the best three-way on tv

who else agrees that pardon the interruption is one of the best half-hour programs on tv? i've got my dvr set to record every first-run episode, since i can never make it home in time to watch it live. i was a huge fan of the sports reporters, when the venerable story-teller , dick schaap, was still the host and mr. wilbon and mr. kornheiser were part of the regular roster of reporters on the panel. they were often impassioned, sometimes outrageous, but always cogent and listenable. i was intrigued when i heard that they got their own show. i can't say i loved it from the get-go, but it took very little time for the hosts to settle into a nice groove. now they have the kind of chemistry that rival the "inside the nba" fellows--a little less giddiness, but broader and deeper commentary. and they've proven that they're winning hosts, always getting their guests (insert big name coach, athlete, and commentator name here) to answer topical questions (ranging from the smart to the silly), and often eliciting solid insights--and even a laugh from each one.
it's a real good time.

but what is killing me these days is that kornheiser's taken to calling jay bilas "hunky" -- the kind of tongue- in- cheek flattery that is a great gag, because, well, bilas (who is a pretty good looking fellow) knows how to take the ribbing. mr. b's become one of my favorite ncaa commentators by virtue of his appearances on PTI--he doesn't bullshit his way through these interviews--the man does his homework, knows his stuff, and shares it with the PTI viewers-and he manages to maintain his composure through kornheiser's adulations and can even often offer a zing or two himself. but today, kornheiser signed off with a "thanks, hot stuff" and what could bilas do but laugh. not as loudly as i did though.