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Mercer’s on the Mic in 2011


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Say buh-bye to Keith Alan. This post that just went up at Bassmaster.com says the spectacled Elite Series emcee has been replaced by none other than fishing funny man Dave Mercer, who’ll take the mic beginning at the 2011 Classic in New Orleans, La.

As far as why Alan was axed, B.A.S.S. co-owner Jerry McKinnis is quoted in the announcement as saying: “We simply felt like it was time for a change — time to get a fresh personality in the role of emcee.”

Alan’s always been a polarizing figure among pros and fans. He was involved in a bit of drama during the 2005 Classic in Pittsburgh when he put George Cochran on the spot at the weigh-in about a reported on-the-water conflict between Cochran and fellow competitor Jimmy Mize. Later Cochran said he felt ESPN and Alan had “tried to humiliate (him)” on the biggest stage in bass fishing. (If you have no clue what I’m talking about, you can read a bit about it, here—scroll down to “The Ugly” section.) And while it doesn’t get talked about a whole lot, many anglers (especially those who sided with Cochran) haven’t forgotten how that situation played out.

On the other hand, Alan’s become known for his zeal on stage and his ability to get a crowd fired up. Many fans certainly seem to like him, but there’s always been a contingent of folks who’ve wished Fish Fishburne was still the man behind the mic.

But, the past is the past. And now Alan is just that: history. I think Mercer is a good move for B.A.S.S. He’s got a fishing background (unlike Alan who was pulled from action sports, namely ESPN’s X Games), and he’s a likable character. He’s also got solid emcee chops and is generally fun to listen to.

We don’t know how this commitment will impact Mercer’s other projects, like his Facts of Fishing television show and his Facts of Fishing FYI web series, but we’ll see if we can pin him down and get the scoop.

How do you like Mercer as the voice of B.A.S.S.?

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Jody White

    December 2, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    This is great news. My dislike of Alan knows no bounds and Mercer is the real deal!

  2. Dan Roberts

    December 2, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    It’s gonna be great hearing that laugh on the Bassmaster stage.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcaaWPj_yHQ

  3. danroberts6289

    December 2, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    It’s gonna be great hearing that laugh on the Bassmaster Classic stage.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcaaWPj_yHQ

  4. Jacob Roinson

    December 2, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    I think its a good move.

  5. Chad Keogh

    December 2, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Congrats Dave! That’s one way to get a Canadian into the Classsic… 🙂

  6. Chad Aaron

    December 2, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    McKinnis and the other new guys are off to a good start in 2011 with the addition of Mercer. He’s a natural, both onstage, and with the ins and outs of bass fishing. As for Alan, he was confident with a mic in his hand, but I sometimes felt I was watching my grandfather discussing the latest shades of eyeshadow.

  7. Dick Durbin

    December 3, 2010 at 8:01 am

    It will certainly be nice to have one of us, a bass fisherman, rather than a corporate guy on the stage.

  8. Buzz

    December 3, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Great move by B.A.S.S., Mercer is a good choice. Maybe their saving F.Fishburne for running B.A.S.S. (LOL or not!). I’m still hoping for them to bring back Al Smith.

  9. Bria

    December 3, 2010 at 10:15 am

    OK, I’ll be the odd man out. Can’t stand Mercer – made it through two whole episodes of his little video deal on BassFan and that was one too many, but had to make sure the first one I saw wasn’t just an “off” episode. Didn’t care for Alan either, though. I won’t be watching too many BASS weigh-ins this coming year, I imagine.

  10. Tumblebug

    December 3, 2010 at 10:57 am

    Good move. When Fish was replaced by Keith, that was a WTF moment for me.

  11. Mike Fillmer

    December 3, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    Nice move by Jerry for hiring Dave. The younger crowd will love him as well as some of us ‘ol guys. He’s a fisherman like Fish and the rest of us. I believe Dave will be well received and I support Jerry with whatever decision he makes!

  12. Dwain

    December 4, 2010 at 12:59 am

    outstanding news Dave’s a funny guy and a fisherman, the Fish Fishburne of the modern era. The only thing better would be both those guys on stage at once hahaha

  13. melvin jennings

    December 4, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    I agree

  14. Bobby Benbo

    December 6, 2010 at 4:03 am

    I’m curious to know if they offered this position to Mark Zona. I think Zona would have been great but it seems as though he likes to be back stage more than on the stage. What were BASS list of replacements? Anybody know?

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