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Video: Chris Berman, drug smuggler

posted at 7:40 pm on February 11, 2008 by Bryan
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Remember the obligatory “Chris Berman goes nuts” video? Well, “ampex2000″, the person or persons who posted that one, has added four more videos to the Berman reel. One is very unsafe for work or play around children. Another shows Berman chatting up a gift wine with a co-worker. Another shows him going ape over a flaky teleprompter. And there’s this one, about Berman’s career as a smuggler sneaking strong (and illegal in the US without a prescription) over-the-counter drugs in from Canada.

Watching this clip and the others on the YouTube account, you get the sense that behind the scenes, Chris Berman is a crazy man. But I wonder, who is posting these awful outtakes? Ampex is a brand of video tape and equipment. These embarrassing Berman outtakes are all from the 2000 football season on ESPN, and they have all surfaced since “ampex2000″ established a YouTube account on Feb 6. Obviously, “ampex2000″ has or had access to the ESPN tape library. A disgruntled floor director? Or tape librarian?

Whoever “ampex2000″ is, they’re obviously not Chris Berman’s friend.

Blowback

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I would like to watch a reality show that just has normal people smoke weed for the first time and do some game show format. That would be a riot.

TheSitRep on February 11, 2008 at 7:46 PM

I don’t really care, I still think Berman’s one of the best and funniest broadcasters out there. And frankly whoever is putting this crap out there obviously (agreeing with Allah) has an axe to grind

Defector01 on February 11, 2008 at 7:49 PM

my apologies – agreeing with Bryan

Defector01 on February 11, 2008 at 7:50 PM

Deadspin has a brief interview up, all he says is he worked with Berman a couple of times.

Ripclawe on February 11, 2008 at 7:50 PM

FWIW, Olbermann said on the Patrick show (when DP was still with ESPN) that Berman was one of the leading critics of having Limbaugh do that little Sunday gig a few years back. That Berman was a big liberal Democrat and wanted nothing to do with Limbaugh.

That probably (just “hunching”) played a role in getting Limbaugh canned after the McNab comment.

SteveMG on February 11, 2008 at 7:51 PM

I’ve never been a big Berman fan but for some slithering back stabber to pull this sort of stunt is just low, low low.

Zorro on February 11, 2008 at 7:53 PM

Where is olby’s ampex ?

William Amos on February 11, 2008 at 8:00 PM

FWIW, Olbermann said on the Patrick show (when DP was still with ESPN) that Berman was one of the leading critics of having Limbaugh do that little Sunday gig a few years back. That Berman was a big liberal Democrat and wanted nothing to do with Limbaugh.

That probably (just “hunching”) played a role in getting Limbaugh canned after the McNab comment.

After things hit the fan, I remember Rush blaiming his quitting ESPN on a “it’s Rush or me” sort of reaction from Tom Jackson. The Sunday NFL Countdown page on Wikipedia quotes Jackson as saying, “Let me just say that it was not our decision to have Rush Limbaugh on this show.” (Emphasis mine.)

In any case, it must be tough to do a supporting gig when neither of the stars of a show are your friend.

Ed Driscoll on February 11, 2008 at 8:01 PM

I’ve always gotten the impression ESPN is full of douchebags.

brak on February 11, 2008 at 8:05 PM

Where is olby’s ampex ?

William Amos on February 11, 2008 at 8:00 PM

Olby only uses his ampex once evry 28 days.

FishFearMe on February 11, 2008 at 8:08 PM

WTF?! Someone’s pissed at the guy for sure.

How’s he keeping his job with this clip??? Can any of us keep a straight face if he reports on some drug incident?

Funny.

mksmithwriter on February 11, 2008 at 8:08 PM

Boomer may be in deep deux deux.

FishFearMe on February 11, 2008 at 8:12 PM

Hope his wife gets a copy of the one where he is hitting on the ugly chick.

Vigilante on February 11, 2008 at 8:15 PM

On ESPN:
Adding the word “sports” in front of “media” doesn’t erase the “liberal.”

ZRyan on February 11, 2008 at 8:23 PM

It’s just Dana Jacobson trying to defect attention.

TheBigOldDog on February 11, 2008 at 8:30 PM

Apparently someone has interviewed “ampex2000″ over youtube’s video chat..

here’s the transcript:

http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?page_id=2352

Can we expect more Berman-related videos?

I think I have maybe 2 more

Has ESPN threatened you for posting the videos?

No

Have you been holding the Berman vids since 2000? If so, why?

I saw the one that someone released that was a huge hit. I thought I was given the only copy years ago. At that point I said what the heck let’s see how many hits can we get with the other ones. After all few see what some of these announcers are like and this is a perfect representation of what Chris is really like!

Any other ESPN on-air talent that we should be aware of acting like this on the set?

None that I know of. He really is the worse.

The vids were dropped right before the Super Bowl. Coincidence?

I think the first release probably was from someone going through old tapes and realized they had a GEM. I just think it was either accidental timming (sic) or Chris pissed someone off.

What is your opinion of Berman?

I use to be in broadcasting and in all my years there have been a few who were similar. However, I think Chris is probably in the top 3 as being the biggest pain to work with.

You say Chris is in the Top 3 biggest pains to work with in the industry. Who are the other two on that list?

I’d rather not say as that would narrow it down to who I might be. Sorry.

Do you still have a working relationship with the broadcasting industry?

Yes I do, However I’m not involved as much now with field remotes as I once was as I have a different job position now.

Berman is famous for being a ladies man. Any stories we should be aware of that would give us more understanding of Berman’s prowess?

No, sorry on that also. I did observe on a few occasions that he would try to make a subtle passes at women, like the one posted about how the “WINE maven makes a pass.” But I know if he did not have his high profile job he would have NO shot at all at any women. He doesn’t show up early or on time for rehearsals and gets very testy. It really make you sick to watch him at work as some announcers or very promt (sic) and very polite. He actually spends more time trying to hit on women then he spends rehearsing for air.

You say you’re involved with the broadcasting industry? Sports?

Rather not say.

We’ve heard what you thought of working with Berman. Did your coworkers feel the same way about him?

Yes they did. Everyone kind of goes with it. But we all know who the real pricks are. Those who are nice everybody goes out of their way for.

From the videos we see a single night of Berman. Are we to believe this was a common theme with Berman while you were around the situation.

There were 2 nights I believe. Maybe on the video you watched it was just one night. I never noticed much of a difference at other times. I was given this tape as I was not there for those broadcasts. However he usually was sarcastic and not someone you preferred to work with as there are so many really nice announcers out there.

Vincenzo on February 11, 2008 at 8:34 PM

So What ! There sure are a whole lot worse things and PEOPLE coming to the US from Canada.

countywolf on February 11, 2008 at 8:36 PM

I incorrectly stated “yotube’s video chat.” It was youtube’s messaging service.

Vincenzo on February 11, 2008 at 8:37 PM

Gawd, watching guys hit on women makes me forever thankful I’m a male.

Oogie. Creepy.

Granted, I’m just as ham-handed as everyone else.

SteveMG on February 11, 2008 at 8:46 PM

Hmmm. He’s a drug smuggler. I’ll make a point of making sure that the next time he goes through customs will be the worst day of his life. We have these new things called databases — this will be with him until the day he dies.

Thanks for the tip.

Wise Golden on February 11, 2008 at 9:00 PM

Chris Berman, if your reading this, I would like to suggest that you anticipate adding a minimum of two hours to every international flight that you make for the remainder of your life. I assume that your smart enough to know not to try it again, but, you have my kind advise that you will need a minimum of two additional hours on each flight…forever. If you fail to plan the way I’m describing, you’re going to miss a lot of connections. By the way, I hope you’re not “shy.” I’m not saying that there will be cavity searches or anything like that, but you will be the man that goes behind closed doors, and you might want to make sure you are not wearing womens underwear or anything like that.

Wise Golden on February 11, 2008 at 9:09 PM

Berman is a prick. And he sucks at golf also.

roninacreage on February 11, 2008 at 9:10 PM

Berman is a prick. And he sucks at golf also.

roninacreage on February 11, 2008 at 9:10 PM

Correct on both counts. He played in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this past weekend and he is horrible. They listed him as an 18 handicap, but he looked like a 24 or worse. I think he tries to play “Natural Golf,” which is supposed to be an easier way to swing the club, but it sure ain’t working for him. On one hole he hit yet another pull hook that got to about three feet off the ground. They zoomed in close and he was pissed and muttering to himself. If he wasn’t on national TV and in front of professional golfers, I bet there would have been clubs flying in every direction and swear words bellowing in the air. I pity the caddie.

Needless to say, Fred Flintstone’s team didn’t make the cut.

Mallard T. Drake on February 11, 2008 at 9:24 PM

So What ! There sure are a whole lot worse things and PEOPLE coming to the US from Canada.

countywolf on February 11, 2008 at 8:36 PM

So what? Well, it’s because of aholes who smuggle stupid things that the customs agents loose the ability to catch larger items. Maybe if a high profile guy gets caught, it sends a message to millions. Don’t do it. Getting caught will esentially be the end of your life as you know it. You’ll likely loose your job, your spouse, your home and your freedom.

Just don’t ever say it’s not a big deal, because if you get caught, you’ll know that it is a very big deal — a life changing event. It will be with you, and will have an effect on your life that is similar in scale to the birth of a child.

Wise Golden on February 11, 2008 at 9:33 PM

He’s starting to get stoned…
and he
could…
go…
all…
the…
way!

jgapinoy on February 11, 2008 at 9:33 PM

As much as I love sports, especially football, I hate ESPN. They really have gotten lazy, tabloid and lefty. They are in desparate need of competition, although that seems unlikely. Just tell me the score and show the highlight, jackass.

Dirthead on February 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Wuuuuuup! Fumble by Berman

colep on February 11, 2008 at 10:52 PM

Wise Golden, your scaring me man.

Tobias2012 on February 11, 2008 at 10:56 PM

Whoever “ampex2000″ is, they’re obviously not Chris Berman’s friend.

Definetly not. But Berman should know better than to run his mouth like that knowing full well the tape is rolling.

JetBoy on February 11, 2008 at 11:02 PM

He should be the new spokesperson for Southwest Airlines.

He is taking “productivity enhancments”

azcop on February 11, 2008 at 11:59 PM

I couldn’t stop laughing at that fat, self-important clown. The whole thing is just priceless.

Jaibones on February 12, 2008 at 12:41 AM

Bermans Political Contributions…….

http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Chris_Berman.php

He’s your typical Liberal Idiot…….a Hypocrite and above the “peasants” law

awesum on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 AM

ESPN doesn’t seem a particularly happy place to work, does it?

1. Berman being abusive to the staff, seen in the video posted here last week,

2. Olbermann was reportedly so rude to Suzy Kolber when they were paired that she would sob in the ladies room after their program. Personally, I’d rather be a drunk aging QB who wants to kiss Suzy than a jerk who makes her cry. (Speaking of Olbermann, John Kincade, who co-hosts an afternoon sports talk show here in Atlanta, and does the Sunday early morning program on ESPN Radio, has added his voice to those who have declared that to know Keith is not to love him.)

3. Harold Reynolds was suddenly pulled from “Baseball Tonight” the middle of last season because of sexual harassment–and you know management must have known there was something to it; after all, it’s far easier to replace interns and technical staff than on-air talent.

Imagine being the HR Director at that place…

radjah shelduck on February 12, 2008 at 7:12 AM

Is it just me, or does anyone else like Chris Berman even more now after watching these?

Jimmy the Dhimmi on February 12, 2008 at 9:13 AM

Well, I have to agree with him. 222’s rawk.

matd on February 12, 2008 at 9:18 AM

Well if he was going to contribute to a Dem, I’m glad it was Lieberman. He even supported Lieberman in the primary against Ned Lamont, so that makes him like half a Republican doesn’t it?

Dudley Smith on February 12, 2008 at 9:41 AM

Wait, you can get OTC codeine in Canada?

AFK

Kevin M on February 12, 2008 at 11:54 AM

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