Well, ESPN is finally talking about the Ben Rothelisberger sexual assault allegations, but you have to have been quick to catch it. The most hilarious part of the brief “ESPN Sports Reporters” segment on the subject was not Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom’s contention that “a lot of women make false claims.” (Stay classy, Mitch). It was the actual length of the conversation.

As TAMPABAY.COM’s Tom Jones reported, and we picked up via AWFUL ANNOUNCING, Albom and NEW YORK TIMES columnist Bill Rhoden no sooner began arguing about the subject than host Mike Lupica pulled the plug, quickly switching the subject. And now ESPN viewers are more confused than ever. Read more…

You might just know Skip Bayless as the blowhard on ESPN who says outrageous statements just to get attention. (Versus, basically, every other personality on ESPN who does exactly the same thing.) Among his greatest hits are his on-going hatred of LeBron James and his belief that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were boycotting a golf event because it was sponsored by Mercedes.

(ESPNer Bayless reiterated stand on Aikman’s sexual preference)

So you might be surprised - shocked, even - to learn that Bayless used to be more than a talking head seeking out controversy: he used to be a writer seeking out controversy. THE STARTING FIVE has Part One of an exhaustive interview with Bayless about his columns and books, focusing on his expose “Hell-Bent: The Crazy Truth About the’Win or Else’ Dallas Cowboys,” which created a scandal for allegedly “outing” Cowboys QB Troy Aikman. And Bayless isn’t backing down. Sort of.

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