George Michael, 1939-2009. R.I.P.

George Michael has passed away (the sportscaster not the singer). Michael had been battling cancer for two years. He was 70.

Michael was best known as the host of nationally syndicated show The George Michael Sports Machine which aired between 1984 and 2007. It would typically air on Sunday night and show highlights from both professional and amateur sports that had occurred during the week that had passed. Some highlights were great. Some were embarrassing. Others were just plain weird.

I liked Michael's affable enthusiasm. He clearly enjoyed what he was doing. I watched the show fairly regularly when it first hit the airwaves. But as ESPN and other 24 hour sports networks expanded their reach and local networks began airing their own late night sports programming it became harder to find The George Michael Sports Machine. Either it would air in the wee hours of Monday morning or one couldn't find it at all. But on the occasions I did happen to come across I would watch it.

Here's a highlight package from one of Michael's last shows in 2007. I think you'll see why his show found a way to star on the air for nearly a quarter century.