Inside the Studio

Let's throw it all out. And appreciate the studio. Watching the old clips, it's sad the first thought that comes to mind is "why are they sitting so close together?"

But the content - the deep, thoughtful approach and analysis of Ernie Johnson, is what really prompted the quick write-up.

A long time ago, in my early twenties, I once wrote Pike was a "great group of guys." But that group - of Kenny, Charles, and Ernie - really are a personable, thoughtful, hilarious, deep trio, all anchored and guided by Ernie.

And of course I wish I could have caught the whole segment, but the few clips I did see were so touching - Ernie handing his Emmy award to Stuart Scott's daughters, Ernie battling through cancer during his professional stint but telling his comrades to keep it comfortable and casual.

Viewership was probably light tonight, and half of the small audience reading this is probably unfamiliar with the show. But Ernie Johnson is a role model for a lot of professionals - athletes and non-athletes, black and white, young and old - and someone to learn from.

I guess it was just nice to see a segment on how positive someone is and how well he means as Bob Costa put it. Just a rarity these days. A late night throw on after a late night office for ten minutes of deep positivity.

The ratio of deep positivity to polarizing negativity lately has been a lot to a little. But perhaps people are sick of the latter like me. Perhaps people want more Ernie Johnson's and less Ted Cruz's (non-politic guy picking on someone in politics).

Perhaps the road to recovery is suddenly a combination of here and two months away. Perhaps the three of those guys and the one and a half of Shaq (his ring and watch are actually bigger than my face) will be vaccinated and sitting close together outside Staples for Game 2 of the finals this year.

And the key will be for all of us to continue to learn from Ernie. I mean he says it best - "don't take yourself so seriously. Be able to laugh."

This post could have taken many shapes and sizes given the up and down nature of these past two weeks coupled with 18 hour workdays. I'm glad it landed on Ernie.