The 2012 sports calendar is finally complete.
Sportscaster Marv Albert appeared on “Late Show with David Letterman” Friday to present his wild and wacky sports bloopers from the past year, continuing a decades-long tradition.
Albert – with the help of producer Dave Katz – started providing the blooper play-by-play in the 1980s, when Letterman hosted “Late Night with David Letterman” on NBC.
The segments became a tradition of sorts, with Albert drawing laughs by quipping about players running into fences, fans falling on their faces and mascots captured in compromising situations.
Sometimes the featured athletes accomplish extraordinary feats – but normally not, with lowlights commemorated in “Albert Achievement Awards” categories such as “Gridiron Goofs” and “Embarrassing Moments.”
This 2012 video shows Indiana University men’s basketball coach Tom Crean picking up his gum from the court – and putting it back in his mouth, a violation of society’s five-second rule (he’d later describe the gum as a “fresh piece of Dentyne Ice”).
Nets power forward Kris Humphries also makes an appearance, after a referee attempted to block his free throw during a December game against the Raptors.
In college football, Kent State’s Andre Parker is seen running in the wrong direction. And then there’s Marquise Goodwin of Texas scoring a touchdown, only to have a Marine from rival Ole Miss shout at him.
“His planned end zone celebration was halted by military disapproval,” Albert joked.
While the bloopers themselves are comical, part of the skit’s humor involves traditionalism. Same music (“Twelfth Street Rag”). Same “crack” research team. Same host. Same sportscaster. Same banter.
The segment’s traditionalism makes wild and wacky bloopers apt for mockery, a feat best accomplished by comedian Chris Elliott.
Elliott, a 1980s Letterman regular, appeared on the show multiple times spoofing Albert’s shtick – wearing an obnoxious wig and blue blazer, spewing incorrect stats and showing inconsequential, irreverent highlights and even a clip of his aunts on a swing.
Albert’s (and Elliott’s) archived blooper reels have found new life online, documenting the athletic world’s best and worst moments – moments and segments that remain funny all these years later.