Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson has unveiled the key to the success. TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA ‘has become a cultural phenomenon during Ernie’s 30-year-long tenure, captivating audiences with its unique blend of sports analysis and entertaining banter. Its popularity lies in the chemistry and friendship among the hosts who continue to present their unfiltered opinions.

However, as naturally as the conversation flows, behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work to be done. Recently, TNT legend Ernie Johnson shared his take on the popularity of the show. He was on the latest episode of ‘92.9 The Game’s The Steakhouse’. During the conversation, he spilled a few beans.

Ernie Johnson singles out one key element of TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ show

Sure, the cast help. TNT has landed basketball greats Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith. But without their host, Ernie Johnson, the show would lose all coherence. As the Hall of Famer stated, it is one important element followed by the crew that adds to its popularity. That is, remaining unscripted. Johnson said, “We have an unrehearsed, unscripted show. These guys don’t go to the production meetings. They’re not invited.”

However, Ernie also gives credit to Turner News for trusting Inside the NBA’s crew and not interfering with their methods. “They just kind of left us alone and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got a good thing going on there with Inside…Okay, let those guys do their thing.” 

Johnson stressed on how unique this is in modern television where executives and external creatives often tend to limit creative control. Like the class act that he is, Ernie doesn’t take the trust for granted. “I think we try to repay their loyalty to us with a product night-in, night-out that folks enjoy. Look it’s one of these things where if people haven’t seen the show…You can’t take a night off. You can’t just mail it in,” the 67-year-old shared.

Of course, apart from their commitment to quality, Johnson and his co-hosts also bring some iconic characters. Kenny Smith joined the crew in 1998, a skeptical Chuck joined in 2001. The last member to join the show was Los Angeles Lakers legend O’Neal.

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Like Johnson mentioned though, the key is staying completely unscripted. While the legends can share their honest opinion with the fans, what the viewers really enjoy is watching the real dynamic unfold. This is why fans witness the same on-screen friendship being mirrored off-screen. We witnessed that again at Johnson’s Hall of Fame event.

Ernie Johnson’s co-hosts gave him a heartwarming surprise

Ernie Johnson Jr. was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame on December 12, 2023. While he had his friends and family present in the evening, three significant people in his life and career were also present.

Johnson flew down to New York, missing out TNT’s coverage that night, to receive his honor. But what he didn’t expect was that his co-hosts would follow suit. In a touching tribute to their ‘Godfather’, Smith, Shaq and Chuck surprised Ernie by presenting him with the award on stage.

Shaquille O’Neal said, “We wanted to hand deliver this to Ernie, Congratulations, brother.”

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The award ceremony took place during the regular Inside the NBA on TNT time slot. Instead of the regulars, fans were treated to a brand new roundtable of analysts for one night.