Sightings
That was ESPN superstar Chris Berman at the National Press Club on Wednesday to become one of CableFAX’s first Hall of Fame inductees.
“Hall of Fame … means I’m old,” deadpanned Berman, who arrived at the sports network one month into its existence in 1979. He said he started on air with hair down to his shoulders and a fu-manchu mustache like that of former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant. “I was told,” he said, “‘You will be on at 3 a.m. because we can’t have you on before midnight. You just can’t go on like that.'”
He likened all the opportunities he’s had in the job to always “getting promoted.” For instance, he said, “This Monday, I’m probably going to talk to both presidential candidates on ‘Monday Night Football.’ Didn’t think that would happen. So you keep getting promotions.”
Also receiving awards: EarthEcho founder Philippe Cousteau, WWE founder Vince McMahon (in absentia) and Florence Henderson. The former Mrs. Brady on the “The Brady Bunch” and current host on Retirement Living TV, was presented the Community Service Award by FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate.
Also spotted around the metro area: Grown-up boy band Hanson, walking a mile barefoot with their fans before their Tuesday night show at the State Theatre. The brothers are conducting the walks from each of the venues on their tour as part of Walk Around the World, which raises funds to fight poverty and AIDS in Africa for every mile walked.
