Around The Horn - Points

Points

In its original format, the show was unique because it "scored the argument" - under original host Max Kellerman, points were awarded to or taken from panelists at the discretion of the host depending on the strength or weakness of their arguments. The rewarding - and deduction - of points has changed throughout the series. Originally, being muted cost a panelist five points. Later, while Kellerman was still hosting the show, the scoring was at its most strict: "good" answers were awarded two points, "great" answers were given three, and a mute subtracted three points from a panelist's score. Shortly before Kellerman left the show, the mute was reduced to its current -1. Around the time Reali took over the show, the host was allowed to give points at his own discretion, resulting in the loss of any objectivity or logic in the awarding or loss of points. Reali may give a single point for a weak argument, or many points for a particularly strong case backed by statistical information, or not. The host may also give multiple points for "inside information" that he deems correct. Arguments almost always receive more points when an individual argues for a side that Tony agrees with, therefore degrading the original premiss of "scoring the argument" to how much the panelist agrees with Reali's preconceived opinions. While the ratings don't show it, the show became far less interesting under this format. For instance, Reali never awards points to anyone that argues in favor of the Bowl Championship Series, displaying the bias of the show in general, and the host in particular. Points may also be taken away for self-promotion, such as bragging about a good column or a successful upset pick (According to Reali, "Self-promotion is the mating call of the mute button!") In addition, complaints about how many points that they or another panelist received, usually results in a deduction and/or mute. Reali mainly uses the mute button when a panelist interrupts another panelist, begins to ramble, or changes his or her previous opinion on a given topic, something Reali cannot deal with. Changing your mind about anything, no matter how much the circumstances may have changed, is anathama to Reali, unless, of course, he has changed his mind also. In which case the panelist is showered with points for his or her keen insight.

The current format, in which Reali seems to randomly award and deduct points, makes scoring records meaningless, but they are nevertheless given great credence on the show. On January 9, 2012, Woody Paige set a new scoring record with 71 points. Michael Smith previously held the points record before the showdown with 64 on January 20, 2011. The record previously was set at 63 by Jackie MacMullan in 2011. In the episode airing the day after Stephen Strasburg's debut, Woody Paige entered the showdown with 53 points despite having received a 25 point penalty at the beginning of the show due to a lost bet with Reali. The record for most points in the first round was set by Woody Paige at 41 points on October 30, 2009, that record was broken by Jackie MacMullan on May 12, 2010 with a score of 48, after she received a 25 point bonus for being named a recipient of the Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media Award. The award is given to a member of the media who has made a significant contribution to basketball. On November 18, 2011, Woody Paige reclaimed the title for most first round points and on January 9, 2012, increase the title to 55 points, after receiving about 30 pre-topic points for correctly predicting a Denver Broncos win the night before. The highest margin of points going into Showdown was set on June 13, 2011, with Jackie MacMullan scoring 60 points, a 61 point lead over Kevin Blackistone with -1. The highest margin of points after a round was set on June 13, 2011, with Jackie MacMullan having 46 points, a 94 point lead from Bill Plaschke, who had -48 points going into Buy or Sell.

Reali also makes bets occasionally with the panelists on sporting events, with the panelist gaining or losing a large amount of points based on the outcome. For example, in summer of 2007, Woody Paige made a bet with Reali that he could drink a gallon of water during the 30 minutes of the show. At the end, the tank was empty. On the next show, secret cameras revealed Paige dumping most of the water in a cooler. Rather than receiving the promised 100 points, Paige received several mutes. Paige also received 10 points from Reali on January 22, 2009, when on the previous episode's "Facetime" Paige cheered on the New Jersey Institute of Technology's basketball team to snap their 51 game losing streak, NJIT won, Paige received points and won again. Paige used the time to offer his "service" to any other failing team at any level.

Reali occasionally will deduct points of a panelist who had a strong opinion on a sports-related matter predicted earlier in time, which then turned out to be the staunch opposite of what truly happened when the topic showed itself on the show again.

There have been some topics, most during the Out of Bounds segment, which have not been scored due to their sensitive nature. Such examples include Bob Ryan's suspension for his comments towards Jason Kidd's wife, the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case, former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén calling Jay Mariotti a "fag", Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident, Michael Vick's dog fighting and animal abuse, Rick Pitino's extortion scandal, Jay Mariotti's 2010 arrest, and discussions of deaths. Other sensitive topics that do not award points are held at the beginning, such as the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal.

After Paige encouraged viewers to come up with ways to improve the scoring system, the June 19, 2008 episode was played with no scoring or muting. This led to all four panelists reaching out of bounds and the showdown, with nobody being declared the winner.

On April 4, 2012, Bill Plaschke received 3 free uneliminations due to the fact that he scored in the 100th percentile in the ESPN Tournament Challenge for the NCAA tournament. He picked a perfect Final Four, picked the championship game, and picked the winner who turned out to be the Kentucky Wildcats. This meant that he has the power to get out of three eliminations, but the uneliminations are non-transferable.