Latest news with #AllstatePartyatthePlayoff
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Former ESPN host unleashes scathing Stephen A. Smith attack
Former ESPN host Jason Fitz didn't like Stephen A. Smith's comments about Memphis — and called him out for it. Fitz, who worked on ESPN's digital side and the radio, claimed that Smith is often unprepared during an appearance during an appearance on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis on Tuesday following the 'First Take' host's controversial comments on the Tennessee city. Smith said on the show that while Memphis is a great sports town some NBA starts don't feel safe there., 'But there's an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don't feel it's the safest environment. I'm talking to the local authorities in Memphis,' Smith said. 'You've got to clean some of that stuff up because it's dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They've told me.' Fitz responded by calling out Smith's preparedness. 'Stephen A. is one of the least prepared people I've ever worked with in my entire career,' Fitz said. 3 Jason Fitz attends the Allstate Party at the Playoff, hosted by ESPN & CFP on January 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for ESPN & CFP Fitz mentioned how he often worked 80-hour weeks during his final fall with the network before being laid off in 2023, questioning how Smith would have time to generate informed opinions on Memphis. 'Now, Stephen A. is busier than I ever was. We see him making content 24/7,' Fitz said. 'So, I guess my question to people in Memphis is: how much Memphis do you think he's actually absorbed? And I mean all of it. Memphis culture, Memphis basketball. 3 Stephen A. Smith reports from the sideline during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference finals on May 26, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images 'What the hell does Stephen A. know about the city of Memphis? And the answer to that is only what his friends or his people on his phone, tweet him, or text him. That's all he knows. He is so separated from actual reality. What does he know?' Fitz also claimed that Smith 'eats and breathes stereotypes,' while also saying that he likely has not watched a Grizzlies game in years. 'Stephen A. walks and talks and lives and eats and breathes stereotypes,' Fitz said. 'That's all he knows… Frankly, he has to talk about the city of Memphis because my guy hasn't watched a single Memphis basketball game in probably three years.' 3 Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots the ball past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. AP 'Stephen A. has a staff and info group that feeds him information so that he can have somewhat informed opinions, and they're usually not because he works too hard to actually watch any games,' added Fitz. Memphis Mayor Paul Young extended Smith an invitation to the city, and the ESPN personality accepted. 'Deeply appreciate your words and the sentiments that came with them,' Smith wrote on X on Thursday. 'Progress is what life is all about and when it comes to Memphis -where some dear friends of mine reside − I wish for nothing less. The people deserve nothing less. 'So with that said, I accept your invitation to come to your city, as your guest. Let's make it happen. I'm looking forward to it.'
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
All-American Rejects backyard concert shut down by cops
It ends tonight — or does it? The All-American Rejects' unorthodox concert in the backyard of a house near the University of Missouri in Columbia on May 18 was shut down by police. But one of the officers who's a fan of the band let them play one last song to wrap up the night. Advertisement 8 Mike Kennerty, Nick Wheeler, Tyson Ritter and Chris Gaylor attend the Allstate Party at the Playoff in Houston in January 2024. Getty Images for ESPN In a 10-minute video of the concert, the band were performing their 2005 hit 'Move Along' when bandleader Tyson Ritter told his bandmates and the crowd, 'Alright guys. Whoa, whoa whoa. We've gotta stop it.' 'The cops just shut us down,' Ritter, 41, added. 'Sorry, y'all. We just got kicked off campus.' Advertisement 8 The All-American Rejects perform in a Missouri college town on May 18. The All-American Rejects/Youtube 8 Police shut down an All-American Rejects backyard concert. The All-American Rejects/Youtube The crowd booed as the band stopped their performance and Ritter disappeared from the backyard. As the audience chanted 'f–k the police,' Ritter returned and told everyone, 'They said we can play one more f—ing song! We get one more song!' Advertisement After the crowd cheered, Ritter said, 'I haven't done this in a long time, but I'd really like to thank the local police for letting us f—ing keep carrying on.' 8 The All-American Rejects play one last song at the house party. The All-American Rejects/Youtube 8 Tyson Ritter performs at the Innings Festival 2025. WireImage 'Holy s–t. How often do you get a blessing from an officer?' Ritter continued. 'Well, I guess we've got one more song for you, and I'll give you 1 million guesses to guess which one. You might recognize it.' Advertisement The band then performed their 2008 hit 'Gives You Hell' for the final song of the night. 8 Tyson Ritter, Chris Gaylor, Mike Kennerty, and Nick Wheeler of The All-American Rejects at KIIS FM's 12th Annual Wango Tango 2009. Getty Images 'Thank you so much for coming out you guys,' Ritter told the crowd. 'Get home safely because the man let us keep playing. You take care, Columbia. Congrats on the graduations.' Mark Fitzgerald, the Columbia Police Department's assistant chief of police, told CNN that the band, their security staff and the crowd were 'very cooperative' with officials — despite that the concert was 'in violation of several local ordinances.' 8 The All-American Rejects perform at the Hollywood and Highland Courtyard in 2008. Getty Images Fitzgerald said that the officers who responded to the scene 'listened to a couple of songs' before the patrol sergeant told the band of the rules they were breaking. But the sergeant also informed the band that they could play one more song before they ended the concert. 'The Sergeant told me that he knew exactly who the band was and listened to them a lot while he was in college,' Fitzgerald shared. 'The Police Department would be happy to have the All-American Rejects return and play in Columbia, hopefully with the proper permits and approval.' Advertisement 8 Chris Gaylor, Mike Kennerty, Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler of The All-American Rejects in a portrait for the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. WireImage The All-American Rejects — which includes Ritter, lead guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor — have been on a house party tour where they've stopped at several college towns to perform at backyard parties. They already visited the University of Southern California and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
