It’s good to know that some Cleveland celebrities don’t move to LA, and develop a severe form of amnesia when it comes time to remembering their roots (yeah, we’re talking to you, Terrence). That’s why we adore Drew Carey. This morning on Regis and Kelly, which we were watching for important research purposes we can’t disclose here, the talk show hosts asked Carey, newly appointed host of Price is Right, what sparked his fascination with soccer.
“Well I can’t root for any of L.A.’s major-league teams,” he told the co-hosts. “People in Cleveland would string me up if I was seen walking around in a L.A. Dodgers shirt.”
It’s pretty safe to say that Major League Soccer will never catch on big here. But if for some reason it does, rest assured that Carey will be in the front row, cheerily ripping apart his LA Galaxy t-shirt. – Rebecca Meiser *** Update: Who knew that knowing the name of our fair city could win cash and prizes worth $15,600? The day after Carey’s visit, Regis and Kelly sounded shocked when a call-in viewer correctly answered the cash-prize question: “What city is Drew Carey from?” Now back to your regularly scheduled programs …
This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2007.
Major League Soccer will catch on here in a big way but I won’t be in the front row with Drew cheering for the L.A. Galaxy (despite the fact I think he’s funny and enjoy him as an entertainer) I’ll be on the front row cheering for the L.A. Galaxy > I’ll be on the front row cheering for the Houston Dynamo. I’d join on the front row cheering for our country’s team in the World’s most popular sport.
“It’s pretty safe to say that Major League Soccer will never catch on big here.”
Er… Major League Soccer is already on par with the NHL in terms of average attendance. And it’s growing. The league is adding five teams in the next five years. What, exactly, qualifies as “catching on big”?
Soccer flies under the radar in this country because traditional sports news outlets give it so little coverage. Yet, the World Cup Final last summer got better TV ratings nationally than the World Series. So someone is watching.
Rebecca, you’d be surprised how “big” the sport might catch on if it came to Cleveland. After all, Drew Carey became a big fan and he barely even knew the sport existed a couple of years ago. Maybe there is something appealing there…
Hello. My name is Fred from New Orleans. I just have to say this. Some of these same people who said soccer will never “catch on” are some of the same people who said hip hop would not last. Soccer is here to stay.
P.S. if anyone wants to go over the x’s and o’s of soccer, feel free to write me back.