10 Questions with ... Pat O'Brien

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KSOO-AM and TV/Sioux Falls, NBC News ("The Huntley-Brinkley Report"), WMAQ-TV/Chicago, KNXT (now KCBS-TV)/Los Angeles, CBS Sports (1981-97), NBC/CNBC/MSNBC Olympics coverage, "Access Hollywood"-"The Insider," Fox Sports Radio.

1. You reported on sports and show business for years, and then you found yourself being the subject of the reporting and gossip. How did you ultimately cope with that and ultimately make your comeback? What was it like to make rather than report the news?

Yes, that was almost 6 years ago now... almost worthy of a History Channel story, but because of the internet and the bloggers and haters, that scandal pops up every day. For me, it was a horribly embarrassing experience. It was a mistake that I made and I manned up to. I'm an alcoholic... and that day and night, I got drunk, blacked out and made that infamous voicemail. I can't remember doing it and I've never heard it, but I DO know who put it on the web and we'll deal with that in my book. What made the story bigger than it was (nobody was hurt except my family) was that Paramount decided it was a ratings gem and forced me to go on Dr. Phil to keep my job. That, ultimately, took the non story to a new level. They didn't care much that I have a son and that I also have a brain disease. It was not a moral problem.

I coped with it through a strong program of recovery and acceptance that it was what it was and I couldn't really do anything about it. I really never went anywhere... I spent 18 months commentating on CNN, MSNBC, Imus, HLN, and so on and worked on my book. But mostly, I worked on myself and that proved to be the most successful. It's not fun making the news... but, in the end, it was the best thing that happened to me.

2. You've done a lot of radio over the years as a guest and filling in, but now, you're doing a regular daily radio show. What's been the biggest adjustment for you in doing the new show?

The adjustment has been nothing but positive. For one, I have realized that I CAN do this, too... and secondly, I now have an incredible platform to talk about sports and pop culture, and since it's live, there's no editing. I am lucky to have two great co-hosts in Vic Jacobs and Steve Hartman and an amazing producer in Sam Betesh.

3. Let's go back to the beginning; when you started back in Sioux Falls, what was your goal in the business? What did you see yourself becoming in the business?

My goal back in Sioux Falls was to get out of Sioux Falls and my goal since I got out is to get back. Ha. I started in radio there, ironically, and didn't really think much about what or who I would become.

The journey has been long and great. I have been blessed with great talents and a long and continuing career. What I will become moving forward is, as always, up to the viewers and listeners who don't seem to be going away, so here I am.

4. Pick one sports event as the most memorable you've covered. Which one was it? Why?

Well, they have all had their great moments... hard to pick from hosting Super Bowls, Final Fours, NBA Finals, World Series... but I have to say that covering multiple Olympics is the golden frame every broadcaster wants to put his resume in. Not many get to be part of one, let alone a half a dozen. It's a glorious experience.

5. Same vein: You've interviewed countless celebrities, in and out of sports. Which was the best? And which was the worst?

The best: Michael J. Fox and Magic Johnson.

The worst: you really want me to put that in writing? I WILL say that if they got to a chair in front of me, they were all on their best behavior. But there's a list... you just won't see it here.

6. Of what are you most proud?

Being a great and loving father to a great and loving son.

7. Who do you consider your mentors and inspirations in the business?

David Brinkley was my first employer and I learned so much from him. Jack Welch has always been an ardent supporter. But my inspiration has always been the loyal fans. When I had my problems, I got thousands and thousands of emails from strangers telling me they were behind me 100%. That meant a lot.

8. If you couldn't do what you do now, what would you want to be doing for a living now?

Own a book store in Nantucket.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______________.

...prayer and chocolate.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

The best advice I ever got was from David Brinkley who said "Form without content casts no shadow."

The worst advice was from the producers of a new show called The Insider. "It'll be fun," they said, "and we'll never go tabloid."