Perpetuation...Joslyn James makes the rounds

Ok. We were a little unsure of whether to do anything or not with this story. While we realize the Tiger Woods issue story is a big deal (though not the biggest story in NEWS), we have been somewhat restrained in our coverage of it. We have reported on it and mentioned it. But it hasn't dominated what we do.

Yes, we have come out, to the risk of our blogging credibility and said that enough is enough, the stories are out there, he's apologized and let's move on. However, the traditional media it appears is not of the same accord.

With that being said, Joslyn James...porn star and alleged Tiger mistress who claims that he made her pregnant...twice is appearing in Atlanta this week. Appropriately, she is headlining this week at the Pink Pony strip club.

She is also making the TV Rounds. This morning...in honor of the official start of the Masters golf tournament, she showed up on the FOX 5 (WAGA) in Atlanta Morning show. She wants an apology from Tiger. And quite frankly, it isn't everyday that someone with James' background actually gets to be on local TV.

Here is the video of the interview. Thanks FOSG Karen Graham and WAGA-TV:

Tiger: The Analyzation

By now, just a few minutes after wrapping up his press conference in Augusta, there has already been countless versions of psycho-analyzation by a hoard of so-called experts.

Already, he has changed what was an almost robotic routine for him while there. In the past, without fail, he would show up on Monday, play at the crack of dawn on Tuesday and do his presser and not be seen or heard from unless he was near the lead of the tournament.

Call it coaching, call it from the heart, a change of attitude, whatever you want...there seems to be a difference. Tiger 2.0 seems to be a bit more personable, more aware of what is going on around him.

In the past, he rarely... if ever... acknowledged the gallery or paid much... if any... attention to reporters. Today and yesterday, he did both. Not that being "nice" to reporters makes everything OK... it doesn't. But it is a start.

During today's practice round, he was very cordial and as some described... "friendly" with the crowd. Again, unusual, he rarely, if ever paid any attention to them in the past.

((Tiger on the course//Courtesy: toppayingideas.com))
There will be those out there in the blog world and on TV and in print who will say "He still didn't say enough."

To that, he did. What else do you need for him to say?

Were there a couple of questions he could have answered better? Sure. He wasn't very specific about the whole Ambien thing, but he wouldn't be the first person to have issues on it.

He did answer, to an extent, some questions about his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea who is under investigation for performance enhancing drugs. Woods also said that he had been contacted by Federal investigators about Dr. Galea.

There were the expected questions about his wife and no, he didn't give a reason for her not attending. It could have been her still dealing with things or keeping her distance from him... or it just could be that they didn't want her targeted during the tournament.

There were a lot of golf questions... again... expected since it was a room primarily full of Sports and golf reporters. He seemed to... at times awkwardly try to be friendly and smile at each of them.

((Tiger approaches #12 on Monday//Courtesy: Curtis Compton/AJC.com))
All in all, it was a good showing. From the entrance through the room instead of the traditional arrival from behind the curtain, there seemed to be a concerted effort to do things differently.

Will that carry on past this week? We'll see.
Does that excuse his behavior in the past? No. It shouldn't.
Does it infer that maybe things can finally move forward? Yes, I think it does.
If you disagree with that, I would love to hear a rational reason why.

Undoubtedly, this story will be broken down ad nauseum for the next 24 hours of the News cycle. There will and probably already have been tons of "breakdown" comments from so-called experts who will speculate on his mindset and posture and pretty much every movement and word he said and did. No doubt the "Tabloid" shows will be all over this... from a distance... and surely there will be the list of alleged mistresses asked for a response.

And yes, we will watch some of it out of curiosity.

Here is some video of Woods practicing at Augusta this morning:
Thanks CBS News...

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Tiger Woods Speaks At Augusta...

Actually, in Augusta... at the really, famous golf course there...

He held an uncharacteristically-scheduled Monday presser after practice play with Fred Couples and Jim Furyk...

In his opening statement, there were no real revelations. He's happy to be back on campus and very appreciative of the reception he got from all of the patrons during his practiced time. He was also very grateful to the other golfers on tour who had to answer all of the "Tiger Woods" questions while Woods was away.

Next up, Tiger discusses the accident and its aftermath...
((HT: Augusta National Golf Club/WYFF-TV))


And then he was asked about rehab and what he's actually still rehabilitating within himself... the last answer is interesting as well...


No, Tiger, you're welcome...

A couple of things that were asked, but not necessarily answered by Tiger in the press opportunity...

Christine Brennan asked Tiger about the alleged HgH usage and his interaction with Dr. Anthony Galea- who is currently being investigated for doctor-like shenanigans.

The answer was an answer, but not really an answer...

But he does get the line of the day... when a reporter asked whether or not Ambien was a factor in the crash in which Elin rescued him with a putter, Tiger was quoted that the cops cited him and fined him $168...

"Closed case..."

Interpret that as you see fit...

35 minutes in length, the press conference was an interesting display in the "new" Tiger Woods. He went out of his way to address reporters by name or nickname when answering their questions. Every question was answered- even if the answer really wasn't an answer. The golfer seemed calm in the surroundings and was ready to get this exercise behind him...

More when we know more...

TIger Talks...reactions are mixed....

By now, most of are aware that media target #1, Tiger Woods was made available for 2 interviews on Sunday night. They were short, 5 minutes each, but not filtered...the reporters, Tom Rinaldi of ESPN and Kelly Tilghman of the Golf Channel were allowed to ask anything that they wanted to...and they did.

What they found was a Tiger, much less robotic than his "Public Statement" of February and though there were quite a few places that he wouldn't go, citing his "Family Privacy", he also opened up and essentially admitted to a lot of the indiscretions that he's been accused of.

((Tiger Woods at his 2009 Presser//Courtesy: CBSNews.com))

For those who haven't seen it yet: Here is Rinaldi's interview again. Thank You ESPN, we appreciate that you allowed this to be embedded.

The Golf Channel interview wasn't available, but they did make Ms. Tilghman available for an interview with the CBS Morning show. (We will keep an "eye" out, if the video is posted later, we'll get it for you)

Check out what they discussed RIGHT HERE

If you read the Tilghman version of the story, Woods told her "I did it. I'm the one who did those things. And looking back on it now with a more clear head, I get it. I can understand why people would (mock and criticize him) because, you know what? It was disgusting behavior and it's hard to believe that was me, looking back on it now".

Though we fully realize that this was a handpicked conditional interview, we think it was a good PR move from the Woods camp. He looked far more repentant and personally upset at what he did. The reporters from both networks asked the appropriate questions and got as good an answer as they are going to. We think that is good.

However. We also realize there is going to be a segment of both the Internet, Journalism and Tabloid communities who still don't think that this is enough. We don't know exactly what it is that they feel he owes them. Yes, at his level you do need to say that you are sorry and apologize for doing the wrong thing. He's now done that. What else do you want?

The Masters this year will be a very interesting social experiment. Having covered the Tournament for the past 10 years (not this yr. unfortunately), access to Tiger has always been limited, that isn't going to change. There are not going to be people shouting things at him on the course (patrons or tabloid reporters who bought aftermarket tickets included), if they do, they will be escorted quickly off of the grounds and probably arrested. The lords of Augusta do not have to let them in nor do they have to tolerate that behavior, they are aware of this.

Much the same, Tiger and his PR folks are aware of this too. This is the best, most controlled environment that he can return under. It will be very interesting to see if he keeps his regular routine and does his late Tuesday morning presser. It will be interesting indeed.

Tiger Woods Presser...the other side of things...

We came across this on our Twitter feed and felt like that we should share it with everyone else. It is from one of our College Football Faves, the LSU Freek and though admittedly not "Fall off the Chair funny", it is amusing and our friend "The Freek" is one seriously talented dude.

We give you Tiger's presser...Courtesy: LSU Freek and The You Tube:

Tiger Woods...the Apology Tour

Ok. So now he is on the record. Tiger Woods basically spoke to the entire world this morning apologizing...repeatedly for what he has done.

The apology, broadcast from PGA Tour HQ in Sawgrass was given in front of a handful of friends, tour officials and sponsors. There was also a camera in the room so it could be broadcast...and broadcast it was by all the over-the air networks and most of the cable networks.

((Tiger speaks his peace//Courtesy: NY Daily News/CNN Screen grab))

Itself, the premise was almost surreal. Here was the one time most popular athlete in the world on a platform trying...in a carefully scripted way to take the 1st step towards regaining his life. Yes, there are going to be a lot of cynics...and tabloid reporters who will say the whole thing was a dog and pony show and a load of crap. They are saying that because they want to be the one to get the "One-on One" interview. Sorry people. It ain't happening. As a professional journalist, sure, it makes me cringe that no reporters were present in the room and no questions were taken. But I can see his side as well. He doesn't need the journalists to get his story out.

There were several key statements in the speech that would lead one to believe that the man realizes the effects of what he's done. We will highlight what we feel are the interesting parts:

-"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position."

-"For all that I have done, I am so sorry."

-"The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame."

-"I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them."

-"I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me."

-"It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I'm facing. I have a long way to go. But I've taken my first steps in the right direction. "

-"I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be. "

-"Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again."

We here at OSG World HQ...well actually the Satellite office feel as though this was a good start. We feel that he said what needed to be said. Would a room full of journalists have jumped at the chance to start asking him questions...sure they would. Did they need to? No, to be really honest, they didn't. When push comes to shove, this is a personal issue. This is not something that needs to be combed through with a fine tooth comb publicly. This should suffice.

Will it be enough to stop the onslaught of tabloid stories? No. Will it stop the endless stream of jokes about it? No. Should it be left alone. Yes. But we know that we live in a society where we feel like we have to know every dirty little secret of the people we admire. Is it our right to know it? Debatable. It really shouldn't matter what they do on their own time. As long as when they are on our time, they do what they are paid to do.

Here is the entire statement...Courtesy CBS News:

MyFoxDallas had an interesting sidebar to the whole 13-and-a-half minutes...

A joint called HCD Research was surveying close to 1,100 Americans as Tiger Woods was delivering his apology to determine his "sincerity." Here are their results from their survey during key sections of the Tiger Woods World Feed...
((HT: MyFoxDFW.com))