Tv Talk

Since legendary Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn, 85, underwent open heart surgery on Dec. 19,2001 (he had called 3,338 consecutive L.A. games), Paul Sunderland, the Fox Sports Net and NBC broadcaster, has filled in as the team's play-by-play voice. Last week we caught up with Sunderland.

SI: What's it like being Hollywood's most famous midseason replacement?

Sunderland: I'm not a replacement. I'm a stand-in.

SI: Your consecutive-games broadcasting streak stands at 20. Do you think that will ever be broken?

Sunderland: Yeah, in about six hours.

SI: Marv Albert said following Chick Hearn was like following Sinatra. What's following Paul Sunderland going to be like?

Sunderland: Since Chick's going to be following me, it will probably be a relief for Lakers fans.

SI: Do you know the name of the guy who replaced Sean Connery as James Bond?

Sunderland: Roger Moore.

SI: No, it was George Lazenby.