We’ve all had those times where we’ve had a few hours to kill and we really can’t come up with anything to do. For me, times like these usually occur on Friday afternoons, when classes are over, homework can wait until the last possible moment on Sunday, and the boss doesn’t have me on the schedule until next Thursday (probably because sales drop 30% when I'm working). Usually I take this time to relax, turn on the TV, and flip over to my go-to station, ESPNews. Once there, I commence the art of cycling ESPNews.
The thing about ESPNews is that, unless there is a huge breaking story, the half-hour episodes are pretty much repeats, especially during the afternoons and late night hours. There might be special guests lined up for certain times or, as start times for games (on weekdays, the first batch of baseball or basketball games usually start at 7ET) get closer, ESPNews may have reporters on to discuss injuries, coaching decisions, or what the fans should look to happen in specific games.
Besides these sporadic interruptions, the sports news remains more-or-less the same throughout a two to three hour block of time. Mainly, big sports stories from the night before are discussed and must-see highlights are shown.
(Honestly I was looking for any excuse to show that highlight. Gives me the chills everytime. If that doesn't make you proud to be an American, then you can get out. Love it or leave it.)
I normally pay attention for the first half-hour, just so I can catch up on what I might have missed while I was doing homework the night before or while I was in class. After that first half-hour, when the cycle begins, maybe I’ll go make myself a snack or clean up the house a bit, making sure to keep an eye on the TV just in case there is a breaking story. More often than not, there is no breaking story.
If I’m feeling extra-motivated, maybe I’ll try doing some homework, using ESPNews as much-needed background noise. Like a lot of college kids, I struggle to do work in silence, and ESPNews is there to fill my noisy desires.
Most of the time, though, I will I am likely to lie down on the couch and lose focus for a while, drifting in and out of a light slumber. To be sure, if something worthwhile happened while I was sleeping, it will be all over ESPNews, so I steal a quick glance when I drift out of sleep. Usually, I don’t miss anything, but if I did, I take comfort in the fact ESPNews will have it there for me to see, allowing me to spend a few seconds absorbing it and then going back to sleep.
And that is the beauty of cycling ESPNews, especially for a sports fanatic like me. You really don’t have to pay much attention, even during the first half-hour that you watch, because it will be right there waiting for you for the next couple hours. No great physical, emotional, or mental investment is required, making ESPNews a great way to unwind from a long, stressful week.
Interesting analysis. The only time I really 'watch' Espnews nowadays, is when its on my TV as white noise while Im doing something else. I remember though, when I was younger and really really into sports I would watch it all the time, even if it was just cyclical repeats. I guess because sporting events are scheduled you don't really get the same breaking stories as you would on CNN HLN. But I agree that having it on is a good way to unwind after a long day, i wonder if that's what theyre going for.
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