October 30, 2008

CableFAX Program Awards: Best Actor/Actress/Host, Sports

Winner: Rece Davis, Host/Anchor, ESPN

Whether donning the hat of producer, director, or, our favorite roles — host and analyst — Davis raises the game of sports commentary to another level. In a time of lively but still largely telepromptered sideline discourse, Davis ditches the Cliffs Notes altogether as host of ESPN’s College GameDay and instead runs on knowledge, love of the game and pure adrenaline. Davis is in the plum position of hosting both basketball and football for College GameDay, plus contributing widely to ESPN’s Web site. In all tasks, his depth of knowledge is matched only by his unbridled passion for sports. Basically, we all want what he eats for breakfast. Perhaps most noteworthy, Davis graciously toes the line between serving as a magnetic commentator and overshadowing a game. Perhaps football compatriot Mark May put it best when he said, "If there’s an MVP at ESPN, Rece Davis should have won it years ago."

Honorable Mention:
Mike Gorman & Tommy Heinsohn, Comcast SportsNet New England: For 27 seasons and counting, Gorman and Heinsohn have been courtside favorites, bringing Boston Celtics action to home viewers. That makes the duo not only the longest-running TV telecast team in American sports, but truly a part of Celtics legacy.

Return to 2008 CableFAX Program Awards table of contents.