It may have been on a new network, but everything about Inside the NBA felt comfortingly familiar on Wednesday night. The iconic studio show made its long-anticipated debut on ESPN after decades on TNT. However since the move was announced earlier this year, there has been a wave of commentary and concern from fans, and the personalities themselves in some cases, worried that the network switch might tamper with the chemistry, humor, and spontaneity that made Inside one of the best studio shows in sports television history.
Those fears were quickly erased on Wednesday night.
From the opening montage to the final sign-off, Inside the NBA looked and sounded exactly the same — only the logo on the desk had changed. ESPN’s branding was visible, but the soul of the show remained untouched. The jokes, laughter, and camaraderie were as sharp and effortless as ever.
ESPN management made clear over the summer break that the network was not interested in taking over content direction of the program where it could potentially affect the quality of what Inside the NBA has delivered. Moreover, the debut last night filled with moments making jokes of the network, ESPN embraced the first program and all it’s hilarity to show it stands by it’s stance made all summer.
Sports media weighed in last night sharing their thoughts on the debut episode.
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