The ESPYs in all their glory
We thought about traipsing around on the red carpet at the ESPY Awards in Hollywood again Wednesday, as we did a year ago. But there was the sweatiness, the loud crowd, the egos ... and we hadn't even seen Chris Berman yet.
It just wasn't worth the hassle. Besides, this best-of collection from what the Associated Press was able to capture for the show that was taped to air Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN came up much better:
Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard did not disrobe. She didn't have to with this get up. Honestly, the photos don't do her justice. In person, she has the most piercing blue eyes, and about as dark a tan as you'd ever want to see on anyone that just doesn't show up here.
So here's one more for good measure:
Read on ....
Arizona pitcher Taryne Mowatt receives the Best Female Athlete award from Peyton Manning and actress Kate Walsh in what undoubtedly will be edited before Sunday's show. When Walsh butchered the pronounciation of Mowatt's first name, she then blurted out: "I know, I'm such an asshole."
Mowatt, later in the press room, forgave Walsh's mistake saying her parents were the ones who screwed up the name with its spelling.
We're trying to remember the last time we saw Kate Walsh in anything. Oh, right, the bitchy doctor from "Gray's Anatomy." Well, time to surgically remote your foot from your mouth here.
Above is golfer Anna Rawson. Before Wednesday, I'd didn't know much about the Aussie who once helped USC to a women's NCAA golf title. She's on the Ladies European Tour. Never knew such a thing existed.
Matt Leinart, making a presentation with actress Regina King, stopped backstage with Vince Young, who apparently is now joined with him at the hip. Young, the Tennessee Titans quarterback out of Texas, says that he and Leinart, the former USC Heisman winner out of USC, will be like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird of the NFL for years to come. A nice analogy, but these two probably aren't going to save the league from falling off the map.
Leinart was asked what its like to be a dad these days.
"It's putting things in perspective," he said. "My son is 8 1/2 months old. I love being a dad. You never know all the fun things you get to do, like kissing his feet and toes. I'm changing diapers all the time."
All the time? OK.
Before he left the media room, there was one more question someone wanted to ask: "Are you still friends with Paris Hilton?" Without looking up, Leinart kept walking, right out the door without a response.
Later in the show, comedian Dane Cook did a short monologue before presenting something, and he made the comment: "I can't believe Paris Hilton isn't here, because this whole show is sponsored by Hummer."
As long as Danica Patrick keeps coming close to winning an IndyCar race, she'll have back-side cred for the photogs. There were several advertisers spreading her face around Hollywood and Highland on Wednesday, and she has an apparent naked shower scene with Jimmy Kimmel to air during the show that probably sounded funnier on paper than actually comes across. You can't be afraid to try that kind of stuff.
Red carpet veteran Ashley Judd shows husband Dario Franchitti how to work it for the photo guys as well. He was up for Best Auto Racing Driver. Can't remember if he won. She handed out an award. Not sure which one.
And then Ashley dance on the stage at the show's climax. Dario wasn't around anywhere? Probably starting the car to get the heck out of there.
And it's not as if Maria Sharapova doesn't know what to do with the shutters shuttering...
And a special added Sharapova shot, from the ESPY pre-party at the Roosevelt Hotel the night before ...
And one more for the road. Sharapova will be back the first week of August for the WTA event in Carson. Until then ...