Starting out in 2002 as a one-on-one interview show in front of a live audience, CenterStage has segued into a dynamic nexus of sports and entertainment, gaining energy and influence along the way. New Yorkers love to get down and dirty and in your face, and host Michael Kay doesn’t disappoint, probing the back stories of signings, firings and personality clashes, amplified by the show’s revolving door of celebrity guests. But CenterStage also packs its share of human interest. Witness former Vikings player Herschel Walker discussing his mental illness, John Mellencamp stopping by to salute die-hard fan Paul O’Neill, and — in one of our favorite recent moments — the love-fest phone calling between Larry David and Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.

Fast Facts

  • YES taped its 100th episode of CenterStage in May 2008, featuring guest Snoop Dogg.

  • The series’ guest roster has included Rudy Giuliani, Joe Namath, Martina Navratilova, Kevin Bacon and Ice-T.

Honorable Mentions:
Celtics Now, Comcast SportsNet New England: The dovetailing of the Celtics’ dramatic 2007-08 season and Comcast SportsNet’s purchase of FSN New England laid the perfect foundation for the launch of this weekly magazine series, just in time for increased focus on the resurgent team.

Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight, Comcast SportsNet New England: Comcast’s answer to Boston-area affiliates slicing and dicing their nightly sports reports? A linear television, Web and mobile assault of New England sports that includes twice-nightly live discourse about the day’s hot stories.

Yankeeography, YES Network: Eleven Emmys and 34 nominations in six years can’t be wrong. YES’ exclusive series continues to push the sports biography envelope, and in 2007 featured a stunning triple-header with segments on Hideki Matsui, the 1996 World Series team and great Yankees pitchers.

Return to 2008 CableFAX Program Awards table of contents.

The Daily

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In Memory

A+E Networks has set up a website in honor of Deborah McBride , who passed away last month at age 45 after a short battle with brain cancer. McBride served as VP, Corporate Communications at A+E and also had

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