If this basketball analysis thing doesn’t work out, you get the feeling that Jay Bilas might make it as a stand-up comedian. And for that matter, WAVE-TV’s Scott Reynolds, emcee at the Kentucky Derby Festival They’re Off Luncheon, pulled off some good one-liners himself, as well as a pretty good Barney the Dinosaur impression.
Reynolds introduced a wave of dignitaries to speak on the wide dais, and apparently all of them employed writers with the assignment of ribbing Bilas about being from Duke. Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery (who was on this week’s Rusty Satellite Show), Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Mayor Greg Fischer, Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen and KDF president Mike Berry all made Duke references in their remarks.
But Bilas, the most entertaining They’re Off speaker in years, took it all in stride. He was especially tough on Reynolds, the emcee. It was more like a roast as the two traded barbs about their abilities.
Bilas, whose brother lives in Lake Forest near Tom Jurich, said he comes to Louisville every year to play in the country club’s member-guest tourney, which he referred to as “member-cheater.” He also took credit for U of L’s 1986 championship, saying his lack of defense helped Pervis Ellison score all those points in the Cardinal triumph.
“If not for me, Louisville might have one less national championship,” he said.
Bilas pleased most of the crowd with praise for the U of L and UK basketball programs, and even mentioned WKU. And he made a suggestion for a future They’re Off Luncheon – to invite his broadcast partner Bill Raftery.
All the jokes were delivered with a deadpan look, and smile. A few times he had to remind the audience he was joking.
The Festival honored the late Jim King for his years of service.
And now, Louisville, spring has officially arrived. 15 days ’til Derby.
