to be green-lit (the 9/11 attacks a few months later halted those plans). So he was a part of one of the last test-runs of the panel and was signed to the show. One week before the show was to launch, National Sports Report sports anchor Chris Rose was called to help sit-in and host one of the show test runs. What was a temporary rehearsal turned into a permanent gig, as Rose was named main host. Show debut The original cast was set: Chris Rose, Tom Arnold, former NBA player Reggie Theus, former NFL Defensive end Deacon Jones, and former Philadelphia Phillies 1st baseman John Kruk. The show debuted quietly at midnight on July 23, 2001 as a one-hour weeknight show on Fox Sports Net with former NFL great Jim Brown as its very first guest. The network deliberately launched the show without much fanfare and hype, in what was called a "soft launch", knowing that there still might be adjustments and changes after the show made its TV debut. Within two months, former Detroit Piston John Salley replaced Reggie Theus and St. Louis Rams' lineman D'Marco Farr replaced Jones. Lisa Guerrero sat behind the anchor desk and reported on sports updates highlights. Original format and reaction The show led off with all the hosts talking about three to four current sports issues and topics. Sports media writers were quick to pan the show, with one sports columnist writing: In November 2001, the Los Angeles Times wrote: "It's certainly not the worst either, and it's getting a lot better." A growing amount of high-profile athletes and celebrities started to attend the show, with its relaxed, entertainment-focused approach. The show quickly gained more credibility in its first few months with big-name guests such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sammy Sosa, Shaquille O'Neal, and Terrell Owens. A main part of the show's set was "The Cage", where guests performed varying athletic challenges with the hosts. Some of the initial memorable "Cage" moments were Terrell Owens in a touchdown celebration competition, Shaq donning a blond wig and recreating famous movie scenes from Casablanca and Jerry Maguire, and Gary Payton leading a trash-talking competition. The competitions that were too large in size were brought outside the Best Damn set into the Fox back lot. Such an example was a tricycle race between the hosts and Lance Armstrong. By November 2001, the show was expanded to