable about the bulls, the riders and the sport. Big Mistake Firing McKee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The best way to get at PBR for turning an entertaining,wholesome program into wannabe sleaze and pimping the bull riders with those ugly beverage cans, is to boycott Versus. So we are canceling our subscription until that bimbo is gone and Leah is back and the monotonous droning on the podium has been replaced with the graces of Justin McKee!!!! There is a reverence connected to a magnificent animal challenged by a magnificent man which has been diminished by trashing the show up.
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GOOD IDEA ABOUT CANCELING VERSUS SUBSCRIPTION, BUT MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHY. JUST NOTICED LAST NIGHT THE EXTRA SLEAZE THEY ADDED WITH THE WWF “STREETWALKER” WITH THE ROUND CARD. OMG! DON’T THEY REALIZE THAT WOMEN PBR FANS OUTNUMBER MEN? TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR AUDIENCE! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EVENT YOU CAN TAKE YOUR KIDS/GRANDKIDS TO, LIKE WE NORMALLY DO. NOT THIS YEAR!! THE ONLY THING INTERESTING LAST NIGHT WAS THE GRIT THE BULLRIDERS SHOWED, ESPECIALLY AUSTIN AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT TY TRIED TO IMPART DESPITE THE INANANE COMMENTARY OF HUMMER… OUR PATIENCE IS GROWING VERY SHORT. THE HAMMER WILL BE COMING DOWN AND THE VERSUS SCREEN WILL GO BLACK!
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You are absolutely right: at least half the PBR fans are female. All the PBR has to do is look at who’s in the seats at live events, who belongs to the Fan Club, and who posts comments to their website. All the female bull riding fans I know feel absolutely insulted when they see T&A at the events and on TV. If the PBR is trying to make the sport a family event, they need to get rid of the bimbos.
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VS tried to kill my interest in bull riding last year with the greedy little feud with DirecTV. Now they’ve just about killed any remaining interest by not bringing back Justin McKee.
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I agree that Justin and Leah need to be brought back to the PBR, it is not the same and the enjoyment that they brought to the sport is gone. Please bring them back so we can enjoy watching this unique sport again as well as getting insight on the lives of the riders and bullfighters from those who know the sport inside and out.
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Thanks Lori! I have heard from other horse club members and they are asking for the advertisers contact information so they can write them. I will work on that this weekend. I have already informed PBR that we will not be ordering our usual block of tickets in Columbus until they start listening to the fans.
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PLEASE bring Justin McKee back! He is fabulous and the PBR is just not the same without him. I hope Ty Murray takes note of how unhappy all the fans are, and then he makes a change back to when we had J.W. Hart, and Leah Garcia, and Justin McKee, and people who actually knew the sport. WHY allow this new producer to keep someone like Craig Hummer while systematically getting rid of the quality announcers we had? It makes no sense. I used to love watching bull riding – not any more.
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Without Justin McKee, G-Man and Leah Garcia, the PBR lacks spirit, fun and authenticity. Once Spire came in, the feeling left. The canned female voice that takes the show to commercial and the “Wired” feature add nothing to the broadcast. So far our comments to this effect seem to be falling on deaf ears. Our only effective means of “protest” is to stop attending live events and buying PBR merchandise. How’s that working for you?
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Great idea, Lynn. See Larry Lejeune’s post also suggesting a boycott. I’ve seen that technique work in other fields, so I’m sure it would work here.
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Agree 1010 percent !!! A very strong leverage is to cancel Versus until Leah and Justin are back and the sleaze is gone! No viewers equals NO PBR on Versus and that means a HUGE crunch for the new owners.
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It wasn’t that long ago you pulled Donnie Gay. That was worst than pulling Justin Mckee. I love that you just do it and don’t have the you know what to mention it. I guess you think we are just a bunch of dumb hicks that will just sit back and watch this happen. We all need to call all the PBR sponcers and tell them how we feel. I think I will. Larry
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Great idea, Larry–money talks! A boycott of their products might work.
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Cancel Versus subscription and you get them where it hurts the most! When the good guy are back, so are we !
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When the viewers are gone from Versus, then PBR is gone from Versus also. Never fear the sponsors and producers will know why. I, also, paid to be removed from DirecTv contract when they dropped Versus so I could watch a the finals. Now I
Am dropping Versus until Leah and Justin Mckee are both back. I intensely dislike the woman color commentator, not happy with the man interviewer, and the scantily clad, card carrying, score announcer, a la WWE, was the final straw.
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I agree totally….bring back Justin, and also Leah. Don’t take the country out of Bull Riding!!!
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Please reinstate Justin McKee, Leah Garcia, JD Heart and the G-Man. People are losing interest without these people and the format you now have.
NRS
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Please allow those that are informed about the sport, report the sport…no good can result because of the change of announcers.
Rebecca
Terre Haute, IN
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bring back Justin Mckee so we can watch Versus again.
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PBR what were you thinking or were thinking, we need Justin Mckee back a real cowboy, this man has a proven track record, bring him back and I will turn Versus back on.
Jack Richards
Aztec,NM
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Please bring Justin McKee and Leah Garcia back to the PBR broadcasts. Dump the INANE opening voice and bring back what is the heart of the PBR.
These recent broadcasts are almost unwatchable, the only saving grace is that the broadcast can be tivo’d so we can rush through them and avoid all the BS but still find out how the cowboys did, WE NEED MCKEE AND LEAH BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!
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I read these post written by unhappy fans and can only hope that the PBR listens. With every comment that gets turned in, there is probably hundreds that won’t, just because some fans won’t take the time to write in or simply just don’t have the access to do so. McKee, Leah and the G-man are sorely missed and the end product of a good event suffers greatly. I thought the chemistry with the original staff was great. If this is some attempt to try to get into the main stream and appeal to a different audience, the PBR needs to remember who they brought to the dance. It used to be great and now the PBR seems to make one bad decision after another! Why not leave well enough alone. The new management should have felt very fortunate of the talent that they inherited and not try to change it, so they can say they put their own spin on it!! They made a poor decision by getting rid of McKee, Leah and the G-man. Go back and make it right! Don’t even get me started on the different format!! What is the PBR thinking?!!
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Randy, you took the words out of my mouth. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it ! Well they broke it in a big way. If I wanted to watch trash I would tune in to a trash network. Watching PBR used to be a pleasure, now I’m not even going to bother tuning in for Saturday night bull riding. I can’t stomach another minute of that crap!!!
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That would be Ednei Caminhas (who fortunately seems to have retired). 🙂
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The production decisions for the 2011 season stink. If PBR stays on this track another 90 days, I’m gonna quit watching. Its apparent to me all they’re interested in is making money, sacrificing the ‘persona’ of the real PBR.
Craig Hummer – dump him, he’s oughta his league in the PBR, his place is hosting a yuppie reality show.
Erin Coscarelli – I agree with Laurie, “a tragic mistake”. Bring back Leah.
Get Justin Mckee back in the line up faster than
Please add my name to the petition:
Dave T
Oklahoma
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Dave, you nailed it with your characterization of Hummer!
And I love the hanging McKeeism–I had actually used one in my writeup of a recent event.
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Thanks. I just reread my post, you’d think I was from Arkansas rather Oklahoma with all the typos….oughta was supposed to be outa and the hanging Mckeeism was actually a mistake. I was trying to think of a bull rider who gets bucked off often and quickly, but couldn’t think of any, was off on another page looking, then submitted without finishing it.
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What in the world is the PBR thinking?!! My wife and I have been huge fans for several years. McKee made it fun for the whole family. He is by far the most knowledge announcer in the booth and wasn’t boring. He balanced the show out by bringing his knowledge and humor to the table. I don’t dislike the other announcers, but without McKee they all fall short of being able to keep you interested with the event. Someone has made a huge mistake and needs to cowboy up and get him back. These new commentators not only have no idea what they are talking about, but they even look out of place. McKee is the real deal. I like Mcbride, JW and Craig Hummer, but without McKee and the G-man; it just doesn’t seem like the same great organization. The PBR is going in the wrong direction. Simply writing comments like these off as a few pissed off fans will be the downward spiral of the PBR, because without us; there is no PBR!!! Bring McKee back and make it right!!!
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I realize that you probably already have your current commentators under contract for this season. However, please bring back Leah Garcia, Justin McKee and Michael Gaffney next year. I don’t mind Craig Hummer. He has kind of become a recognized voice of the PBR play-by-play. But, he needs help to get through a broadcast and even though I love JW Hart and Ty Murray, they just aren’t capable of doing it. Also, you gotta get rid of the angry sergeant in the intro. His voice does not do any favors for bull riding. Sometimes change is a good thing. In this situation, I think the changes that were made to the broadcast team have set the PBR back and have turned away several long time fans.
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I SO AGREE with, it seems like most everyone, we want Justin McKee & Leah back!! I know SO MANY people who became fans of PBR as it used to be (prior all this big corporation, change up stuff). At the sports bar in our area the consensus is that loosing them is like losing one of the PBR family! It was just plain more entertaining and informative all the way around with those 2 than the new format and people. PLEASE, PLEASE, powers that be. . .bring back Justin & Leah!!
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What a disastourous decision! We’ve been fans for over 10 years and have always enjoyed watching and going to PBR events and have always enjoyed the commentary by Justin McKee and Leah Garcia. They put a lot of energy into the broadcasts with their knowledgeable comments and Justin’s descriptive analogies. We have NEVER liked Hummer, who sounds like a cowboy wannabe. Ty is fine, but he needs the spark Justin provided. Now it’s like watching paint dry! I don’t know who is making these terrible production decisions, but they are ruining what was once something we always looked forward to watching on the weekend! Listen to your longtime fans before you lose us!
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I agree completely with the opinions represented in this partition. It very accurately states what almost all fans I have spoken to feel. David Neal productions is not a good fit for this sport and Erin Coscarelli is a tragic mistake. She seems to treat the riders with, at best, disinterest and, at worst, distain. Please bring back Justin McKee and JW together as they are a winning ( and authentic!) combination!
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I have been a fan for nearly a decade. The path that the PBR is now taking may lead to my final chapter with the sport. In the effort to bring in new fans the PBR is alienating their true fan base. Bull riding will never be main stream, and any attempt to make it become main stream is poor judgement.
The fans love Justin McKee and let’s not forget Michael Gaffeny. Their release is an insult to the fans who love and identify with them, as I myself do.
When the NFL comes under new management they cannot change te rules of the sport entirely to suit their own vision. The sport of bull riding has been unchanged for nearly a century. The PBR needs to realize that is not by coinsidence.
We the fans demand Justin McKee back.
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Bring back Justin McKee! NOW!
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Please bring back Justin McKee and the old format. The only thing I’ve enjoyed thus far were one or two of the breakdowns of the rides (Silvano’s and Robson’s) in Indianapolis and Shorty being miked. The rest is not enjoyable at all.
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Please bring Justin McKee back. He is the voice of
PBR. No one has the knowledge of the bulls like
he does. It’s not the same without him.
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While I understand the PBR trying to mainstream and appeal to a mainstream audience. removing Justin McKee has removed the heart of the broadcast. This isn’t a “normal” sport, and the “TV standard” two-man booth manned by guys commenting as if they are seeing golf being played is just not working.
I have talked to casual watchers of bull riding, and the thing they tend to mention most is “that guy who makes the funny comparisons.” Justin McKee brought not only an amazing enthusiasm and down-home charm that speaks directly to Western lifestyle and new fans alike, but he also has an unmatched knowledge of bull breeding and behavior. The bulls are the other part of the equation, and information about them has been sorely lacking without McKee.
I have many quibbles with the new production values, but I think many of them would be smoothed over with the return of Justin McKee. Please, if he will have you, ask him back, if not as a commentator every week, then in some rotation. His knowledge and enthusiasm are greatly missed.
S. Hawkins
San Francisco Bay Area
(one of those non-traditional fans the PBR is trying to bring in)
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Please bring back Justin McKee and Leah Garcia!
PBR broadcasts have taken a pitiful turn! It appears producers have determined to try and ruin the PBR. As HUGH a fan as we are, we determined last night to quit watching bull riding because it is so frustrating. The announcers seem to be napping a good deal of the time. Ty Murray is an expert but he will put you to sleep with his droll montone and monotonous rhetoric. What happened to the signs with the bull riders names and the bull names. Half the time, I don’t know what is going on anymore. Anonymous bulls bucking, anonymous riders flying through the air and announcers taking a nap. What a recipe for failure.
S. Ewing
Uvalde, Texas
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Subject: PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO PETIITION FOR JUSTIN MCKEE & LEAH GARCIA
From: M J TUTTLE
Date: Sat, Jan 29, 2011 10:19 pm
HELLO.
Please add my name, MJ TUTTLE, COLORADO, to bring back Justin & Leah.
I enjoy Justin and Craig bouncing off each other. So, keep Craig, too. JW over Tym please.
Also, please get rid of the bottom score scrolling band; it is irritating when I am trying to get the full view of the bull rider & ride.
Thank you.
MJ Tuttle
Colorado
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It is impossible to understand why the new producers would break up a winning team & bring us a new format that totally sucks! Justin McKee is knowledgeable about the cowboys & the bulls. He brings humor and personality to the show. I like Ty Murray as an occasional commentator but he has no personality…he provides no energy at all. I hope you will listen to the fans. Otherwise I think you may find less & less people will be watching bull riding.
Thanks,
Karen Lisle
Also get rid of Erin…she’s pathetic and brings nothing to an interview.
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As the old saying goes ” If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”! We are huge fans of the PBR Built Ford Tough Series, but the changes in the 2011 broadcast team is disappointing to say the least. Bring back McKee & Leah! Who’s next, Shorty or J.W?? Why get rid of the best? Fire the team that came up with the new format! Upset about the PBR BFT scheduling change as well. The tour was always a part of ID and we have attended for 20 years. Won’t be going to the alternative this year. Please reconsider/revisit your format.
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We agree with D. Brown. We live in Southeast WA and look forward each year to Nampa… Crowded cities like Seattle and Portland are a horrible alternative. Again – BRING BACK MCKEE AND LEAH.
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Bring back Justin McKee its boring without him
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Please bring back the old format and Justin McKee. The PBR needs Justin back he is an awesome commentator with knowlege of the riders and the bulls. Your show is boring without him.
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I cannot believe that Justin is not part of the broadcast anymore. There is a lot of time between the rides and Justin made it interesting. Craig and whoever is paired with him are informative and appealing, but with no humor, it becomes boring. You have Flint for the live audience, so why take Justin away from the television audience? For those of us who subscribe to satellite TV so that we can watch the PBR, you may end up saving us $90 a month.
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Please bring back Justin McKee! He was truly the voice of the PBR and the broadcasts are completely flat and lifeless without him. His enthusiasm was contagious and it’s because of him that I became a PBR fan.
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I wholeheartedly agree – we need Justin McKee back. And get Leah back. Don’t like Erin. I dislike the male voice in the opening and the female voice at breaks is horrid. Very glaring is that we don’t see all the rides, which is really irritating. When the chute opens, you at PBR have got to put back in that opening second the riders name and the bulls name. Unless watching 100 % focused, I am missing who and what bull are in the arena. An ambulance siren? Seriously? Bad karma at its best. Terrible. Get rid of it please! Injury report needed! Who cares about the truth booth? I used to look forward to the PBR telecasts on the weekends, and have been severely disappointed in what has aired so far.
It was working GREAT !! You didn’t need to muck it up!
Please change back to what worked and what the fans cared about.
Thank you,
Pam
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I can’t figure out what the PBR is doing…. They get rid of Mckee in exchange for a good guy (Murray). McKee is fun to listen to and is so knowledgable. Murray is critical of almost every ride and has a hum drum voice. Seems like once Mckee got Hummer up to speed with s-o-m-e knowledge about bull riding they fired Mckee. I don’t know why the PBR would think down to earth fans would enjoy watching a fancy production company with sirens, strange sounds, blurry pictures and noise on top of noise. You can take the bull riding out of the country, but they should not be taking the country out of bull riding. I could go on and on……. Please go back to the way the PBR was a couple of years ago and stop with the nonsense.
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Justin McKey is the reason I watch PBR. He ties the commentary together. Bring him back.
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This petition expresses our feelings perfectly. The PBR Nation has to come together and show ‘management’ that, in a matter of months, they have taken a good thing and turned it into something almost unbearable to watch.
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I cannot believe the new producer canned Justin McKee. He is in the same league as Don Gay as far as rodeo announcing.Obviously the new producer is not a real fan of the sport of bullriding but monetary profits.I would not blame Justin McKee for not returning even if they offered to him. Craig Hummer as far as announcing for the PBR leaves alot to be desired. Please reinstate Justin McKee ASAP before you start losing ratings for boring announcing.
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we miss justin mckee, the changes your making in your programing is makeing me want to quit watching your program. I’m an old kansas boy ,and grew up on on a ranch the changes your making smell like corpoate america , money, annd new york city. I prefere alittle bull shit on my boots, keep it real
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I forgot ,I miss the gate guy. He is the best
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Hey, Michael–
We bull riding fans in New York are just as upset as you are about the PBR getting rid of Justin McKee, and adding all the corny hype. It’s an embarrassment to the sport, and yup, it’s corporate America at its worst. PS– There’s plenty of b.s. to go around!
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Please reinstate Justin McKee. If it wasn’t for his colorful commentary this fan would have never stayed tune for more than 5 minutes a couple years back when I stumbled upon the PBR on VS. Being a fan of bull riding is a pretty far stretch for a “50 something” jewish lady from the beach in NJ.
I’ve become such a fan that I have even attended a live event at MSG in 2010, participate in PBR Fantasy (was #2 in the world after 1st event of the season), and promote the sport to friends all the time.
Eve Ellsworth
Oakhurst, NJ
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shame on the pbr justin just belong there, if it aint broke dont fix it, and by the way i hate it when anyone but leah announces, the rest just trips over their toungues, and “0” personality !!!!
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