LiveWorld Transcripts

Boxtop presents

Basketball star and host John Salley
"I Can't Believe You Said That!"

September 2, 1998

Basketball star John Salley discusses his role as host on the Fox Family Channel's "I Can't Believe You Said That!" Find out what it takes to be a game show host, and how to chase your dreams.

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CCCMyst: Talk City Presents, in association with iXL Live, welcomes you to tonight's feature presentation. And now without further ado please welcome John Salley. John, welcome to Talk City!

John Salley: Hello! Thank you for having me!

Mysterygirl: John, welcome to Talk City! I'm looking forward to seeing your new show on television. Tell us about it!

John Salley: The new show is called, "I Can't Believe You Said That!" It airs on the Fox Family channel every night at 6:30pm around the country. It's the best family game show on television, and the only one.

Astroboy: When did you know you had talent to play professionally?

John Salley: I had dreams to play professional basketball when I was 6 years old, and at 12 I had aspirations to play professionally, and at thirteen I was considered a man on a mission.

Andromeda: Who is the best coach you ever played for and what qualities did you respect in him?

John Salley: I can't name one coach, but the coaches who helped me fundamentally. The first coach who helped me in the Park in Brooklyn was named Barney Davis, a white guy who taught in the public schools. He would help me in the park, shooting, dribbling. Ted Gustus helped me, and then a Brooklyn legend coach named Bill Reynolds. I played in the Bronx for the Gauchos, in the summer leagues. In college at Georgia Tech it was Coach Perry Clock. In the pros, Chuck Daly and Joe Jackson. All those guys now watch me every night at six thirty on the Fox Family Channel, and they're saying, " I can't believe you got the show!"

Sandman: What is your opinion on the current NBA players' position and what do you see happening? Will it interfere with the start of the season? What are the main issues?

John Salley: Well, not to hurt your feelings, since I stopped playing ball two years ago, I kind of divorced myself from the game. The only thing I'm really concerned about is that God will help me pick up another 65 days on the show, make sure you watch "I Can't Believe You Said That" six thirty pm on the Fox Family Channel.

Parkbench: Most folks think that ball players would only move to sports commentator, however many pro players have gone on to successful entertainment careers. What is your goal in this new career? What would you like to do and accomplish?

John Salley: One, I would like to make my show better and try to work on my talents as a host. Second, I'd like to develop my own show as a producer. I'm also talking about being an executive producer and acting in films. Within the next 6 to 10 years I'd like to build a studio, called Salleywood! There's Dollywood, Hollywood, why not Salleywood!?

Meriwidow: What led you from pro basketball to pro TV?

John Salley: I started off knowing that when I first played I wasn't going to play forever. I've always had a plan to learn to entertain behind television, even though I started in front of it.

Spacecowboy: Who were your role models?

John Salley: My father, my mother were my role models. Period. My brothers came next.

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