Charles Barkley has always been one to speak his mind, but his snarky reaction to Kenny Smith's interruption and the not-so-subtle name-calling directed at producer Tim Kiely last night were a bit of surprise -- until you realize these were the final minutes of the final Inside the NBA telecast of the season. It's like the last day of school before summer vacation -- what's the worst that can happen? A few months of vacation will ease the sting of even the most vicious finger-wagging.
Frequent viewers have probably heard Barkley needle Kiely on the air several times before, and while I have no clue what elicited the name-calling last night, my guess is that he was just tweaking his boss one last time before the summer.
I don't recommend doing the same to your boss before your vacation, but let's face it, Barkley can get away with it. His irreverence is half the reason why so many people tune in, not to mention why Inside the NBA is the best studio show on TV.
Also on FanHouse:
Follow NBA FanHouse on Twitter
Why the Lakers Will Beat the Magic
Jameer Nelson Returns to Practice
Is LeBron James a Poor Sport?
What Did They Say?
During the final Inside the NBA telecast of the season, commentator Charles Barkley calls the show's lead producer a vulgar word under his breath. Click through the gallery to see more slip-ups from the sports broadcasting world.
NBA / Getty Images
"...There's a good chance Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice..."
CBS golf analyst David Feherty, who's no stranger to controversial remarks, drew some ire for a joke attempt in a D Magazine column.
Richard Heathcote, Getty Images
"Oh, [expletive]. I lost you."
Coaching legend Bob Knight made the blunder during an appearance on 'Mike and Mike in the Morning'. ESPN called it an "unfortunate slip."
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
"I'd Take One Bullet, and Put It Right in Him ... "
Sounding harsher than he probably meant to, Cris Carter states that Dallas should part ways with Terrell Owens, then compares the act to shooting the brash wide receiver.
Brian Ach, WireImage
"With All These Chinese People Around..."
Richard Boxall was one of two Sky Sports commentators that made racial remarks about golfer Anthony Kim during the HSBC Champions tournament.
Warren Little, Getty Images
"Ya know, Hitler was a great leader too."
ESPN College Gameday personality Lou Holtz somehow compared the leadership skills of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez to Adolf Hitler during a telecast last season.
Joe Raymond, AP
"Please Pick Up My Dry Cleaning Tomorrow"
ESPN personality and Monday Night Football commentator Tony Kornheiser responds to a play broadcast in Spanish with an attempt at a joke translation. He ends up apologizing for his comment.
Paul Sakuma, AP
"You Always Fag Out"
College hoops announcer Billy Packer has upset many with abrasive remarks over the years. For example, he went on the Charlie Rose Show in March 2007 and complained to the host, "you always fag out."
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Bernstein's Palestinian Connection
ESPN reporter Bonnie Bernstein issued a public apology after appearing on a radio broadcast and saying "People in Palestine are taught to think that dying in the name of God is a good thing ... They grow up wanting to be suicide bombers."
Brian Ach, WireImage.com
"... Looks Like the Guy Who Cleans Tiger's Swimming Pool"
NBC Sports golf analyst drew the ire of U.S. Open watchers in June when he said contender Rocco Mediate "looks like the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool." Miller apologized for his description, saying it had "absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity."
John Shearer, WireImage.com
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
5-31-2009 @ 9:06PM
demzrdopes said...
Now I see why Barkley has lost so much money gambling. The boy can't pick his nose. He took the Nuggets, now he's taking the Magic in 7, winning game 7 in LA. As McEnroe would say, you can't be serious. And oh by the way, his act is tired, replace him with Chris Webber..
Reply
6-01-2009 @ 1:36AM
dtenore said...
You had me, right up until the Chris Webber idea. Have you ever heard that klutz try to speak the English language? If you can decipher the words, they make no sense. Personally, I can barely decipher what he says... but his is, to your point, somewhat less annoying than Barkley.
I just don't watch anymore. Vote by remote.
6-01-2009 @ 6:56AM
hilryshaves said...
Barkley's golf swing is a microcosm of his life, a disaster. I agree on Webber, he's not just good, he's great on NBA TV.
6-01-2009 @ 12:34PM
lulalots1 said...
Sir Charles has always been my favorite ball player. He has more class than the Rapist Kobe will ever have.
6-01-2009 @ 12:46PM
Lisa G. said...
That's his problem not yours.
5-31-2009 @ 9:09PM
MikeANDSondra said...
charles should apologize for that comment about the producer and to kenny plus keep any derogatory comments to himself
Reply
5-31-2009 @ 9:54PM
Bryan said...
Sondra please give Mike his balls back.
What next? If he has nothing nice to say, he shouldn't say anything at all? Please.
That is who Chuck is. Annoying, childish and at times utterly stupid. If you don't like it don't watch, but get off your soap box.
5-31-2009 @ 9:11PM
MikeANDSondra said...
kodos to Reggie for his supurb job with Marv Albert annoucing the game but i still think jeff van gundy shouldnt be announcing games just my opinion.
Reply
5-31-2009 @ 11:15PM
Andi said...
This is what you get when you put an uneducated,non jouralistic, no communication classes in college or no speech 101 or public speaking classes in college on the air. The guy should never have been placed in front of cameras ever. I have a hard time watching Ernie bow down to Barkley and take all those insults and the Company does nothing about it. Ernie is the one with the education and the background. Even Kenny know Barkley is wrong in most of his statements. Barkley has gotten away with too much in both his NBA career and his personal life. I want to know how the picking up the prostitute charge just died? But any other man caught picking up and riding around prostitutes is punishable by law. And Barkley has a wife and a child and he is picking up prostitues? Where did that charge go or should I say, how much did it cost to make that charge go away? Barkley should never have been on TV. I change the channel and wait for ESPN or the NBA channel to cover games. I can't stand, Number one and In-ter-resting. He has so many Number ones and In-ter-resting is not the right pronunciation. And it's a shame, people like that trash.
Reply
6-01-2009 @ 12:04PM
LaJuan said...
Sounds like you watch him more than you're letting on. "In-ter-resting!"
6-01-2009 @ 1:00PM
Haviland said...
You cannot complain about anyone being uneducated. You have many errors in your comment. Unless, of course, you are in the second grade. The next time you want to comment on someone being dumb, please have someone in the third grade to proof read your comment.
6-01-2009 @ 5:17PM
uclanc said...
Get your facts straight!!! He wasn’t picking up a prostitute he was leaving a bar with a girl he met. He was getting it for free and was completely honest about his intentions. I am in no way condoning his behavior but you getting up on your soap box spewing out slanderous lies makes you no better than him. Fight facts with facts. Your comments are just as uneducated and you should be ashamed of hypocritical rant.
5-31-2009 @ 11:55PM
chrsdeanc said...
If anyone watches Charles,knows he's drunk when doin the show.But he gets away with it because he'll throw the race card around,if a white man used the language Charles uses,he'd be fired.
Reply
5-31-2009 @ 11:57PM
bobsellsaz said...
Get rid of Sir Charles and that show would die
a quick death. Barkely is the ONLY reason to stick around after the games are over. Kenny the Jet is horrible and really not that smart. Yes, Earnie is a bootlicker, so what? One person said to replace Barkley with Chris Webber; now, that is truly funny, Chris Webber has a nice smile, but not much in the cranium in my estimation. Charles Barkley is one of the greatest players in history and knows how much he can get away with. As for Barkley's personal business, to the person who wants to know whether he has paid his dues, yes he has. Barkley spent some time in prison in the Phoenix. Get your facts straight.
Reply
6-01-2009 @ 12:26PM
smartin421 said...
What a dumbass. Jail IS NOT PRISON. You fools lump County time in with State time, and it's not even in the same universe. When you call jail prison, it shows how stupid you really are.
6-01-2009 @ 5:16PM
wijgt said...
Barkley spent time in PRISON?!!! Go figure...an intelligent, classy guy like him? I'm apalled and certain he was framed. Also, since the world is flat, what keeps all the water from draining over the edge? It's mystifying.
6-01-2009 @ 12:29AM
ubbindme said...
What do you expect from an uneducated person, plain and simple.
Reply
6-01-2009 @ 7:19AM
Michael said...
He may be ignorant but he's not uneducated...he does have a degree after all...I know, I know...a degree doesn't necessarily equal intelligence but, seriously...ease up y'all...if you don't like him...change the channel!
6-01-2009 @ 12:44AM
p5pirate said...
hell, it's not Barkley's fault, if the network really gave a rat's ass, they would've given him the heave-ho for the drunken driving while getting blown by a ho!! Yeah, he's one of the lucky ones who happens to be a terrible gambler, but fun to watch, so he will always have a gig, especially since the producer likes the ratings. If it offends thee, don't watch.
Reply
6-01-2009 @ 12:48AM
Giles said...
Proof that, as well suspected, Chuckles doesn`t know what that five letter word refers to or where it is located if he thinks he can see one when a man walks out on him.
Reply