Often times, the internet isn’t great at picking up on a joke. But even Joe Buck had reason to be surprised that the irony was lost amongst some viewers who thought he actually had a beef with his new ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt.
Buck and Troy Aikman joined ESPN this season to add much-needed credibility to the Monday Night Football booth. After the conclusion of each MNF game, Buck and Aikman would do a live interview with Van Pelt for the late edition of SportsCenter. While the live hit with SVP is almost always lighthearted, some fans evidently thought Buck was upset following the Week 16 Chargers-Colts broadcast.
the MNF postgame show is elite pic.twitter.com/Hldme5cvcn
— sports announcers with no context (@nocontxtanncr) December 27, 2022
Buck jokingly took issue with Van Pelt only having one question for him. It was all clearly in jest, but it was enough to have Buck address the exchange following Monday’s Cowboys-Bucs NFC Wild Card matchup.
Scott Van Pelt and Joe Buck couldn't say goodbye without addressing rumors of their feud pic.twitter.com/hjzSVVN64B
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 17, 2023
Buck said:
“First of all, a couple weeks ago, you and I had a thing. We’re always playing around, you were the only guy I knew at ESPN before I came there, so let’s just put that to bed. And secondly, it’s been a great first year at ESPN.”
Aikman even kept the joke going by saying he was glad that the two were talking again before offering his thoughts on the Cowboys win. Classic Troy — always playing peacekeeper.
Fans did enjoy that exchange — even if the first “feud” was obviously a joke.
This was how Twitter reacted
I still want mock tension next season. https://t.co/IE0HiSSwbg
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) January 17, 2023
Never thought I'd like Joe Buck. But wish this duo was back at Fox calling the NFC games. https://t.co/10huJ73jIk
— SpawtsChat (@SpawtsChat) January 17, 2023
This also shows how much Aikman has grown in his role. He has shown so much more personality lately, and has really become one of the better color guys. https://t.co/8di7ZIDsG3
— Sean Kelly (@skelly54) January 17, 2023
Seems like Joe Buck and SVP made up. pic.twitter.com/nFmJqbH9PI
— Scared Money Don’t Make Money (@IAKOW_Neil) January 17, 2023
This SVP, Aikman & Joe Buck exchange is fantastic 🤣🤣🤣
— Gerry (@Saboats5) January 17, 2023
What a trio. @notthefakeSVP, @Buck and @TroyAikman actually make me want to watch post game coverage — best in the business.
Absolute pinnacle of sports broadcasting right now in each of their respective categories
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) January 17, 2023
Honestly, that was a great way to close their first year with ESPN — that fake beef needed to be squashed.
