Dave Feldberg on Conan O'Brien on Wed 5/2

[stpitner]

I just read on innova's website that their sponsored player, Dave Feldberg, is going to have a 7-minute spot on Conan O'Brien on Wednesday, May 2nd.  The other guest listed to be there that night is Robin Williams, so hopefully lots of people will tune in to see Robin and NOT turn off the tv after that and still see the interview with Dave promoting disc golf (maybe Dave will go first )

Conan is on NBC at 11:35 CT.

[J.R.]

Sweet.  That's great exposure.  Hope it's a good spot. 

I wonder if he'll do a putting demo or anything wierd like that.

[Chainmeister]

Robin Williams is a big bike nut.  He has dozens of bikes and rides all the time.  Maybe Feldberg will make him a disc nut.  He won't be the first person who has gone batty about both.

[discmonkey]

I just hit record on my TIVO, thanks. 

[arendow]

Conan is far and away the best late night host. I am definitely watching this! Congrats to Feldberg!

[stpitner]

heh, interesting conflict of interest...

on Conan's website http://www.nbc.com/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien/index.shtml, click on the guest list for May 2nd.  Note how it says Frisbee Golf National Champion David Feldberg.

Frisbee - a trademarked name - probably likes that "yay, continuing the name Frisbee" but at the same time - Feldberg is sponsored by Innova, not Frisbee.  On top of that (and this has happened to a friend of mine), Frisbee will actively pursue and have eBay shut down people selling Innova, Discraft, Gateway, etc, disc golf discs on eBay and calling it a Frisbee.  They are trying so hard to not make it a generic term for an item like Jell-o is for gelatin, Kleenex for tissues, Rollerblades for inline skates, and seemingly soon Google for searching.

It makes me wonder what Conan is going to call it during the show and if Feldberg is going to correct him any on it.  Hopefully they show some footage from a tournament or something, that would be neat!

[Jon Brakel]

Interesting comparison but frisbie is the only generic term that I know of that was changed by one letter and then taken by a company as their property. FREE FRISBIE!!!

[stpitner]

FYI, FELDBERG ON CONAN MOVED BACK A DAY.  It will now be on 5/3!  It's confirmed on the nbc website as well.

[Cannon Boy]

I watched the whole the Conan O'Brian show to see the hard ass of disc golf in front of millions of viewers and realized he was not on tonight when the show ended.  I also realized why I do not watch the Conan O'Brian late night show because it sucks donkey balls.  I will probably watch it for a final time tomorrow to see what the Borg has to say and how he portrays disc golf to probably the biggest audience the sport has ever had.  I do not understand why Conan O'Brian has such a big audience but that's neither here no there.  Good Day.

[Chainmeister]

I watched the whole the Conan O'Brian show to see the hard ass of disc golf in front of millions of viewers and realized he was not on tonight when the show ended.  I also realized why I do not watch the Conan O'Brian late night show because it sucks donkey balls.  I will probably watch it for a final time tomorrow to see what the Borg has to say and how he portrays disc golf to probably the biggest audience the sport has ever had.  I do not understand why Conan O'Brian has such a big audience but that's neither here no there.  Good Day.

Neal
I can't really comment on Conan as he is usually on way past my bedtime.  However, I was going to stay up and try and watch last night.  I fell asleep anyway and woke up around 11.  Thankfully, I looked at the message board (Thank you Scott Pitner) and saw the post that Feldberg was pushed until tonight. I also saw that Dave Gentry had sent an e-mail about this to anybody who gets PDGA e-mail.  : I closed my eyes and went back to the previous activity. ZZZZZ.

[shawn]

I stayed up way to late last night waiting for it...  did not check the e-mail..  I doudt I can stand watching that tool for one more night..  I'm sure it will end up on U-tube...

[Bruce Brakel]

I took an hour long nap at the doctor's office today [I can sleep anywhere, anytime!] so maybe I'll stay up for it. 

[J.R.]

Conclusion (for those who didn't see it):

1)  Great to have the sport on TV
2)  They didn't get the full 7-9 min. so it was a bit rushed and chaotic.  No interview to really explain/promote the sport.  But still great exposure and SFDGC got a nod at the beginning.  And it was fun (basically just a lot of putting and some throwing disc into the balcony)
3)  Dave was obviously nervous (who wouldn't have been) but he did well and hit some long putts off the stage into the crowd, which was pretty damn impressive.   He tried to explain some different putts/throws, but Conan was having none of it, he was just acting like a hyped up wacko throwing discs and making inane comments...in other words, being himself.
4)  Apparently even Conan O'Brien is a better putter than I am...I should really quit this sport.

[J.R.]

Just found that it is already up on DGTV.  So, you don't have to rely on my description.   

http://www.discgolftv.com/dgtv/189/2/0

[revrick]

Watched it this morning. The better half thinks Conan either plays or got coached up before the bit. It sounded like Feldberg nailed the basket on that throw to his left, or did he get help from the audience?

[Chainmeister]

for all his "wackiness" it seemed like Conan has thrown plastic before.  He hit a putt, chained one and was flinging them into the crowd pretty well.  Feldberg was throwing them into the highest balcony.  I gotta figure the corporate attorneys were not too happy  to see that no matter how soft the putters may have been.  I figure he was flinging Aviars. They had a big stack of them on Conan's desk.  I was surprised he didn't mention his sponsor, Innova, when asked about the word "frisbee".   It was worth staying up and hearing Bob Weir do a passable job on Jack Straw. Ratdog was the musical guest.

[tacimala]

He did mention Innova when Conan asked about why it's not called a frisbee and Dave explained how Innova Champion made the frisbees into discs for more aerodynamics or whatever his explanation was. That was it though, really quick promo.

I think they were Blowflys that they were throwing into the audience if I read that correctly on the PDGA forums.

[Chainmeister]

I had originally written that I figured they were blowflys but I then figured that Innova would not be thrilled with that.

[J.R.]

I agree that Conan has apparently thrown a disc before, if not played disc golf.  The story from Dave on discgolftv is that Conan (or his producers) approached Wham-o about doing a spot for the 50th anniv. of the Frisbee.  They directed Conan to disc golf and somehow it ended up with Dave.  I assume that's why everything was "Frisbee" with no mention of Innova.  (I acutally missed the scant Innove reference.  I heard Dave say something about "champion," but with Conan talking I missed what came before.

Also, on the DISCussion board they said the DGA brought in the putters and baskets.  Dave was obviously putting on stage with Aviars.  (You could see the stamp)  But supposedly the orange ones on the table were Gumbputts.

Innova sponspored player throwing DGA "Frisbees."  Gotta love it.

[J.R.]

But supposedly the orange ones on the table were Gumbputts.

Well, now I saw two people on the PDGA boards saying that they were Blowflys.  So, Tacimala and Chainmeister, I guess you were right.