ESPN2 Cancels 'Barstool Van Talk,' TV Version Of 'Pardon My Take' Podcast, Amidst Controversy

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BARSTOOL SPORTS' "BARSTOOL VAN TALK" has been canceled by ESPN2 before its second episode could air.  The cancellation of the show, a TV version of the popular "PARDON MY TAKE" podcast, came after past postings at the BARSTOOL SPORTS site came under criticism for misogynistic comments, some aimed at ESPN hosts.

In a statement tweeted by the network's PR department, ESPN President JOHN SKIPPER said, "Effective immediately, I am cancelling 'BARSTOOL VAN TALK.' While we had approval on the content of the show, I erred in assuming we could distance our efforts from the BARSTOOL site and its content.  Apart from this decision, we appreciate the efforts of BIG CAT (DAN KATZ) and PFT COMMENTER.  They delivered the show they promised."

For their part, KATZ, PFT, and producer HANK LOCKWOOD issued their own statement saying, "We are very disappointed to hear that BARSTOOL VAN TALK has been cancelled by ESPN.  We had a great time working on the show and were extremely excited about the future.  Thank you to all the Award Winning Listeners/Watchers for supporting us, and thank you to all the great people who worked alongside us at ESPN and (production company) EMBASSY ROW.  Although we are heartbroken, PARDON MY TAKE will continue to get bigger and stronger every single day.  Please subscribe to PARDON MY TAKE, unsubscribe, and resubscribe, and leave a 5-star review to help take some of the sting off this for us.  In times like these, we remember what a great philosopher once said.  Success isn't owned, it's leased.  And rent is due every day."

BARSTOOL SPORTS, founded by DAVID PORTNOY, was known for its sometimes raunchy and offensive content before the ascendancy of KATZ and PFT's "PARDON MY TAKE," which took a more satirical approach to sports commentary; last week, as the new TV show debuted, ESPN host SAMANTHA PONDER tweeted her disappointment in the network doing business with BARSTOOL, citing profane and misogynistic posts by PORTNOY and JOHN FEITELBERG about her, and other ESPN personalities reportedly also expressed concern to management about the network doing business with the website, although KATZ and PFT have previously appeared on ESPN programming as guests and several ESPN hosts have returned the favor as guests on "PARDON MY TAKE."

Spinzone - this is free publicity for the #1 sports podcast in the world. We're about to get bigger and better. Also we're vaping again

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 23, 2017

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