One of the saddest days in sports television history. The friendship between Bo Burton and Chris Schenkel was a big part of what made those broadcasts so special. Little did they know they were just victims of the decline of the sport and of the PBA.
Chris and Bo were part of the problem. ESPN had the PBA on at times in the 80s and 90s. ESPN had commentators like Mike Durbin, Earl Anthony and Marshall Holman and they were much better than Chris and Bo. They did a much better job explaining why the pros doing some things differently. ABC basically tried to make Walter Ray the face of pro bowling, and it ultimately backfired so bad to the point that the PBA was off ABC in 1997 and the tour nearly went insolvent by the new millennium. PDW and his fiery rockstar-like attitude combined with the purchase of the PBA in 2000 by 3 former Microsoft executives kept bowling on the air.
@@TheCD5150 I would argue your point vigorously. I think it's highly debatable as to whether one team was better than the other. What is far more likely is that each set appealed to a different segment of the audience or 'potential' audience. By using the words "..part of the problem" one might assume you mean that they actually contributed to the decline and that's just not true. Audience polls show that virtually 90% of the people tuned in to those broadcasts enjoyed the broadcast style and broadcasters. If you look at the numbers, it's very hard to argue that the changes you mentioned did anything to change the declining audience. Fewer people were bowling, especially in leagues and those people were comprising a large percentage of the weekly audience. It was a decline across the board in the bowling business in North America and looking back, I don't think there is anything that anyone could have done to change it. But either way, Chris and Bo's place in history is assured. I also want to throw in that Mike Durbin was a good commentator. He was different in that he was more detail oriented but he was very capable and I have nothing against him at all.
xtraframe is pretty great. But the finals are always on ESPN or whatever, and that is cut and paste announcing, where producers are telling them what to say. Xtra frame is full tournaments with loose announcing, which is great.
It was classy, prestigious and memorable. Then it became a nascar-jersey-wearing pros at a fret party. Made even worse today with 2-handed bowling. Back then if they wanted a powerful ball that’ll wreck the pins they had to master the art of the release and perfect their timing. Not have these ridiculous balls of today and crank shots without using the thumb. Pity. I’ve seen weak releases today that wouldn’t have a prayer back then carry the five on a light hit. Equivalent to seeing a 70 mph golf swing bomb it 350 yds... at a rock concert in Augusta. Pba has truly lost its ways imo.
The only 2 other tournaments that I could remember where PDW was playing that far outside were the 1989 Bowler's Journal Florida Open and the 1990 Fair Lanes Open (which is posted to CZcams).
His daddy, the great Dick Weber, usually called him Peter. Bo & the Webers are longtime friends from the PBA and St. Louis. Of course Bo's gonna call him Peter!
Wholly shit. I swear I don't I've ever seen Pete beat Walter Ray on TV, EVER. Supposedly they're 9 wins for Walter Ray and 2 for Pete on TV but I can't seem to find any where Pete actually wins lol.
I was rooting for Walter Ray all the way. However, I kinda felt a little bad for Pete. The guy was a huge bundle of nerves. You could see it there near the end.
@@bobby_c7671 I feel ya. I won't take anything away from PDW, talent-wise, or his Legendary Status. However, his mouth made him one of the least favorite bowlers of all time...and I think that we agree-He brought that Infamous status on himself, simply by forgetting to close his mouth, and simply concentrate on Bowling!
This was the last time we watched bowling at our house. ESPN completely ruined the simplicity that is televised bowling. In fact, 2 years later I stopped bowling completely. Weird...but that's just me. I miss bowling
The PBA could have kept some class by keeping Nelson and Schenkel as commentators and instead it sold its soul and did a complete revamp. I wish it learned a thing or two from the PGA.
I remember watching this episode on tv. It was tough seeing those two cry at the end. Still is.
This is one of the few CZcams videos that truly deserves to receive zero dislikes and hundreds of thousands of views simultaneously.
Yeah if I like something everyone else should too!
One of the saddest days in sports television history. The friendship between Bo Burton and Chris Schenkel was a big part of what made those broadcasts so special. Little did they know they were just victims of the decline of the sport and of the PBA.
Chris and Bo were part of the problem. ESPN had the PBA on at times in the 80s and 90s. ESPN had commentators like Mike Durbin, Earl Anthony and Marshall Holman and they were much better than Chris and Bo. They did a much better job explaining why the pros doing some things differently. ABC basically tried to make Walter Ray the face of pro bowling, and it ultimately backfired so bad to the point that the PBA was off ABC in 1997 and the tour nearly went insolvent by the new millennium. PDW and his fiery rockstar-like attitude combined with the purchase of the PBA in 2000 by 3 former Microsoft executives kept bowling on the air.
@@TheCD5150 I would argue your point vigorously. I think it's highly debatable as to whether one team was better than the other. What is far more likely is that each set appealed to a different segment of the audience or 'potential' audience. By using the words "..part of the problem" one might assume you mean that they actually contributed to the decline and that's just not true. Audience polls show that virtually 90% of the people tuned in to those broadcasts enjoyed the broadcast style and broadcasters. If you look at the numbers, it's very hard to argue that the changes you mentioned did anything to change the declining audience. Fewer people were bowling, especially in leagues and those people were comprising a large percentage of the weekly audience. It was a decline across the board in the bowling business in North America and looking back, I don't think there is anything that anyone could have done to change it. But either way, Chris and Bo's place in history is assured.
I also want to throw in that Mike Durbin was a good commentator. He was different in that he was more detail oriented but he was very capable and I have nothing against him at all.
The tribute they aired for Chris Schenkel at the end of this was one of the greatest pieces ABC ever did IMO.
I miss pba bowling on ABC. It is not the same anywhere else.
xtraframe is pretty great. But the finals are always on ESPN or whatever, and that is cut and paste announcing, where producers are telling them what to say. Xtra frame is full tournaments with loose announcing, which is great.
It was classy, prestigious and memorable. Then it became a nascar-jersey-wearing pros at a fret party. Made even worse today with 2-handed bowling. Back then if they wanted a powerful ball that’ll wreck the pins they had to master the art of the release and perfect their timing. Not have these ridiculous balls of today and crank shots without using the thumb. Pity. I’ve seen weak releases today that wouldn’t have a prayer back then carry the five on a light hit. Equivalent to seeing a 70 mph golf swing bomb it 350 yds... at a rock concert in Augusta. Pba has truly lost its ways imo.
@@radinsyah1574
Agreed!
Those were some tuff lanes conditions. 😳
This was a thriller watching Walter Ray Williams win this final telecast against Pete Weber with Chris Schenkel and Nelson Burton jr. Commentating
Grew up watching PBA Professional Bowlers Tour on ABC on Saturday afternoons.
The only 2 other tournaments that I could remember where PDW was playing that far outside were the 1989 Bowler's Journal Florida Open and the 1990 Fair Lanes Open (which is posted to CZcams).
His daddy, the great Dick Weber, usually called him Peter. Bo & the Webers are longtime friends from the PBA and St. Louis. Of course Bo's gonna call him Peter!
Wholly shit. I swear I don't I've ever seen Pete beat Walter Ray on TV, EVER. Supposedly they're 9 wins for Walter Ray and 2 for Pete on TV but I can't seem to find any where Pete actually wins lol.
I saw one last week but it wasn't the champ match
I was rooting for Walter Ray all the way. However, I kinda felt a little bad for Pete. The guy was a huge bundle of nerves. You could see it there near the end.
Serves him right! Ok,that was a joke.I just dont like PDW.
@@bobby_c7671 I feel ya. I won't take anything away from PDW, talent-wise, or his Legendary Status. However, his mouth made him one of the least favorite bowlers of all time...and I think that we agree-He brought that Infamous status on himself, simply by forgetting to close his mouth, and simply concentrate on Bowling!
yea I love it!
This was the last time we watched bowling at our house. ESPN completely ruined the simplicity that is televised bowling. In fact, 2 years later I stopped bowling completely. Weird...but that's just me. I miss bowling
So appropriate that these Titans at the top of their games would bowl the final match on the ABC telecast.
Bo's voice at the end sounds like he was full of helium!
i miss the abc probowlers tour i learned a lot but espn dint have chris shenkel or bo
"10 pin? Me? I never leave 10 pins!" - Walter Ray
They went out like lambs, was something edited at the end ?
Dead 👁Williams! 🎳
The PBA could have kept some class by keeping Nelson and Schenkel as commentators and instead it sold its soul and did a complete revamp. I wish it learned a thing or two from the PGA.
love these, but omg! Camera angle often blocks the shot! Grrrrr
who do u think u r? i am lol love u pete weber
PDW is still the greatest bowler in the world.
No
Why does Pete's hair stand 3 inches above his head?
I have always hated Pete's attitude...Whenever I'm beside someone like that bowling I just feel like saying shut up and sit down...
No. I love the intensity! You have to get in your opponents head, too. Throwing a few in a row and celebrating is what you should be doing
Pete should've had his dads name DICK cuz that's the way he acts.
@@XX-166
Agreed!
X X truth!! 😂
Pete's head looks like a light bulb.
AOL??? Hahaha
why does he keep calling him Peter?! lol its Pete!
Bo and Norm Duke are the only ones outside the family that can call him Peter.
@@toscodav I think Bo and Norm are considered inside the family .
Wrw throw in a quantum?
I think it's a Combat Zone
Yup combat zone, I loved mine
Man, this looks so dated. Looks more like 1987 than 1997.
Nothing better in professional bowling
than watching PeeWee lose.
Got to bowl with Pete in a prism.i shot three hundred in nine pin no tap.he had two five five!
Pro am!