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Stephen A. Smith: Straight Shooter – Unpacking the ESPN Icon's Controversial Legacy
Stephen A. Smith. The name alone evokes strong reactions. Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him. He’s a lightning rod, a controversial figure, and arguably the most recognizable face in sports media. But beyond the bombastic pronouncements and heated debates, lies a fascinating narrative of a man who built his career on unwavering opinions and a relentless pursuit of attention. This in-depth exploration delves into the Stephen A. Smith phenomenon, examining the factors that have shaped him, analyzing his impact on sports journalism, and considering the lasting legacy he's building. We’ll navigate the complexities of his persona, dissecting his successes and scrutinizing his controversies to present a balanced and insightful portrait of the “Straight Shooter.” Prepare for a journey into the world of Stephen A. Smith, a world as unpredictable and captivating as the man himself.
The Making of a Media Mogul: Early Life and Career Trajectory
Stephen A. Smith's path to ESPN stardom wasn’t a straight line. Born and raised in New York City, he honed his skills as a writer, covering local sports before transitioning to radio and television. His early career was characterized by a distinct voice—sharp, opinionated, and unafraid to ruffle feathers. This willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and speak his mind, however controversial, became his trademark. His ascent wasn’t without its struggles; he faced criticism and setbacks, but his determination and relentless work ethic propelled him forward, ultimately leading him to the national spotlight. This section explores the crucial formative years and career milestones that shaped the Stephen A. Smith we know today, analyzing his early writing style and broadcast approach. We'll examine how he cultivated his distinctive, and often polarizing, persona.
The First Take Phenomenon: Amplifying the Debate
Stephen A. Smith’s career took off with his role on ESPN's First Take. Paired with Skip Bayless, their on-air chemistry (or perhaps more accurately, their on-air clashes) ignited a national conversation. The show’s format, built on spirited debates and strong opinions, perfectly suited Smith's style. He became the show’s undisputed star, his passionate arguments and sometimes outlandish pronouncements captivating audiences and generating significant social media buzz. This section will dissect the First Take phenomenon, exploring its impact on the sports media landscape and Smith's contribution to its success. We'll consider the show's formula, analyzing how it successfully tapped into the public's appetite for engaging and often contentious sports discussions.
Controversy and Criticism: Navigating the Highs and Lows
Stephen A. Smith's outspoken nature has inevitably led to controversies. His strong opinions, often delivered with unwavering conviction, haven’t always resonated positively. He has faced criticism for his sometimes insensitive remarks, his occasional over-the-top reactions, and his tendency to make generalizations. This section will address the controversies surrounding Smith, acknowledging the criticisms leveled against him while exploring the context of his comments and analyzing their impact. It's crucial to understand that while his outspokenness is a core component of his appeal, it also represents a vulnerability to criticism and potential missteps. We will examine how he has handled these moments and what they reveal about his personality and professional approach.
Beyond the Hot Takes: Smith's Multifaceted Career
Stephen A. Smith isn't just a talking head. His career extends beyond First Take, encompassing radio, podcasts, and various other media ventures. This section explores the breadth of his work, demonstrating the versatility of his skills and the diverse platforms he utilizes to share his opinions. We'll examine his impact on these different mediums, showcasing how he adapts his approach to cater to different audiences and formats. Understanding this broader context provides a more complete picture of the multifaceted figure that is Stephen A. Smith.
The Lasting Legacy: A Defining Impact on Sports Media
What is the lasting legacy of Stephen A. Smith? He has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on sports media. His influence on the style and tone of sports commentary is undeniable, influencing a generation of personalities who have followed in his footsteps. This concluding section will assess Smith’s lasting impact, considering his contributions to the evolution of sports journalism and his influence on the ways sports are discussed and debated in the public sphere. We'll consider his role as a cultural icon and the controversies that have shaped his image and cemented his reputation.
Ebook Outline: Stephen A. Smith: Straight Shooter
Name: Stephen A. Smith: Unpacking the ESPN Icon
Outline:
Introduction: Hooking the reader with a compelling overview of Stephen A. Smith's impact on sports media.
Chapter 1: The Making of a Media Mogul: Early life, career trajectory, and the development of his unique style.
Chapter 2: The First Take Phenomenon: Analyzing Smith's role in First Take's success and his impact on the show's dynamic.
Chapter 3: Controversy and Criticism: Addressing controversies, analyzing criticisms, and exploring the context of his comments.
Chapter 4: Beyond the Hot Takes: Examining Smith's multi-faceted career beyond First Take.
Chapter 5: The Lasting Legacy: Assessing Smith's long-term impact on sports media and his influence on future generations.
Conclusion: Summarizing key takeaways and reflecting on the enduring legacy of Stephen A. Smith.
(Detailed explanation of each point in the outline is provided above in the article itself.)
FAQs:
1. What makes Stephen A. Smith so controversial? His outspoken nature, strong opinions, and occasional insensitive remarks contribute to his controversial image.
2. What is Stephen A. Smith's net worth? While the exact figure is not publicly available, his long and successful career suggests a substantial net worth.
3. What other shows has Stephen A. Smith been on besides First Take? He has hosted radio shows and made appearances on various other ESPN programs.
4. How has Stephen A. Smith's style influenced other sports commentators? His passionate and opinionated style has inspired many other commentators to adopt a more assertive and engaging approach.
5. Has Stephen A. Smith ever apologized for his controversial statements? While the specifics vary, he has addressed and apologized for some of his past comments.
6. What is Stephen A. Smith's background before ESPN? He worked as a writer and broadcaster for various media outlets before joining ESPN.
7. How does Stephen A. Smith prepare for his appearances on First Take? While his exact preparation methods aren't public, it’s clear he researches extensively and forms strong opinions before appearing.
8. What are some of the most memorable Stephen A. Smith moments? Many of his most memorable moments stem from passionate debates and strongly-held opinions voiced on First Take.
9. What is Stephen A. Smith's social media presence like? He maintains an active presence on social media, engaging with his fans and contributing to ongoing sports discussions.
Related Articles:
1. Stephen A. Smith's Most Controversial Moments: A compilation and analysis of his most debated statements and on-air exchanges.
2. The Evolution of Stephen A. Smith's Broadcasting Style: A timeline showcasing the development of his unique communication style.
3. The Impact of First Take on Sports Media: An examination of the show's influence and its impact on sports journalism.
4. Stephen A. Smith's Influence on Young Sports Journalists: How his career has shaped the aspirations and styles of aspiring commentators.
5. Comparing Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless' On-Air Dynamics: An analysis of their contrasting personalities and their collaborative (or combative) relationship.
6. Analyzing Stephen A. Smith's Rhetorical Techniques: A deep dive into his communication style, exploring his use of language and argumentation.
7. The Business of Stephen A. Smith: Brand Building and Media Moguldom: An examination of his business acumen and media empire.
8. Stephen A. Smith's Philanthropic Efforts and Community Involvement: Exploring his contributions beyond the sports media realm.
9. Stephen A. Smith's Future in Sports Media: Predictions and Speculations: Looking ahead at his potential future roles and contributions.
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Straight Shooter Stephen A. Smith, 2023-01-17 America’s most popular sports media figure tells it like it is in this surprisingly personal book, not only dishing out his signature, uninhibited opinions but also revealing the challenges he overcame in childhood as well as at ESPN, and who he really is when the cameras are off. Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced a number of struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines. Smith hustled and rose up from a high school reporter at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1990s, before getting his own show at ESPN in 2005. After he was unceremoniously fired from the network in 2009, he became even more determined to fight for success. He got himself rehired two years later and, with his razor-sharp intelligence and fearless debate style, found his role on the show he was destined to star in: First Take, the network’s flagship morning program. In Straight Shooter, Smith writes about the greatest highs and deepest lows of his life and career. He gives his thoughts on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Cowboys, and former President Donald Trump. But he also pulls back the curtain and talks about life beyond the set, sharing authentic stories about his negligent father, his loving mother, being a father himself, his battle with life-threatening COVID-19, and what he really thinks about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same intelligence, humor, and charm that has made him a household name. Provocative, moving, and eye-opening, this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Strategic Sport Communication Paul M. Pedersen, Pamela C. Laucella, Edward (Ted) M. Kian, Andrea N. Geurin, 2024-04-29 Strategic Sport Communication explores the multifaceted segment of sport communication. This text presents a standard framework that introduces readers to the many ways in which individuals, media outlets, and sport organizations work to create, disseminate, and manage messages to their constituents-- |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius Nick Greene, 2021-03-02 A brilliant, entertaining deconstruction of basketball, drawing on the expertise of board-game creators, magicians, therapists, and more Basketball is the second-most popular sport in the world—an insanely complicated game built on a combination of athleticism, craftiness, rules, intangibles, and superstardom. However, while it’s enjoyable to watch, the real reason it works is because it’s a game of culture, art, and all the things that make us human. How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius deconstructs the sport from top to bottom and then puts it back together again, detailing its intricacies through reporting and dozens of interviews with experts. These experts, however, are a diverse group: wine critics weighing in on LeBron’s ability to delegate on the fly, magicians analyzing Chris Paul’s mystifying dribbling techniques, cartographers breaking down Steph Curry’s deadeye three-point shooting. Every chapter treats basketball to a multi-disciplined study that adventures far beyond the lines of the court, examining key elements of the sport from some surprising and revealing angles. There’s a reason it has conquered the world, and every game is a chance to learn about pop culture, fashion, history, science, art, and anything else that bounces our way. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Game Grant Hill, 2022-06-07 The full, frank story of a remarkable life’s journey—to the pinnacle of success as a basketball player, icon, and entrepreneur, to the depths of personal trauma and back, to a place of flourishing and peace—made possible above all by a family’s love Grant Hill always had game. His choice of college was a subject of national interest, and his arrival at Duke University cemented the program’s arrival at the top. In his freshman year, he led the team to its first NCAA championship, and three championship appearances in four years. His Duke career produced some of the most iconic moments in college basketball history, and Coach K proved to be a lifelong mentor. Later, as one of the NBA’s best players and a new face of the Detroit Pistons franchise, Hill was the first person with the potential to give Michael Jordan a run for his money, not just as a player but as a brand. His $45 million rookie contract was almost the least of it. He turned down Nike for Fila, and soon Method Man and Tupac Shakur were wearing his shoes. Hill writes candidly about all of it, including the transactional impermanence of life in the league and the isolation caused by his growing fame. His parents and friends helped ground him, and eventually he met a gifted musician named Tamia. The love he found with her and the arrival of their two beautiful daughters would be his rock as a brutal and mysterious injury sidelined him, coinciding with his wife’s own serious health struggles. With openness and insight, Hill relates his entire path, including post-career highlights like his Hall of Fame induction, co-ownership of the Atlanta Hawks, the directorship of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team, and even a yearly gig calling the Final Four. Hill’s father, Calvin, used to tell him that there were always a lot of reasons but never any excuses, and Game is a distillation of a lifetime’s effort to understand the reasons—the good and the bad. At his hardest moments, Hill sought out wisdom from others, stories of inspiration and overcoming obstacles. Now, with Game, he has returned the favor. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Targeted Stephen Hunter, 2022-01-18 After being accused of reckless endangerment and forced to answer to the U.S. Congress, master sniper Bob Lee Swagger must protect political hostages in a once-in-a-lifetime standoff-- |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Unscripted Ernie Jr. Johnson, 2017-04-04 Ernie Johnson Jr. has been in the game a long time. With one of the most recognized voices in sports broadcasting, he is a tireless perfectionist when it comes to preparing and delivering his commentary. Yet he knows that some of sports' greatest triumphs--and life's greatest rewards--come from those unscripted moments you never anticipated. In this heartfelt, gripping autobiography, the three-time Sports Emmy Award-winner and popular host of TNT's Inside the NBA provides a remarkably candid look at his life both on and off the screen. From his relationship with his sportscaster father to his own rise to the top of sports broadcasting, from battling cancer to raising six children with his wife, Cheryl, including a special needs child adopted from Romania, Ernie has taken the important lessons he learned from his father and passed them on to his own children. This is the untold story, the one Ernie has lived after the lights are turned off and the cameras stop rolling. Sports fans, cancer survivors, fathers and sons, adoptive parents, those whose lives have been touched by a person with special needs, anyone who loves stories about handling life's surprises with grace--Unscripted is for all of these. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Life Is Not an Accident Jay Williams, 2016-01-26 New York Times Bestseller This big-hearted memoir by the most promising professional basketball player of his generation details his rise to NBA stardom, the terrible accident that ended his career and plunged him into a life-altering depression, and how he ultimately found his way out of the darkness. Ten years ago, Jay Williams was at the beginning of a brilliant professional basketball career. The Chicago Bulls’ top draft pick—and the second pick of the entire draft—he had the great Michael Jordan’s locker. Then he ran his high-performance motorcycle head-on into a light pole, severely damaging himself and ending his career. In this intense, hard-hitting, and deeply profound memoir, Williams talks about the accident that transformed him. Sometimes, the memories are so fresh, he feels like he’ll never escape the past. Most days, he finds a quiet peace as a commentator on ESPN and as an entrepreneur who can only look back in astonishment at his younger self—a kid who had it all, thought he was invincible, and lost everything . . . only to gain new wisdom. Williams also shares behind the scenes details of life as an All-American. He tells it straight about the scandalous recruiting process and his decision to return to Duke and Coach K—a man who taught him about accountability—to finish his education. He also speaks out about corruption—among coaches, administrators, players, and alumni—and about his time in the NBA, introducing us to a dark underworld culture in the pros: the gambling, drugs, and sex in every city, with players on every team. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Out of the Pocket Kirk Herbstreit, 2021-08-17 This powerfully intimate, plain-spoken memoir about fathers and sons, fortitude, and football from the face and voice of college football—Kirk Herbstreit—is not just “a window into the game, but also a peek into what makes him special: his heart” (David Shaw, head coach, Stanford University). Kirk Herbstreit is a reflection of the sport he loves, a reflection of his football-crazed home state of Ohio, where he was a high school star and Ohio State captain, and a reflection of another Ohio State football captain thirty-two years earlier: his dad Jim, who battled Alzheimer’s disease until his death in 2016. In Out of the Pocket, Herbstreit does what his father did for him: takes you inside the locker rooms, to the practice fields, to the meeting rooms, to the stadiums. Herbstreit describes how a combination of hard work, perseverance, and a little luck landed him on the set of ESPN’s iconic College GameDay show, surrounded by tens of thousands of fans who treat their Saturdays like a football Mardi Gras. He takes you into the television production meetings, on to the GameDay set, and into the broadcast booth. You’ll live his life during a football season, see the things he sees, experience every chaotic twist and turn as the year unfolds. Not to mention the relationships he’s established and the insights he’s learned from the likes of coaches and players such as Nick Saban, Tim Tebow, Dabo Swinney, and Peyton Manning, as well as his colleagues, including Chris Fowler, Rece Davis, and his “second dad,” the beloved Coach Lee Corso. Yes, Kirk Herbstreit is the undeniable face and voice of college football—but he’s also a survivor. He’s the quiet kid who withstood the collapse of his parents’ marriage. The boy who endured too many overbearing stepdads and stepmoms. The painfully shy student who always chose the last desk in the last row of the classroom. The young man who persevered through a frustrating Ohio State playing career. The new college graduate who turned down a lucrative sales job after college to pursue a “no way you’ll make it” dream career in broadcasting. Inspiring and powerful, Out of the Pocket “proves the importance of perseverance and family” (Peyton Manning). |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: I Feel Like Going On Ray Lewis, Daniel Paisner, 2016-10-18 The legendary Baltimore Ravens linebacker assesses the state of football while recounting his troubled youth, his rise to athletic fame, and the allegations that threatened his NFL career. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised Carmelo Anthony, 2022-10-04 From iconic NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony comes a raw and inspirational memoir about growing up in the housing projects of Red Hook and Baltimore-a brutal world Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised-- |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Western Movies Michael R. Pitts, 2013-01-04 This revised and greatly expanded edition of a well-established reference book presents 5105 feature length (four reels or more) Western films, from the early silent era to the present. More than 900 new entries are in this edition. Each entry has film title, release company and year, running time, color indication, cast listing, plot synopsis, and a brief critical review and other details. Not only are Hollywood productions included, but the volume also looks at Westerns made abroad as well as frontier epics, north woods adventures and nature related productions. Many of the films combine genres, such as horror and science fiction Westerns. The volume includes a list of cowboys and their horses and a screen names cross reference. There are more than 100 photographs. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: How Not to Die Alone Richard Roper, 2019-05-28 Smart, darkly funny, and life-affirming, How Not to Die Alone is the bighearted debut novel we all need, for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, it's a story about love, loneliness, and the importance of taking a chance when we feel we have the most to lose. Off-beat and winning...Gives resiliency and the triumph of the human spirit a good name. --The Wall Street Journal All Andrew wants is to be normal. That's why his coworkers believe he has the perfect wife and two children waiting at home for him after a long day. But the truth is, his life isn't exactly as people think . . . and his little white lie is about to catch up with him. Because in all of Andrew's efforts to fit in, he's forgotten one important thing: how to really live. And maybe, it's finally time for him to start. Roper illuminates Andrew's interior life to reveal not what an odd duck he is, but what odd ducks we all are. --The New York Times Book Review |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Business Week , 1992 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Encyclopedia of Southern Culture Charles Reagan Wilson, William R. Ferris, 1989 Editors Wilson (history, Mississippi) and Ferris (anthropology, Detroit and Bakersfield. Literate, scholarly and pithy entries accompanied by well chosen photographs artfully placed. Far too good a book to be printed on acidic paper; our test contradicts the statement on the verso of the title page. The price is $49.95 until January 1990. Mississippi) have devoted 10 years to the realization of a unique concept. Involving many scholars and writers in many fields, this book ranges from grand historical themes to the whimsical; from the arts and high culture to folk and popular culture, organized around 245 thematic sections such as, history, religion, language, art and architecture, etc. Focuses on the eleven states of the former confederacy, but also encompases southern outposts in midwestern and middle-Atlantic border states, even the southern pockets of Chicago, Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Catalog of Copyright Entries Library of Congress. Copyright Office, 1973 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series Library of Congress. Copyright Office, 1973 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Merchant Vessels of the United States , |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Two Ranges Roberto Medina, 1974 Two Ranges deals with the warmth and beauty of the Chicano spirit. . .and with the reality that the Chicano spirit is caught-up in the struggle of prejudice and discrimination.--Foreword. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Hockey Night Fever Stephen Cole, 2015-10-20 A wildly evocative chronicle of the decade that changed hockey forever. Lady Byng died in Boston read a sign in the Garden arena in 1970, a cheery dismissal of the NHL trophy awarded the game's most gentlemanly player. A new age of hockey was dawning. For 30 years, hockey was an orderly and (relatively) well-behaved sport. There was one Commissioner, six teams and five colours--red, white, black, blue and yellow. Oh, and one nationality. Until 1967, every player, coach, referee and GM in the NHL had been a Canadian. And then came NHL expansion, the founding of the WHA, and garish new uniforms. The Seventies had arrived: the era that gave us not only disco, polyester suits, lava lamps and mullets but also the movie Slap Shot and the arrest of ten NHL players for on-ice mayhem. But it also gave us hockey's greatest encounter (the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit), its most splendid team, the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, and the most aesthetically satisfying game--the three-all tie on New Year's Eve, 1975, between the Canadiens and the Soviet Red Army. Modern hockey was born in the sport's wild, sensational, sometimes ugly Seventies growth spurt. The forces at play in the decade's battle for hockey supremacy--dazzling speed vs. brute force--are now, for better or worse, part of hockey's DNA. This book is a welcome reappraisal of the ten years that changed how the sport was played and experienced. Informed by first-hand interviews with players and game officials, and sprinkled with sidebars on the art and artifacts that defined Seventies hockey, the book brings dramatically alive hockey's most eventful, exciting decade. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: On Writing Stephen King, 2000-10-03 Stephen King reflects on how his writing has helped him through difficult times and describes various aspects of the art of writing. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Myth, Media, and the Southern Mind Stephen A. Smith, 1985 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: You Herd Me! Colin Cowherd, 2014-09-09 There are really two games, the one you see and the one you don't. The way I see it, the best way to use access to both worlds is to illuminate and reveal, not idolize and adore. It's better to be wrong than to be played for a fool. – Colin Cowherd In this age of billion dollar athletic marketing campaigns, “feel good” philosophy with no connection to reality, and a Sports Media echo chamber that’s all too eager swallow whatever idiotic notion happens to be in vogue at the moment, it’s tough to find people who aren’t afraid to say what they’re really thinking. But that’s where Colin Cowherd comes in. As his millions of fans on ESPN Radio and ESPNU already know, Colin is the rare sports analyst who’s brave (or crazy) enough to speak his mind—even if it pisses some people off. Of course, it helps that a lot of what Colin has to say is simply hilarious. Lots of writers can tell you about Boston’s storied sports history. But how many can tell you why the city of Boston is America’s five year old? Lots of writers will brag about the stuff they got right, but how many will happily list all the calls they got completely and utterly wrong? Whether he’s pointing out the stupidity of conspiracy theories, explaining why media bias isn’t nearly as big a deal as many assume, or calling out those who prize short term wins over sustainability, Colin is smart, thought-provoking, and laugh-out-loud funny. Some of the questions he’s not afraid to ask in You Herd Me! include: Is Tiger Woods really a sex addict—or does he just have good PR? Is “work-life balance” really the ideal we should all strive for—or is that just a way for people feel better about mediocrity? Is talent really all it’s cracked up to be—or can too much talent actually be counterproductive? Is the X games really a sport—or would we all be better off if we admitted it’s something else entirely? Is Hell really a supernatural place of fire and brimstone—or is it actually just another word for living in Tampa? Unapologetically entertaining and packed with behind-the-scenes insights you won’t get anywhere else, You Herd Me! is unlike any other sports book ever written. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Harness Horse , 1988 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: EcoComix Sidney I. Dobrin, 2020-09-18 Exploring image and imagination in conjunction with natural environments, the animal, and the human, this collection of essays turns the ecocritical and ecocompositional gaze upon comic studies. The comic form has a long tradition of representing environmental rhetoric. Through discussions of comics including A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, We3, Concrete, and Black Orchid, these essays bring the rich work of ecological criticism into dialogue with the multi-faceted landscape of comics, graphic novels, web-comics, cartoons, and animation. The contributors ask not only how nature and environment are portrayed in these texts but also how these textual forms inform how we come to know nature and environment--or what we understand those terms to represent. Interdisciplinary in approach, this collection welcomes diverse approaches that integrate not only ecocriticism and comics studies, but animal studies, posthumanism, ecofeminism, queer ecology, semiotics, visual rhetoric and communication, ecoseeing, image-text studies, space and spatial theories, writing studies, media ecology, ecomedia, and other methodological approaches. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Electronic Tribes Tyrone L. Adams, Stephen A. Smith, 2008-06 From MySpace.com to Nigerian e-mail scams, sixteen competitively selected essays inquire into the causes and consequences of the tribes that are facilitated by the Internet. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Dick Tracy and American Culture Garyn G. Roberts, 2003-08-28 In October 1931, Dick Tracy made his debut on the pages of the Detroit Mirror. Since then America's most famous crime fighter has tangled with a variety of protagonists from locations as diverse as the inner city and outer space, all the time maintaining the moral high ground while reflecting American popular culture. Through extensive research and interviews with Chester Gould (the creator of Dick Tracy), his assistants, Dick Locher (the current artist), Max Allan Collins (who scripted the stories for more than 15 years) and many others associated with the strip, Dick Tracy as a cultural icon emerges. The strips use of both innovative and established police methods and the true-to-life portrayals of Tracy's family and fellow cops are detailed. The artists behind the strip are fully revealed and Dick Tracy paraphernalia and the 1990 movie Dick Tracy are discussed. Dick Tracy's appearances in other media--books, comics, radio, movie serials, B movies, television dramas, and animated cartoons--are fully covered. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Sixty-One Chris Paul, 2023-06-20 Instant New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller! A powerful and unexpected memoir of family, faith, tragedy, and life's most important lessons. The day after future NBA superstar Chris Paul signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for Wake Forest, he received a world-shattering phone call. His grandfather, Nathaniel Papa Jones, a pillar of the Winston-Salem community where he owned and operated the first Black-owned service station in North Carolina, was mugged and ultimately died from a heart attack resulting from the assault. His funeral filled the largest church in the county, which held over one thousand people. He was sixty-one years old. The day after burying his grandfather, Chris was coping the best way he knew how: by playing basketball for his high school team. After pouring in shot after shot, his last attempt was an airball purposely flung out of bounds from the foul line before Chris exited the game. The next day, local news headlines declared that he fell six points shy of the statewide single game high school scoring record. But he accomplished exactly what he set out to do: scoring sixty-one points, one for each year of life lived by his grandfather. In Sixty-One, Chris opens up about life beyond basketball and the role his grandfather played in molding him into the man and father he is today. He’ll speak about the foundation of faith and family he built his life upon, what it means to be a positive light within your community and beyond, and the importance of setting the proper example for future generations. Most importantly, Chris will talk about his home, Winston-Salem, and the close-knit family and village that raised him to become one of the most respected leaders in all of sports. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: 100 Things Phish Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die Andy P. Smith, Jason Gershuny, Mike Greenhaus, 2018-06-01 Few music groups have been able to sustain a fan base as passionate and dedicated as that of Phish, and this entertaining guide rewards those fans with everything they need to know about the band in a one-of-a-kind format. Packed with history, trivia, lists, little-known facts, and must-do adventures that every Phish fan should undertake, it ranks each item from one to 100, providing an indispensable, engaging road map for devotees old and new. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Columns to Characters Peter Baker, Martha Joynt Kumar, Rita Kirk, David Demarest, Roderick P Hart, Thomas M. DeFrank, Stephen A Smith, Tony Pedersen, Robert W Mong, George C Edwards, Jennifer Mercieca, Stacia Deshishku, 2017-11-23 The relationship between the presidency and the press has transformed—seemingly overnight—from one where reports and columns were filed, edited, and deliberated for hours before publication into a brave new world where texts, tweets, and sound bites race from composition to release within a matter of seconds. This change, which has ultimately made political journalism both more open and more difficult, brings about many questions, but perhaps the two most important are these: Are the hard questions still being asked? Are they still being answered? In Columns to Characters, Stephanie A. Martin and top scholars and journalists offer a fresh perspective on how the evolution of technology affects the way presidents interact with the public. From Bill Clinton’s saxophone playing on the Arsenio Hall Show to Barack Obama’s skillful use of YouTube, Twitter, and Reddit as the first “social media president,” political communication appears to reflect the increasing fragmentation of the American public. The accessible essays here explore these implications in a variety of real-world circumstances: the “narcotizing” numbness of information overload and voter apathy; the concerns over privacy, security, and civil liberties; new methods of running political campaigns and mobilizing support for programs; and a future “post-rhetorical presidency” in which the press is all but irrelevant. Each section of the book concludes with a “reality check,” a short reflection by a working journalist (or, in one case, a former White House insider) on the presidential beat. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits, 1903-1995: Section III. Film index. Section IV. Television index , 1996 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Don't Let The Lipstick Fool You Lisa Leslie, Larry Burnett, 2008-05 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: No One Wins Alone Mark Messier, Jimmy Roberts, 2021-10-26 Everybody has value and should be made to feel that way. That was one of our fundamental tenets, and we all bough into it completely. We believed that if you've built the right culture-a culture of inclusion-then an important contribution could just as likely come from a guy who says he's keeping his fingers crossed to hang on with the team as from one of the stars. Book jacket. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Balls , 2019-09-10 |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: This May Hurt a Bit Stephen Skyvington, 2019-02-02 “How might we fix Canada’s health-care system?”; “why would we want to?”; and “what’s stopping us from doing so?” These three questions lie at the very heart of This May Hurt a Bit. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Philip Larkin, Popular Culture, and the English Individual J. Ryan Hibbett, 2019-02-18 Despite the denigrating revelations of his published letters, Philip Larkin looms larger than ever, both as an English national icon and as a championed voice of postwar English poetry. Philip Larkin, Popular Culture, and the English Individual seeks to move beyond the decades-long preoccupation with Larkin’s reputation and canonical status, approaching Larkin instead as part of a persevering cultural phenomenon through which the traditionally distinguished individual is reconstituted in the company of the ordinary and the interchangeable. It tracks how Larkin’s poetic texts negotiate and engage with representations of popular culture at a time when notions of celebrity, authenticity, and cultural authority were newly (and deeply) unsettled by rock and roll, and when cultural capital had become a coveted substitute for diminished imperial wealth. From his unprecedented f-bombs to his cultivation of a familiar, comedic personality, this book examines how Larkin realigns common social practices and popular art forms—be it attending a church service, watching television, or enjoying a concert—to the isolated, knowing gaze of the individual. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Bob Carr Marilyn Dodkin, 2003 Chronicles Bob Carr's years of leadership and opposition, steering New South Wales through good and bad times, including the most successful Olympic Games ever. It is an honest, frank account of a politician's career with all its ups and downs, spiced with Carr's own humour, opinions and frank discourse with his State and Federal. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Unguarded Scottie Pippen, 2022-10-04 An unflinching memoir from the six-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Hall of Famer, revealing how Scottie Pippen, the youngest of twelve, overcame two family tragedies and universal disregard by college scouts to become an essential component of the greatest basketball dynasty of the last fifty years. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Billboard , 1971-03-20 In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Death of a King Tavis Smiley, 2014-09-09 A revealing and dramatic chronicle of the twelve months leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. Martin Luther King, Jr. died in one of the most shocking assassinations the world has known, but little is remembered about the life he led in his final year. New York Times bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King's life, revealing the minister's trials and tribulations -- denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country's black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology, and political tactics, to name a few -- all of which he had to rise above in order to lead and address the racism, poverty, and militarism that threatened to destroy our democracy. Smiley's Death of a King paints a portrait of a leader and visionary in a narrative different from all that have come before. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King's life -- one that adds both nuance and gravitas to his legacy as an American hero. |
| stephen a smith straight shooter: Georges Laraque Georges Laraque, 2011-11-08 Think you know NHL tough guy Georges Laraque? Think again. Sure, Laraque knows all about the rough side of hockey. The Hockey News named him “best fighter.” Sports Illustrated called him the league’s “#1 enforcer.” Fans called him “BGL”—for Big Georges Laraque. Ottawa Senators’ pugilist Chris Neil called him “probably the toughest in the league.” Ask Laraque, though, and he’ll say that’s not who he really is. Known as a player who was unfailingly respectful and gentlemanly even when he was going toe to toe with the toughest guys in the toughest league in the world, he now takes that courageous sense of what is fair into fights that are much more important than the outcome of a hockey game. The son of Haitian immigrants, Laraque campaigns for World Vision to help Haitian reconstruction and relief. A committed believer in animal rights (and probably the toughest vegan in the world), he is a spokesperson for PETA. A conscientious environmentalist, he stepped up to be the deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. From facing racism in Quebec’s minor-hockey system to the thrill of the Stanley Cup finals as an Edmonton Oiler, Laraque tells the story of a hockey player’s life defined by courage and a refusal to compromise. Honest, startling, and brave, this is a portrait of a hockey player unlike any you’ve read before. |
