That's right, the most important sports video game show on the planet is back! Episode 5 of The Lineup is now live and ready to get you through the dog days of summer where there's nothing but baseball to watch. We've got it all in the latest episode: Rick Nash doing mo-cap for NHL 2K9, the NFL rookie Madden Bowl, an X's and O's segment on Top Spin 3, an interview with Vernon Gholston of the New York Jets, and a crazy clash of crashing custom cars in Nascar 09. Only one of our semi-talented hosts can be declared the winner...
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Shanker thinks he can hang with this year's crop of NFL rookies. This time we made him back up his smack talk and sent him out onto the field to display his "skills." You don't want to miss it. You know, now that I think of it, doesn't Shank Dogg (his nickname for himself, not mine) look amazingly like the Waterboy?
Big news this week: From the Bleachers has its own page! On this brand-spanking new page you can listen to the current episode, previous episodes, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes and RSS feed. Check it out!
What? You're still here? Afraid to go to the new page without knowing what this week's episode covers? We thought that might happen so we've included a rundown below just for you. Really!
On this week's episode Brian returns from Vancouver with loads of info on Fight Night 4, Tiger Woods 09, and Madden 09. Shanker takes a few minutes off from his busy schedule of vacationing to share his thoughts on Tony Hawk's sabbatical and also offers insight into his crumbling relationship with Michelle from GTA IV. Aaron's wearing a new SportsGamer hat (listen to find out how you can get your own) and Fred thinks the world needs to get over Spygate. And as always, we answer your e-mails and phone calls.
INTRO
00:00-02:49Welcome to the show! Have no fear, Brian's here!
NEWS
02:50-09:28Fight Night Round 4 announced. Mike Tyson returns to video games!
09:29-13:18Codemasters snags the F1 license. Did it cost $75 million? Will Codemasters give us the ability to use the PSP as a rearview mirror?
13:19-20:24Is skateboarding a sport? Tony Hawk takes a year off. Is this a good thing for the series?
20:25-11:46Skate is coming to the Wii and will use the Wii Fit board.
GAMES
22:35-28:11Brian and Shanker have seen Madden 09 in action. How's it shaping up?
28:12-33:46Tiger Woods 09 gets some new courses and loses some old ones. Brian gives his early thoughts on the game.
33:47-34:48What's the deal with bowling games? The group shares their bowling experiences in GTA IV.
REAL SPORTS
34:49-37:12Shanker makes his "call it" pick and throws Kobe Bryant's teammates under the bus.
37:13-40:39Goodell on Spygate: "Move along people, nothing to see here."
41:00-43:23Worst sports scandle: NBA Ref, Spygate, Steroids in Baseball?
43:24-46:46The NBA Playoffs have been great so far. LeBron has no regard for human life. Watch it here.
E-MAILS (FromTheBleachers@GameSpot.com)
46:47-49:05Mark wants to know why people won't go watch the first-place Oakland A's.
49:06-51:09Regular e-mailer Sean C. wins a SportsGamer hat for his loyalty.
Phone Calls (1-866-406-2638)
51:10-54:59Crazy Bears Fan Josh thinks the Bears aren't getting respect. Oh yeah, he lights things on fire while he calls in.
CALL IT
55:00-1:04:29Brian's pick gets ripped again. We tell you how to win a SportsGamer hat. New From the Bleachers page coming soon. Our music is awesome thanks to Steve Beacham. Fred gives an update on happenings in the SportsGamer community. The newest episode of The Lineup is on the site and it's awesome.
On this week's episode of From the Bleachers Aaron takes the helm as Brian and Shanker are in Vancouver covering an EA Sports event. While the dynamic duo are missed, former GameSpot news editor and current TV.com editor Tim Surette makes a triumphant return to the world of GameSpot to help fill the void. This episode is a little shorter than the norm, but that doesn't mean we didn't cover a lot of ground.
Here are just some of the topics we touched on:
- Tecmo Bowl is back baby!
- NASCAR 09 will let you paint your dream car
- You can make some crazy-looking dudes in Top Spin 3
- Crazy Bears Fan Josh talks about how Cedric Benson stinks both at football and at life
- Roger Clemens and Aaron Thomas apologize for "mistakes"
Be sure to stick around for the end of the show when Brian Ekberg gives a truly pathetic pick in a last-ditch effort to get in the win column for our "call it" segment. You've got to hear it to believe it. Come on Brian, step it up!
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As always, if you've got something to say, let us hear it either by leaving us a comment below, sending an email to FromTheBleachers@GameSpot.com or calling us at 1-866-406-2638 and tell us what's on your mind.
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