How does Paul Bissonnette have a platform?

[Beau Knows]

Showing my age

But I pretty much change the channel with that group when he’s on.

Just not for me

I think the bolded part does that

No I know, live sports still make cable worth it for a lot of people. Streaming still doesn't really cover everything in sports unfortunately.

 

[Martinez]

Love him

 

[BlueOil]

john scott became an all-star so biz getting air time and attention makes sense in today's culture

 

[John Price]

He became a trend with that dumb barstool schtick and parlayed that into a career in TNT as a talking head

personally IDC what he has to say

 

[PhysicalGraffiti]

Why does that stir you up so much?

What part? That I don't like false screams of racism? Yeah, who would be bothered by someone making up false stories that could ruin lives.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

The average sports fan has absolutely no idea who he is.

Counterpoint: The average sports fan has no idea about hockey in general

Counter-counterpoint: Biz won't be the one to change that

 

[OilCanada92]

That tweet in the OP is getting taken out of context. Spittin Chiclets listeners know that the tweet is related to his bet with Whitney. Biz bet on the Flames and Whitney bet on the Oilers, and both guys exaggerate how much they want their team to win. It's an inside joke that thousands of people are in on. Just bcsuse you apparently aren't one of them, that doesn't mean he has to pander to the people who will take it literally.

As for Biz, he doesn't warrant any hate. He's just a regular guy having fun and he's harmless. He isn't your cup of tea? You find him annoying? That's fine. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be employed. For the most part, he's just trying to make people laugh. He's not spreading negativity. His humour might just not be your humour. Wasting any energy hating him says more about the hater than it does him.

 

[PROGFAN66]

Actually knows hockey and is well spoken. You can tell he is well liked on the set as well. I think him and Tortorella would be hilarious talking hockey on the same set.

Hockey is a serious sport but it's also a fun sport.

 

[Karl Eriksson]

He’s great and his tweet was correct.

 

[oldunclehue]

This is the world we live in, people think that if they don't like something or someone for whatever reason then its not something people should consume or enjoy.

I've listened to Spittin Chiclets and followed Biz since the beginning, they guy is a great personality for the game and as Chiclets was gaining popularity he did tell some pretty risque stories involving his sexual exploits....but as long as they were consensual (which they were) how can you cringe or be upset by them, even if you are a woman. He was a successful NHL player, he may not of played games/scored points as much as a lot, but he knew where he fit in and made 223 game or so, as well as played a lot of AHL and ECHL.

What upsets me is the fact that so many women/feminist types claim that guys like him are horrible people because they've had an active and out of the norm sex life. But yet in regards to professional sports and those with money/fame, their are always willing partners to go home with, bring home or hang out with them while they have a spotlight.

I guarantee that the bulk of men in here and many women would love the lifestyle while they were younger, ages 18-28 or so making millions of dollars, going to clubs/parties where everything is free and beautiful men/women want to be around you and go home with you.


If you actually took the time to listen to Chiclets, he provides some great insight for situations as a player whos been there or from his own sources.

If you don't like him...then don't watch him or listen.

 

[Olliemets]

He's actually grown quite a bit. You should have heard him in the early days of Spittin' Chiclets. My wife would cringe hard at how he talked about women and his sexual exploits. He's toned that down quite a bit.

Hate him or love him, I think he's good for the game. Why? Because he's entertaining and isn't completely one-dimensional as so many other hockey insiders tend to be. By all means, if you want to hear some boring ol' white dude wax poetic about the fundamentals and boring stat lines, there are plenty of those left for you to watch and listen to. If you want some personality and pizzazz, then Biz is your guy. I think he is a critical piece in getting new fans to become interested in the sport.

I agree. Recently tuned in and knew little of the on-air talent for the desk. No pre-conceived notions. As someone who worked in live TV for decades, Bissonette stood out as a guy comfortable and relaxed on camera and with the right delivery. Sort of an "it" factor for TV. People can train and study for years and just never get it. He's good.

 

[BHawk21]

"Someone needs to seriously injure Thatcher Demko".

Can't imagine that would go over well with your fellow Nucks fans.

I know, they're just the words of some washed up fringe NHLer, but why even say it?

I like how some of the comments were saying stuff like "no, dude, it's a compliment because Otter's playing so good so that's the only way they'll beat him", which again was clearly untrue, as we found out not long after.

Just a bad take from a bad player.

but he didnt say that?

 

[Run It Back]

Guy is a whole ass man child. Even on TNT, he's so damn cringy and awkward. Definition of a punching bag.

He tweets like a 13 year old boy. Hoping on a bandwagon whoever plays the Ranger. Seeing a grown man cry is pretty funny I must say. Guy is a tool.

In many ways I think it's a generational thing. The cut line is probably about mid forties. Under forty five, love him. Over forty five, he's a loud, crass, crude, self-promotional blowhard.

 

[FerklundCGY]

Joke of a thread.

 

[Dr Pepper]

but he didnt say that?

"Someone needs to run Oettinger over".

.....I mean, what do you think he meant, exactly?

"Someone needs to take a whack at McDavid's ankles"

"Someone needs to run Makar headfirst into the boards"

 

[KidLine93]

I honestly like the TNT panel more than sportsnet.
Bieksa is the only thing keeping the Sportsnet crew afloat

 

[oldunclehue]

I honestly like the TNT panel more than sportsnet.
Bieksa is the only think keeping the Sportsnet crew afloat

Very much so, I feel like the TNT one is a bunch of hockey guys talking hockey.

The Sportsnet one and TSN ones are just media broadcasters talking hockey and trying to make jokes...hard to watch except Bieksa.

 

[KidLine93]

Very much so, I feel like the TNT one is a bunch of hockey guys talking hockey.

The Sportsnet one and TSN ones are just media broadcasters talking hockey and trying to make jokes...hard to watch except Bieksa.

When sportsnet got great reviews after the addition of Bieksa you noticed the other panel members trying to come up with a joke every chance they got and they usually fell flat.

Ron McLean definitely dialled it back after making a "testing positive" joke to Stewart after they showed a picture of him with his shirt off with a teammate. You're either naturally funny/witty or your not. Forcing it just gets cringe. The reaction from he other panel members was priceless.

 

[Brian Leetch]

I don't mind him. Entertaining. He Hates the Rangers which is what he's supposed to do as a former Penguin. Listening to him rant and curse about the refs was funny. He's a good enemy. Hockey doesn't have enough of those. Too many teams and players who are "buddy buddy" on and off the ice. Sean Avery is the same way, and even funnier.

 

[joestevens29]

Very much so, I feel like the TNT one is a bunch of hockey guys talking hockey.

The Sportsnet one and TSN ones are just media broadcasters talking hockey and trying to make jokes...hard to watch except Bieksa.

I feel they are trying to hard on sportsnet and tsn to be funny, but they just don't have the personalities for it. They have guys that have been so serious for so long that when they do try lighten the mood and joke it becomes awkward.

 

[Left handed]

What I dislike about Biz/Whit is when they say "(NHL city) fans are shit" - like all the fans... I know they are joking and exaggerating, but that generalization is rubbing me in the wrong way a little. That's about it.

I think it's all part of the schtick. Look at fandom in general. People say all sorts of weird, hubristic things when it comes to their sports teams. I don't take it that far myself. But some people live, breathe, and die based on how their team is doing.

I think the Chiclets guys lean into it because it stirs up emotions and gets attention on them. It's just like any other shock jockey out there spewing hot takes to get a rise out of people and to get views.

 

[Ducer]

I used to deliver the newspaper to his parent's he was a funny looking kid growing up, then I worked in a pizzeria and his dad used to come in for a pie and i would ask how Paul was doin very nice family.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

His schtick is played out.

 

[oldunclehue]

I feel they are trying to hard on sportsnet and tsn to be funny, but they just don't have the personalities for it. They have guys that have been so serious for so long that when they do try lighten the mood and joke it becomes awkward.

That’s the Jay and Dan aftermath. When TSN first brought on Jay and Dan years ago, they had a genuine funny Sportscentre cast, it was their nature. They had great success and then it became way to commercialized and forced. Ever since the personalities try and force it with the hopes of becoming a household name.

But younger folks are cutting the cord and streaming hockey, little by little the sports channels are losing viewership AA D won’t get it back

 

[peconcan]

Because he’s funny and popular on social media. Also an ex NHLer. The league wants to become more entertaining and popular and that’s what Biz gives them