When Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT Commentor reappear down the media road, they will wear the cancellation of their Barstool Van Talk show like a badge of honor. Cancelled after a single airing, Barstool Van Talk simply can’t be outdone in the annals of failure — a quick bit of research shows that no shows are cancelled after just half an episode. So others can only hope to tie Barstool Van Talk, but “Big Cat” and PFT Commentor can never lose. When the duo does again go on to bigger things than their current podcast Pardon My Take, the Barstool cancellation will wear like the story of Michael Jordan getting cut from his high school basketball team. (“Big Cat” may want to grow six inches next summer like Mike did to change his fate.) However you slice it, “Banned by ESPN” is probably a great ad for these guys.
The hosts released a statement saying they were “heartbroken” about the cancellation, but also promising that Pardon My Take will get “bigger and stronger everyday.” They smartly thanked their “award-winning listeners/watchers” and took a philosophical approach, quoting an unnamed guru who said: “success isn’t owned, it’s leased. And rent is due every day.” In cancelling the show, ESPN chief John Skipper said he appreciated the efforts of Big Cat and PFT Commentor, admitting “they delivered the show they promised.” But he felt he had to cancel it anyway — or actually because of that — to save ESPN’s reputation. The episode is below. Are you offended?
