CROWD GOES WILD for Cosby, Theismann & Tiki In-Studio – NFL, NASCAR, MLB, UFC & Soccer Lined Up on FOX Sports This Week (8/21 – 8/28)

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NFL Preseason: Saints Take on Texans on FOX Sunday at 4:00 PM ET

The CROWD GOES WILD for In-Studio Guests Bill Cosby,

Joe Theismann and Tiki Barber This Week

Red Sox/Dodgers; Athletics/Orioles; Tigers/Mets Highlight MLB on FOX Coverage Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports 2 Programming Schedules 8/21 – 8/28

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FOX SPORTS LIVE EVENT AND STUDIO SCHEDULE (8/21 – 8/28)

FOX SPORTS (BROADCAST) – BLUE; FOX SPORTS 1 – BLACK; FOX SPORTS 2 – GREEN

All Times Eastern/Subject to Change

Wednesday, August 21

Thursday, August 22

Friday, August 23

Saturday, August 24

Sunday, August 25

Monday, August 26

Tuesday, August 27

Wednesday, August 28

NFL

NFL ON FOX CONCLUDES PRESEASON: SAINTS AT TEXANS – FOX Sports prepares for the 2013 NFL season and its drive to Super Bowl XLVIII with the conclusion of preseason coverage on Sunday, Aug. 25 (4:00 PM ET) as the Houston Texans host the New Orleans Saints. The broadcast team of game announcer Thom Brennaman, analyst Brian Billick and reporter Laura Okmin call the game action from Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.

Pregame and halftime studio coverage features host Curt Menefee with NFL insider Jay Glazer, analysts Brian Urlacher, Ronde Barber and Randy Moss joined by rules analyst Mike Pereira from the FOX Network Center in Los Angeles.

MLB

MLB ON FOX: EAST MEETS WEST AS DIVISION LEADERS CLASH – Fall is quickly approaching as the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK presents three intriguing matchups on Saturday, Aug. 31 (3:30 PM ET). Division leaders meet as the Red Sox travel across the USA to take on the Dodgers. In Baltimore, the Orioles host the A’s. Also, All-Star Game starting pitchers are scheduled to meet again as Matt Harvey and the Mets host Max Scherzer and the Tigers.

Coverage begins with the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. This week, MLB Network broadcaster Greg Amsinger is joined by analysts Darryl Hamilton and Dan Plesac.

GAME                                                                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST                                                        COV.

Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers*                 Kenny Albert, Tom Verducci                                                           74%

& Ken Rosenthal

Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: Jon Lester, LHP (11-7, 4.09 ERA) vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP (12-4, 2.95 ERA)

*On FOX Deportes

Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles                        Justin Kutcher & Mitch Williams                                                    11%

Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, MD

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Dallas, Sacramento, San Francisco, Washington

Probable Pitchers: Tommy Milone, LHP (9-9, 4.30 ERA) vs. Chris Tillman, RHP (14-4, 3.79 ERA)

Detroit Tigers at New York Mets                                   Kevin Burkhardt & Rod Allen                                                          14%

Citi Field – Flushing, NY

MARKETS INCLUDE: Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, New York

Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer, RHP (18-1, 2.82 ERA) vs. Matt Harvey, RHP (9-4, 2.25 ERA)

GUEST LINEUPS FOR CROWD GOES WILD, FOX SPORTS LIVE & FOX FOOTBALL DAILY

CROWD GOES WILD FOR BILL COSBY & OTHER SUPERSTAR GUESTS – FOX Sports 1 original show CROWD GOES WILD comes at sports stories big and small in a way only its cast can and features some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment including upcoming guest Bill Cosby. This week, Regis Philbin, Georgie Thompson, Jason Gay, Michael Kosta, Trevor Pryce and Katie Nolan are joined in-studio by former NFL player Tiki Barber on Thursday, Aug. 22, as well as NBA legend Isiah Thomas and professional darts player Jim Widmayer on Friday, Aug. 23. Upcoming guests also include NFL great Joe Theismann on Monday, Aug. 26, IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti and extreme sports star Travis Pastrana on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Cosby, an actor, comedian and former Temple football player, on Wednesday, Aug. 28. CROWD GOES WILD airs weekdays at 5:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.

SUPER BOWL MVPS HIGHLIGHT FOX SPORTS LIVE GUEST APPEARANCES – FOX Sports’ nightly news, opinion and highlights show presents the day’s news and highlights with a panel of expert analysts and big-name guests from around the world of sports. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban joins the crew on Thursday, Aug. 22, while New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton sits down with FOX Sports’ Jenn Engel on Friday, Aug. 23. Next week features a pair of Super Bowl MVPs as Peter Schrager speaks with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on Monday, Aug. 26, and Mike Garafolo talks to New York Giants signal caller Eli Manning on Tuesday, Aug. 27. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, Garafolo sits down with members of the New York Jets. FOX SPORTS LIVE airs nightly on FOX Sports 1 at 11:00 PM ET.

FOX FOOTBALL DAILY GETS INSIDE SCOOP FROM GAME’S TOP NEWSMAKERS – FOX Sports 1’s signature daily football show, FOX FOOTBALL DAILY features appearances from some of football’s biggest stars, highlighted by a taped 1-on-1 interview between Baltimore Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco with FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager on Friday, Aug. 23. Also this week, Curt Menefee, Jay Glazer, Mike Pereira, Ronde Barber and Scott Fujita talk with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on Thursday, Aug. 22. FOX FOOTBALL DAILY airs Monday through Friday at 6:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.

JONES AND MOSELEY SHOW

THE JONES AND MOSELEY SHOW PREMIERES ON FOX SPORTS 1 – Hosted by former NFL standout Dhani Jones and Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, THE JONES AND MOSELEY SHOW premieres Sunday, Aug. 25 (6:00 PM ET.) on FOX Sports 1.  This affable pair transports viewers to the most exciting finishes, record-breaking performances and pioneering events currently shaping today’s global sports landscape.  This week’s episode spotlights Red Bull X Fighters Freestyle Motocross action in Madrid, Spain, the Ping Pong World Championships from London and New York City’s 10^th Pogopalooza.  A German Soap Box Derby race with three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Rugby from Sydney, Australia are among the six events featured in Global Greatness.

UFC

FLORIAN GIVES SLIGHT EDGE TO CONDIT IN RE-MATCH VS. KAMPMANN — After a successful premiere of the UFC on FOX Sports 1 last Saturday night as Chael Sonnen defeated Shogun Rua, the UFC comes back to FOX Sports 1 with UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CONDIT VS. KAMPMANN 2 Wednesday, Aug. 28 (8:00 PM ET).  Preliminary matchups begin on FOX Sports 2 at 6:00 PM ET with all fights taking place from Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.  Heading into Wednesday’s main event, a re-match between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann, UFC on FOX analyst Kenny Florian sees similarities between the two fighters and discusses the strategy for Condit.

“It’ll be a fantastic fight between two of the most aggressive and talented welterweights in the world,” said Florian.  “Both are excellent finishers, excellent on the ground with phenomenal striking games.  They’re also similar in that they get a lot of knockouts using their knees.” According to Florian, Condit has been working on his ground game to prepare for Kampmann this time around.  “Kampmann probably won their last match with his wrestling, as the takedowns were likely the difference there.  Condit has been working on his wrestling a lot these last few months and because of that, I have Condit as the slight favorite heading into this one.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 27 (7:00 PM ET) FOX Sports 2 gets fans ready for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CONDIT VS. KAMPMANN 2 with the UFC weigh-in show from Bankers Life Fieldhouse.  Host Karyn Bryant is joined by analysts Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans on-site in Indianapolis with Ariel Helwani reporting backstage.  The network’s one hour pre-fight show picks up coverage on Wednesday, Aug. 28 (5:00 PM ET) live on-site with host Bryant, Sonnen, Evans & Helwani to bring fans all the news and information heading into the bouts.  Preliminary bouts airing on FOX Sports 2 and main card bouts airing on FOX Sports 1 are called by Jon Anik and Florian with coverage simulcast on FOX Deportes.

SOCCER

The UEFA Champions League playoff rounds return this week as Arsenal hosts Fenerbahce in the most anticipated matchup from Emirates stadium live on FOX Sports 1, Tuesday, Aug. 27 (2:00 PM ET).  On Wednesday, Aug. 28 (2:00 PM ET) star striker Mario Balotelli and AC Milan host Holland’s PSV Eindhoven live on FOX Sports 1.

Rob Stone hosts live coverage from the FOX Network Center in Los Angeles with pre-game, halftime and post-game analysis from Eric Wynalda, Warren Barton and Brian McBride on both days.

FOX Sports 2 provides further coverage of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Aug. 27 (2:30 PM ET) when Paok FC takes on Schalke.  On Wednesday, Aug. 28 (2:30 PM ET) Real Sociedad takes on Lyon.

CONCACAF Champions League continues midweek play with three MLS teams in action.  The Houston Dynamo take on Panamian squad Arabe Unido on Tuesday, Aug. 27 (8:00 PM ET) live on FOX Sports 1, followed by Sporting Kansas City against Olimpia from Honduras (10:00 PM ET) on FOX Soccer Plus. Wednesday’s action includes CD Heredia of Guatemala battling the Earthquakes also live on FOX Soccer Plus (10:00 PM ET).

FOX Soccer Daily enters its second week with host Julie Stewart-Binks in studio with Barton and Wynalda, starting Monday, Aug. 26 (4:00 PM ET) on FOX Sports 1. The live soccer news, highlights and analysis program features exclusive sit-down interviews with U.S. men’s national team and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard as well as U.S. women’s national team head coach Tom Sermanni. Sermanni discusses the upcoming National Women’s Soccer League playoffs, carried live on FOX Sports 2. The semifinals air Saturday, Aug. 24, with FC Kansas City vs. Portland Thorns (2:00 PM ET) and Western New York Flash vs. Sky Blue FC (8:00 PM ET).

NASCAR

TRUCKS SERIES GOES WEDNESDAY-NIGHT RACING IN THUNDER VALLEY – The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hits the high banks of Bristol on Wednesday, Aug. 21 (8:00 PM ET) for one of the most-anticipated and action-packed races of the season, live on FOX Sports 1. Rick Allen calls the 13th race of the 22-race season alongside analysts Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip, with reporting by Ray Dunlap and Hermie Sadler. With an extremely tight points race playing out among the Top 10 drivers, the half-mile oval track known as “Thunder Valley” threatens to shake up the point standings even further. Look for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski to do their best to swoop down and add another Bristol win to their resume. NCWTS SETUP, which precedes Wednesday’s Camping World Truck Series race, is hosted by Danielle Trotta with reporting by Dunlap and Sadler, as they set the tone for the race under the lights with comprehensive live race coverage from Bristol at 7:30 PM ET. Features include “Grassroots Beat,” a look at Joey Coulter’s short-track racing at Volunteer Speedway (Bulls Gap, TN), and a retrospective on Timothy Peters’ dominant performance at Bristol in 2012.

FOX SPORTS 1 SERVES UP EIGHT CONSECUTIVE HOURS OF LIVE NASCAR PROGRAMMING FROM BRISTOL ON FRIDAY – FOX Sports 1, the 1 for NASCAR, offers eight consecutive hours of live NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series programming from Bristol on Friday, Aug. 23, beginning at 9:00 AM ET with Nationwide Series Practice.  Also scheduled during this time are Sprint Cup Series Practice (12:00 PM ET), NASCAR LIVE! (2:00 PM ET), Sprint Cup Final Practice (2:30 PM ET) and Nationwide Series Qualifying (3:30 PM ET).

EVER-TIGHTENING RACE FOR THE CHASE HIGHLIGHTS NASCAR RACEDAY FROM BRISTOL – With only three races remaining to qualify for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR RACEDAY hits the air on Saturday, Aug. 24 (6:00 PM ET) to catch viewers up on who’s in and who’s out heading into the Bristol night race. FOX Sports 1’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pre-race show is hosted by John Roberts with analysts Larry McReynolds, Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds. Wendy Venturini and Rutledge Wood deliver inside stories and exclusive driver interviews from the garage and pit road. The team breaks down the perpetual points shuffle that currently features Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex Jr. holding the two coveted wild card spots; whether Kurt Busch and his single-car team can maintain a position in the Chase; reigning champ Brad Keselowski clawing to remain in the top 10 without a win this year; the announcement Mark Martin will compete in all but one of the 13 remaining races in place of injured driver Tony Stewart; whose tempers are likeliest to flare at Bristol; word that Juan Pablo Montoya could be considering a return to the IndyCar Series; and other hot topics.

Petty on the close battle to qualify for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup: “The points shake-up was huge last weekend at Michigan with Joey Logano’s first victory of the season, which moved him closer to contention to claim a ‘wild card’ in the Chase.  We thought the shake-up after Watkins Glen was big, but Michigan was even more impactful.  I think we dropped a couple of guys that won’t be a factor in the championship no matter how strong they’ve been running. It’s that close.”

NASCAR RACE HUB KEEPS VIEWERS UP-TO-DATE BETWEEN RACE WEEKENDS  – NASCAR RACE HUB, FOX Sports 1’s daily NASCAR news and highlights show, wraps all the action from Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday, Aug. 26 (4:30 PM ET). Co-hosts Steve Byrnes and Danielle Trotta recap the weekend’s races, news and fallout with insight from analyst Larry McReynolds, while the “Winner’s Weekend” feature provides inside-the-helmet insight into the winning driver’s trip to Victory Lane. On Tuesday, Aug. 27 (12:00 PM ET), NASCAR RACE HUB takes a deeper look at the points shakeup following the weekend’s race at Bristol, dissecting who still has a legitimate shot to qualify for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup with only two races remaining before the cut.  On Wednesday, Aug. 28 (12:00 PM ET), NASCAR RACE HUB catches viewers up on all the breaking news and sets the scene for Nationwide and Cup Series racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day Weekend and the Truck Series’ inaugural trip to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Sunday.  Byrnes and Trotta host with analysis from USA Today reporter Nate Ryan.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

FOX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL KICKS OFF FRIDAY NIGHT – FOX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, a seven-episode series showcasing the country’s greatest prep players, premieres Friday, Aug. 23 (10:00 PM ET) with a matchup between Mountain Pointe (Ariz.) and Bishop Gorman (Nev.). The series features the nation’s best high school teams as they battle their fiercest foes, highlighting powerhouse squads that travel state-to-state and the significance of each to its town, region and state.  Calling Friday’s action on the field are MLB on FOX play-by-play announcer Daron Sutton and analyst Ben Leber, a former NFL linebacker who also is part of FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL on FOX College Sports (FCS).

MOTOGP/MOTOCROSS

MOTOGP & FOX SPORTS 1 HEAD TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA – FOX Sports 1 is set for live coverage from the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 25 when the MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP takes to the technically challenging, yet picturesque 3.35-mile Automotodromo Brno road course.  Ralph Sheheen hosts the pre-race show (7:00 AM ET), handing lap-by-lap duties over to the broadcast booth of Gavin Emmett and Nick Harris.  The big storyline is Marc Marquez, coming off his sweep of all three Unites States rounds, the 20-year-old sensation is aiming to become the youngest driver to claim a MotoGP World Championship, toppling a mark set by American Freddie Spencer back in 1983.  His dominant win in last weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway extended his lead over Dani Pedrosa to 21 points. Emmett and Harris are also calling Moto 2, which can be seen on FOX Sports 1 at (2:00 PM ET).

FOX SPORTS 2 WRAPS THE 2013 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS SEASON FROM LAKE ELSINORE, CALIF. –  FOX Sports 2 is broadcasting the final two Motos of the 2013 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS season live from Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24 (6:00 PM ET).  Jason Weigandt and AMA Hall of Famer Jeff Emig have the call, while Kelli Stavast has all the latest from the paddock, as both the 450cc and 250cc categories close out their respective seasons.  Ryan Villopoto hopes to put an exclamation point on his second LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS championship in three years, while Eli Tomac, who wrapped up his first 250cc championship in dramatic fashion last weekend at Salt Lake City’s Miller Motorsports Park, is going for 10-straight Moto victories with a sweep at Lake Elsinore.

— FOX SPORTS —