Around The Horn - Running Gags

Running Gags

During the show's long run, it has developed certain comedic long-running gags, much like its sister show Pardon the Interruption, that longtime viewers will recognize and casual viewers may be unable to easily comprehend. The gags revolve around the personalities of Reali and the columnists, along with their interactions. The most recognizable gag is the chalkboard in the top-left hand corner of Woody Paige's square on which he writes witty phrases that are different for each segment of the show, usually puns, such as "I'm chalk-bored". Paige started using it while in New York, then brought it back to Denver a few shows after his return. In January 2010 Paige added an electronic ticker beneath the chalkboard and with shout-outs or other messages to athletes, viewers, or the show's competitors.

Another running gag involving Paige was his friendly rivalry with Mariotti, playing off a real-life dispute the two men had while working in Denver. The two have appeared in and won more shows than any other panelist, and have also faced each other in the Showdown the most times. Paige often mocked Mariotti on his chalkboard, and also repeatedly muted him and deducted points when he guest-hosted the show.

After the title sequence, Reali will greet the audience with a lines such as "Hey, now!", "That's right!", or "What do you say? What do you know?" Frequently, Woody Paige will attempt to say one of these lines before Reali gets the chance.

Reali introduces every episode with "Four of America's most ... sportswriters," inserting various adjectives sometimes, but not always, related to a sports story of the day. During Max Kellerman's tenure, Kellerman would begin the show by saying, "These four things, I know are true!" Reali used this early in his tenure on the show, but soon adopted his own phrasing.

Reali also often introduces the 'Showdown,' the final segment of the show, with the phrase, "Two men enter, one man ..." usually ending with a pun based around a winner. For example, on January 8, 2009, Reali introduced the 'Showdown' by saying, "Two men enter, one man wins a snuggie."

At the end of each episode, as the camera zooms out and some of the production staff come into view, Reali attempts to hit the camera with the rolled up ball of paper from that episode. Reali also ends most episodes with the tag-line "we're on a twenty-three and a half hour break" (seventy-one and a half if it's the Friday show). When it is an extended break in between shows, Reali usually says "you do the math".

On one occasion, as a prank, Bill Plaschke was eliminated after the start of show on May 21, 2009 as Woody Paige took his place in Los Angeles.

During the early run of the show, Disembodied Voice would work in "Around the Horn" into his program breaks, such as "Will Shaquille O'Neal go, or hang around...the horn!" After Tony Reali assumed hosting duties, however, he stopped using the traditional "around...the horn!" and would instead say phrases such as "Horn me!" or simply, "Horn!" before a commercial break.

Tim Cowlishaw impersonated Raiders owner Al Davis before his death in October 2011 by using his accent in topics that involved the Raiders. This was initially viewed as hilarious by Tony Reali and the other panelists, however, was at times, muted because of the excessiveness of the voice impersonation. In an August 2011 show, Cowlishaw was deducted points for not doing the impersonation during a topic regarding the Raiders' quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Certain panelists have certain jokes associated with them. Woody Paige has become famous for urging the others to "Look at the schedule!" In the past year or so, Tim Cowlishaw has been known to try to earn points by beginning his arguments with "As the only panelist here who actually covered ...". Cowlishaw also frequently adopts teams, calling them "My Cincinnati Reds" or "My San Diego Padres". Additionally, after introducing Kevin Blackistone, Reali will say "Everything appears to be everything." When Jackie Macmullan is a panelist, Reali usually says "Hello Jackie" when introducing the panelists. Jackie will respond politely, whilst referring to Reali as his full first name, Anthony. Plaschke will often say "It's over" early in a playoff series. Recently, Bomani Jones has appeared with a Championship belt and pinkie ring. When J.A. Adande wins, his facetime is usually spent in the "J.A. Adande Lounge" where he name-drops (and is occasionally visited by) celebrities.